There’s nothing better than watching a good safari movie to get you excited to visit Africa. Before we went on our first safari, we binged watched all of these safari movies to prepare ourselves for what was to come.
Of course, nothing can truly prepare you for the magic you will experience on safari, but while you’re sitting at home packing your safari clothes, you may as well sit back and watch some of the best safari movies! Here are some of our favorites.
The Best Safari Movies to Watch Now
I Dreamed of Africa
Set in Kenya
This film didn’t deserve any academy awards, but it managed to get me excited about going to Africa. The film tells the true story of Kuki Gallman, an Italian woman who relocates to Africa to run a farm. It’s like Under the Tuscan Sun but set in Africa.
The film is adapted from Kuki’s autobiography, I Dreamed of Africa, and is heartbreaking at times and uplifting in others. It’s definitely one of the best African safari movies you can watch before going.
Love on Safari
Set in South Africa
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Love On Safari is a feel-good Hallmark movie classic. The film follows Kira, who has inherited her deceased uncle’s wildlife reserve in South Africa. Of course, she faces many challenges along the way, but there’s also a boy, a love interest (hence the name Love on Safari). This is for you if you’re looking for a light and cheery romantic safari movie to watch before visiting Africa.
The Lion King
Set in the Savannah (Likely Kenya or Tanzania)
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I grew up in the 90s, and I can’t think of the animals in Africa without thinking of the Lion King. If you haven’t seen this movie yet, you need to stop reading right this second and get on Amazon, hop on Netflix, Disney +, or go about your usual way of accessing movies and watch this tonight.
I mean, cmon that opening scene? “NA SEE WANG YA” and Simba’s christening! I can’t even watch the first five minutes without a tear in my eye. This movie about Africa is forever loved, and even though it’s animated, it shows the beauty of some of these countries.
Gorillas in the Mist
Set in Rwanda
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One of my favorite movies about Africa that is still very relevant today. Seeing the mountain gorillas in Rwanda and Uganda has been high on my list for years (UPDATE: We checked that off), but I never knew the full story behind these beautiful creatures.
Meet Dian Fossey, an American primatologist that dedicated her life to studying the mountain gorillas in Rwanda. Gorillas in the Mist, starring the fabulous Sigourney Weaver is an 80’s movie that documents Dian’s struggles and achievements while in Africa.
Into the Okavango
Set in Botswana and Angola
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This visually beautiful Nat Geo documentary uncovers the truth about the Okavango Delta water shortage. This is one of the planet’s last wetlands and diverse wildlife areas.
The expedition takes them 1500 miles across three African nations over four months. Besides fantastic truthful storytelling, you’ll also get stunning visuals of Angola, Botswana, and Namibia.
Madagascar
Set in Madagascar
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One of my favorite safari movies! If you’re looking for an African movie on Netflix, one of the Madagascar films is always bound to be there. I had to throw this one in with so many serious films on this list! Madagascar 1, 2, and 3 are some of the funniest animated films I have seen and feature some brilliant song and dance scenes ( I Like to Move it).
Madagascar tells the story of four zoo animals who escape Central Park and get stranded on the island of…Madagascar! You will laugh your way through this 90-minute film with an all-star comedic cast.
Out of Africa
Set in Kenya
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Oh, Merryl Streep and Robert Redford, you both produced one great African safari movie together when you were young. Out of Africa is a film set in colonial Africa and garnered seven Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The film follows the life of Karen Blixen, who establishes a coffee plantation in Africa.
This one of the movies on this list that portrays parts of an African safari and is based off of an autobiographical book of the same name that shows Karen’s complicated life in Kenya, with a side twist of a young love affair with Robbie Red.
Tarzan
Set in the Congo
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There’s no better safari movie for children to watch than Disney’s Tarzan. Most of us know the fictional story of Tarzan. A human baby who was raised by apes somewhere deep in the Congo.
While there are many movies about Tarzan, I think Disney does the best to carry it through. This story is entertaining for adults and kids and is a feel-good safari movie with a kick-ass soundtrack from Phil Collins.
Born Free
Set in Kenya
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Born Free is about real life, Joy and George Adamson, who raised Elsa the Lioness. Elsa was an orphaned lion cub who was raised to adulthood by the couple, who then released her into the Kenyan wilderness.
The safari film starts when George must kill a lion who attacked humans. Three orphaned cubs are now parentless, so the Adamsons take care of the three cubs before sending all but Elsa off. This is a feel-good tale of a friendship between humans and animals. It helps that it’s true!
The Ghost and the Darkness
Set in Kenya
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Set in 1898, this film is the Hollywood version of the Tsavo Man-Eaters. Yes, you read that right, Man-eating lions. It’s a true story of a pair of man-eating lions in the Tsavo region of Kenya.
They were responsible for the death of many construction workers who were building the Kenya Uganda Railway in 1898. Although this is the fictionalized Hollywood version of what happened, this safari movie is undoubtedly entertaining!
The Snows of Kilimanjaro
Set in Kenya
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This classic safari movie from 1952 based on Ernest Hemingway’s short story under the same name. The story follows Harry Street, wounded from a hunting accident in Africa and recounts his time in Africa with the love of his life while slowly dying.
Planet Earth Season 1 Episode 7 (Great Plains) & Season 2 Episodes 3 and 5 (Jungles and Grasslands)
Everywhere in Africa
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There are several films that left a lasting impact on me, but the short documentary series Planet Earth changed my life. Upon its release, I was just graduating high school and didn’t know about the world around me.
But I could watch the Planet Earth Series and see the beauty from all over the globe. It certainly helps that Sir David Attenborough is the narrator of the whole series. Head to the episodes mentioned to see footage that will have you dying to go on safari in Africa.
Our Planet
Set Around Africa
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Our Planet is very similar to Planet Earth, just a little newer and on Netflix, but still narrated by David Attenborough. Our Planet is Netflix’s answer to Nature Documentaries, and is stunning. Each episode features different landscapes and environments.
I particularly like the Savannah episode to transport me on safari. Our Planet also has a strong message about the role we humans have on the planet and how we are straining it. It’s an important travel movie to watch for environmentalists and eco-conscious travelers.
BBC Africa
Set Around Africa
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This is a six-part BBC mini-series that focuses on all of Africa’s magnificent locations and is one of those well-worthy safari movies to watch. Narrated by who other than Sir David Attenborough, we go through the Sahara, Kalahari, and all the way to the Congo and back. If this doesn’t make you want to go on safari in Africa, nothing will!
The Last Lions
Set in Botswana
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The Last Lions is another fantastic safari documentary movie that follows a lioness named Ma di Tau (“Mother of Lions”). She battles her way through the Okavango Delta as she protects her cubs.
The film is actually narrated by Jeremy Irons, who voiced Scar in The Lion King! It’s a beautiful film that truly shows you a mother’s love in the wilderness.
Hatari!
Set in Tanzania
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Hatari is a classic John Wayne film and one of the best safari movies I’ve ever seen! Hatari (means Danger in Swahili). This film follows a group of hunters and a photographer in a race to save baby elephants from life in a zoo.
While the film may be a bit dated, there is no doubt it is a great old-time comedy safari movie worth a watch.
Holiday in the Wild
Set in Zambia
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This Netflix safari movie came out last year, and I knew instantly that I had to give it a watch. The film follows a woman who recently went through a nasty divorce and decides to take a solo honeymoon to Africa.
What she thought would be a typical safari holiday turned into something much larger where she ends up staying in Zambia, working with the safari animals at a sanctuary. Along the way, she reconnects with herself and is given a second chance at love after all.
Congo
Set in the Congo
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Congo is a 1995 film set in none other than the Congo! This is a science fiction film loosely based on Michael Crichton’s novel of the same name. It follows a group of expansionists with different motives who travel to what was then Zaire (now DRC) and, along the way, encounter violent gorillas.
Trophy
Set in South Africa and the USA
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I saw Trophy while on safari in South Africa and was immediately hooked. This documentary film explores two sides of the story, trophy hunting and wildlife conservation. I
ts main character is John Hume, the world’s largest rhino breeder, and his struggles to save the rhino population. It digs deeper into trophy hunting in the USA, the illegal ban on ivory, and the role it plays in conservation. Before going on a safari anywhere in Africa, it’s well worth a watch so you can understand the rhino’s fragile state.
Virunga
Set in the Democratic Republic of Congo
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Another Netflix original, this documentary focuses on conserving the Virunga National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Or at least that’s how the documentary starts until the filmmakers and park rangers find themselves embroiled in the middle of a civil war. The film showcases heart-stopping footage as conservationists work to protect the park, which is home to some of the world’s last mountain gorillas.
Want more movies about Africa? We break down more African movies here!
What are the best movies about African safaris you can recommend to us?
Plan Your Trip to Africa
Travel Insurance: We don’t travel without travel insurance and neither should you. You never know what can happen while traveling so it’s best to be prepared. HeyMondo provides excellent short-term and long-term travel insurance plans. Travel Waterbottle: When we’re uncertain about the water supply we use our Grayl Purifier. It’s come in exceptionally handy around Africa. Camera Gear: Chances are you’ll want a camera for your trip to Africa. We love the Sony RX100V for a pocket-size camera and the Fujifilm XT-4 for a professional camera. Check out our favorite cameras for Africa. Safari Clothes: Lightweight, beige, and moisture-wicking clothing are great for traveling Africa. See our favorite safari clothing here. Safari Hat: A good hat is both stylish and functional.Safari Bag: A durable bag is ideal for traveling around Africa. Safari Pants: We recommend neutral-colored pants as they’re great at hiding dirt and can match most shirt colors.Safari Shirt: Shirts like these are lightweight and keep the bugs away!Boots: While you don’t need to wear sturdy shoes every day, at least one pair of safari boots will make your trip nicer! Travel Adapter: You’ll need a special travel adapter for traveling Africa. Get one before you get there so you don’t pay a premium on the ground.