David Beckham goes Into The Unknown Saturday 12 July on BBC Knowledge

A documentary special following global superstar David Beckham on an unforgettable journey through the Amazon rain forest, airing exclusively on BBC Knowledge. After 22 years playing for the world’s greatest football teams, Beckham has retired. For the first time in his adult life he has the freedom to do whatever he wants – and to mark the occasion he’s going on an adventure.

He’s chosen Brazil, on motorbikes, and is travelling with three of his closest friends – Anthony Mandler, world renowned photographer and video director; Derek White, an experienced motorbike rider who’ll get them out of a mechanical fix; and Dave Gardner, his best friend since they were 14 years old.

First stop is Rio. It takes only minutes for Beckham to be spotted by fans and paparazzi. With the motorbikes giving them a speedy getaway and the helmet creating the anonymity Beckham craves, they escape up to a favela, called Vidigal.

Passing a foot-volleyball game down on Sao Conrado beach, Beckham can’t resist the temptation, and plays with the locals until the sun goes down. The locals can’t believe their luck. The next day they fly to Manaus, tropical gateway to the Amazon, and make their way deep into the Amazon where Beckham is unknown.

They enjoy the freedom of the bikes on the open road but are out of their comfort zone and when night falls they have to bed down in hammocks, in pretty basic conditions. After almost 800 miles of boat and bike travel, they reach a tiny airstrip that will take them deep into the jungle to meet the inhabitants of a remote territory where few Westerners have been.

David Beckham: Into the Unknown will premiere on Saturday, 12 July at 6:20pm on BBC Knowledge (DStv channel 184), repeated on Sunday, 13 July at 1:15pm and 10pm WAT.