Skill. Stewardship. Survival.
Surviving Mann: The Great Safari Challenge is a nationally broadcast prestige competition series unfolding across several of America’s most respected private hunting destinations—properties known for conservation leadership, strategic wildlife management, and exceptional outdoor experiences.
A select field of accomplished outdoorsmen—leaders in their respective fields—step into a curated arena of challenge, blending strategic pursuit, precision marksmanship, advanced fieldcraft, and ethical wildlife stewardship.
Hosted by SEAL Team 6 veteran, elite endurance competitor, and adventure architect Don Mann, the series unfolds across breathtaking wilderness settings as participants face demanding field challenges—culminating in the recognition of one Safari Champion.
Arena Leadership
Show Host & Arena Architect
Don Mann
Master of Elite Performance. Endurance Pioneer. Leadership Under Pressure.
Before television, before national broadcast, before Surviving Mann – Don Mann was designing and leading extreme endurance and wilderness challenges for some of the most accomplished individuals in the world.
A Navy SEAL Team 6 veteran, and one of the first athletes to complete two Ironman triathlons in a single day, Don has spent decades operating at the outer edge of physical and mental performance.
Today, he brings that same precision, discipline, and challenge design to a national audience through the Surviving Mann television franchise.
The Great Safari Challenge extends Don’s real-world arena – and documents it for a national audience.
Tim Harmsen
Firearms Authority. Field Marksman. Digital Leader.
Tim Harmsen is the creator of the Military Arms Channel, one of the most respected firearms and tactical channels in the world, with millions of engaged followers across digital platforms.
An experienced hunter and precision marksman, Tim brings technical expertise, historical knowledge, and real-world shooting insight to The Great Safari Challenge.
While Don Mann orchestrates and leads the arena, Tim serves as both analyst and authority – evaluating performance, equipment, and execution with clarity and credibility.
His presence bridges the legacy of traditional hunting with the modern firearms community, expanding the Challenge’s reach while reinforcing its authenticity.
Jeff Tiegs
Counter Terrorism Expert. Author. Human Rights Advocate.
Jeff Tiegs is a retired counterterrorism and counterinsurgency leader with over 25 years in U.S. Army Special Operations. Rising from Ranger private to Delta Force Lieutenant Colonel, he led high-risk missions worldwide, including Panama, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
In The Great Safari Challenge, Jeff brings the perspective of a career operational leader—where discipline, preparation, and decision-making under pressure determine outcomes.
His experience in strategic planning, field leadership, and mission execution reinforces the standards of awareness, composure, and accountability expected inside Don Mann’s arena.
Today, as founder and president of Skull Games, he leads global efforts to expose and disrupt human trafficking networks, applying decades of operational expertise to defend the vulnerable and pursue justice.
Dave - 22 Plinkster
Precision Marksman. Field Authority. Trusted Guide.
Dave, widely known as “22Plinkster,” is one of the most recognized precision marksmen in the modern shooting community. With millions of engaged followers across digital platforms, he has built a reputation for exceptional accuracy, technical discipline, and creative shooting mastery — demonstrating precision feats that demand control, focus, and repeatable performance.
Beyond digital recognition, Dave is an experienced hunter and trusted field companion, frequently invited to guide and accompany enthusiasts on high-level hunts across the country.Distinguished Destinations
Each chapter of The Great Safari Challenge takes place at a distinguished private hunting destination—properties chosen for their commitment to conservation, wildlife stewardship, and exceptional outdoor experiences.
Every location brings its own character to the arena. Wildlife, land management philosophy, and local hunting traditions shape the challenges participants face and influence how strategy unfolds in the field.
More than a backdrop, each destination environment becomes an active participant in the arena—testing skill, preparedness, awareness, and stewardship at every step of the pursuit.
Apex Tools. Elite Standards.
For fans of firearms, optics, drones, and advanced field equipment, The Great Safari Challenge offers a rare look at professional-grade gear operating under the demanding conditions it was built for.
The series brings together premier equipment and technologies—from state-of-the-art firearms and sophisticated optics to drone-enabled reconnaissance systems and specialized fieldcraft tools.
This is where elite hunting culture meets proven tactical expertise.
Inside Don Mann’s arena, equipment is deployed in realistic scenarios where reliability, competence, and preparedness matter.
A National Stage For The Modern Hunting Tradition
For fans of hunting, conservation, and elite tactical performance, The Great Safari Challenge offers a rare and compelling look inside elite hunting environments, advanced fieldcraft, and the discipline behind responsible pursuit.
The series reaches millions of households in the US and globally through its premiere on the Pursuit Channel and through multi-platform distribution across the American Stories Network.
From its national debut, each episode continues across additional streaming, digital, and on-demand platforms—allowing new audiences and devoted fans alike to discover and return to the arena long after the initial broadcast.
For those inside the arena—participants, destinations, and aligned partners—the series creates a lasting presence within a nationally distributed competitive format.
THE ARENA IS FORMING
The Great Safari Challenge brings together extraordinary destinations, accomplished outdoorsmen, and the uncompromising standards of seasoned tactical professionals.
Across these distinguished hunting properties, a select field of participants will step into Don Mann’s arena—training with elite operators, testing their skill in demanding field scenarios, and pursuing the discipline that defines responsible modern hunting.
Within this arena, advanced fieldcraft, stewardship, and composure under pressure define the outcome.
For those ready to experience this standard, the arena is now forming.
Choose How to Experience The Arena
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