Life Is Wild — Season 1

Katie Clarke may never forgive her veterinarian father, Danny and step-mother Jo for dragging their entire blended family out of New York City to spend a year living in a broken-down lodge on a wildlife reserve deep in South Africa. In fact, the one area of agreement among Katie, her 11-year-old brother Chase, their rebellious teenage step-brother Jesse and 7-year-old step-sister Mia, is that Danny has lost his mind. Complicating matters, the family takes up residence at the Blue Antelope Lodge, the childhood home of Katie's deceased mother, where her reclusive grandfather, Art still resides. Things begin to look up for Katie and Jesse when they meet young locals Oliver, Tumelo and Emily. While Jo struggles to adjust to this strange land, Danny immediately begins working on sick and injured animals, much to the relief of the locals.

On the first day of school at the Peacanwood International School, Katie is thrilled when the popular girls, Emily and Lauren, volunteer to help her write a poem in Zulu for a class project. Lauren, jealous of Oliver and Katie's blossoming friendship, invites Katie to a concert, but purposefully gives her the wrong address. Tumelo befriends Katie and teaches her about ubuntu, an African concept embracing respect and concern for others, which she uses to complete her assignment. Jesse, decides not to follow the school's strict rules and, along with Oliver, stops by the Ant Hill, a local hangout where he is smitten by Mbali, the beautiful bartender. During his first day on the job, Danny learns that several animals are mysteriously falling ill and his own investigating leads him to the neighboring lodge. Meanwhile, Jo convinces Art to renovate the Blue Antelope into an eco-friendly lodge.

The Blue Antelope is finally open for business and the entire family greets their first guests. Katie auditions for the Spring Sing Fling and, much to the surprise of Tumelo and Oliver can actually sing. Jesse shocks his parents by taking it upon himself to get a job at the Ant's Hill, but his attempt at being responsible takes a wrong turn when he's confronted by Mbali about his age. Danny investigates the sudden illness of several zebras and wildebeests, while Jo and Art realize that running an eco-friendly lodge requires a lot of time and patience.

It's Heritage Day, a South African holiday recognizing the past and celebrating the future in the post-Apartheid era. Katie prefers to attend a big party with Oliver and Emily at the Mara Lodge, but is unsure if she will be invited and accepts an invitation from Tumelo to accompany him to the township's traditional celebration. While shaving, a vervet monkey snatches Jesse's toiletry kit through the bathroom window. Meanwhile, Danny and Jo decide to celebrate the holiday by attending the township party with Chase and Mia.

Katie and Jesse are annoyed that Danny and Jo expect them to spend their weekend doing chores around the lodge, instead of relaxing with Oliver and Emily at Mara Lodge. Upon taunting Katie about always being "the good girl," Jesse ditches on his chores and meets up with Oliver, where the two encounter a prized cheetah, prompting Jesse to turn to Danny for help. Tired of always doing the right thing, and convinced Oliver likes the bad girl, Katie visits a bar with Oliver but skips out on the bill and the two end up behind bars.

Katie is excited to learn that the boys and girls will compete against each other in a charity soccer game to benefit underprivileged kids. Though she is a strong soccer player, Katie is surprised to learn that the boys refuse to believe that the girls will win the game. Katie motivates Emily and fellow her teammates to do their best, but when her skills cause tension with Oliver, who is playing against her, she attempts to weaken her chances of winning the game. Meanwhile, Jesse quickly befriends James, a guest at the Blue Antelope, whose wild and adventurous actions cause Jesse serious injury and lead to tension between Danny and Jo.

The Blue Antelope is throwing its first wedding and Katie has agreed to help Jo with all the arrangements. While spending time with Oliver at the Mara Lodge, Katie discovers a secret about his father, Colin, which only pushes Oliver away. Danny seeks Tumelo's help in taking care of a sick elephant but soon realizes the animal may have an unusual crush on Hamley, the giraffe. Meanwhile, Jesse and Mbali share a frightening experience at work, which brings them closer together.

Jo and Danny are on their way to a conference for lodge operators and reluctantly leave Jesse and Katie in charge for the weekend. Jesses invites Emily and some of her friends to hang out, which quickly turns into a full blown, out-of-control party. Oliver and Katie are interrupted during a serious conversation when Stella, a lioness, decides to crash the party.

Katie, Oliver, Emily and Tumelo form a study group to prepare for their mid-term. Jesse, nearly failing the class, reluctantly seeks Katie's help, but is accused of cheating on the exam. Meanwhile, guests at the Blue Antelope expect to participate in a guided wildlife hunt, which Danny and Jo don't offer, and decide to check into the Mara Lodge. Danny and Art do their best to protect the white lion, which represents the spirit of Africa, being targeted by the hunters.

Katie, Jesse, Oliver, Emily and Tumelo join their classmates on an adventure in the bush. Jesse rebels against the counselor and refuses to participate in any activity, but the others set off to hike the trail. A lost map, a wet radio and a close encounter with an alligator causes tension between the group and Tumelo and Katie end up lost in a cave. Meanwhile, Jo's best friend from New York is in town and is very honest about her opinion of the new life Jo leads in Africa.

Though Katie is having second thoughts over her break-up with Oliver, she has volunteered as the school liaison with loveLife, a group that supports HIV-positive teens in South Africa. Katie befriends the counselor of the group, Ayanda, and is surprised to learn details about her background. Jesse is confronted by Emily after he is spotted spending extra special time with Mbali. When a "green guide" inspector visits the Blue Antelope, tensions rise among Jo, Danny and Art when its revealed that Art's practices are not up to eco-friendly standards.

Katie and Tumelo break-up up with their respective love interests, but find they are uncomfortable in their friendship now that they are both single. After dating new people, Katie and Tumelo realize that their relationship is special. Jesse helps Mbali find the courage to end her engagement but is surprised to learn she has other plans outside South Africa. Jo and Art swap chores around the Blue Antelope in a challenge to establish whose duties are most difficult.

Art convinces Danny to introduce a fertile male into the Blue Antelope's pride of lions to encourage successful mating, but both men end up seriously injured when the idea doesn't go as planned. Jesse plans to leave Africa in search of his old life, and Mbali back in New York. Katie tries to convince Jesse to stay with the family, but is surprised by Jo's actions.