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10 Best African Safari Movies

If you’re thinking about going on an African safari and need a bit of visual inspiration, here’s our pick of the 10 Best African Safari Movies and documentaries, ranging from edge-of-your-seat thrillers to true life conservation stories.

Our must-watch African movies & documentaries:

Dive into the thrilling world of African safaris with our top picks for the best African safari movies. These films offer a cinematic journey through the wild landscapes of Africa, capturing the essence of adventure, wildlife, and the spirit of the safari experience. Perfect for those dreaming of or planning an African adventure, these movies range from gripping thrillers to heartfelt stories of conservation and connection with nature.

1. The Lion King

 

lion king

This classic Disney movie is still great to watch (after more than two decades) for its amazing music, powerful story and of course all your favourite animal characters, from loveable Pumbaa to wise Rafiki.


2. BBC Africa

 

BBC Africa

 

You can’t go on a safari to Africa without watching the BBC’s incredible six-part mini series on the continent’s wild places and wildlife, narrated by the wonderful Sir David Attenborough.

This series covers black rhinos, the Kalahari desert, the savannah of East Africa, the wildlife of the Congo, animals living in southern Africa, the Sahara Desert and the future of conservation.

 

3. Gorillas in the Mist

 

gorillas-mist

Based on the true story of Diane Fossey, an American naturalist who dedicated her life to mountain gorilla research and conservation in the jungles of the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda. The movie, which stars Sigourney Weaver, shows the challenges Fossey faced in fighting poachers and bureaucrats, and the sacrifices she made to help the severely endangered primates with beautiful shots of real gorillas in their natural habitat.

  • Tour Length 39 days
    Group Size Max 16
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Livingstone
    Countries Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia
    Overview This Nairobi to Livingstone Overland tour provides a comprehensive insight into East Africa’s finest highlights and gives you a glimpse of what Southern Africa has to offer. We go primate trekking in Uganda and explore the rippling Masai Mara and flat plains of the Serengeti. See the monumental Ngorongoro Crater and the magnificence of Mt Kilimanjaro. Relax on the sun-kissed beaches on the tropical island of Zanzibar, view the picturesque Lake Malawi and the powerful Victoria Falls.
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  • Tour Length 37 days
    Group Size Max 20
    Starts & Ends Starts: Livingstone Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda
    Overview 35 Day Livingstone to Gorillas Overland Tour travels up from Southern Africa seeing all the wildlife and culture in between Zambia and Uganda. The trip gives you an opportunity to visit the Mountain Gorillas in Uganda is one of the most established combination tours that we offer. All of this in comfort.

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  • Tour Length 28 days
    Group Size Max 16
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Dar es Salaam
    Countries Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania
    Overview This 28-day Nairobi to Zanzibar Overland provides a comprehensive insight into East Africa’s finest attractions and gives you an insight into Southern Africa. From Kenya’s ‘Great Rift Valley’ to ‘Lake Nakuru’, we cross the equator for game viewing at Queen Elizabeth National Park, including chimpanzee trekking at Kyambura Gorge. Partake in a few adrenaline-pumping activities at Jinjathe source of the Nile.
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4. The Last Lions

 

the last lions

A collaboration between National Geographic and filmmakers  Beverly Joubert, The Last Lions is a documentary film about the heartbreaking decline of the lion population in Africa.

The film is focused on one lioness as she tries to protect her cubs against the many threats they face in the wild.

 

5. The Ghost and the Darkness

 

the ghost and the darkness

Set in 1898 and starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, this movie is based on the true story of two lions in East Africa that killed dozens of people working on a railroad. The railroad company decides to bring in a famed American hunter to kill the lions, but the carnage continues. Don’t let this story put you off going on safari to see lions though!

6. Out of Africa

 

out_of_africa

This classic film, directed by Sydney Pollack and starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford, beautifully captures the essence of life in Kenya during the early 20th century. It’s a must-watch for those interested in historical depictions of African safaris and wildlife.

  • Tour Length 14 days
    Group Size Max 16
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Kenya, Uganda
    Overview Channel your inner Diane Fossey and prep your social media account for a wave of envy-inducing animal encounters. Nature looms large on this eye-opening tour that sees you tracking the world's most endangered primate through misty mountains, feeling the quiet anticipation of predators stalking prey, and watching the immense red sun setting behind a flat-topped acacia somewhere out on the African savannah. A close encounter with East Africa’s natural beauty is not soon forgotten.
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  • Tour Length 12 days
    Group Size Max 16
    Starts & Ends Starts: Nairobi Ends: Nairobi
    Countries Kenya, Tanzania
    Overview Nothing can compare to encountering the legendary wildlife of the Serengeti and Masai Mara in the flesh. That’s why we’ve dedicated 12 full days to exploring this iconic safari circuit. Traverse incredible national parks where golden grasslands stretch onto the ends of the earth, watch wildebeest kick up the rich African dust as they migrate in their millions, and venture off track to isolated regions to meet local tribes world apart. The road is as diverse as it is unpredictable, so be prepared for adventure. Your tour requires participation from all group members. This entails assisting with the food preparation, washing of dishes, keeping the truck clean and the setting up the camp. Please keep in mind that flexibility and an open mind is needed on the trip. All guides are registered with the Field Guide Association of Southern Africa (FGASA).

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These films offer a window into the diverse and captivating world of African safaris. They not only entertain but also educate about the unique wildlife and challenges faced in African conservation. These movies are essential viewing for anyone passionate about adventure, wildlife, and the enduring beauty of Africa’s natural landscapes.

 

 

 

About Sarah Duff

Documentary filmmaker/ travel writer/ photographer - www.sarahduff.com
Article by: Sarah Duff
on December 12, 2023
Filed under  Africa Blog 
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