Alone Season 12 Breaks New Ground in South Africa’s Great Karoo

by | May 19, 2025

Updated: May 19, 2025
Alone Season 12: Africa Desert Survival Begins

Alone Season 12 is back and more intense than ever. The show now goes to the harsh deserts of the Great Karoo in South Africa. 

It gets harder to stay alive when there is a new cast, a lot of heat, and not enough water. Find out about the cast, the setting, the air date, and what makes this season the most dangerous yet in this blog.

Alone Season 12 Sneak Peek | The HISTORY Channel

Is There Going to Be an Alone Season 12

Colton Gilman looking into distance with cap at sunrise outdoors

Photo Credit: HISTORY

Alone Season 12 is officially confirmed by the History Channel. This is the first time in the show’s history that it leaves cold places and goes to the Great Karoo in South Africa, which is hot and dry. This new place will be tougher than any other, making this one of the toughest new seasons yet.

Alone Season 12 Officially Confirmed With a New Premiere Date

The History Channel told the fans that the next season will start on June 12, 2025, at 9 PM EST. This coming season will bring big changes to where things are and how they are.

  • Premiere Date: June 12, 2025
  • Time Slot: 9 PM EST on the History Channel
  • Streaming Option: Available next day on all History Channel-supported platforms.
  • New Setting: South Africa’s semi arid desert near Cape Town.

What Makes Season 12 Stand Out From Previous Seasons

This is the first time the show is headed in a desert outside of North America. The dry, hot weather will change how the players stay alive in every way.

  • Focus on Water: Contestants must remain hydrated to avoid heat-related issues.
  • Less Cold, More Heat: Unlike Vancouver Island or Canada, there’s no freezing weather.
  • Unique Survival Challenges: Less abundant water, harder to find food
  • New Skill Set Required: Contestants need a high level of desert-specific survival skills.

Meet the Cast of Alone Season 12

Will Lamb filming solo with gear and traditional bow beside river

Photo Credit: HISTORY

Each of the 10 contestants on this season is new and has never been on the show before. Each person is on their own and has to use what tools they have to build a shelter, find food, and stay alive in the land of great thirst.

Full List of Contestants for Season 12

These people come from different places and have had different kinds of outdoor experience. The official line-up is here:

Fresh Faces With New Skills and Survival Strategies on History Channel

There are only 10 tools that each survivalist can bring. To stay alive in a huge area of dry grasslands, they need to be smart, skilled, and able to change.

  • No Returning Players: All contestants are new to the show’s history.
  • Tool Selection: Each gets to pick 10 survival tools.
  • Main Survival Focus: Prioritize water, shelter, and staying cool over hunting.
  • Unique Strengths: A mix of bushcraft experts, military veterans, and outdoor guides.

Where Does Season 12 of Alone Take Place?

Nathan Olsen with a beard under sunlight in rugged mountain terrain

Photo Credit: HISTORY

The show is now in the Great Karoo in Africa, instead of the cold, forested places it was in previous seasons. This semiarid desert is a huge, dry area that makes it harder to stay alive. It is known as the “land of great thirst.”

Inside the Great Karoo: Africa’s Harsh New Survival Arena

This vast expanse near Cape Town is both beautiful and brutal. With limited water and extreme temperatures, surviving here takes next-level skill.

  • Location: Great Karoo, South Africa
  • Climate: Hot and dry grasslands by day, freezing at night.
  • Land Features: Hills, cliffs, rocky plains, and sparse vegetation.
  • Water Sources: Hard to find—most are underground or far apart.

Why the Great Karoo Changes the Survival Formula Completely

Douglas S. Meyer in hoodie outside tent during golden hour wilderness

Photo Credit: HISTORY

This is not Canada or Vancouver Island at all. In those places, it was easier to find food and water. Things are tougher now.

  • Hydration Is Crucial: Staying hydrated takes priority over everything.
  • Animal Risks: Watch out for scorpions, snakes, and wild game like Cape buffalo.
  • Shelter Matters: Contestants must build shelters to handle both heat and cold.
  • Episode Highlights: Expect new types of survival problems every week.

Final Thoughts

Fans of the History Channel and survival shows are sure to love Alone season 12. The semi-arid Great Karoo Desert in South Africa has become the new battleground, so contestants need to pick up new skills quickly. 

They aren’t going after big games as much this season; it’s more about water, heat, and making smart decisions. Every week, people will be hooked on the show because of the setting, the cast, and the catch for survival.

You can expect real struggles, strong shelters, and the harsh truth of having to live in the land of great thirst. It doesn’t matter if you’ve watched the show before or this is your first time.

FAQs

When Does Alone Season 12 Start?

Alone Season 12 premieres on June 12, 2025, at 9 PM EST on the History Channel. The upcoming season will stream the next day on History’s platforms.

Where Was Season 12 Filmed?

It was filmed in South Africa’s semi arid desert called the Great Karoo, a vast expanse of hot and dry grasslands near Cape Town.

What’s New in Season 12 Compared to Previous Seasons?

Since it started, the show has only been in Canada and places like Vancouver Island.  In place of snow and cold, contestants have to deal with heat, sun, and thirst.  The contestants must have super-strong survival skills,  Focus less on big games and more on staying cool and drinking water.  Not as easy to get food and clean water,  Pay attention to quickly building a shelter.

Who Are the Contestants in Season 12?

There are 10 new contestants this season. No returning players. All were forced to rely on their own survival skills.

Why Is Season 12 Considered a Big Hit for Fans?

Because of the new desert setting, intense heat, wild animals, and total isolation, this season is a hit. Fans will love watching how the contestants adapt. And yes, someone will catch something—even if it’s not a big game.

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