movies based on african safari

19 Inspirational Safari Movies

Watch a classic safari movie before you go.

Getting excited about an upcoming African safari holiday? Hollywood has a long history of creative safari movies about all things Africa and wildlife – dating back to 1932’s “Congorilla” documentary of jungle and savannah wildlife activity in Belgian Congo (now D.R. Congo).

The genre has evolved over the decades, meaning there is now a good choice of films available to bring the magic of the safari experience into your living room. Check out our list below of the most inspirational safari movies to watch before you go – the first section of the list features traditional movies, and the latter section focusses on documentary safari movies. All are highly recommended and well worth viewing!

Out of Africa

A Hollywood classic, Out of Africa is one of those rare films that you can’t fail to fall in love with. Whether you’re watching it for the dazzling scenery of the Kenyan landscapes or the drama and romance, Meryl Streep and Robert Redford make for compelling viewing in this tale of Africa, war, and wildlife.

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Gorillas in the Mist

Like Out of Africa , the movie is based on a true story, but here the similarities end. Instead of a romantic interest, Gorillas in the Mist tells the tale of naturalist Sigourney Weaver’s touching relationship with the group of primates she studies in the Rwandan jungle . With the threat of poachers hovering in the background and strife all around in Rwanda, there’s high drama as well as some magnificent footage of real gorillas in their natural habitat.

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The Lion King

When you think of safaris and big game, it’s hard not to immediately imagine the Circle of Life scene from the beginning of Disney’s epic African adventure, The Lion King. It might be animation and talking lions rather than real-life nature scenes, but adults and kids alike can’t fail to be inspired to take a safari holiday after watching Simba on screen!

Lion King fan? Read our take on Hakuna Matata meaning .

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The African Queen

An old fashioned tale of action, romance, and daring exploits in the wilds of the jungle, The African Queen is a fantastic romp with two of the era’s best-loved actors – Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Shot in Uganda and the Congo, it was one of the first movies to use real locations and backgrounds which adds an unparalleled realism to the story.

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White Hunter Black Heart

Clint Eastwood’s film is based loosely on the experiences of writer Peter Viertel and director John Huston on the set of The Africa Queen. But whilst love triumphs over all in the 1950s classic, this movie is much darker and explores the morality of hunting wild animals. When filmmaker John Wilson becomes obsessed with the safari and elephants, disaster begins to stir. White Hunter Black Heart is a must watch!

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This interesting film starring the legendary John Wayne removes the cowboy from his favourite setting and transports him to a vast African landscape. Filmed in Tanzania , it’s a dramatic story about a group of hunters, a female wildlife photographer and the race to save a group of baby elephants from a terrible fate – life in a zoo. With exhilarating wildlife chases and magnificent Mount Meru providing a dramatic backdrop, Hatari! is a thrilling romp of a safari movie.

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Road to Zanzibar

After the success of contemporary films in the safari genre, Bob Hope parodies African adventures with this comic farce. Involving love triangles, races through the jungle, swimming with leopards and plenty of jewels, the fast-paced comedy is a fun trip set in 1940’s Africa.

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The Naked Prey

Set in the veld of South Africa, The Naked Prey is an eerie movie starring Cornel Wilde in a dark tale that switches the traditional roles of a hunting safari. The guide (Wilde) leads a troop of hunters through an African tribe to start the hunt, but when the group offends the locals, he finds himself in the role of the animals – naked and being chased through the landscape by warriors from the tribe.

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Everyone’s favourite African jungle hero has been the subject of many films over the Hollywood years, but in 1999 Disney gave him a 3D makeover and plenty of animated jungle action before the happy ending with Jane. Featuring a paranoid elephant and a smart-mouthed gorilla, Tarzan   is a family film that brings the jungle to life with sweeping scenes.

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Married couple George Adamson and Joy Adamson live in northern Kenya for George’s work as a senior game warden. After George’s team have to kill a man-eating lion and its lioness, their three young female cubs being orphaned. Although difficult to begin with, George and Joy wean and take care of the three cubs, who they adopt as pets. Born Free is a classic film about safari life in Africa, heartwarming, and with stunning human – big cat interaction.

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To Walk With Lions

To Walk With Lions follows the later years of the life of George Adamson who was featured saving a lion cub in the safari movie Born Free . His life was transformed with this action, and he went on to become a lifelong animal activist. Well worth a watch in tandem with Born Free .

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Something of an amusingly naff found footage film set in the South African bush. In a wild corner of the country, a young Zulu girl teams up with an American tourist group on safari. The group enters an uncharted area where they are forced to face the untamed wild.

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Documentary Safari Movies:

The six-part mini-series, narrated by David Attenborough, takes an in-depth look at various African habitats and the wildlife that inhabit them. Each episode is wonderful, and the highlights for pre-safari viewing are on the African deserts – the Kalahari, Namib, and Sahara, the savanna of East Africa, and the rainforests of the Congo Basin.

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The Last Lions

This is a feature-length National Geographic documentary filmed in Botswana’s Okavango Delta region  and narrated by Jeremy Irons. It focusses on one lioness raising her cubs and protecting them against the many threats they face, including poaching. Whilst the film is about this one mother, it deals more broadly with the decline of the African lion from a population of many millions in the 20th century to just 20,000 today.

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The Ivory Game

This 2016 documentary examines the global ivory trade and the various actors sustaining and fighting it, examine the actions of governments, environmental preservationists, poachers, and ivory merchants. The film takes viewers from the elephant’s home ranges in Tanzania, Kenya, and Zambia to China, Hong Kong, and Vietnam where ivory is seen as a status symbol, and demand is rife. As with so many other movies on this list, it’s one that’s well worth watching if you hope to see elephants on your next safari.

Watch now on Netflix

Battle at Kruger

OK, we know it’s not actually a safari move, but no list of this nature would be complete without reference to the most epic homemade safari video ever! If you’ve not yet seen it, set aside eight minutes right now to watch this confrontation between a herd of buffalo , a pride of lions and a crocodile . (Read up on battle at Kruger .)

Any classic safari movies we’re missing from the list? Please let us know in the comments below! Made it to the end of our safari film list and still have itchy feet? Check out these 50 movies to inspire wanderlust .

Other significant African movies

Whilst not specifically safari movies, these films listed below are all set – and filmed – in Africa, where the landscape and culture play a significant part. All well worth adding to your ‘to watch’ list before you take a safari!

Blood Diamond (2006)

Leonardo DiCaprio stars in a  war thriller smuggling diamonds, set against the backdrop of the Sierra Leone civil war.

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Hotel Rwanda (2004)

This moving drama is based on the true story of Paul Rusesabagina, the hotel manager of  Hôtel des Mille Collines in Kigali during the Rwandan civil war.

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The Last King of Scotland (2006)

A historical drama about Scottish doctor Nicholas Garrigan who becomes the personal physician and close confidante of Ugandan dictator Idi Amin.

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BORN FREE should also be included in this list. One of the best African / Kenya / Safari movies ever!!

Great shout Vince – added!

My candidate for the single best safari film of all time is King Solomon’s Mines, the one with Debra Kerr and Stewart Granger (it made him an international star). It was the third of five filmings of H. Rider Haggard’s novel.

It had the most authentic tribesmen, and its iconic drum music was recycled in countless safari “B” movies as well as in John Ford’s Mogambo, another good African movie.

I’m going to have to check that one out David, thanks for the recommendation!

Nowhere in africa

Safari movies: Mogambo, The Snows of Kilimanjaro, The Ghost and the Darkness

All around Africa movies: The Power of One,Tarzan: The Legend of Greystoke, Cry Freedom, Hotel Rwanda, Sometimes in April, Blood Diamond

Hey Mark – some excellent choices there, and a couple I haven’t seen yet. Will check them out, thanks!

Pls I want to know the name of a comedy movie in Africa jungle where in one occasion in the movie African man was squatting then a helicopter with rope hanging catched his pants and continue flying then the man eventually got his head straight into a hippopotamus’s anus.

One I enjoyed from my childhood was A Far Off Place, starring Reese Witherspoon.

Thanks for the tip – I’ve not heard of that one, will check it out!

Oh, and George of the Jungle and Sahara. I realize they’re not Safari films, but set in Africa, at least.

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Top 18 Safari Movies to watch before your African Safari

• January 29, 2020
• Author & Photographer: Teri Didjurgis

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. ( Disclosures )

Films to inspire your African Safari

My earliest memory of opening up a National Geographic magazine was seeing elephants, lion, zebras, rhinos and other animals in Africa along with tribes and cultures so distant to mine.

Going on safari has been a dream to have a unique experience of seeing this wildlife adventure, experiencing different cultures and spectacular scenery! 

Until my first trip to Africa, I explored through these safari films featuring the breathtaking landscapes, historical events of locals and human interactions with wildlife and the stars of the savannah featuring conservation programs and struggles to preserve them.

Out of Africa (1985)

• Available on Amazon

The movie, Out of Africa , inspired many a traveler to take a trip to Africa and specifically Kenya. The movie features breathtaking scenery of Kenya including the areas around Nairobi and the Maasai Mara.

The movie, based on the book by Karen Blixen , is a memoir of her life in the early 1900’s in Kenya, then known as British East Africa to colonists. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford play the lead characters for this romance, though I believe the true romance of the film is Karen falling in love with the land and people of Kenya.

Karen writes and reveals in the movie her own personal experience as a woman in this time period running a coffee plantation in spite of her absent husband and interactions with locals many of which were part of the infamous Happy Valley Set of the Kenya Colony in the 1920’s. The story touches on events of the time including colonialism, World War I, shooting safaris and her interactions with the local Kikuyu tribe. A distance time.

On a trip to Kenya, you can visit her home and conversations with the locals will reveal that the love went both ways. Karen introduced Kenya to many in the world both through her 1937 book and the subsequent 1985 Academy Award winning film.

Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Gorillas in the Mist is another true story based on the life of Dian Fossey. The story tells the tale of the naturalist, played by Sigourney Weaver, and her relationship with the group of primates she studies in the Congo.

Studying them at close quarters, Fossey develops a means of communicating with the gorillas, and in so doing becomes obsessed with the beasts’ well-being. Appalled by the poaching of the gorillas for their skins, Fossey complains to the Ugandan government, which dismisses her by explaining that poaching is the only means by which some of the Ugandan natives can themselves survive.

With the threat of poachers hovering in the background and strife all around in Rwanda, there’s high drama as well as some magnificent footage of real gorillas in their natural habitat.

BBC Africa (2013)

The BBC created this incredible six-part mini series, BBC Africa , on Africa’s wild places and wildlife.

Narrated by Sir David Attenborough, he takes us on an awe-inspiring journey through on of the most diverse places on earth including the Kalahari desert, the Sahara Desert, the savannah of East Africa, and jungles of the Congo as well as diverse wildlife including black rhinos, mountain gorillas, and much more of Africa’s amazing wildlife.

The Last Lions (2012)

From the lush wetlands of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, this documentary focuses on one lioness, named Ma di Tau (“Mother of Lions”), as she tries to protect her cubs against the many threats they face in the wild including poaching.

The Last Lions is a documentary film about the heartbreaking decline of the lion population in Africa. Fifty years ago there were close to 500 million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000.

Lions, unlike elephants which are far more numerous, have virtually no protection under government mandate or through international accords. The safari eco-tourist industry brings in over 200 billion dollars per year with lions being a top “must-see” and yet little is done to protect the lions. In addition, big cats are at the very top of the food chain and their elimination would wreak havoc on all species below them in ecosystem collapse.

The documentary was made in collaboration between National Geographic and their Explorers-in-Residence, Dereck and Beverly Joubert, who are filmmakers from Botswana. The film is narrated by Jeremy Irons.

The Ivory Game

• Available on Netflix

It takes 2 seconds seeing a parade of elephants in the wild to be enthralled by these highly intelligent and emotional beasts. The interactions between the young bulls and then groups of mothers and their calves show the complexity of their family relationships.

The movie, Ivory Game , is a documentary revealing the Ivory Trade industry endangering the elephants. The filmmakers show all side of this Ivory industry from the insatiable Chinese market and the local poachers to the wildlife conversationalists and government programs to save the elephants.

I watched this movie on the night before I went on a week long safari in Tanzania where the documentary is partially filmed. As a tourist, I just in awe of seeing these animals, but the documentary provided the rich context of ecosystems in Africa where local poachers living in poverty are enticed to sell off the expensive ivory by dealers and also local people are losing crops when the elephants migrate.

The filmmakers looks at all sides working on solutions to save both the elephants and locals interests while stopping the Ivory Trade.

Born Free (1966)

Born Free  is a 1966 British drama film starring Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers as Joy and George Adamson, a real-life couple who raised Elsa the Lioness, an orphaned lion cub, to adulthood, and released her into the wilderness of Kenya.

At a national park in Kenya, English game warden George Adamson (Bill Travers) and his wife, Joy (Virginia McKenna), care for three orphaned lion cubs. The lion cubs parents were killed after attacking villagers.

After the two larger lions are shipped off to a zoo in the Netherlands, the smallest of the three, Elsa, stays with the couple. When Elsa is blamed for causing an elephant stampede in the nearby village, head warden John Kendall (Geoffrey Keen) demands the young lion either be trained to survive in the wilds of the Serengeti or be sent to a zoo.

The making of the film was a life-changing experience for actors Virginia McKenna and her husband Bill Travers, who became animal rights activists and were instrumental in creating the  Born Free Foundation .

To Walk with Lions (1999)

To Walk with Lions  is a 1999 film directed by Carl Schultz and starring Richard Harris as George Adamson. 

It follows the later years of wild game preserver/naturalist Adamson whose life was transformed into an animal activist after his experience saving a lion cub shown in the movie Born Free .

After his marriage to Joy Adamson ended, Adamson spent the latter part of his life protecting the lions and other wildlife in the Kora National Reserve, Kenya. His program helps ease zoo-bred lions into their natural habitat. The fact-based film focuses on his struggle against poachers and government corruption blocking his quest for wildlife preservation.

The Ghost and the Darkness (1996)

Set in 1898 and starring Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas, The Ghost and the Darkness is based on the true story of two lions in East Africa that killed dozens of people working on a railroad.

Sir Robert Beaumont (Tom Wilkinson) is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson (Val Kilmer) to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project’s foreman (Henry Cele), seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington (Michael Douglas), who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.

Don’t let this movie put you off safaris. This true story will highlight the struggles in Africa between local populations, development and wildlife that has been a part of their story for over a hundred years.

The Lion King (1994)

When you think of safaris and big game, it’s hard not to immediately imagine the Circle of Life scene from the beginning of Disney’s epic African adventure,  The Lion King . It might be animation and talking lions rather than real life nature scenes, but adults and kids alike can’t fail to be inspired to take a safari holiday after watching Simba on screen.

The Disney imagineers definitely did their homework. On safari, you will find many of the names of the animals are Swahili and the characteristics of the animals is spot on. I especially saw it in cranky old bachelor lions and the Pummba.

The Legend of Tarzan (2016)

Everyone’s favorite jungle hero has been the subject of many films over the Hollywood years.

In The Legend of Tarzan , it’s been nearly a decade since Tarzan (Alexander Skarsgård), also known as John Clayton III, left Africa to live in Victorian England with his wife Jane.

Danger lurks on the horizon as Leon Rom (Christoph Waltz), a treacherous envoy for King Leopold, devises a scheme that lures the couple to the Congo.

Rom plans to capture Tarzan and deliver him to an old enemy in exchange for diamonds. When Jane becomes a pawn in his devious plot, Tarzan must return to the jungle to save the woman he loves.

Other Disney Animated versions

• Tarzan (2014)
• The Jungle Book (2016)
• The Jungle Book (1967)

I will always be partial to The Jungle Book (1967) for the music.  You can’t help but hum “The Bare Necessities”  or “I wanna be like you” after hearing it.

Road to Zanzibar (1941)

Road to Zanzibar is a trip back to old Hollywood. 

After the success of contemporary films in the safari genre, Bob Hope parodies African adventures with this farce.

The movie is classic Hollywood with ridiculous scenarios including love triangles, races through the jungle, swimming with leopards and plenty of jewels, the fast-paced comedy is a fun trip.

The African Queen (1952)

Another one from old Hollywood, Th e African Queen focuses on life in Africa during World War II.

After religious spinster’s (Katharine Hepburn) missionary brother is killed in WWI Africa, dissolute steamer captain (Humphrey Bogart) offers her safe passage. She’s not satisfied so she persuades him to destroy a German gunboat. The two spend most of their time fighting with each other rather than the Germans. In true Hollywood fashion, time alone on the river leads to love.

The movie, shot in Uganda and the Congo, was one of the first movies to use real locations and backgrounds.

White Hunter Black Heart (1990)

Clint Eastwood’s film is based loosely on the experiences of writer Peter Viertel and director John Huston on the set of The African Queen . 

Love trumps in the 1950s classic The Africa Queen, but White Hunter Black Heart is much darker and explores the morality of hunting wild animals.

Hard-living, macho movie director John Wilson (Clint Eastwood) arrives in 1950s Zimbabwe to prepare for his next film. Accompanied by screenwriter Pete Verrill (Jeff Fahey), Wilson becomes far more interested in shooting an elephant than getting ready for the shoot.

Determined, Wilson moves production to a village where a native hunter helps him in his quest. Obsessed with this goal even as filming grows ever more chaotic, the director begins to question the ethics and origins of his fixation.

King Solomon’s Mines (1950)

King Solomon’s Mines , based on H. Rider Haggard’s novel is about a rescue party that sets out to find an explorer who has disappeared on an African treasure hunt.

The search leads the party across the continent and through the terrors of jungle, swamp, and desert.

Their ultimate destination is the fabled lost mine of Solomon, a source of unimaginable wealth and deadly danger.

There is also a 1985 version of King Solomon’s Mines starring Richard Chamberlain and Sharon Stone, which has a more Indiana Jones feel.

Mogambo (1953)

In M ogambo , Victor Marswell (Clark Gable) is a big-game hunter in Kenya. After Eloise Kelly (Ava Gardner) is stood up by a friend there, she falls in with Marswell.

Shortly thereafter, the Nordleys (Grace Kelly, Donald Sinden) arrive for a gorilla safari. Mrs. Nordley, disillusioned with her husband, takes a liking to Marswell, and the two have a brief affair. Kelly grows jealous, and the two women engage in a battle of wills over the hunter, while Mr. Nordley remains oblivious to it all. 

This is an old classic Hollywood triangle filmed in Kenya and Uganda. The music featured in the film was mostly performed by local native tribes.

Hatari! (1962)

Hatari , meaning “Danger” in Swahili , stars the legendary John Wayne takes the cowboy from the Old West to the African landscape. Filmed in Tanzania in the Ngorongoro Crater, this old Hollywood film is about a group of who traps animals for zoos. While not an activity I endorse today, this was the historical reality at the time.

A female wildlife photographer joins the group to document and finds herself the mother of baby elephants she tries to save.

The movie features the amazing scenery and wildlife of Tanzania and I recognized many of the places still from my recent safari.

The Naked Prey (1966)

The Naked Prey is set in the South African veld. This eerie movie starring Cornel Wilde is a dark tale that switched the traditional roles of a hunting safari.

The guide leads a troop of hunters through a tribe’s colony to start the hunt, but when the group offends the locals, he finds himself in the role of the animals – naked and being chased through the landscape by warriors from the tribe.

Young Indiana Jones Chronicles: Passion for Life

The Young Indiana Jones is a TV series, created by Steven Spielberg, featuring a 10 and later 17-year-old Indiana Jones on his adventures in his early year.  The set includes 3 seasons and 24 episodes

The “Passion for Life” episode focuses on a 10-year-old Indiana Jones as he goes on safari with his parent in British East Africa in September 1910.

Young Jones befriends a Massai boy named Meto who helps him in his search for the rare Fringe-Eared Oryx for former US President Teddy Roosevelt.

The scenery is spectacular and in typical Indiana Jones style, an adventure ensues as Indy finds himself in the middle of it all.   The episode is one hour, but the DVD set also has a complimentary disc with documentaries exploring the themes in each episode with historical clips and commentary.

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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

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

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

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.

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R 117,470

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4. 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

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

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.

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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.

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The 10 Best Safari Movies to Watch Before Traveling to Africa

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Africa is home to some of the most beautiful and exotic wildlife in the world. Going on a safari is an experience of a lifetime, but it can be even more exciting if you have an idea of what to expect. Watching safari movies is a great way to prepare for your trip and get excited about all the animals you’ll see.

In this article, we’ll be looking at the 10 best safari movies to watch before traveling to Africa. From classic Hollywood movies to documentaries, we’ve got you covered. 

1. Out of Africa (1985).

Out of Africa is a classic romantic drama film set in Kenya during the early 20th century. It follows the story of a Danish baroness who falls in love with a big-game hunter while on safari. The movie features stunning landscapes and wildlife, and it’s a great way to get a sense of what life was like in colonial Africa.

2. The African Queen (1951)

The African Queen is a classic adventure film set in East Africa during World War I. It stars Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn as two people who team up to take down a German warship. The movie features beautiful scenery and some thrilling action sequences, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the excitement of safari life. 

3. Gorillas in the Mist (1988).

Gorillas in the Mist is a biographical drama film based on the life of Dian Fossey, a scientist who devoted her life to studying and protecting mountain gorillas in Rwanda. The movie features stunning footage of these amazing creatures and the beautiful African landscape, and it’s a must-watch for anyone interested in wildlife conservation. 

4. Hatari! (1962).

Hatari! is a classic adventure film set in Tanzania. It stars John Wayne as the leader of a group of big-game hunters who capture wild animals for zoos. The movie features some exciting action scenes and beautiful landscapes, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the excitement of a safari.

5. The Ghost and the Darkness (1996).

The Ghost and the Darkness is a historical adventure film set in Kenya during the late 19th century. It follows the story of two man-eating lions that terrorize a group of workers building a railroad. The movie features stunning scenery and some intense action scenes, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the dangers of safari life. 

6. The Lion King (1994).

The Lion King is a classic animated film set in the African savanna. It follows the story of a young lion named Simba who learns about life and leadership from his father, the king of the Pride Lands. The movie features stunning animation and a memorable soundtrack, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the beauty. 

7. Blood Diamond (2006).

Blood Diamond is a political thriller set in Sierra Leone during the late 1990s. It follows the story of a smuggler who finds a rare pink diamond while working in the country’s civil war. The movie features stunning landscapes and powerful performances, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the political and social issues that affect African countries. 

8. The Last King of Scotland (2006).

The Last King of Scotland is a historical drama film set in Uganda during the 1970s. It follows the story of a Scottish doctor who becomes the personal physician of the country’s dictator, Idi Amin. The movie features stunning scenery and powerful performances, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the political turmoil that has affected many African countries.

9. Born Free (1966).

Based on the true story of George and Joy Adamson, this movie tells the story of their efforts to raise and release a lioness named Elsa back into the wild. Filmed on location in Kenya, the movie features stunning landscapes of the African savannah and offers a unique glimpse into the challenges of wildlife conservation. 

10. The Gods Must Be Crazy (1980).

The Gods Must Be Crazy is a comedy film set in Botswana. It follows the story of a bushman who finds a Coca-Cola bottle and tries to return it to the gods. The movie features beautiful scenery and some hilarious moments, and it’s a great way to get a sense of the humor and everyday life in rural Africa. 

Conclusion .

Watching safari movies before traveling to Africa can enhance your safari experience by familiarizing you with the African wildlife and landscapes, preparing you for your journey, and inspiring you for the adventure ahead. From the classic romance of Out of Africa to the thrilling action of The Ghost and the Darkness, the movies on this list offer a diverse and captivating glimpse into the beauty and complexity of Africa.

Are these movies suitable for children?

Most of the movies on this list are suitable for children, but some, such as Blood Diamond and The Ghost and the Darkness, may contain violence and adult themes.

Where can I find these movies?

Many of these movies are available for streaming on popular platforms such as Netflix and Amazon Prime. They can also be rented or purchased on DVD or Blu-ray.

Do I need to watch all of these movies before my safari?

No, you don’t need to watch all of these movies before your safari. You can pick and choose the ones that interest you the most.

Are there any other safari movies you would recommend?

Yes, there are many other great safari movies out there, including Hatari!, The Lion in Winter, and The Naked Prey, to name a few.

How can I make the most of my safari experience?

Be sure to follow the guidance of your safari guide and respect the wildlife and their natural habitats. Bring plenty of sunscreen, insect repellent, and comfortable clothing and shoes, and most importantly, enjoy the adventure of a lifetime!

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Safari Movies To Watch Before You Travel To Africa

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Since the genre has developed over the years, there are now a number of films that can recreate the magic of a safari in your living room.

See our selection of the most inspirational safari movies to watch below; the first portion of the list focuses on classic safari movies, and the latter section is devoted to movies. All are quite advisable and definitely worth watching!

I Dreamed Of Africa

Although it didn't merit any Oscars, this movie nonetheless managed to make me want to travel to Africa. The movie is based on the true story of an Italian woman, Kuki Gallman, who moved to Africa to manage a farm. similar to Under the Tuscan Sun but taking place in Africa.

The movie, which is based on Kuki's memoir I Dreamed of Africa, is both devastating and uplifting at various points. It's unquestionably one of the best movies about an African safari you can see before visiting.

The Lion King

It's difficult not to picture the Circle of Life moment from the opening of Disney's epic African adventure, The Lion King , when you think about safaris and large game.

Children and adults alike can't help but be motivated to book a safari vacation after watching Simba on screen, even though it features animation and talking lions instead of authentic natural scenes.

Gorillas In The Mist

Another movie based on Dian Fossey's true story is Gorillas in the Mist (played by Sigourney Weaver). In the movie, primatologist Dian Fossey is seen visiting the Congo to observe gorilla behavior.

Although she must battle poachers who kill her after years of working to save the mountain gorillas from extinction, she learns their language and gestures.

The African Queen

The African Queen is a classic story of adventure, romance, and daring escapades in the wilds of the jungle. It stars Katherine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart, two of the most well-known performers of the time.

It was one of the first movies to employ genuine locales and backgrounds, giving the plot an unmatched level of realism. It was shot in Uganda and the Congo.

Out Of Africa

Oh, Merryl Streep and Robert Redford, you two co-wrote and co-starred in a fantastic African safari film when you were young. A movie called Out of Africa, which takes place in colonial Africa, won seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie chronicles Karen Blixen's life as she starts a coffee plantation in Africa.

Our film, which is based on the autobiographical book of the same name, illustrates Karen's tumultuous existence in Kenya and includes a side plot about a youthful love affair with Robbie Red. It is one of the movies on this list that depicts elements of an African safari.

Tarzan from Disney is the best safari film for kids to watch. Most of us are familiar with Tarzan's made-up tale. a baby human who was raised by gorillas in the deepest part of the Congo.

Although there are several movies about Tarzan, I believe Disney does the finest job of bringing it to life. Both adults and children will enjoy this tale, which is a feel-good safari film with killer music by Phil Collins. One of the best animated movies from disney according to Bingepost so this is one recommendation you can't miss.

George and Joy Adamson, a married couple, reside in northern Kenya due to George's employment as a senior game warden. The three tiny female pups of the man-eating lion and its lioness were left orphaned after George's crew had to kill them.

George and Joy wean and care for the three cubs, whom they adopt as pets, despite the initial difficulty. Born Free is a beloved movie about African safari life that features touching human-big cat interactions.

African Cats

This movie follows two families as they try to build a house in an unexplored area in one of the most isolated parts of the world. Stunning photographs will steal your breath away as you come face to face with these majestic rulers of the savanna and their real-life love, humor, and tenacity.

It's a heartwarming, exhilarating event that brings together family ties and the strength and majesty of the wild.

White Hunter, Black Heart

This drama, which stars Clint Eastwood in both the lead role and the director role, centers on a film director who is driven to distraction by a dangerous obsession. Based on Peter Viertel's 1953 novel about his relationship with director John Huston while making The African Queen in central Africa, "White Hunter, Black Heart" tells the story of that relationship.

Road To Zanzibar

Hope and Crosby play Fearless and Chuck, two American sideshow artists lost in the jungle, in the comedy-adventure movie Road to Zanzibar.

After their human cannonball act caused a fire that destroyed the circus, they became involved with a larcenous duo of Brooklyn performers (Dorothy Lamour and Una Merkel) who were eager to take their money from them. After being tricked into joining the ladies on a safari, Chuck and Fearless soon find themselves in the hands of barbaric tribesmen who force Fearless to engage in a wild wrestling match with a gorilla.

People Also Ask

Is safari based on a true story.

The Movie "Safari" is a real footage taken in 2016.

What Are Some Films About Africa?

• The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - Malawi.
• Gorillas in the Mist - Rwanda.
• I Dreamed of Africa - Kenya.
• King Solomon's Mines - Zimbabwe.
• The Constant Gardener - Kenya.
• Born Free - Kenya.
• Out of Africa - Kenya.
• Jock of the Bushveld - South Africa.

What Should I Watch Before Safari?

• Out of Africa (1985)
• Gorillas in the Mist (1988)
• To Walk with Lions (1999)
• The Lion King (1994)

Are you eager to visit Africa? Safari movies have never received much attention, but they are excellent if you want to visit Africa soon because they provide you with a preview of what to expect there. Never forget to have fun with your loved ones and friends when getting ready for your subsequent safari.

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Tara Weaver - I love Tanzania Wildlife Safaris. 🇹🇿 🦁

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10 Inspiring Africa Movies to Watch

At African Travel we love to connect to the places we love. One way for us to do this is through movies.

Get the popcorn and consider one of these 10 Inspiring Africa movies. Some are old favorites, some are documentaries, some will spur you into action.  Some will make you cry, and some will make you laugh.  Many will make you want to be in Africa right now.

Born Free When most people think of visiting Africa, they think of wildlife.  For a certain generation, Born Free was the film that sparked a desire to see Africa and a movement towards animal rights.  This classic, released in 1966 and based on the nonfiction book, it tells the story of Elsa, an orphaned lion cub in Kenya and of George and Joy Adamson, the couple who forged an emotional bond with her.  You can’t help but for fall for Elsa, whose story ignited a movement around the way we perceive relationships between humans and animals and whose tale pushed the door open wide towards animal conservation.

Out of Africa Another classic that fired people up to explore Kenya, Out of Africa is the story of Danish author Karen Blixen and her passionate love affair with a big game hunter.  Set during colonial time in colonial British East Africa, it doesn’t always show Blixen at her best, but the cinematography will satisfy the desire to escape into the wilds of a place most people only dream about.  

Queen of Katwe If you like a defying all odds kind of story, you’ll love Queen of Katwe . It’s the inspirational real-life story of Phiona Mutesi, a girl growing up in the slums of Uganda who helps her mother sell food in the market and care for her baby brother.  When she meets Robert Katende, a coach who teaches children to play chess, Phiona goes on to become one of the country’s best female chess champions.  The hardship she and her family face offer hefty dose of reality, but her success will win you over.

Searching for Sugarman The power of oral storytelling is revealed in the following the singer Rodriguez generated amongst fans who passed his music along by word of mouth.   Searching for Sugarman is the surprise hit documentary about South Africa’s greatest ‘70s rock icon who never was.  An American folk singer whose bootleg recording made it to a nation struggling through a dark period, Rodriguez’s song “I Wonder” became an anti-apartheid anthem.  The documentary follows two South Africans who came of age listening to him and their journey to find the singer whose sound captured a nation and who became a mythical legend because, despite his popularity, no one had ever seen him perform.  Chase the myth with them, by end you just might become a fan, too.

Virunga This Academy Award Oscar nominated film is the true story of the rangers risking their lives to save Africa's most precious national park and its endangered gorillas from war and damaging oil exploration activity within the UNESCO World Heritage site.   Virunga spotlights the brave people who have dedicated their lives to build a better future for themselves and the animals they protect in Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places on Earth.  If you’ve ever seen a mountain gorilla, or have a desire to see one, this film is a must.  It will restore your faith in humanity, it will break your heart, but it may also spur you to action.

BBC Planet Earth:  Africa We’ll be honest, we’d be happy to watch a continuous loop of BBC’s Planet Earth Africa on Netflix.  So, sit back and relax as the amazing cinematography and narration carries you away on a journey through five regions of this stunning and diverse continent.  From extraordinary wildlife to unexplored rainforests and mountain ranges, the wow factor doesn’t get much better than this armchair adventure!

The First Grader Another film based on a true story, The First Grader is about a Kenyan farmer and former Mau Mau tribesman Kimani Maruge who enrolled in elementary school at the age of 84 when the country introduced universal education in 2003.  Despite opposition to admitting him into a classroom of six-year-olds, his determination finds him an ally in one teacher.  It’s the story about the power of education, perseverance and the will to learn no matter one’s age.  We hope this hero’s journey inspires you.

The Ivory Game Another Netflix original series, The Ivory Game is about the team of front-line rangers and undercover operatives who embark on dangerous missions to expose and disrupt the dark world of ivory trafficking.  From fighting poachers in Africa to exposing illegal ivory shops in China, the team risks their lives to save our elephants from those in pursuit of “white gold.”  If you support wildlife conservation, it will inspire you into action.

Our Planet It would be wrong of us to tell you to focus on just one episode of Our Planet, but we are partial to the ones that shine a light on Africa and features the wild dogs of the Serengeti.  The wonderous beauty of our planet is revealed in breathtaking cinematography and guided by Sir David Attenborough who explains how we can take charge of our future from the climate change that impacts all living creatures.  

Black Panther We couldn’t help ourselves with this one!  Whether you’re seeing it for the first time or enjoying it the second, third for fourth time around, Black Panther is just what we need right now.  This Marvel classic tells the story of T’Challa, who returns to his family’s kingdom home of fictional Wakanda, an African nation under threat from a rival warlord. In our hero’s battle against evil and his fight to reclaim his throne, this action movie challenges us to think about class structure, racism and our humanity and it also highlights African culture and traditions.  By the end of the film you’ll swear Wakanda is a real place and that’s a good thing.   Wakanda Forever!

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Safari Movies

In the top there are new films of 2021, a plot description and trailers for films that have already been released.

In the not-too-distant future: after a global catastrophe has wiped out nearly all of humanity on Earth, an elite astronaut from Space Colony Kepler must make a decision that will seal the fate of the people on both planets.

An American family on holiday in Africa becomes lost in a game reserve and stalked by lions.

When her husband abruptly ends their marriage, empty nester Kate embarks on a solo second honeymoon in Africa, finding purpose and potential romance.

An American web designer inherits an animal reserve in South Africa. A no-nonsense ranger takes her on a safari in hopes that she will fall in love with the land, the animals and him.

Writer Harry Street reflects on his life as he lies dying from an infection while on safari in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro.

Victor Marswell runs a big game trapping company in Kenya. Eloise Kelly is ditched there, and an immediate attraction happens between them. Then Mr. and Mrs. Nordley show up for their gorilla documenting safari. Mrs. Nordley is not infatuated with her husband any more, and takes a liking to Marswell. The two men and two women have some difficulty arranging these emotions to their mutual satisfaction, but eventually succeed.

The ReZort, a post apocalyptic safari, offers paying guests the opportunity to kill zombies in the wake of an outbreak.

Richard Dacier owns a tour agency specialized on organizing safaris for European tourists eager to confront the African wild life. Actually, he took the job after his father and never went into the savanna by himself. As he owes big money to some mobster, he is compelled to convey a fake tourist, with a suspicious suitcase, toward Mozambic. To avoid suspicion from the authorities, he is supposed to tour a group of tourists as usual. The only problem - he is completely unexperienced as a guide!

Inspector Rizzo in Napoli gets a message from a policeman from South Africa who wants to meet him. Immediately before this meeting the south African policeman is killed. Dying he shows Rizzo a picture of his little son Bodo. Rizzo travels to Johannesburg to find out what the policeman was working on and to find Bodo.

Against all the odds, a thirteen year old boy in Malawi invents an unconventional way to save his family and village from famine.

The extraordinary story of three Rwandan children who attempt to realize the dream of their life: to attend the opening ceremony of the FIFA World Cup 2010 at Johannesburg.

Out of Africa tells the story of the life of Danish author Karen Blixen, who at the beginning of the 20th century moved to Africa to build a new life for herself. The film is based on the autobiographical novel by Karen Blixen from 1937.

Corporate billionaire Edward Cole and working class mechanic Carter Chambers are worlds apart. At a crossroads in their lives, they share a hospital room and discover they have two things in common: a desire to spend the time they have left doing everything they ever wanted to do and an unrealized need to come to terms with who they are. Together they embark on the road trip of a lifetime, becoming friends along the way and learning to live life to the fullest, with insight and humor.

During World War One an English adventurer, an American elephant poacher and the latter's attractive young daughter, set out to destroy a German battle-cruiser which is awaiting repairs in an inlet just off Zanzibar. The story is based on a novel by Wilbur Smith, which in turn is very loosely based on events involving the light cruiser SMS Königsberg, which was sunk after taking refuge in Rufigi delta in 1915.

Scouring the ocean depths for treasure-laden shipwrecks is business as usual for a thrill-seeking underwater adventurer and his wisecracking buddy. But when these two cross paths with a beautiful doctor, they find themselves on the ultimate treasure hunt.

An orphaned cheetah becomes the best friend and pet of a young boy living in South Africa.

An ex-mercenary turned smuggler. A Mende fisherman. Amid the explosive civil war overtaking 1999 Sierra Leone, these men join for two desperate missions: recovering a rare pink diamond of immense value and rescuing the fisherman's son conscripted as a child soldier into the brutal rebel forces ripping a swath of torture and bloodshed countrywide.

Based on the true story of Robin, a handsome, brilliant and adventurous man whose life takes a dramatic turn when polio leaves him paralyzed.

Young Scottish doctor, Nicholas Garrigan decides it's time for an adventure after he finishes his formal education, so he decides to try his luck in Uganda, and arrives during the downfall of President Obote. General Idi Amin comes to power and asks Garrigan to become his personal doctor.

Two westerners, a priest and a teacher find themselves in the middle of the Rwandan genocide and face a moral dilemna. Do they place themselves in danger and protect the refugees, or escape the country with their lives? Based on a true story.

Inspired by true events, this film takes place in Rwanda in the 1990s when more than a million Tutsis were killed in a genocide that went mostly unnoticed by the rest of the world. Hotel owner Paul Rusesabagina houses over a thousand refuges in his hotel in attempt to save their lives.

A tough female reporter and her cameraman boyfriend team up with a four-man commando unit in the New Guinea jungle whom are fighting flesh-eating zombies. NB: Not to be confused with the 1981 American-made film with the same title.

Tells the story of Rainbow Randolph, the corrupt, costumed star of a popular children's TV show, who is fired over a bribery scandal and replaced by squeaky-clean Smoochy, a puffy fuscia rhinoceros. As Smoochy catapults to fame - scoring hit ratings and the affections of a network executive - Randolph makes the unsuspecting rhino the target of his numerous outrageous attempts to exact revenge and reclaim his status as America's sweetheart.

Sir Robert Beaumont is behind schedule on a railroad in Africa. Enlisting noted engineer John Henry Patterson to right the ship, Beaumont expects results. Everything seems great until the crew discovers the mutilated corpse of the project's foreman, seemingly killed by a lion. After several more attacks, Patterson calls in famed hunter Charles Remington, who has finally met his match in the bloodthirsty lions.

A girl, Carola, whose vacation in Kenya takes an interesting turn when she becomes infatuated with a Masai. Carola decides to leave her boyfriend to stay with her lover. There, she has to adapt to the Masai's way of life and get used to their food which includes milk mixed with blood. She also has to face her husband's attitude towards women and what he expects from a wife. Nonetheless, Carola is welcomed warmly into the tribe she has chosen to join.

Laura has spent years looking for her sister Sara who went missing in the depths of the jungle in the Congo. Neither the NGO she works for, nor the embassy, have news on her whereabouts until a photo appears of Sara in a mining town. Apparently, Sara is being held captive by The Hawk, the fearsome rebel leader who controls the mafias behind the prized mineral coltan.

Along the Atlantic coast, a soon-to-be-inaugurated futuristic tower looms over a suburb of Dakar. Ada, 17, is in love with Souleiman, a young construction worker. But she has been promised to another man. One night, Souleiman and his co-workers leave the country by sea, in hope of a better future. Several days later, a fire ruins Ada’s wedding and a mysterious fever starts to spread. Little does Ada know that Souleiman has returned.

Navy SEAL Lieutenant A.K. Waters and his elite squadron of tactical specialists are forced to choose between their duty and their humanity, between following orders by ignoring the conflict that surrounds them, or finding the courage to follow their conscience and protect a group of innocent refugees. When the democratic government of Nigeria collapses and the country is taken over by a ruthless military dictator, Waters, a fiercely loyal and hardened veteran is dispatched on a routine mission to retrieve a Doctors Without Borders physician.

King T'Challa returns home from America to the reclusive, technologically advanced African nation of Wakanda to serve as his country's new leader. However, T'Challa soon finds that he is challenged for the throne by factions within his own country as well as without. Using powers reserved to Wakandan kings, T'Challa assumes the Black Panther mantel to join with girlfriend Nakia, the queen-mother, his princess-kid sister, members of the Dora Milaje (the Wakandan 'special forces') and an American secret agent, to prevent Wakanda from being dragged into a world war.

Chronicles a single day in the summer of 1989 when the future president of the United States, Barack Obama, wooed his future First Lady on an epic first date across Chicago's South Side.

Miguel, a heroic Spanish doctor, puts himself in harm's way to deliver medical treatment to the victims of military uprisings in Africa.

The story of humankind's last stand against a cataclysmic alien invasion. Set in the war-ravaged African countryside, a U.S. soldier and a French foreign aid worker team up to survive the alien onslaught. Their bond will be tested as they search for refuge across a crumbling world.

African Cats captures the real-life love, humor and determination of the majestic kings of the savanna. The story features Mara, an endearing lion cub who strives to grow up with her mother’s strength, spirit and wisdom; Sita, a fearless cheetah and single mother of five mischievous newborns; and Fang, a proud leader of the pride who must defend his family from a once banished lion.

After a bad blind date, a man and woman find themselves stuck together at a resort for families, where their attractions grows as their respective kids benefit from the burgeoning relationship.

From his childhood in Poland to his adolescence in Nice to his years as a student in Paris and his tough training as a pilot during World War II, this tragi-comedy tells the romantic story of Romain Gary, one of the most famous French novelists and sole writer to have won the Goncourt Prize for French literature two times.

Ginger Baker is known for playing in Cream and Blind Faith, but the world's greatest drummer didn’t hit his stride until 1972, when he arrived in Nigeria and discovered Fela Kuti's Afrobeat. After leaving Nigeria, Ginger returned to his pattern of drug-induced self-destruction, and countless groundbreaking musical works, eventually settling in South Africa, where the 73-year-old lives with his young bride and 39 polo ponies. This documentary includes interviews with Eric Clapton, Steve Winwood, Carlos Santana and more. Beware of Mr. Baker! With every smash of the drum is a man smashing his way through life.

Irish Commandant Pat Quinlan leads a stand off with troops against French and Belgian Mercenaries in the Congo during in the early 1960s.

A 25 year old young man with dreams of becoming a dancer despite the fact that he's paralyzed from the waist down. His dreams are shattered when his uncle falls seriously ill. To save him, he decides to go work for petrol traffickers.

50 Movies Where the Action Happens in Africa

Top 50 movies set in africa you have to see.

If you cant travel to Africa, Africa comes to you.  We all know movies like Last King of Scotland with Leonardo di Caprio, Blood Diamond, Hotel Rwanda, The English Patient, The Constant Gardener,  Goodbye Bafana, and evergreen classics Out of Africa and Gorillas in The Mist.

But there is more! 50 Movies Where the Action Happens in Africa is list of less known films shot in Africa with great stories and insights into African continent.

Unfortunately  many  movies filmed in Africa  get overlooked due to lack  of the publicity. Below is the list of less known  50 movies set in Africa. Many movies from the list are  award winners or nominees  on international festivals like Cannes, Toronto, Tribeca, Sundance…

On top list of movies set in Africa you will find everything: from shocking and eye opening documentaries revealing problematic issues in Africa, stories inspired by real life events, to drama action and love. We have gathered and seen many from the list of 50 movies where the action happens in Africa. How many movies have you seen?

Movies set in Africa With Child Soldiers and Rebel Topic

Set in Northern Uganda, a country ravaged by more than two decades of civil war, WAR/DANCE tells the story of Dominic, Rose, and Nancy, three children whose families have been torn apart, their homes destroyed, and who currently reside in a displaced persons camp in Patongo.

When they are invited to compete in an annual music and dance competition, their historic journey to their nation’s capital is also an opportunity to regain a part of their childhood and to taste victory for the first time in their lives.

The Silent Army

Child soldiers in Africa are at the fore in this tale of a white restaurant owner in an African town bordering a conflict zone. When his son’s African friend Abu is abducted, he sets out to find the boy, and walks right into a training camp exploiting children like Abu.

War Witch paints a poignant and harrowing portrait of Komona, a 14-year-old girl (wonderfully played by nonprofessional actress Rachel Mwanza) who has been kidnapped from her African village by rebels to become a child soldier.

She escapes from the camp with an older albino soldier and experiences for the very first time the joys of a peaceful and loving life, but a fresh tragedy will force her to confront and fight the ghosts haunting her mind.

Movies Set in Rwanda Based on True Events from Genocide War

Sometimes in april.

If you really want to find out a bit more about the genocide in Rwanda of 1994, this is THE movie to go! It’s a wonderful, yet uncompromisingly sad and bitter movie. Whereas “Hotel Rwanda” was more like Schindlers List in Africa.

More focusing on a Hollywood-like hero & love story, “Sometimes in April” leads you right into the very depths of hell. The characters are well pointed out, the acting is always impressive and the film-making is very subtle and pleasantly calm.

Beyond the Gates  aka Shooting Dogs

Based on a true story. An exhausted Catholic priest (Hurt) and a young idealistic English teacher (Dancy) finds themselves caught in the 1994 Rwandan genocide. They must now choose whether to stay with the thousands of Tutsis about to be massacred or to flee for safety.

A Sunday in Kigali

In April 1994, the middle-aged Canadian journalist Bernard Valcourt is making a documentary in Kigali about AIDS. He secretly falls in love for the Tutsi waitress of his hotel Gentille, who is younger than him, in a period of violent racial conflicts.

When the genocide of the Tutsis by the Hutus in Rwanda begins, Bernard does not succeed in escaping with Gentille to Canada. When the genocide finishes in July 1994, Bernard returns to the chaotic Kigali seeking out Gentille in the middle of destruction and dead bodies.

Kinyarwanda

A young Tutsi woman and a young Hutu man fall in love amidst chaos; a soldier struggles to foster a greater good while absent from her family; and a priest grapples with his faith in the face of unspeakable horror.

A local Hutu official is persuaded to implement the government’s policy against the Tutsi: To completely wipe them out. Josette, a beautiful young Tutsi girl struggles to survive the killing by taking refuge in a church, supposedly protected by the UNO forces.

Meanwhile, Josette’s brother is hunted down and murdered and her boyfriend rescued by the rebels. But the Hutu Catholic priest betrays Josette’s family and only agrees to spare her life is to submit to the nightly violations.

By the time she is reunited with her boyfriend, neither of them can face the brutal reality of their situation: she is pregnant and bears the priest’s child, which she immediately abandons. 100 Days was shot in Kibuye, the beautiful landscape had been the back drop to some of the worst atrocities in 1994.

In Kibuye Church, the site of an actual massacre, Rwanda actors played killers and victims that were only too familiar to them.

Hotel Rwanda

The true story of Paul Rusesabagina, a hotel manager who housed over a thousand Tutsi refugees during their struggle against the Hutu militia in Rwanda.

Movies Set in South Africa

In Johannesburg, a small time criminal, Tsotsi, is a teenager without feelings, hardened by his tough life. After a series of violent gang hits, Tsotsi hijacks a car. However, whilst driving, Tsotsi finds that there is a baby on the back seat. He brings the baby to his house in the slum. The next six days bring about a change in him that couldn’t be foreseen

The Bang Bang Club

A must see movie for photojournalism lovers! A drama based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa. The “Bang-Bang Club” was a moniker given to a group of primarily four South African photographers who gained notoriety for consistently putting themselves in harm’s way to obtain photographs of the “silent war” between the African National Congress (ANC) and the Inkatha.

Inkhata raged from 1990 to 1994, leading up to the first free elections in South Africa that resulted in Nelson Mandela becoming President. The Bang Bang Club is a film version of those years, focusing on the primary members of this group, Greg Marinovich, Kevin Carter, Ken Oosterbroek and Joao Silva.

 Gangsters Paradise: Jerusalema

Inspired by a true story, GANGSTERS PARADISE: JERUSALEMA is an unflinching look into the crime, corruption and the transgressions of those looking to survive in the most crime—infested district of Johannesburg. Starting off with simple smash and grabs, and petty crime, Lucky Kunene quickly graduates to more aggressive heists such as armed robbery and carjacking.

Soon, Lucky realizes he needs a bigger score to fulfill his goals of making it big, and escaping from the slums, to a dream house by the sea. Lucky hatches an elaborate and violent plan to make his fortune hijacking building from landlords of Johannesburg tenements by winning the favor of the tenants and then holding their rent hostage from the landowners.

His high—profile real estate acquisitions attract the attention of the local police force who have no qualms about using unprovoked brutality to bring him down. His trouble with the law, coupled with an escalating war between a local drug lord, creates a tense standoff: both sides are closing in, and Lucky must stay one step ahead, or his empire, and his life, will come crashing down.

Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom

Nelson Mandela is a South African lawyer who joins the African National Congress in the 1940s when the law under the Apartheid system’s brutal tyranny proves useless for his people.

Forced to abandon peaceful protest for armed resistance after the Sharpeville Massacre, Mandela pays the price when he and his comrades are sentenced to life imprisonment for treason while his wife, Winnie, is abused by the authorities herself.

Over the decades in chains, Mandela’s spirit is unbowed as his struggle goes on in and beyond his captivity to become an international cause. However, as Winnie’s determination hardens over the years into a violent ruthlessness, Nelson’s own stature rises until he becomes the renowned leader of his movement.

Life, Above All

In the dusty small town of Elandsdoorn, a South African township not far from Johannesburg, life is simple and serene. A prevailing sense of deep pride tightly bonds together the entire community – but beware to those who step out of line … 12-year-old Chanda is a hardworking promising young student with a bright future, but her life changes dramatically when her baby sister unexpectedly dies.

Heartbroken, Chanda’s mother, Lillian, in turn becomes severely ill. Her stepfather drowns himself in alcohol, leaving the young girl to take care of her two smaller siblings. Meanwhile, the formerly friendly neighbors become increasingly distant and gossip spreads. “Auntie” Tafa does what she can to help by getting Lillian to leave town, but not even “Auntie” is immune to the cloud of fear filtering across Elandsdoor.

7 Days in Entebbe (2018)

In July 1976, an Air France flight from Tel-Aviv to Paris via Athens was hijacked and forced to land in Entebbe, Uganda. The Jewish passengers were separated and held hostage in demand to release many terrorists held in Israeli prisons. After much debate, the Israeli government sent an elite commando unit to raid the airfield and release the hostages.

Beat the Drum

Young Musa is orphaned after a mysterious illness strikes his village in KwaZulu Natal. To help his grandmother, Musa sets out for Johannesburg with his father’s last gift, a tribal drum, in search of work and his uncle. The journey confronts him with the stark realities of urban life, but his indomitable spirit never wavers; he returns with a truth and understanding his elders have failed to grasp.

Inspired by true story. A dark skinned girl born to white South African parents attempts to explore her identity in the era of apartheid as her government, her parents, and society as a whole struggle with what it means to be a black child of Caucasian descent in a nation deeply divided by race. The year is 1955.

Sandra Laing, Sophie Okonedo, has just been born to a pair of white Afrikaner parents, her brown skin and curly hair the surprising result of genetic throwback. As the government’s rigid apartheid system struggles with whether to classify Sandra as white or black, the young girl and her parents gradually realize that the complications they face due to her appearance run deep and wide.

The Colour of Freedom aka Goodbye Bafana

GOODBYE BAFANA is the true story of a white South African racist whose life was profoundly altered by the black prisoner he guarded for twenty years. The prisoner’s name was Nelson Mandela.

Movies Set in Kenya

Paradise: love.

On the beaches of Kenya they’re known as “Sugar Mamas” — European women who seek out African boys selling love to earn a living. Teresa, a fifty-year-old Austrian and mother of a daughter entering puberty, travels to this vacation paradise. She goes from one beach boy to the next, from one disappointment to the next and finally she must recognise: On the beaches of Kenya, love is a business.

The White Massai

The Swiss Carola Lehmann develops a crush on the Samburu warrior Lemalian Mamutelil during a ferry trip on the last day of her two week vacation in Kenya, although traveling with her boyfriend, Stefan. She strikes up a conversation with Lemalian and, the next morning, instead of returning to Biel (Switzerland), Carola decides to leave Stefan and seek out Lemalian.

She travels to Nairobi by bus. From there to Maralal, where she befriends Elizabeth Muzungu, a Caucasian married to a Kikuyu. She explains some important details of the Samburu culture to Carola. Wwhen Lemalian meets with her, they walk together to his isolated tribe in Barsaloi.

Carola is welcomed by his people, she sells her shop in Switzerland and marries Lemalian, having a daughter with him. She also opens up a store. However, their differences of cultures force Carola to make an ultimate decision.

Nowhere in Africa

A love story spanning two continents, “Nowhere In Africa” is the true tale of a Jewish family who flees the Nazi regime in 1938 for a remote farm in Kenya.A Jewish family in Germany emigrate short before the Second World War.

They move to Kenya to start running a farm, but not all members of the family come to an arrangement with their new life. Shortly after their departure, things are changing in Germany very quickly, and a turning back seems impossible. So everyone has to arrange himself with the new life in a new continent.

 Nairobi Half Life

A movie made by Kenyans for Kenyans. A young, aspiring actor from upcountry Kenya dreams of becoming a success in the big city. In pursuit of this and to the chagrin of his brother and parents, he makes his way to Nairobi:the city of opportunity.

The First Grader

Set in a mountain village in Kenya the film tells the remarkable true and uplifting story of a proud old Mau Mau veteran who is determined to seize his last chance to learn to read and write – and so ends up joining a class alongside six year-olds. Together he and his young teacher face fierce resistance, but ultimately they win through – and also find a new way of overcoming the burdens of the colonial past.

Out of Africa

This is one of those rare movies that has something for everybody and is nearly perfect in many respects.OUT OF AFRICA is based on the memoirs of Danish writer Karen Blixen (pen name, Isak Dinesen) in a coffee plantation in present day Kenya.

It explains how this brave woman overcomes the stereotype of a dainty, colonial British lady by running the coffee farm while her husband Bror Blixen (Brandauer) led a life of hunting and infidelities.

Meryl Streep is great as Karen Blixen. She manages to maintain the realistic Danish accent through the whole film. Redford is great as Denys Finch-Hatton, the Etonian hunter who keeps companion in her loneliest and hardest. But the real attraction of the film is he outstanding photography of the African landscape.

The Constant Gardener

In a remote area of Northern Kenya, activist Tessa Quayle is found brutally murdered. Tessa’s companion, a doctor, appears to have fled the scene, and the evidence points to a crime of passion. Members of the British High Commission in Nairobi assume that Tessa’s widower, their mild-mannered and unambitious colleague Justin Quayle, will leave the matter to them.

They could not be more wrong. Haunted by remorse and jarred by rumors of his late wife’s infidelities, Quayle surprises everyone by embarking on a personal odyssey that will take him across three continents.

Using his privileged access to diplomatic secrets, he will risk his own life, stopping at nothing to uncover and expose the truth – a conspiracy more far-reaching and deadly than Quayle could ever have imagined.

Social Documentaries Set in Africa

Darwin’s nightmare.

A documentary on the effect of fishing the Nile perch in Tanzania’s Lake Victoria. The predatory fish, which has wiped out the native species, is sold in European supermarkets, while starving Tanzanian families have to make do with the leftovers.

The larger scope of the story explores the gun trade to Africa that takes place under the covers — Russian pilots fly guns into Africa, then fly fish back out to Europe. The hazards and consequences of this trade are explored, including the pan-African violence propagated by constant flow of weapons into the continent.

If it is a “survival of the fittest” world, as Darwin concluded, then the capitalist interests that fund the gun runners are climbing the evolutionary ladder on the backs of the Africans in this stark Darwinian example.

Much like the foreseeable extinction of the Lake Victoria perch, and death of Lake Victoria itself, the Africans are in grave jeopardy, even as they survive in the only ways they know how.

God Grew Tired of Us: The Story of Lost Boys of Sudan

In 1987, Sudan’s Muslim government pronounced death to all males in the Christian south: 27,000 boys fled to Ethiopia on foot. In 1991, they were forced to flee to Kenya; 12,000 survived to live in a U.N. camp in Kakuma. Archival footage documents the 1,000 mile flight; we see life in the camp.

We follow three young men who repatriate to the U.S. John Bul Dau goes to Syracuse, and by the film’s end, becomes a spokesperson for the Lost Boys and Lost Girls of Sudan; Daniel Abol Pach and Panther Bior go to Pittsburgh. All work several jobs, send money back to the camp, search for relatives lost in the civil war, acclimatize to the U.S., seek an education, and miss their homeland

The New Sudan

After 20 years of terror-filled nights, there is dawn in Southern Sudan. The people of the land peek out from the doorways of their huts. They ask each other, “Will the sun stay? Will there be morning tomorrow and the next day?” The long war is over. Southern Sudan becomes New Sudan.

Peace treaties are inked and enemies shake hands. But other wars still rage. The war of awakening hope against the habit of despair. The war of new alliances against decades of mistrust. The war of joyful homecoming against the lack of homes remaining. Above all, it is a war for the human heart against the heart of darkness.

We Come as Friends

WE COME AS FRIENDS is a modern odyssey, a dizzying, science fiction-like journey into the heart of Africa. At the moment when the Sudan, the continent’s biggest country, is being divided into two nations, an old “civilizing” pathology re-emerges – that of colonialism, the clash of empires, and new episodes of bloody (and holy) wars over land and resources.

The director of DARWIN’S NIGHTMARE takes us on this voyage in his tiny, self-made, tin and canvas flying machine. He leads us into most improbable locations and into people’s thoughts and dreams, in both stunning and heartbreaking ways.

Chinese oil workers, UN peacekeepers, Sudanese warlords, and American evangelists ironically weave common ground in this documentary, a complex, profound and humorous cinematic endeavor – a tale of very old and rather sinister verses.

In the forested depths of eastern Congo lies Virunga National Park, one of the most bio-diverse places in the world and home to the last of the mountain gorillas. In this wild, but enchanted environment, a small and embattled team of park rangers – including an ex-child soldier turned ranger, a carer of orphan gorillas and a Belgian conservationist – protect this UNESCO world heritage site from armed militia, poachers and the dark forces struggling to control Congo’s rich natural resources.

When the newly formed M23 rebel group declares war in May 2012, a new conflict threatens the lives and stability of everyone and everything they’ve worked so hard to protect.

‘The Square’ is an intimate observational documentary that tells the real story of the ongoing struggle of the Egyptian Revolution through the eyes of six very different protesters.

Starting in the tents of Tahrir in the days leading up to the fall of Mubarak, we follow our characters on a life-changing journey through the euphoria of victory into the uncertainties and dangers of the current ‘transitional period’ under military rule, where everything they fought for is now under threat or in balance

Half The Sky

Turning Oppression into Opportunity for Women Worldwide, two sequences are shot in Africa, one in Kibera and the other in Somalia. 

In August 2009, Shining Hope for Communities founded The Kibera School for Girls, the first tuition-free school for girls in Kibera. By providing a superior education, daily nourishment, uniforms, and schools supplies all free of charge, they were able to give the brightest and most at-risk girls the power of hope and education.

Ross Kemp Extreme World and Piracy Series

Lagos, Nigeria – Ross kemp looks at the link between poverty and piracy in Lagos’s biggest slum Ajegunle:

Ross Kemp Extreme World: DR Congo

Ross Kemp flies to RWANDA to find out more about The Congo war, which has been fought for over a decade, and is the bloodiest conflict that has been fought since the 2nd world war.

Ross Kemp on Gangs: Kenya Special

In this 90-minute special, Ross Kemp travels to Kenya to investigate the Mungiki, an outfit labelled as the most dangerous “gang” in Africa.

Movies Set in West Africa

Not far from the ancient Malian city of Timbuktu, proud cattle herder Kidane (Ibrahim Ahmed aka Pino) lives peacefully in the dunes with his wife Satima (Toulou Kiki), his daughter Toya (Layla Walet Mohamed), and Issan (Mehdi Ag Mohamed), their twelve-year-old shepherd.

In town, the people suffer, powerless, from the regime of terror imposed by the Jihadists determined to control their faith. Music, laughter, cigarettes, even soccer have been banned. The women have become shadows but resist with dignity.

Every day, the new improvised courts issue tragic and absurd sentences. Kidane and his family are being spared the chaos that prevails in Timbuktu. But their destiny changes abruptly

Caught in the middle of a brutal civil war, six Liberian missionaries in Monrovia flee the widespread violence of their native country. Their destination: Freetown, Sierra Leone. With the help of local church leader Phillip Abubakar (Henry Adofo), the missionaries make the difficult journey, only to have their troubles compounded by a rebel fighter bent on killing one of their own.

Based on true events, FREETOWN is a thrilling and inspiring story of hope and survival.

Tall as Baobab Tree

Coumba and her little sister Debo are the first to leave their family’s remote African village, where meals are prepared over open fires and water is drawn from wells, to attend school in the bustling city. But when an accident suddenly threatens their family’s survival, their father decides to sell 11-year-old Debo into an arranged marriage.

Torn between loyalty to her elders and her dreams for the future, Coumba hatches a secret plan to rescue her young sister from a fate she did not choose. A powerful voice from Africa’s young generation, Grand comme le Baobab (Tall as the Baobab Tree) poignantly depicts a family struggling to find its footing at the outer edge of the modern world… where questions of right and wrong are not always black and white.

Blood Diamond

The film opens in Sierra Leone, 1999 when Civil war rages for control of the diamond fields…According to devastating reports, these stones are being used with both rebels and government forces to purchase more weapons and finance civil war…A story following Archer, a man tortured by his roots.

With a strong survival instinct, he has made himself a key player in the business of conflict diamonds. Political unrest is rampant in Sierra Leone as people fight tooth for tooth. Upon meeting Solomon, and the beautiful Maddy, Archer’s life changes forever as he is given a chance to make peace with the war around him.

Dreams of Dust

A Nigerian peasant comes looking for work in Essakane, a dusty gold mine in Northeast Burkina Faso, where he hopes to forget the past that haunts him.

Other Movies Where the Action Happens in Africa

Where are you taking me.

Employing an observational style, this contemplative documentary reveals multifaceted portraits of Ugandans in both public and private spaces. The film travels through Uganda, roaming the vibrant streets of Kampala and the rural quiet of the North, to reveal a diverse society where global popular culture finds expression alongside enduring Ugandan traditions.

White Material

Denis revisits Africa, this time exploring a place rife with civil and racial conflict. A white French family outlawed in its home and attempting to save its coffee plantation connects with a black hero also embroiled in the tumult. All try to survive as their world rapidly crumbles around them

Desert Flower

The autobiography of a Somalian nomad circumcised at 3, sold in marriage at 13, fled from Africa a while later to become finally an American supermodel and is now at the age of 38, the UN spokeswoman against female genital mutilation.

African Proverbs Wildebeest Migration in Tazania  

The Good Lie

Four Sudanese children are orphaned after their village is massacred in the Second Sudanese Civil War. Consequently, they make an arduous and dangerous trek through the plains, enduring hardship, death and sacrifice all the way until they reach safety in a refugee camp in Ethiopia.

Years later, these youths are among 3600 selected for resettlement in America, only to have the one girl among them sent to Boston, while the three boys must to make a new life in Kansas City.

Together, these young men must adjust to an alien culture even as the emotional baggage of their past haunts them. However, these newcomers, and their new friends like employment counselor Carrie Davis, strive to understand each other in this new home, as they make peace with their histories in a challenge that will change all their lives.

Unfolds the poignant story of three women and their search for justice from the daily plight of sexual harassment in Egypt.

The Lost Number

An international action drama, The lost Number is the story of a redemption-seeking English woman going against all odds to save a remote slum in Africa.After going renegade on a Foray, Kathleen an English woman goes down south to Ngara Town.

Seeking redemption, Kathleen saves Ngara Town and becomes her new hero. But when Diwani (point man of the Foray) comes to Ngara to retrieve from Kathleen what belongs to the Foray, Kathleen must go against the odds to save Ngara from Diwani and a Foray striking for the very soul of Ngara Town.

Long Way Down

Actors and best friends Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman travel from John O’Groats, Scotland down to Cape Town, South Africa on motorcycles. They travel down through Europe and Africa, getting an up-close view of the local cultures. They also stop at various UNICEF projects to offer support and assistance to the children there.

Long Way Down is the feature cut of the second season of the road trip documentary featuring Ewan McGregor and his buddy Charlie Boorman on their motorcycle adventure from the Northern tip of Scotland, to the southern tip of Africa. Brushing up on the past adventure is not a requirement for getting your visa for this trip.

The film suffers mildly from the lack of build-up and planning for the trip, which would have added more of an introduction to the traveling company, but the ramping right into the adventure helps the pace of the 2+hr film.

As a whole the film works as an African postcard, a buddy road trip, and the greatest advertisement for adventure tourism ever made. It is impossible to watch this film and not have an immediate desire to skip the beaches of Hawaii for the far-reaches of the African wilderness.

The Last King of Scotland

In the early 1970s, Nicholas Garrigan, a young semi-idealistic Scottish doctor, comes to Uganda to assist in a rural hospital. Once there, he soon meets up with the new President, Idi Amin, who promises a golden age for the African nation.

Garrigan hits it off immediately with the rabid Scotland fan, who soon offers him a senior position in the national health department and becomes one of Amin’s closest advisers. However as the years pass, Garrigan cannot help but notice Amin’s increasingly erratic behaviour that grows beyond a legitimate fear of assassination into a murderous insanity that is driving Uganda into bloody ruin.

Realizing his dire situation with the lunatic leader unwilling to let him go home, Garrigan must make some crucial decisions that could mean his death if the despot finds out.

Gorillas in The Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey

The story of Dian Fossey, a scientist who came to Africa to study the vanishing mountain gorillas, and later fought to protect them. Based on Dian Fossey’s own autobiography, this true life story is inspiring and has helped these amazing animals in many ways by waking us up to their plight.

Originally Dian herself was helping to make the film, until she was murdered and the production team had to go back and start it all over again several years later in 1988.

Based on the real-life experiences of Mende Nazer,the story unfolds as twelve-year-old Malia,daughter of champion wrestler Bah,is abducted from her Sudanese village in the Nubar Mountains by pro-government Arab militia and sold into slavery to a woman in Khartoum,who beats her for touching her daughter.

After six years she is sent to London, where her name is changed, but her miserable life of servitude continues.

Her passport is taken and she is told that her father will die if she goes to the authorities. Fortunately she meets a sympathetic person who seems to offer her the hope of escape and reunion with Bah,back in Sudan. For all the film’s optimism an end title states that there are around 5,000 ‘slave’ workers currently in Britain.

The Last Lions

Fifty years ago there were close to half-a-million lions in Africa. Today there are around 20,000. To make matters worse, lions, unlike elephants, which are far more numerous, have virtually no protection under government mandate or through international accords.

This is the jumping-off point for a disturbing, well-researched and beautifully made cri de coeur from husband and wife team Dereck and Beverly Joubert, award-winning filmmakers from Botswana who have been Explorers-in-Residence at National Geographic for more than four years.

Pointing to poaching as a primary threat while noting the lion’s pride of place on the list for eco-tourists-an industry that brings in 200 billion dollars per year worldwide-the Jouberts build a solid case for both the moral duty we have to protect lions (as well as other threatened “big cats,” tigers among them) and the economic sense such protection would make.

And when one takes into account the fact that big cats are at the very top of the food chain-and that their elimination would wreak havoc on all species below them, causing a complete ecosystem collapse-the need takes on a supreme urgency.

Movie synopsis taken from imdb.com

About the Author: Nina Zara

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Fantastic list ! Thanks for sharing..

You are welcome, will be updating this list!

Lookong for a movie about an african stock fighter looking for revenge for the death of his daughter. Great movie woth all afrocan cast. 1970s I think

Super seznam. Hvala. Dodajam pa jih še nekaj: Capitan Phillips Tears of the sun Invictus Black Hawk Down Lion des Hommes The constant gardner Lord of the war Invictus Goodbye bfana

Hvala Matjaz, za dodatke, Bafana in gardener sta na listi, ampak se hitro kaj spregleda ob tako dolgi listi:) Lp, Nina Zara

Im looking for a movie from the 60s or 70s black and white about a man looking for a stick fighter who killed his daughter to gain power. English speaking i think. Title is a single african word

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5 Classic Safari Movies to Watch Before a Safari

Safari movies can increase the anticipation and excitement of going on safari in Africa . They can also be quite educational and inspire interesting ideas to enhance upcoming safari adventures. Fortunately, there’s no shortage of creative films involving humans interacting with untamed animals in the wild. Hollywood has been producing them for decades, and there is now a decent selection of movies that can bring the magic of the safari experience right into your living room. We have listed a handful of the classics below.

Classic Safari Movies for Safari-Goers

Safari (2013).

Safari is a found footage film in the thriller genre. In the movie, a group of young Americans book a trip to the South African bush and one of them documents the experience. They arrive in the country for a Kruger Park safari , where a safari tour guide escorts them to their lodge. From the safari lodge, the group embarks on a game drive with some South African lodge guests to view wildlife. However, the tourists become frustrated when they don’t encounter lions. The guide, after arguing with a junior guide, decides to take them into hunting territory where lions sightings are guaranteed. Then, things take a turn for the worse. Their vehicle breaks down, forcing the safariers to face the many dangers in the wild. They find a local girl and try to navigate the African wilderness. Ultimately, they are picked off by lions, hyenas, snakes and poachers.

A thrilling found footage movie set in the South African wild.

Out of Africa (1985)

This compelling biographical romance drama features beautiful African scenery and incredible performances by award-winning actors. In Out of Africa , a popular safari movies classic, an aristocratic Danish woman (Meryl Streep) travels to Kenya to join her husband (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who ends up spending her money on establishing a coffee plantation rather than a cattle ranch, as agreed upon originally. After discovering that her husband is unfaithful, she develops feelings for an independent big-game hunter (Robert Redford). She comes to realize that he prefers a simplistic lifestyle, though, whereas she has a noble background and leads a life on par with upper-class colonists in the area. The two continue on in a series of events until the hunter dies in a plane crash and the Dane leaves Africa with nothing but bittersweet memories.

In colonial Kenya, a Danish baroness has a romantic affair with an adventurous big-game hunter.

Gorillas in the Mist (1988)

Gorillas in the Mist , like Out of Africa , is a biographical American drama film with award-winning performers. This one does not focus on romance, however. Instead, the movie concentrates on the touching relationship between a naturalist and a group of primates that she studies in the mountain forests of Rwanda. The film also highlights the protagonist’s efforts in preventing the extinction of gorillas due to rampant poaching and corruption. With the threat of poachers ever lingering and strife around every corner, viewers can count on high drama from this moving 80s flick. As a bonus, the movie includes remarkable footage of real gorillas in their natural habitat. Sigourney Weaver stars as Dian Fossey, the real-life primatologist and conservationist that Gorillas in the Mist is based on. Australian actor Bryan Brown plays Dian’s love interest in the film.

The story of Dian Fossey, who went to Africa to study mountain gorillas and later fought to protect them.

To Walk with Lions (1999)

A factual adventure drama directed by Carl Schultz, To Walk with Lions showcases the dramatic continuation of George Adamson’s struggle to preserve the wildlife of Kenya. The film came 33 years after the award-winning movie Born Free , in which Adamson saves a lion cub. In To Walk with Lions , the Adamson brothers realise that the lions on their game reserve have become targets. The elephants and rhinos on the land are also being killed. Together with George’s assistant, the brothers battle to protect the animals, which poachers and herdsmen are killing for their pelts, tusks and horns, but the odds are against them. Academy Award Nominee Richard Harris of Gladiator and the first two Harry Potter films portrays George Adamson. Ian Bannen plays the role of George’s brother, and John Michie, George’s young male assistant.

To Walk with Lions takes you to the wilds of Africa for an inspirational story about a conservation crusade.

The Lion King (1994)

Safari-goers who’ve not yet seen the epic African musical Disney drama The Lion King absolutely should. It’s an inspiring and heart-warming animation – one of the top classic safari movies for people taking kids on safari! Can children go on safaris? Yes, they normally can. In fact, there are many fun activities for kids on safari . In The lion King , which spawned a 2019 remake, a young lion prince is born in Africa. This makes his uncle second in line to the throne. The uncle plots with hyenas to kill the king and prince in an effort to take the throne. The king dies and the uncle manages to convince the lion prince that it was his fault. Feeling ashamed, he flees the kingdom. After years in exile, the prince returns home to overthrow his usurping uncle. He then rightfully claims the kingdom as his own, completing the “Circle of Life”.

The Lion King follows the adventures of the young lion Simba, the heir of his father, Mufasa.

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32 Amazing Movies Set In Africa

The best movies set all over the continent.

From the shores of the Mediterranean in the north to the Cape of Good Hope in the south, Africa has millions of stories to tell. Some are triumphant and some are tragic, but they are all interesting and enlightening in their own way. Movies set in Africa are one of the best ways to tell those stories of family, history, ecology, and war. Here are 32 of our favorite movies set in the amazing continent of Africa. 

The Power Of One

Based on a book by the same name, The Power Of One is an underrated movie set in South Africa in the middle of the 20th Century, covering the time around World War II and the beginning of Apartheid. It boasts a stellar cast, including Morgan Freeman , Stephen Dorff, Armin Mueller-Stahl, Sir John Gielgud, and Daniel Craig in his big-screen debut as the Sadistic Sgt. Botha. 

Hotel Rwanda

It is not easy to watch Hotel Rwanda , starring Don Cheadle as Paul Rusesabagina, a real-life hotel manager who saved hundreds of lives during the Rwandan Genocide in  1994. The acts of brutality are horrifying, but there is a message of hope, as Rusesabagina's actions saved lives, and he himself was able to survive along with his family, and his tormentors were later convicted of war crimes. 

Gorillas In The Mist

Dian Fossey's story, which is told in Gorillas In The Mist , has many of the elements that make Africa Africa. Incredible wildlife, deep government corruption, violence, and hope. The movie was nominated for five Oscars, including one for Sigourney Weaver , who played Fossey in the 1988 film. 

When We Were Kings

Simply put, the documentary When We Were Kings, about the "Rumble In The Jungle" boxing match between Muhammed Ali and George Foreman, is one of the best documentaries ever made. Featuring music performances for the likes of James Brown and others, and amazing footage of Ali and Foreman, this film is a must-see. 

There is not much that can be written about Casablanca that hasn't already been said. Set in Morocco during the Second World War, the movie is often considered one of the best, if not the best movie of all time. Even today, over 80 years since it's release in 1942, the timeless story never disappoints. 

Beasts Of No Nation

Beasts Of No Nation was an instant classic when it was released in 2015. It's a powerful and terrifying film set in an unnamed, fictional country in Africa, but rooted in a story that is all too familiar across the continent. It tells the story of children soldiers under the spell of a warlord, played by Idris Elba . It's a brilliant, but hard-to-watch film. 

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Last King Of Scotland

Idi Amin, who ruled Uganda with an iron fist in the 1970s, was one of the most brutal dictators in history. Forest Whitaker plays Amin in 2006's Last King Of Scotland , earning an Oscar for Best Actor for the performance. It is a tale that was all too common in post-colonial Africa, a tale some countries are still struggling with today. 

There are a lot of meaningful movies about the brutality of apartheid in South Africa.  Invictus is about the beginning of the reconciliation between whites and Blacks after Nelson Mandela became president and apartheid was finally done away with. Starring Morgan Freeman as Mandela, and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar, the Afrikaner captain of the South African rugby team that won the 1995 World Cup, united the country in a way that hadn't happened in decades. 

The Gods Must Be Crazy

In 1984, a little South African film took the United States by storm. The Gods Must Be Crazy was a surprise hit on the strength of its humor and charm. It was among the first African productions to hit the big time in the U.S. and while it was fairly criticized for its connection to the apartheid government, the movie is really funny, and such a great time capsule of its time. 

Queen of Katwe

Chess has proven to be a rich subject to mine in Hollywood and one of the finest examples is 2016's Queen of Katwe , starring Madina Nalwanga as Phiona Mutesi, a Ugandan chess player who rose from the slums of Kampala to one of the best chess players to ever come from the continent. It's based on a true story, and filmed in Kampala , adding to the authenticity of the true story. 

One of the most consequential battles in South African history is the Battle of Isandlwana, between British colonialists and the Zulu nation. The Zulus, led by King Cetshwayo, defeated the Brits, and in the film, the king is even played by his son, Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi .

Cry Freedom

Denzel Washington earned his first Oscar nomination for 1987's Cry Freedom , for portraying apartheid activist Stephen Biko in the 1970s, at the height of the brutal system in South Africa. It doesn't get more powerful than this. 

Blood Diamond

Civil war is all too common in Africa and one of the most violent took place in Sierra Leone for a decade in the 1990s. 2006's Blood Diamond tells the story about how diamonds and other precious stones are mined in war-torn areas and then sold to finance the violence. Matt Damon and Djimon Hounsou star in this powerful movie that raised awareness for the practice. 

The Battle of Algiers

1966's The Battle of Algiers combines true history, about Algeria throwing off the shackles of their French colonial masters with the excitement of a war movie . The Italian production doesn't get as much attention in the United States as it should. 

Black Hawk Down

The civil war in Somalia was already 10 years old when Ridley Scott made Black Hawk Down in 2001. More than 2 decades later, it's still not resolved. The movie, about the true story of an American Black Hawk helicopter being shot down and the ensuing Battle of Mogadishu, is chock full of big stars and harrowing war scenes. 

Searching for Sugar Man

2015's Searching for Sugar Man is an amazing documentary about the mysterious success of American folk singer Sixto Rodriguez in South Africa while that country was under apartheid. Though it also takes place in Rodriguez's hometown of Detroit, most of the movie focuses on his popularity in South Africa, which was unknown to him until decades later. It won the Oscar for Best Documentary in 2016. 

Cry, The Beloved Country

Many films have been made about the horrors of apartheid in South Africa, Cry, The Beloved Country is set before the brutal system was put in place by the white government. Starring James Earl Jones as a South African priest whose son is accused of murder and Richard Harris as the victim's father who come to an understanding with each other. It shows that everyone can find common ground, somewhere. 

Dirk Pitt could be the American version of James Bond. Based on a character by author Clive Cussler, Pitt is the ultimate adventurer. Sadly for fans of the books, the late Cussler and his family have had a couple of bad experiences with Hollywood translating one of his books to film. One of those, Sahara, starring Matthew McConaughey as Pitt, is a way better movie than it is given credit for. It's just a good old-fashion popcorn chomper and it's too bad we didn't get more Pitt movies.  

While it's not about Africa, per se, Gaia is an African movie, set in South Africa. The fil industry on the continent is not as developed as other places, but they can still produce a scary story, as is the case with this horror film, which any fan of the genre will love. 

Black Panther

Now, we know that Wakanda isn't real, but that doesn't make Black Panther any less of a representation of Africa and what so many on the continent aspire to. So let's just sit back and enjoy one of the best MCU films out there. 

Out of Africa

1986's Best Picture Winner, Out of Africa , is as much a love story as it is a transporting film that takes you colonial Kenya in the early 20th Century. Meryl Streep and Robert Redford star in this fantastic movie about Danish author Karen Blixen and her lover Denys Finch Hatton.

The Lion King

Even animated movies can dive deep into the rich culture and history of Africa and its incredible diversity of wildlife. The Lion King is a true Disney classic that has be beloved by kids and their parents for decades now. 

2009's District 9 explores the difficult history of apartheid wrapped in a science fiction facade. Though on the surface it's a wild sci-fi ride, underneath it tells a much deeper story of life in Johannsaberg in the 1980s. 

The African Queen

1951's The African Queen is, in a lot of ways, the prototype for the modern rom-com, starring Humphrey Bogart and Katharine Hepburn. It follows a well-worn story of two people with different backgrounds and different views on life coming together and finding love. All set on an old boat traveling down a river in East Africa as World War breaks out in Europe. 

The First Grader

The First Grader is an incredibly inspiring movie based on the true story of Kenyan Kimani Maruge who enrolled in school for the first time at age 84. It's a wonderfully shot movie and will inspire anyone to chase their dreams, no matter their age. 

Tsotsi won the 2006 Oscar for Best Foreign Film and for good reason. A movie that begins in despair and gang violence ends with a level of unexpected redemption and hope and should be on any list of movies set in Africa. 

The Bang Bang Club

While it's not the best movie on this list, The Bang Bang Club does a decent job of telling the incredible true story about the life of combat photographers on the continent. The Bang Bang Club was a group of comrades who chased the violence and the adrenaline rush, featuring Taylor Kitsch as Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Carter.

The English Patient

The English Patient doesn't all happen in Libya, but the most stunning shots all happen in the deserts of North Africa. There is something amazing about the Sahara. The vast emptiness also provides unbelievable beauty and this movie shows both sides of it, along with the horrors of desert warfare during World War Two. 

Death On The Nile

Sadly, due to Covid, Death on the Nile was shot in England, mostly on soundstages, rather than Morraco, as Kenneth Branagh intended. Still, it's a story that very much takes place in Egypt, on the Nile. Some of the greatest stories ever told have come from the fertile banks of the Nile, and this is only the latest. It's a fun, whacky movie with another great performance by Branagh as Hercule Poirot (and his amazing mustache ). 

The Constant Gardener

The Constant Gardener suffers for only one thing, the title. The title doesn't let on how intriguing the story is, about a man searching for his wife's killer in Nairobi, Kenya. It's a murder mystery wrapped in a love story and, as it was shot on location, it has an amazingly rich tapestry of scenery in Kenya.  

Raiders Of The Lost Ark

Indiana Jones' adventures have taken all over the world. including, of course, Africa, in Raiders of the Lost Ark . Not only is the ark found in Egypt, but the Germans chasing after Indy and his team open the box in the desert, releasing the power of God on them. Like so many other movies set in the desert, the vistas are amazing. 

Bobi Wine: The People's President

Sadly, corruption and political violence are still all too common in Africa, including in Uganda, where one man, Bobi Wine is trying to change things once and for all. The documentary Bobi Wine: The People's President, which was nominated for an Oscar in 2024, follows the life and political career of The People's President as he faces imprisonment and torture at the hands of the regime running the country he wants free. It's an incredible and fearless documentary about an incredible and fearless man. 

Africa, with its incredible diverse scenery, cultures, and history will continue to provide us with amazing content , of that, there's no doubt. 

Hugh Scott is the Syndication Editor for CinemaBlend. Before CinemaBlend, he was the managing editor for Suggest.com and Gossipcop.com, covering celebrity news and debunking false gossip. He has been in the publishing industry for almost two decades, covering pop culture – movies and TV shows, especially – with a keen interest and love for Gen X culture, the older influences on it, and what it has since inspired. He graduated from Boston University with a degree in Political Science but cured himself of the desire to be a politician almost immediately after graduation.

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Top 10 Lion Movies [Updated - 2021]

By | 01 April 2020

Lions are truly majestic animals to observe in the wild, inspiring many famous documentaries, TV series, animations and movies over the years.   With our camps situated within the territories of famous prides of lion and their prey, Asilia has played a part in the making of several well-known big cat documentaries and films , including some mentioned below.  We asked our Asilia Facebook followers to pick their all-time best lion movies and documentaries; count down with us to see which one occupies the number one spot.

Top 10 Lion Movies

10. madagascar – dreamworks animation (2005).

We begin with an all-time classic, loved by both children and adults.  Madagascar is a comedy animation with a hilarious ensemble cast of holywood stars: Ben Stiller, Chris Rock, Sacha Baron Cohen, David Schwimmer, Cedric the Entertainer, Jada Pinkett Smith, Andy Richter, Bob Saget and more.  It was a huge commercial success which resulted in several sequels and spin-offs: Madagascar: Escape 2 Africa , Madagascar 3: Europe's Most Wanted , Penguins of Madagascar , and All Hail King Julien.

9. The Ghost and the Darkness – Paramount (1996)

The Ghost and the Darkness tells the historical story of a pair of man-eating lions that attacked and killed a number of construction workers who were building the Kenya-Uganda Railway In 1898.  Hollywood stars Val Kilmer and Michael Douglas play the role of an engineer and a veteran hunter who set out to hunt the two lions, named by locals as “the Ghost” and “the Darkness”.

8. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe – Disney (2005)

The Chronicles of Narnia are a series of famous and beloved books written by C. S. Lewis in the 1950s. They have been adapted for radio, plays, television and film.  Set in the realm of Narnia, home to magic and talking animals, including a lion named Aslan.  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe fantasy film was released in 2005 and starred Liam Neeson (as the voice of Aslan) and Tilda Swinton as the White Witch.  The movie was followed by Prince Caspian (2008) and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010), making over $1.5 billion globally.

7. African Cats – DisneyNature (2011)

This is a true life adventure documentary telling the dramatic, real story of two families of big cats living in Kenya’s famous Maasai Mara National Reserve.  The Maasai Mara and surrounding conservancies (such as Naboisho Conservancy) is one of the few remaining places on Earth where lions, cheetahs and leopards live in high numbers within the same territory, competing with one another for food.  Having operated in the region for decades and having camps situated in ideal locations to access these big cats, Asilia provided logistical support for the filming.  The film is narrated by Samuel L Jackson as well as by Patrick Stewart (in the UK release), and proceeds from the documentary resulted in thousands of acres of land being protected in Kenya.

6. Christian the Lion – Morningstar Productions (1972)

This incredible true story took place in the 1970’s and was covered by the newspapers of the time, with the documentary film being made in 1971.  The story was revived and went viral in 2002 after a clip was posted on YouTube . 

Christian was born in a zoo in 1969, and was subsequently bought and sold by Harrods to friends John Rendall and Ace Bourke, who kept him in the basement of their London furniture store. In 1971 they returned him to his ancestral home of Kenya, where lion expert George Adamson carefully and successfully reintroduced him to the wild, with Christian eventually heading his own pride.  Having not seen him in nine months, the famous clip shows the reunion of Rendall and Bourke with Christian.

5. Relentless Enemies – National Geographic (2006)

Narrated by Jeremy Irons, this is a dramatic documentary about a pride of lions as they stalk and attempt to hunt notoriously powerful buffalo in difficult terrain within the Okavango delta.

4. Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas - National Geographic (1992)

Like Relentless Enemies shown above, Eternal Enemies: Lions and Hyenas is a documentary made by prolific husband-and-wife filmmakers Dereck and Beverly Joubert.  Set in Botswana, this shows the raw reality of life in the wild of Africa, as a pride of lions feud with a clan of hyenas.

3. The Last Lions – National Geographic (2011)

Rounding off a trio of documentaries featured in our top 10, The Last Lions was also made by South Africans Dereck and Beverly Joubert and is narrated by Jeremy Irons.  The film focuses on a lioness mother named Ma di Tau as she fights to protect her cubs and ensure their survival in the wild.

2. The Last Lioness – Aquavision (2009)

This documentary is the story of lioness Lady Liuwa, who lives alone on Zambia’s Liuwa Plain.  With no pride, she has no support to help her survive, the sad result of illegal trophy hunting that destroyed the rest of her species in the region.

And the number 1 lion movie, as voted by our wildlife enthusiasts on Facebook , is...

1. Born Free – Columbia Pictures (1966)

‘BORN FREE’ – The star of this beautiful 1966 film is lion ‘Elsa’, a lion cub. Joy Adamson and her husband, Kenya game warden George Adamson, raise the cub. As one of our fans said: “It is the only choice, single-handedly inspired the modern safari in the late 1960’s, probably the single most successful piece of conservation marketing ever. If you haven’t seen it at least three times then your life is not complete.”

BONUS MOVIE: The Lion King - Disney (1994 and 2019)

The Lion King is a childhood favourite of so many of today's adults, full of iconic characters, scenes and songs.  Disney remade The Lion King in 2019, allowing it to become a modern-day classic for today's children, but this time using highly realistic animation techniques.  Asilia was Disney’s partner when location filming for The Lion King in 2017, with Naboisho's pro-guide and camp manager Roelof Schutte guiding them for 2 weeks around Kenya. Watch the evolution of The Lion King below.

Ready to go on safari and see wild lions up close?

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Top 10 africa themed movies.

A little African movie inspiration for when you're at home, dreaming of Africa. Our Top Movies about Africa list includes everything from family-friendly animated movies, to romantic adventures, to thought-provoking movies on the people and history of Africa. Take a look and start streaming!

Without further ado, Lion World Travel presents this top 10 Africa themed movies, which will have you eager with excitement to jump right back into the beautiful continent. In no specific order our Top 10 Africa movies are:

Queen of Katwe

Queen of Katwe is an incredibly uplifting movie which illustrates the change of a young girl named of Phiona, whose life is changed after she is taught to play chess. Under her mentors guidance, Phiona becomes a top player and sees an opportunity to escape a life of poverty in Uganda.

This is a heart wrenching film which shows the power of perservence, will power and the strength of a families bond. This is a great movie to watch with the whole family, but becareful there is a high chance of someone in the family tearing up. Queen of Katwe is available on streaming sites such as Disney+ , Youtube and Google Play .

View the trailer

The Lion King

No Africa list is complete without mentioning The Lion King, this is a movie that has stood the test of time and is perfect for viewers of all ages. So iconic is it that Disney recently rebooted the movie in 2019 and it earned in excess with one billon dollars.

Learn about the heartwarming story of Simba and Naila and their return to their homeland. The Lion King is available on streaming sites such as Disney+ , Youtube and Google Play .

Gorillas In The Mist

Gorillas in the Mist is the film adaptation of wildlife expert Dian Fossey, who leaves the comforts of her job and home in the United States to study the high rates of extinction of gorillas in both Rwanda and Uganda. Dr. Fossey in her travels develops a strong bond with many of the gorillas, however she also becomes wary to the threat of poachers and assembles a defense league to protect the Gorillas.

This film strikes a chord with us as it showcases the heartwarming connections between animal and humans in the wild. For those interested in learning and viewing Gorillas in the wild, our Gorillas of Rwanda and Primates of Uganda tours provide, the perfect opportunity.

Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom is the movie adaptation of one of Africa's most famous leaders Nelson Mandela, the movie chronicles Madiba's life from a young lawyer who joins the African National Congress in the 1940s, who fights against the brutal regime of apartheid.

The film follows the full extent of politics and imprisonment of Mandela (Idris Elba) and the effects this had on his wife (Naomi Harris) and the wider community of South Africa. This is an incredible movie to watch with the whole family during this quarantine period, fortunately it can be found on Netflix .

Invictus is the movie adaptation of John Carlin's book Playing the Enemy: Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation. The movie is based around the relationship between newly elected president Nelson Mandela (Morgan Freeman) and the South African rugby captain Francois Pienaar (Matt Damon).

The film is centered around the healing of South Africa's apartheid past combined with the pursuit of winning the rugby world cup. The film covers the inspiring story of how sports can unite a country and it's people and is perfect for the whole family, Invictus can be bought/rented on Youtube and Google Play .

Tarzan and Jane

For those of you with younger kids, this is a terrific movie to keep them occupied temporarily, or for those who you are looking to reignite your inner child. This animated cartoon is always a good choice for the kids with an abundance of animals and adventures, it is bound to keep any kid or adult mesmerized. Tarzan and Jane can be found on Netflix & Disney+ .

Holiday in the Wild

Holiday in the Wild is a feel good romantic comedy which is centred around Kate (Kristin Davis) whom embarks on a solo honeymoon in Zambia. It is on this Zambian adventure that Kate discovers how much she loves Africa and the people whom are with her on this journey.

Holiday in the Wild will have you wanting to book your next safari tour with Lion World Travel . Holiday In the Wild can be exclusively streamed with the family on Netflix.

George of the Jungle

George of the Jungle is yet another incredible film that you can watch with your whole family, though the effects and cinematography of the film, may be a little dated. The story and slapstick like humour is unparalleled. Similarly to the Lion King, this movies can be passed on from generation to generation.

The audience eagerly follows George as he transitions from a life of living amongst wild animals in the jungles of Africa, to his new life in New York City. George of the Jungle can be streamed for the whole family on Disney +, Youtube and Google Play .

Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade

So Indiana Jones isn't technically set in Africa, but is an excellent adventure film which showcases a variety of incredible locations, including the Jordanian dessert and the ancient city of Petra.

Join the family to watch some of Harrison Ford and Sean Connery's finest work and if that sparks your interest for a visit to the ancient city of Petra, look not further than the Luxury Jordan adventure run by Lion World Travel. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade can be streamed on Youtube , Netflix and Google Play . 

Out of Africa

Out of Africa is based on the life of Karen Blixen-Finecke played by Meryl Streep, whom with her husband move to the city of Nairobi to start a new life and coffee farm. The film is centred around the transition of Karen and her feelings towards the people of Kenya and the budding romance with Denys Finch Hatton (Robert Redford).

This is a great movie choice for the family (Winner of 7 Academy Awards) to sit back and watch with a loved one to appreciate the incredible cinematography of Africa. This movies is available to stream on Youtube and Google Play for the whole family.

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The Best Movies About African Colonialism, Ranked

This list contains information on the best movies about African colonialism, ranked from best to worst by user votes. The best films about African colonialism come in many forms. Some good films about African colonialism find characters engaged in forbidden love affairs while other good films about African colonialism feature epic battles. Many of the best African colonialism films star award-winning actors and actresses. What films will you find on this top African colonialism movies list? The English Patient has to be near the top. The 1996 film won a total of nine Academy Awards including trophies for Best Picture, Best Supporting Actress and Best Director for Anthony Minghella. Gabriel Yared also won an Oscar for Best Score . Out of Africa is another good movie set in an era of African colonialism. Katharine Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart joined forces for The African Queen in 1951. Other good movies about African colonialism include Zulu Dawn , The Hill , and Nowhere in Africa . Do you have a favorite African colonialism movie? Give the best films a thumbs up and share your thoughts in the comments section.

A powerful and heart-wrenching portrayal of the Anglo-Zulu War in 1879, Zulu follows a small British force defending the Mission Station at Rorke's Drift against thousands of Zulu warriors. The film masterfully depicts the culture clash between the British Empire and the Zulu Kingdom and highlights the bravery, honor, and struggle on both sides. Zulu  is not only a thrilling war movie, but also a crucial look into the devastating consequences of colonialism on the African continent.

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• # 32 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 287 of 369 on The Best Movies Based On Books

A prequel to Zulu , Zulu Dawn examines the battle of Isandlwana, where a numerically superior Zulu force annihilated a British army in 1879. Replete with exceptional performances and featuring a brutally realistic portrayal of the battle, the film showcases how British arrogance and ignorance led to one of the greatest disasters in British military history. Zulu Dawn is a riveting, historically accurate depiction of the unfortunate consequences of colonial expansion.

• # 120 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 138 of 165 on The Best Political Films Of All Time
• # 10 of 76 on The Best Movies About Historical Battles

Out of Africa

Set in the early 20th century, Out of Africa tells the true story of Danish writer Baroness Karen Blixen, who moves to Kenya to run a coffee plantation with her husband. Filled with romance, adventure, and stunning cinematography, this sweeping epic captures the emotional turmoil of love and loss in the face of colonized Africa, as Blixen navigates her relationship with the land, its people, and her enigmatic lover, big-game hunter Denys Finch Hatton. Ultimately, Out of Africa is an intimate exploration of personal transformation amid the changing landscapes and political tensions of the time.

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• # 231 of 399 on The Best Movies Of The 1980s, Ranked
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The English Patient

Set during World War II, The English Patient follows a burn victim and his nurse as they uncover his past amidst the backdrop of North African colonialism. The film explores themes of love, identity, and betrayal amidst sweeping desert landscapes, ultimately delving into the harsh realities and complexities of war and imperialism. The English Patient balances heart-wrenching emotion with epic storytelling, making it an unforgettable exploration of colonial Africa.

• # 255 of 264 on The 200+ Best War Movies Of All Time
• # 79 of 96 on The Very Best Oscar-Winning Movies For Best Picture

The Ghost and the Darkness

Based on a true story, The Ghost and the Darkness is a suspenseful thriller about two man-eating lions that terrorize a group of workers building a bridge in late 19th-century colonial Kenya. As British engineer John Patterson and American hunter Charles Remington work together to hunt the lions, they also uncover the greed, exploitation, and ruthlessness at the heart of colonialism. The film serves as an allegory for the darker aspects of imperial conquest, while delivering heart-pounding tension.

• # 25 of 59 on The Best Movies Based on Non-Fiction Books
• # 81 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
• # 43 of 117 on The Best Movies Of 1996

The African Queen

The African Queen is an adventurous tale of love and survival as a prim British missionary and a rugged boat captain navigate the treacherous waterways of East Africa during World War I. The film's examination of the clash between European ideals and African realities serves as a microcosm for the larger struggle of colonialism. With its blend of action, romance, and humor, The African Queen is a timeless classic that speaks to the human spirit amidst the chaos of colonization.

• # 47 of 200 on The 195+ Greatest Adventure Movies
• # 22 of 41 on The 100+ Best Movies Streaming On The Criterion Channel
• # 15 of 45 on 50+ Quirky Romance Movies With Unique Love Stories

White Mischief

In this tantalizing murder-mystery, White Mischief delves into the world of British aristocrats living in hedonistic excess in Kenya during the 1940s. As the scandalous unsolved murder of Sir Jock Delves Broughton unravels, questions of power, privilege, and colonial entitlement come to the fore. White Mischief offers a gripping look into the dark underbelly of the British colonial elite.

White Material

Set in an unnamed African country plagued by civil war, White Material tells the story of a French woman who refuses to abandon her coffee plantation as chaos closes in. The film offers an unflinching portrayal of the brutality and trauma experienced by both colonizers and the colonized, as well as a commentary on the dangerous consequences of stubborn persistence in the face of overwhelming force. White Material is a haunting exploration of the lingering effects of colonialism in Africa.

Nowhere in Africa

Based on a true story , Nowhere in Africa follows a Jewish-German family who flees Nazi Germany to find refuge on a remote farm in Kenya. Struggling to adapt to their new environment and navigate the complexities of colonial society, the family learns valuable lessons about love, humanity, and the devastating effects of imperialism. Nowhere in Africa is an evocative and poignant tale that adds a fresh perspective to the story of African colonialism.

• # 664 of 675 on The Best Movies Roger Ebert Gave Four Stars
• # 41 of 74 on The Best Oscar-Winning Foreign Language Films
• # 19 of 46 on The 45 Best Movies Based in Africa

Diamond City

Taking place in the gritty world of South African diamond mining in the late 19th century, Diamond City follows a London journalist investigating the exploitation of workers under a brutal colonial regime. As he uncovers the harsh realities of life in the mines, the film reveals the devastating effects of European greed and ambition on native African populations. Diamond City is a chilling reminder of the human cost of colonialism.

Mister Johnson

Set in 1920s Nigeria, Mister Johnson tells the tragic story of a young Nigerian man who, after being raised in the colonial system, is torn between his African roots and his British influences. As Mister Johnson navigates the complexities of identity, loyalty, and a deeply ingrained colonial mindset, the film becomes a heartrending exploration of the human cost of imperialism. Mister Johnson is a powerful indictment of the damage wrought by colonial rule on both individuals and communities.

British prisoners of war struggle to survive the brutal conditions of a North African prison camp run by sadistic jailers in The Hill . As the prisoners band together to endure the hardships, they also confront the harrowing realities of colonialism and military occupation. The Hill delivers a gripping story of human resilience amid the psychological and physical trauma of colonization.

• # 136 of 167 on The Greatest '60s Movies, Ranked
• # 26 of 46 on The Best 60s War Movies
• # 43 of 48 on The Top 45+ Films Released In 1965

A highly acclaimed historical drama, Adanggaman explores the dark and complex relationship between Africans and European slave traders in the 17th century. The film follows a young West African man as he journeys to rescue his family from a ruthless slave trader, revealing the harrowing realities of a system that existed long before European colonization. Adanggaman is a powerful, unflinching examination of the human toll of the slave trade within the context of African colonial history.

Wah-Wah is a semi-autobiographical coming-of-age story set in the politically turbulent era leading up to Swaziland's independence from British rule in the late 1960s. The film explores the dysfunctional world of colonial families, as well as the struggles faced by those caught in the crossfire of political upheaval and societal expectations. Wah-Wah offers a unique lens into the waning days of British colonialism in Africa and the search for cultural identity.

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An American family on holiday in Africa becomes lost in a game reserve and stalked by lions. An American family on holiday in Africa becomes lost in a game reserve and stalked by lions. An American family on holiday in Africa becomes lost in a game reserve and stalked by lions.

• Darrell Roodt
• Beau Bauman
• Jeff Wadlow
• Bridget Moynahan
• Peter Weller
• Carly Schroeder
• 101 User reviews
• 32 Critic reviews

• Jessica Newman

• David Newman
• Local Hunter

• Rescue Chopper Ranger
• Mike - Ranger at Airstrip
• (as Tumisho K. Masha)
• Ranger in Radio Room
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• Trivia This movie got its inspiration from the real stories of the man-eating lions of Tsavo.
• Connections Referenced in Beast (2022)
• Soundtracks Awaken Composed by Ron Brettel Published by Mathambo Music Administered by NORM

User reviews 101

• Feb 11, 2007
• How long is Prey? Powered by Alexa
• April 12, 2007 (Hong Kong)
• South Africa
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• Cacería Sangrienta
• Anant Singh Production
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30 Best African Movies on Netflix in 2024

• by Jennifer Uwadiare
• July 18, 2021

Netflix , the world’s most prominent movie streaming service, has recently begun to include international films from many corners globally, including Africa.

In fact, for African creators, Netflix is quickly becoming the gold standard. As a result, most producers are working hard to ensure that their film is available on Netflix.

One thing that thrills us is that Netflix recognizes African movies for their inventiveness.

While Nollywood is responsible for the majority of African films on Netflix, we’ve made sure to add non-Nollywood titles as well.

After all, beautiful films from other African countries like Ghana, South Africa, Senegal, and others are available on Netflix.

Besides, there is nothing quite like watching a fantastic movie. You become lost in the crisp warm colors, the pleasant music, and the personalities.

Are you looking for some excellent African movies suggestions? We’ve got your back.

1. Queen of Katwe

• Director: Mira Nair
• Writer : Tim Crothers
• Starring: Madina Nalwanga, David Oyelowo, Lupita Nyong’

Queen of Katwe is one of the best African movies of all time. It is an inspiring story about a teenage girl from a ghetto in Ugandan.

Phiona, a 10-year-old, her mother Nakku Harriet, and her family live in Katwe, a slum in Kampala, Uganda, a continual struggle. She assists their mother in selling corn at the market. Meanwhile, She also helps with the care of her younger sibling.

Although, When she meets Robert Katende at a missionary program, her world is turned upside down.

Year after year, we watch Phiona’s progress and see how the lessons and methods she learns on the board can benefit her in real life as she works toward her goals and realizes her dream.

2. King of Boys

• Director : Kemi Adetiba
• Writer : Kemi Adetiba
• Starring: Sola Sobowale, Remilekun Reminisce Safari, Adesuwa Etomi- Wellington.

King of Boys is a 2018 Nigerian crime political thriller film. Following the release of The Wedding Party,

The narrative of King of boys is about Alhaja Eniola Salami. A businesswoman and philanthropist with a tumultuous history and a bright political future.

Although She is a social pillar, adored by many, feared by many, and genuinely known by only a few.

3. Queen Sono

• Director : Kagiso Lediga Tebogo Malope
• Writers: Kagiso Lediga Karabo Lediga Camilo,Saloojee Christopher Steenkamp Muzi Dlamini
• Starring: Pearl Thusi, Vuyo Dabula, Sechaba Morojele, Chi Mende.

Queen Sono was Netflix’s first script-to-screen African Original Series. However, it was premiered in February 2020. the movie shows how effectively African filmmakers can rise to the challenge of providing slick worldwide entertainment on a realistic budget.

Queen Sono tells the story of an espionage heroine determined to protect the African continent. It with a dash of family drama and intrigue thrown in for good measure.

Pearl Thusi, a stunning South African model, turned actress, plays the rebellious, deadly, and occasionally vulnerable Queen Sono.

Additionally, the Filming was done in 37 various places throughout Johannesburg, Lagos, Nairobi, Tanzania, and Zanzibar. It is almost worth viewing just for the fantastic pan-African backdrop.

4. The Burial Of Kojo

• Director : Blitz Bazawule
• Writer : Blitz Bazawule
• Starring : Cynthia Dankwa, Ama K. Abebrese, Joseph Otsiman.

The Burial of Kojo is a 2018 Ghanaian drama film. which was shot entirely in Ghana on a shoestring budget with local staff and some first-time actors.

The story follows Kojo, abandoned in an abandoned gold mine while his young daughter Esi wanders through a spirit world to save him.

The Burial Of Kojo tells Esi’s childhood and the turbulent relationship between her father, Kojo, and her uncle, Kwabena. Esi embarks on a fantastic odyssey to rescue her father after Kojo goes on an illegal mining trip with Kwabena.

Although, it isn’t surprising that the movie was among the best African film on Netflix. Given the background of Blitz Bazawule.

Additionally, the movie had exceptional editing, Flare of Afrobeat, as well as color selection.

• Director : Mandla Dube
• Writer: Mandla Dube, Leon Otto
• Starring : Thabo Rametsi, Mondy, Tommy London.

This isn’t just “another apartheid film.” Mandla Walter Dube, a South Africa filmmaker, makes his feature directorial debut with Kalushi – The Solomon Mhlanga Story.

Mahlangu became a recognized struggle hero in the revolutionary fight for independence after sacrificing his short life to a terrible death at the hands of South Africa’s apartheid policy.

However, Kalushi is a fantastic South African film based on a hawker named Solomon Kalushi Mahlangu. Solomon was a liberation fighter, a struggle activist, and a military operative for the African National Congress (ANC).

However, Following an uprising in Soweto, he goes into exile and joins the freedom movement. After completing his training in Angola.

He commissioned with his pal Mondy, who eventually loses control and kills two civilians. As a result of this deed, he is put on trial and sentenced to death by hanging.

Meanwhile, Kalushi fights for his pal and refuses to back down. His sacrifice is eventually recognized as a heroic gesture, and he is praised.

6. Baxi and the Giants

• Director: Florian Schott
• Writers: Girley Jazama. Florian Schott
• Starring: Camila Jo-Ann Diaries.

The brief was to “create a film that educates youngsters about wildlife crime in Namibia” to bring attention to the severe and ongoing issue of rhino poaching in Southern Africa.

Although the short film’s primary aim is young people, the content is relevant to people of all ages, communities, and organizations affected by poaching and public audiences worldwide.

7. The wedding party

• Director: kemi Adetiba
• Writer : Mo Abudu
• Starring: Adesua Etomi, Banky Wellington, Richard Mofe Damijo, Sola Sobowale.

Kemi Adetiba directed The Wedding Party, a 2016 Nigerian romantic comedy-drama film. On December 16, 2016. the film was released globally, and it quickly became the highest-grossing Nigerian film.

Although, This is not how you want your wedding day to go if you’re looking for some light-hearted entertainment. This romantic, colorful comic drama will not disappoint.

Dunni Coker ( Adesua Etomi ) is getting ready to marry Dozie, a reformed playboy from an affluent but dysfunctional family (singer Banky Wellington in his acting debut). What’s the worst that might happen?

• Director : Sean Else, Athos Kyriakides, Jon Rabaud
• Starring: Anthony Oseyemi, Sisanda Henna, Khumbulani Kay Sibiya.

The business end of soccer is seen through the eyes of a ruthless, mercurial football agent grappling with a terrible secret he buried six years ago, on the verge of breaking big or losing everything.

9. Potato potahto

• Director: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
• Writer: Shirley Frimpong-Manso
• Starring : Joke Silva, Joselyn Dumas, OC Ukeje

Potato potahto is the 9th on the list of our list of best African movies on Netflix. It is a Ghanaian Nigerian Romantic comedy movie .

Although, the lives of two partners who are compelled to remain together in the same house after a divorce. Even though they are divorced, Lulu and Tony are forced to dwell in the same building.

Additionally, The film’s plot follows a series of incidents that culminated in both sides engaging in activities intended to harm each other’s feelings.

10. Òlòtūré

• Director : Kenneth Gyang
• Starring: Ada Ameh, Beverly Osu, Blossom Chukwujuekwu, Bukola Oladipupo.

Culture is about an inexperienced journalist who undercover to uncover the shadowy world of human trafficking. Culture finds warmth and companionship with Blessing, Linda, and Beauty, the prostitutes she lives with.

Despite the harsh atmosphere teeming with vicious traders and pimps. On the other hand, she becomes engrossed in their way of life and finds it impossible to separate herself from it.

Unfortunately, She had to pay the ultimate price in her quest for the truth, one that leads her to the point of no return.

This film is a beautiful example of Nollywood’s professional evolution into quality, introspective filmmaking about local themes that will resonate globally.

Netflix premiered it as part of their cooperation with acclaimed producer Mo Abudu and her production business – EbonyLife.

11. Beast of No Nation

• Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
• Writer: Uzodinma iweala
• Starring: Idris Elba, Abraham Attah, Ama K. Abebrese.

Beast of No Nation is one of the best African movies on Netflix’s.it was Shot in Ghana and set in an undisclosed African country.

It sheds a harsh light on something that far too many people on the continent have seen firsthand: civil war.

Although, Agu (notable newcomer Abraham Attah) is a mischievous young kid who lives in a buffer zone with his family.

When the village learns of an impending threat to their relative safety, they decide to transfer the ladies and younger children away.

However, Agu stays due to circumstances beyond his control. Following the army’s decision that he and his comrades are rebels, a bloodbath occurs.

12. Lion Heart

• Director : Genevieve Nanji
• Writer : Genevieve Nanji, Chinny Onwugbenu, C.J Obasi.
• Starring : Genevieve Nanji, Pete Edochie, Nkem Owoh.

Lionheart is Netflix’s first-ever Nigerian original film. Lionheart made headlines. In practice, this means you won’t have to worry about the film being removed from Netflix owing to licensing issues.

Adaeze Obiagu, a young woman in this drama-comedy, aspires to be a business leader at her father’s company, Lionheart.

Adaeze must collaborate with her eccentric uncle to preserve Lionheart from failure, despite sexism and mountains of corporate debt.

13. The Boy who Harnessed the wind

• Director: Chiwetei Ejiofor
• Starring: Maxwell Samba, Lily Banda Chiwetel Ejiofor

The Boy who Harnessed the Wind is the inspiring story of William Kamkwamba (Maxwell Simba), a young boy whose town is on the verge of hunger due to a devastating drought.

However, William, a natural engineer with an insatiable interest in how things function, by chance comes upon some information that grants him access to the school library.

He is confident that he can construct a wind-generated dynamo with his newfound expertise to bring enough water to the surface to rescue the crops.

Director : Kwabena Gyansah Starring: Ama K. Abebrese, Adjetey Anang, Asana Alhassan.

Azali was chosen as Ghana’s entry for the 92nd Academy Awards’ Best International Feature Film category.

However, it was not nominated, Ghana’s first time submitting a film for an Oscar nomination for Best International Feature Film. But it is still one of the best African movies on Netflix.

Furthermore, The story follows Amina, a little girl who lives in a rural hamlet in northern Ghana.

However, while attempting to avoid an arranged marriage, Amina finds herself in the slums of Ghana’s capital city, Accra, where she must rely on sex labor to make ends meet.

Azali doesn’t wander into absurd terrain and keeps a relatively consistent plot progression, even by Ghanian film standards.

The film has a shocking twist ending that we won’t reveal, but it’s otherwise a straightforward portrayal of life in Accra’s slums.

15. Catching feelings

• Director : KagisoLediga
• Writer : Kagiso Lediga
• Starring : Pearl Thusi, Kagiso Lediga, Loyiso Gola, and Precious Makgaretsa.

Catching Feelings is a dark romantic comedy about a once-famous writer and his lovely wife and the events that unfold after another famous author moves in.

Furthermore, Catching Feelings isn’t known for its narrative richness. Instead, the film is focused on the characters, with many lights yet thought-provoking observations on racism, classism, and creativity in post-apartheid South Africa.

Meanwhile, It’s also a welcome diversion from Hollywood preconceptions and tropes about South Africa.

16. Sons of Caliphate

• Director: Kenneth Gyang
• Writer : Dimbo Atiya
• Starring: Yakubu Muhammad, Paul Sambo Rahama, Sadau mofe Duncan, Yvonne Hays Patrick.

Sons of the Caliphate is a political thriller drama set in the sovereign state of northern Nigeria. It is about the lives of three rich, entitled, passionate, and ambitious young men.

Furthermore, Kalifah Maiyaki, Nuhu Bula, and Diko Loko are all caught up in the lust of hidden corners of power. The darkness of addiction, the heat of love and desire, the obligations of family loyalty, and the desire for revenge in the deadly twilight zone.

17. Atlantics

• Director: Mati Diop
• Writer : Mati Diop and Olivier Demangel
• Starring: Mame Bineta Sane, Ibrahima Traoré.

The film Atlantics portrays the narrative of Ada, a young woman. She’s ready to marry a wealthy man named Omar, but she has feelings for another man named Souleiman.

Although, Souleiman sails for Europe one day, and Ada never hears from him again. A sequence of weird happenings begins to occur as Ada’s wedding date approaches, and she longs for Souleiman.

Additionally, Atlantics offers excellent cinematography and sound design, in addition to engaging characters. The colors are achingly chilly, and a droning background adds to the film’s melancholy and otherworldly atmosphere.

18. Fifty (The series)

• Director: Abby James, Debo Olawatuminu
• Writer: Bola Agbaje, Kemi Adesoye
• Starring : Nse Ikpe-Etim, Ireti Doyle, Omoni Oboli, Dakore Akande.

Fifty series is a spinoff from Fifty movies and also one of the best African movies on Netflix. Fifty depicts a few critical days in the lives of four women at the height of their professions.

Tola, Elizabeth, Maria, and Kate are four friends forced to take stock of their personal lives in their forties while juggling work and family against the backdrops of Lagos’s neighborhoods.

Tola is a reality television star whose marriage to lawyer Kunle was doomed from the start due to an irritating family secret.

Elizabeth is a well-known obstetrician whose attraction to younger men has caused her to be alienated from her daughter.

While Maria, a 49-year-old woman, has an affair with a married man, which leads to an unexpected pregnancy. On the other hand, Kate’s battle with a life-threatening illness has thrust her into the spotlight.

• Director: Akin Omotoso
• Starring : phuthi Nakene,

Director Akin Omotoso spent years in narrative workshops with homeless individuals of Johannesburg, South Africa’s economic center, before filming Vaya.

A man is looking forward to a job in the big city, another young man attempting to regain his father’s body, and a young woman looking to get away from the monotony of country life.

Meanwhile, Vaya launches into a compelling and poignant excursion into the dark underbelly of urban life in South Africa’s pounding economic heart as each of these stories encounters a twist.

However, The film feels like a South African counterpart of Amores Perros, a Mexican masterpiece that combines three narratives into a dramatic and dynamic feature.

20. 40 and Single

Director: Leila Djansi Writer: Leila Djansi Starring: John Dumelo, Maria Humbert, John Savage, Vanessa A Williams, Leon Robison.

Ebner Temple, a bi-racial, bi-sexual, single wedding fashion designer, is 40 and Single, an invitation inside his stormy life.

However, We see her navigate life in Accra, Ghana, an African city where race and colorism have deep colonial roots and neocolonial ramifications.

As they explore the new age of the African woman, her independence, Ebaner’s life, and the lives of her clients become intertwined.

21. Cook-off

• Director: Tomas Brickhill
• Writer :Tomas Brickhill
• Starring: Tendalishe Chitima, Fungai Majaya, Tehn Diamond.

The cook-off was the first film to be released in Zimbabwe after the nearly 40-year Mugabe dictatorship. The film was also the first to be aired on Netflix from Zimbabwe.

It begins with young Tapiwa time his mother’s cooking. which appears sweet until you realize she is preparing the heroine of this Cinderella-like tale to compete in the real-life reality cooking show, “Battle of the Chefs.”

Although Anesu (Tendaiishe Chitima) is a brilliant cook, she struggles with confidence due to her critical mother; yet, her son and grandma believe in her.

When she arrives on set, we have everything a reality show director hopes for antagonism, devious personalities, accusations of infidelity, and a blooming love story.

22. A United Kingdom

• Directed : Amma Asante
• Written: Guy Hibbert
• Starring: David Oyelowo, Rosamund pike, Terry photo, Jack Davenport.

Many mixed-race couples endure hostility from family, friends, and even strangers. Still, Seretse Khama and Ruth Williams had to deal with not only this but also the British government’s disapproval, among other things.

However, In this true story, David Oyelowo and Rosamund Pike play a couple who fall in love in Britain before traveling to Seretse’s home Bechuanaland, a British protectorate, causing a diplomatic crisis.

Seretse is being groomed to be the king and ruler of his country, and the pair is up against not just the British but also the South Africans who live nearby.

Additionally, They recently adopted apartheid, and Britain, which is still recovering from WWII, relies heavily on gold and uranium. The internal rivalry even exists with his uncle, the regent. Will justice triumph?

23. Castle & Castle

Director : Kayode Kasum Writer: Craig Freimond, Yewande Omotose, Adze Ugah Staring: Richard Mofe-Damijo, Blossom Chukwujeku, Dakore Egbuson, Bimbo Manuel, EKU Edewor.

Castle & Castle is Arica’s first legal series, this legal drama. And it is one of the top African movies on Netflix. It is a drama series set in a law practice in Lagos, Nigeria. Castle and Castle are struggling to stay afloat

while its owners, Remi and Tega Castle, pursue several cases based on what they believe is in the company’s best interests.

24. Journey of an African Colony

• Director: BB Shasore
• Writer: Olasupo Shasore
• Starring : Olasupo Shasore

Journey of an African colony was aired on Netflix On the 60th anniversary of Nigeria’s independence. Olasupo Shasore, a retired attorney general and commissioner for justice in Lagos State wrote two books that inspired the film series.

Seashore narrates and produces the film. The series provides an outline of Nigeria’s colonization, slave trade, and independence.

However, Shasore traveled to Nigeria for the film, focusing on the slave era, pre-colonialism, and independence. While archives offer a thorough history of the country, few films like ‘Journey of an African Colony’ have a detailed narrative.

25. October 1

• Director: Kunle Afolayan
• Writer: Tunde Babalola
• Staring: Sadiq Daba, Kayode Aderupoko, Demola Adedoyin, Kehinde Bankole.

The film is set in the final days of colonial Nigeria. It follows a police officer named Danladi Waziri as he attempted to solve a murder mystery before Nigeria’s independence on October 1, 1960.

However, In terms of production quality and plot, October 1 outperforms many Nollywood films. They by making it one of the best African movies on Netflix.

The film avoids melodrama and sensationalism instead of providing a thorough and exciting look at a time of history rarely depicted.

On October 1, there is a lot of discussion on critical sociopolitical issues, including imperialism, tribalism, and nation-building.

26. Just In Time

• Director: Lowladee Omolola Adeleke
• Writer: Lowladee Omolola Adeleke
• Starring: Sarah Hassan, Style Waweru, Mawuli Gavor.

Sarah Hassan portrays a young woman who has nothing to show for the last seven years of her life after her bookstore closes unexpectedly.

The exceptional story of the movie made it appear on our list of best African Movies on Netflix.

However, She fantasizes about taking a vacation to Zanzibar, but before she can do so, she discovers that she is responsible for her cousin’s clever, energetic 11-year-old daughter.

Director: Scottnes L. Smith Starring : Noxolo Dlamini, Sne Mbatha, Stella Dlangala.

If you love dance movies , then definitely you are going to love Jiva. “JIVA!” is a film produced by Blue Ice Africa in Cape Town.

It follows brilliant street dancer Ntombi as she gradually realizes that dancing could be her ticket out of her dead-end employment, family conflict, and tumultuous love life.

28. The Mystic River

Directed: Uzodinma Okpechi Staring: Jide Kosoko, Dele Odule, Joke muyiwa.

According to the filmmaker, the plot reflects both ancient cultural behaviors that should be eradicated and those worthy of emulation. Mr. Ofime characterized his proposal to PREMIUM TIMES as a tale of virtue vs. evil.

All women share the joy of becoming a mother, yet in one Nigerian village, the death of a pregnant woman brings wealth.

29. Mokalik

• Director : Kunle Afolayan,
• Starring: Toni Afolayan, Femi Adebayo, Tobi Bakre.

Mokalik is a Nigerian word that translates to “Mechanic.” The film earned such positive reviews from reviewers that it was purchased by Netflix and added to the Made in Africa collection.

Ponmile, an 11-year-old child, is at the core of the plot, and his desire to learn leads him to a group of older individuals.

He spends most of his time with mechanics, grows accustomed to the lifestyle, and struggles to decide whether to return to school or pursue full-time mechanic training.

30. A Trip to Jamaica

Directed: Robert Peters Starring: Ayo Makun, Funke Akindele, Nse Ikpe Etim, Dan Davies, Eric Robert.

Last on our list of African movies on Netflix is A trip to jamaica. Many young couples wish to explore and live their best lives in their early years of marriage. This is the story of two such Nigerian couples.

Akpos proposes to his girlfriend Bola over the phone during the annual One Lagos Fiesta event, to which she accepts. Following their acceptance and excitement, the two have decided to take a vacation to the United States.

Meanwhile, They stayed for a while before relocating to Jamaica to reside in a mansion. Unknowingly, they were embroiled in a drug cartel’s pursuit, and the Akpos were apprehended.

African Movies on Netflix have become increasingly popular in recent years. Because of its entertainment value and great editing.

Jennifer Uwadiare

Hi. I am Jennifer E odibo-Uwadiare. I studied accounting and finance at Accra Institute of Technology and graduated in the year 2016. I am a content writer @ Krafty Sprouts Media, LLC.

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Animals Around the Globe

10 Best African Countries for Safari

Posted: December 19, 2023 | Last updated: December 19, 2023

#1 Botswana

Recommended Tours:

Thus, poachers are seen as enemies of the people. As a result, Botswana has come into view as Africa's most sought-after ecotourism destination. Starting from the Chobe National Park to the Moremi Nature Reserve, you'll be able to witness numerous gems all around the country.

Back in 2014, Botswana widely banned the hunting of wild animals and implemented strict laws which are still in practice. The country resumes its zero-tolerance for poaching and their very own environmental minister, Tshekedi Khama, has even launched a shoot-to-kill policy for poachers.

Botswana, with its wildlife conservation and natural parks, is a haven for nature lovers. It is currently in the top 5, as its approach to the protection and conservation of wildlife is worth the praise. As a country, it is very forward-thinking, some may even call it aggressively forward-thinking when it comes to its preservation and anti-poaching laws.

Its fertile land provides a safe and comforting home to around 200 mammal species. This includes elephants, hippos, monkeys and so much more. Along with 650 bird species and 5,500 plants. Even though the country is still underdeveloped and most of the population live in rural households, its national parks, and sight-seeing destinations are on the top 10 of our lists.

Even though many would face some difficulties in locating Malawi on a map, given how tiny it is, the country is home to the world-renowned Lake Malawi National Park. This is practically one-third of the country and is the most biodiverse lake in the world.

Most of the land in Namibia is occupied by the Kalahari and Namib Deserts. Along with that, the country also has 12 national parks and many other areas which are protected. So, if you go there for a safari, you'll have many rich areas to see and explore.

When it comes to countries with the least amount of population, Namibia is one of them. Which proves to be a good thing for nature. This is because most of the land in Namibia is still unspoiled by human filth or any sort of development, giving nature a chance to breathe.

In the country's Volcanoes National Park, you'll find 10 habituated gorilla families. Groups of 8 trekkers can visit them for one hour per day. But that's enough to get the best African safari experience. And as a nature lover, you'll enjoy the experience to the max.

If you've been around for some time, you'll be familiar with Rwanda's mountain gorillas. They were famously broadcasted and their fight for survival was shown on  National Geographic . This was all thanks to the late  Dian Fossey  back in the 1970s who advocated for the rights of these mountain gorillas throughout her life.

Considering the tragic history surrounding the mass genocide of the people of Rwanda back in 1994, it's truly a blessing what the country has achieved in the past 25 years. There have been countless investments in infrastructure. This has resulted in the country being a very fast-growing destination for ecotourism.

#6 South Africa

But given all the advantages, it's safe to conclude that South Africa also suffers from over-tourism. I mean, if you have so many great attractions, people will flock towards it. Chances are that you'll find yourself in the middle of dozens of unruly visitors who are not too keen on obeying the rules. This occurs mostly during the peak seasons.

Annually, the country has one million visitors. Its biggest attraction is the Kruger National Park with its enrichment in biodiversity. Visitors there also have the liberty to self-drive, thus, getting a first-person private but superb experience. 

For some time now, South Africa has been climbing the charts to become one of the most popular destinations for African safaris. Given its location, South Africa is a very convenient and cheap destination for people from the United States. Besides that, the country also boasts a well-developed infrastructure which makes it perfect for luxury travelers as well.

#7 Tanzania

One of the most popular locations would be the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. The country is also a haven for 1100 different bird species. It's no wonder that Tanzania gets this much rep. Especially when the country boasts so many wonders.

We talked about Kenya being the top destination for Safari. Now Tanzania here takes second place in being the continent's most popular safari destination. And why shouldn't it? The country has 16 national parks and an extraordinary amount of wealth and wildlife wonders for the people to witness.

Some of its natural attractions include housing the highest mountain range in Africa. It also has the world's largest free-standing volcano and the second-largest freshwater lake. With its 30 national parks and other wildlife reserves, Uganda boasts many more sanctuaries which are worth the visit. Especially if you're a lover of nature and wildlife.

Often called "The Pearl of Africa", Uganda is certainly a great pick for an African safari. Its reputation as being one of the best ecotourism destinations comes from the country's natural attractions and wildlife.

Out of its 20 national parks, the Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park is home to many wildlife animals such as African elephants, Angolan giraffes, Cape buffalo, etc. Other than that, there are many private ownerships of National parks, notably the Kasanka National Park which is near the basin of Lake Bangweulu. It's a safe place where visitors can see 400 different avian species.

Zambia may be a bit far down the list of popular destinations for your African safari, but many consider it to be a destination for diversified and immersive safari experiences, and making a notable feature on our 10 Best African Countries for Safari guide. The country is steadily focusing on conservation as their president has shown a keen interest and is working on building the nation's economy as well as the infrastructure.

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