I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! is a popular TV show that has long captivated audiences with its promise of casting celebrities into a jungle setting, where they undergo daring challenges and face tough survival tests.
The celebrities compete to be crowned king or queen of the jungle by battling harsh weather, bugs, snakes, and harsh living conditions.
However, the reality behind the so-called jungle is not quite what many viewers might imagine. Here’s the truth about the jungle on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
Where Is the Jungle?
I’m a Celebrity isn’t filmed in an untamed jungle wilderness, despite the show’s name and the cast’s struggles with seemingly wild surroundings.
The Australian version of the show is filmed in a managed, tourist-accessible environment in Springbrook National Park in South Wales.
The location is actually a former banana plantation bordering a subtropical rainforest, far from a truly wild and dangerous jungle.
For about 20 years, this location has provided a unique tropical backdrop of lush foliage, creeks, and vegetation, helping convince viewers they are witnessing celebrities thrown into the raw wilderness.
Dangerous animals are kept away by fencing, traps, and daily safety sweeps carried out by wildlife experts. The site’s infrastructure and accessibility allow producers to maintain safety and control while creating the illusion of isolation.
The artificial atmosphere
While the environment is natural in appearance, many elements of the jungle camp are engineered or supplemented for filming:
Canopy and lighting
A large, artificial canopy is installed over parts of the camp to control lighting for the cameras and shield certain areas from the sun or rain, which is crucial given the long filming hours and the need for consistent shot quality.
Contestants often find it difficult to sunbathe because of this overhead covering, breaking the illusion of complete immersion in nature.
Constructed sets
Many areas of the camp, including celebrity sleeping quarters and eating areas, are purpose-built structures designed for filming comfort and safety but arranged to look rustic and primitive.
Behind the scenes, numerous support buildings, medical facilities, and storage containers stand just beyond the viewer’s cameras.
Landscaped features
The iconic pond, waterfalls, and some trail areas are not entirely natural but curated to enhance the setting’s aesthetics, drama, and practicality for filming.
The celebrities aren’t far from the production team
It is true that celebrities can’t access outside communication, phones and news, and that viewers often picture contestants completely cut off from the world and stranded in a harsh environment with minimal support. I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!’s filming site allows for controlled access.
Crew and medical staff maintain close proximity to the camp to ensure contestants’ safety during trials and daily living in challenging conditions.
To add to that, a restricted road leads up to the filming studios, where hosts Ant and Dec present live segments.
Additionally, emergency vehicles and medical personnel stand ready at short notice, a requirement for insurance and ethical compliance in a show where contestants sometimes face dangerous tasks.
Similarly, the cast and crew stay at nearby comfortable hotels and resorts like JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa before and after filming, rarely, if ever, spending extended periods truly camping in wilderness conditions.
Why does the illusion matter?
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here! producers aim to deliver gripping survival and social drama without exposing celebrities to real risk or the unpredictability of a real jungle.
By combining genuine outdoor elements with controlled, constructed sets and professional oversight, they create a compelling hybrid reality TV experience.
This balance lets viewers enjoy the excitement of watching celebrities face insects, animals, and difficult terrain while maintaining a safe filming environment.