Wolf Larson beat out Joe Lara for the role of Tarzan. Lara had previously starred in the made-for-TV movie As Aventuras de Tarzan em Nova York (1989) and would later go on to play the title role again in the series Tarzan: The Epic Adventures (1996).
Despite being set in Africa, the show featured only three African main characters, one in each season. At the end of the first season, Malick Bowens (as Simon Govier) decided he did not want to continue with the series. Errol Slue (Jack Benton) died at the end of the second season. William S. Taylor, hired to replace Slue, enjoyed playing the role of Dan Miller and would have gladly continued it. Unfortunately, the show ceased production after the untimely death of Sean Roberge.
To prepare for the role of Tarzan, Wolf Larson lifted weights two hours a day for several months. He also took archery and trapeze classes.
The character of Tarzan was originally supposed to be barefoot. However, Wolf Larson insisted on wearing shoes when he saw the large variety of snakes inhabiting the set.
Before shooting began, Wolf Larson spent three days at an animal park in Cuernacava, Mexico, both to get him used to working with wild animals and to allow the crew to shoot stock footage for the show.