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There’s nothing higher than watching a superb 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 films to organize ourselves for what was to come back.

After all, nothing can actually put together you for the magic you’ll expertise on safari, however whilst you’re sitting at dwelling packing your safari garments, you might as nicely sit again and watch a number of the greatest safari films! Listed below are a few of our favorites.

The Greatest Safari Films to Watch Now

I Dreamed of Africa

Set in Kenya

This movie didn’t deserve any academy awards, nevertheless 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 Below the Tuscan Solar however set in Africa.

The movie is customized 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 films you possibly can watch earlier than going.

Love on Safari

Set in South Africa

Love On Safari is a feel-good Hallmark film traditional. The movie follows Kira, who has inherited her deceased uncle’s wildlife reserve in South Africa. After all, she faces many challenges alongside the way in which, however there’s additionally a boy, a love curiosity (therefore the identify Love on Safari). That is for you for those who’re searching for a lightweight 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. In case you haven’t seen this film but, it is advisable to cease studying proper this second and get on Amazon, hop on Netflix, Disney +, or go about your standard manner of accessing films 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 no tear in my eye. This film about Africa is perpetually liked, and regardless that it’s animated, it reveals the fantastic thing about a few of these international locations.

Gorillas within the Mist

Set in Rwanda

Certainly one of my favourite films about Africa that’s nonetheless very related at this time. Seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda has been excessive on my checklist for years (UPDATE: We checked that off), however I by no means knew the total story behind these stunning 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 stunning Nat Geo documentary uncovers the reality concerning the Okavango Delta water scarcity. This is likely one of the planet’s final wetlands and various wildlife areas.

The expedition takes them 1500 miles throughout three African nations over 4 months. Apart from implausible truthful storytelling, you’ll additionally get gorgeous visuals of Angola, Botswana, and Namibia.

Madagascar

Set in Madagascar

Certainly one of my favourite safari films! In case you’re searching 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 checklist! 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 giggle your manner by this 90-minute movie with an all-star comedic forged.

Out of Africa

Set in Kenya

Oh, Merryl Streep and Robert Redford, you each produced one nice African safari film collectively while you have 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 films on this checklist that portrays elements of an African safari and relies off of an autobiographical e-book of the identical identify that reveals Karen’s difficult 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 youngsters 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 numerous films about Tarzan, I feel Disney does one of the best to hold it by. This story is entertaining for adults and children 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 maintain the three cubs earlier than sending all however Elsa off. This can be 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 have been accountable for the dying of many development employees who have 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 traditional safari film from 1952 based mostly on Ernest Hemingway’s quick story beneath the identical identify. The story follows Harry Avenue, wounded from a looking 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 a long-lasting influence on me, however the quick documentary collection 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 might watch the Planet Earth Collection and see the wonder from everywhere in the globe. It actually helps that Sir David Attenborough is the narrator of the entire collection. 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

This can be a six-part BBC mini-series that focuses on all of Africa’s magnificent places and is a kind of well-worthy safari films to look at. Narrated by who apart from Sir David Attenborough, we undergo the Sahara, Kalahari, and all the way in which 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 implausible safari documentary film that follows a lioness named Ma di Tau (“Mom of Lions”). She battles her manner by 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 phenomenal movie that actually reveals you a mom’s love within the wilderness.

Hatari!

Set in Tanzania

Hatari is a traditional John Wayne movie and among the finest safari films I’ve ever seen! Hatari (means Hazard in Swahili). This movie follows a gaggle of hunters and a photographer in a race to save lots of child elephants from life in a zoo.

Whereas the movie could also be a bit dated, there is no such thing as a doubt it’s a nice old-time comedy safari film price a watch.

Vacation within the Wild

Set in Zambia

This Netflix safari film got here out final yr, and I knew immediately that I needed to give it a watch. The movie follows a lady who lately went by a nasty divorce and decides to take a solo honeymoon to Africa.

What she thought could be a typical safari vacation changed into one thing a lot bigger the place she finally ends up staying in Zambia, working with the safari animals at a sanctuary. Alongside the way in which, she reconnects with herself and is given a second likelihood at love in any case.

Congo

Set within the Congo

Congo is a 1995 movie set in none apart from the Congo! This can be a science fiction movie loosely based mostly on Michael Crichton’s novel of the identical identify. It follows a gaggle of expansionists with completely different motives who journey to what was then Zaire (now DRC) and, alongside the way in which, 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 looking and wildlife conservation. I

ts predominant character is John Hume, the world’s largest rhino breeder, and his struggles to save lots of the rhino inhabitants. It digs deeper into trophy looking within the USA, the unlawful ban on ivory, and the position it performs in conservation. Earlier than occurring a safari wherever in Africa, it’s nicely price a watch so you possibly can 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 course of a civil battle. The movie showcases heart-stopping footage as conservationists work to guard the park, which is dwelling to a number of the world’s final mountain gorillas.

Need extra films about Africa? We break down extra African films right here!

What are one of the best films about African safaris you possibly can advocate to us?