There’s nothing higher than watching a very good safari film to get you excited to go to Africa. Earlier than we went on our first safari, we binged watched all of those safari motion pictures to organize ourselves for what was to come back.
In fact, nothing can actually put together you for the magic you’ll expertise on safari, however when you’re sitting at house packing your safari garments, it’s possible you’ll as nicely sit again and watch a number of the finest safari motion pictures! Listed below are a few of our favorites.
The Greatest Safari Motion pictures to Watch Now
I Dreamed of Africa
Set in Kenya
This movie didn’t deserve any academy awards, however it managed to get me enthusiastic about going to Africa. The movie tells the true story of Kuki Gallman, an Italian lady who relocates to Africa to run a farm. It’s like Beneath the Tuscan Solar however set in Africa.
The movie is tailored from Kuki’s autobiography, I Dreamed of Africa, and is heartbreaking at instances and uplifting in others. It’s positively among the finest African safari motion pictures you’ll be able to watch earlier than going.
Love on Safari
Set in South Africa
Love On Safari is a feel-good Hallmark film basic. The movie follows Kira, who has inherited her deceased uncle’s wildlife reserve in South Africa. In fact, she faces many challenges alongside the best way, however there’s additionally a boy, a love curiosity (therefore the title Love on Safari). That is for you in case you’re on the lookout for a light-weight and cheery romantic safari film to look at earlier than visiting Africa.
The Lion King
Set within the Savannah (Probably Kenya or Tanzania)
I grew up within the 90s, and I can’t consider the animals in Africa with out pondering of the Lion King. For those who haven’t seen this film but, you’ll want to cease studying proper this second and get on Amazon, hop on Netflix, Disney +, or go about your typical method of accessing motion pictures and watch this tonight.
I imply, cmon that opening scene? “NA SEE WANG YA” and Simba’s christening! I can’t even watch the primary 5 minutes with out a tear in my eye. This film about Africa is endlessly cherished, and regardless that it’s animated, it reveals the fantastic thing about a few of these nations.
Gorillas within the Mist
Set in Rwanda
One among my favourite motion pictures about Africa that’s nonetheless very related right this moment. Seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda has been excessive on my record for years (UPDATE: We checked that off), however I by no means knew the total story behind these lovely creatures.
Meet Dian Fossey, an American primatologist that devoted her life to learning the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Gorillas within the Mist, starring the fabulous Sigourney Weaver is an 80’s film that paperwork Dian’s struggles and achievements whereas in Africa.
Into the Okavango
Set in Botswana and Angola
This visually lovely Nat Geo documentary uncovers the reality concerning the Okavango Delta water scarcity. This is likely one of the planet’s final wetlands and numerous wildlife areas.
The expedition takes them 1500 miles throughout three African nations over 4 months. In addition to unbelievable truthful storytelling, you’ll additionally get gorgeous visuals of Angola, Botswana, and Namibia.
Madagascar
Set in Madagascar
One among my favourite safari motion pictures! For those who’re on the lookout for an African film on Netflix, one of many Madagascar movies is at all times sure to be there. I needed to throw this one in with so many severe movies on this record! Madagascar 1, 2, and three are a number of the funniest animated movies I’ve seen and have some good music and dance scenes ( I Prefer to Transfer it).
Madagascar tells the story of 4 zoo animals who escape Central Park and get stranded on the island of…Madagascar! You’ll chuckle your method by way of this 90-minute movie with an all-star comedic solid.
Out of Africa
Set in Kenya
Oh, Merryl Streep and Robert Redford, you each produced one nice African safari film collectively whenever you had been younger. Out of Africa is a movie set in colonial Africa and garnered seven Academy Awards, together with Greatest Image. The movie follows the lifetime of Karen Blixen, who establishes a espresso plantation in Africa.
This one of many motion pictures on this record that portrays components of an African safari and is predicated off of an autobiographical e-book of the identical title that reveals Karen’s sophisticated life in Kenya, with a facet twist of a younger love affair with Robbie Pink.
Tarzan
Set within the Congo
There’s no higher safari film for kids to look at than Disney’s Tarzan. Most of us know the fictional story of Tarzan. A human child who was raised by apes someplace deep within the Congo.
Whereas there are lots of motion pictures about Tarzan, I feel Disney does one of the best to hold it by way of. This story is entertaining for adults and youngsters and is a feel-good safari film with a kick-ass soundtrack from Phil Collins.
Born Free
Set in Kenya
Born Free is about actual life, Pleasure and George Adamson, who raised Elsa the Lioness. Elsa was an orphaned lion cub who was raised to maturity by the couple, who then launched her into the Kenyan wilderness.
The safari movie begins when George should kill a lion who attacked people. Three orphaned cubs at the moment are parentless, so the Adamsons handle the three cubs earlier than sending all however Elsa off. It is a feel-good story of a friendship between people and animals. It helps that it’s true!
The Ghost and the Darkness
Set in Kenya
Set in 1898, this movie is the Hollywood model of the Tsavo Man-Eaters. Sure, you learn that proper, Man-eating lions. It’s a real story of a pair of man-eating lions within the Tsavo area of Kenya.
They had been chargeable for the demise of many development staff who had been constructing the Kenya Uganda Railway in 1898. Though that is the fictionalized Hollywood model of what occurred, this safari film is undoubtedly entertaining!
The Snows of Kilimanjaro
Set in Kenya
This basic safari film from 1952 based mostly on Ernest Hemingway’s quick story below the identical title. The story follows Harry Avenue, wounded from a searching accident in Africa and recounts his time in Africa with the love of his life whereas slowly dying.
Planet Earth Season 1 Episode 7 (Nice Plains) & Season 2 Episodes 3 and 5 (Jungles and Grasslands)
In every single place in Africa
There are a number of movies that left an enduring influence on me, however the quick documentary sequence Planet Earth modified my life. Upon its launch, I used to be simply graduating highschool and didn’t know concerning the world round me.
However I may watch the Planet Earth Sequence and see the wonder from all around the globe. It actually helps that Sir David Attenborough is the narrator of the entire sequence. Head to the episodes talked about to see footage that can have you ever dying to go on safari in Africa.
Our Planet
Set Round Africa
Our Planet is similar to Planet Earth, just a bit newer and on Netflix, however nonetheless narrated by David Attenborough. Our Planet is Netflix’s reply to Nature Documentaries, and is gorgeous. Every episode options completely different landscapes and environments.
I notably just like the Savannah episode to move me on safari. Our Planet additionally has a robust message concerning the position we people have on the planet and the way we’re straining it. It’s an essential journey film to look at for environmentalists and eco-conscious vacationers.
BBC Africa
Set Round Africa
It is a six-part BBC mini-series that focuses on all of Africa’s magnificent areas and is a kind of well-worthy safari motion pictures to look at. Narrated by who aside from Sir David Attenborough, we undergo the Sahara, Kalahari, and all the best way to the Congo and again. If this doesn’t make you wish to go on safari in Africa, nothing will!
The Final Lions
Set in Botswana
The Final Lions is one other unbelievable safari documentary film that follows a lioness named Ma di Tau (“Mom of Lions”). She battles her method by way of the Okavango Delta as she protects her cubs.
The movie is definitely narrated by Jeremy Irons, who voiced Scar in The Lion King! It’s a good looking movie that really reveals you a mom’s love within the wilderness.
Hatari!
Set in Tanzania
Hatari is a basic John Wayne movie and among the finest safari motion pictures I’ve ever seen! Hatari (means Hazard in Swahili). This movie follows a bunch of hunters and a photographer in a race to avoid wasting child elephants from life in a zoo.
Whereas the movie could also be a bit dated, there isn’t a doubt it’s a nice old-time comedy safari film value a watch.
Vacation within the Wild
Set in Zambia
This Netflix safari film got here out final 12 months, and I knew immediately that I needed to give it a watch. The movie follows a girl who just lately went by way of a nasty divorce and decides to take a solo honeymoon to Africa.
What she thought could be a typical safari vacation became one thing a lot bigger the place she finally ends up staying in Zambia, working with the safari animals at a sanctuary. Alongside the best way, she reconnects with herself and is given a second probability at love in any case.
Congo
Set within the Congo
Congo is a 1995 movie set in none aside from the Congo! It is a science fiction movie loosely based mostly on Michael Crichton’s novel of the identical title. It follows a bunch of expansionists with completely different motives who journey to what was then Zaire (now DRC) and, alongside the best way, encounter violent gorillas.
Trophy
Set in South Africa and the USA
I noticed Trophy whereas on safari in South Africa and was instantly hooked. This documentary movie explores two sides of the story, trophy searching and wildlife conservation. I
ts most important character is John Hume, the world’s largest rhino breeder, and his struggles to avoid wasting the rhino inhabitants. It digs deeper into trophy searching within the USA, the unlawful ban on ivory, and the position it performs in conservation. Earlier than happening a safari wherever in Africa, it’s nicely value a watch so you’ll be able to perceive the rhino’s fragile state.
Virunga
Set within the Democratic Republic of Congo
One other Netflix unique, this documentary focuses on conserving the Virunga Nationwide Park within the Democratic Republic of Congo. Or not less than that’s how the documentary begins till the filmmakers and park rangers discover themselves embroiled in the midst of a civil struggle. The movie showcases heart-stopping footage as conservationists work to guard the park, which is house to a number of the world’s final mountain gorillas.
Need extra motion pictures about Africa? We break down extra African motion pictures right here!
What are one of the best motion pictures about African safaris you’ll be able to advocate to us?
Plan Your Journey to Africa
Journey Insurance coverage: We don’t journey with out journey insurance coverage and neither do you have to. You by no means know what can occur whereas touring so it’s finest to be ready. HeyMondo gives glorious short-term and long-term journey insurance coverage. Journey Waterbottle: After we’re unsure concerning the water provide we use our Grayl Air purifier. It’s are available in exceptionally helpful round Africa. Digicam Gear: Likelihood is you’ll desire a digicam in your journey to Africa. We love the Sony RX100V for a pocket-size digicam and the Fujifilm XT-4 for knowledgeable digicam. Take a look at our favourite cameras for Africa. Safari Garments: Light-weight, beige, and moisture-wicking clothes are nice for touring Africa. See our favourite safari clothes right here. Safari Hat: An excellent hat is each fashionable and useful.Safari Bag: A sturdy bag is right for touring round Africa. Safari Pants: We advocate neutral-colored pants as they’re nice at hiding filth and might match most shirt colours.Safari Shirt: Shirts like these are light-weight and maintain the bugs away!Boots: Whilst you don’t must put on sturdy sneakers on daily basis, not less than one pair of safari boots will make your journey nicer! Journey Adapter: You’ll want a particular journey adapter for touring Africa. Get one earlier than you get there so that you don’t pay a premium on the bottom.