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Are you unable to take a trip to Africa right now, but you’re feeling that itch? That itch that tells you that it’s time to get back into the wilderness. The next best thing to going on an African safari in reality is going on a safari in your imagination, and this is more attainable thanks to the array of nature documentaries on offer. Block out an upcoming weekend for bingewatching, and put these safari-themed Netflix series and nature documentries on your watch list:
1. Our Planet
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: Tanzania’s Serengeti
Narrated by Emmy and BAFTA winner Sir David Attenborough, Our Planet takes viewers on a journey through a plethora of incredible environments to encourage awe in our natural world as well as highlight the importance of its protection.
This Emmy-winning documentary was filmed in Tanzania’s Serengeti to see cheetahs, wild dogs, and wildebeest, as well as in the Congo to witness the majesty of the country’s gorillas and elephants.
You’ll be inspired to put Tanzania on your safari travel bucket list! The Discover Africa team can put together your ideal safari itinerary for your next African adventure; contact us today.
2. Night on Earth
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: Multiple Countries in Africa
When it comes to nature documentaries on Netflix, Night on Earth is a must-watch. It will take you on a journey to discover more about how animals live their lives once the sun goes down. Emmy Award-winning actress Samira Wiley narrates this documentary, which showcases the wonders of the African savannah and the predators and prey that call it home.
While on an African safari tour, nighttime drives are available to see nocturnal animals in all of their glory. This experience gives you the opportunity to see leopards, lions, civets, and genets, or perhaps even a pangolin or aardvark.
3. Tales by Light, Season 2
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: Kenya’s Maasai Mara
Award-winning nature photographers, Jonathan and Angela Scott, live in Kenya and take viewers along with them into the world of African big cats in the Maasai Mara in the first episode of Tales by Light Season 2.
The Masai Mara National Reserve is home to a stunning array of wildlife, including a high number of predators, particularly lions, cheetahs, and leopards. Visitors are able to witness the lives of these incredible animals against the backdrop of the reserve’s rolling grasslands and riverine forests.
4. Moving Art, Season 2
Where to watch: The Moving Art website
Destination Featured: Tanzania’s Serengeti
In season 2 of this docuseries, award-winning filmmaker Louie Schwartzberg brings the magnificence of the Serengeti in Tanzania to viewers. Tune in to experience the awe-inspiring diversity of Africa’s wildlife and the vast plains of this national park.
During a Serengeti National Park safari, you can experience one of the most incredible natural events in the world: the Great Migration. This sees millions of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles traverse the Serengeti in search of greener pastures, pursued by predators. Start planning your Great Migration Tanzania trip with us now!
5. Animal
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: Multiple Countries in Africa, including Botswana
Nominated for Outstanding Nature Documentary at the 2023 Emmys, Animal goes on a journey to discover more about the lives of some of the most famous wild animals in the world. Learn about how lions, cheetahs, and apes learn, love, and survive in their environments. Stars including Bryan Cranston, Rebel Wilson, Rashida Jones, and Pedro Pascal narrate these episodes.
It’s not only the wildlife that are the stars of the show, but also the environments they’re in, one being the Okavango. This delta in Botswana supports an abundance of wildlife, making it an ideal location for a wildlife-packed safari experience.
6. Living With Leopards
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: Botswana
This documentary follows one of the most elusive animal species in Africa. Two leopard cubs are seen navigating their triumphs and struggles as they travel through Botswana.
A Botswana safari introduces travellers to a variety of incredible locations – such as the Okavango Delta, Makgadikgadi Pans, and the Chobe National Park – and the animals that call these environments home. Along with leopards and the rest of the Big Five, over 400 bird species and wild dogs can be found in Botswana.
7. Wild Babies
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: South Africa
Get ready for a cuteness overload. Wild Babies showcases the lives of newborn animals in an array of different environments. Join baby lions, elephants, penguins, and pangolins on their adventures as they learn to navigate their lives.
This nature documentary series takes place partly in South Africa to follow Kaya, a lion cub. A South African safari is a fantastic way to see these big cats in their natural habitat. From Kruger National Park to Timbavati Game Reserve, this destination offers visitors a variety of superb parks to explore.
8. Life in Color with David Attenborough
Where to watch: Netflix
Destination Featured: Kenya’s Maasai Mara
Discover how animals use colour to survive and thrive in the wild. Attenborough and his team used innovative technology to get up close and personal with a host of interesting species to bring this extraordinary docuseries to viewers.
One episode dives into how zebras in the Maasai Mara use their stripes to confuse their predators. Thanks to the high amount of prey animals, the Maasai Mara is one of the best destinations to see predator-prey dynamics in action. Explore our guide on how to plan the ultimate safari in Kenya.
9. Dynasties
Where to watch: Amazon
Destination Featured: Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park
Dynasties is a follow-up docuseries to Planet Earth and the Blue Planet. The episodes focus on the lives of five animal families in different environments, including lions, chimpanzees, hunting dogs, penguins, and tigers.
One of the episodes dives into a power struggle between two packs of painted wolves at Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. A Mana Pools National Park safari is an excellent way to not only see wildlife, but also have the unique experience of a canoe safari. Imagine gliding down the Zambezi while seeing hippos, crocodiles, and elephants.
10. Savage Kingdom
Where to watch: Disney+
Destination Featured: Botswana
Savage Kingdom takes viewers on a journey to witness the complicated dynamics of living as a predator on the plains of Africa.
The spectacular scenes in the episodes are from Mombo, Botswana. Due to low-volume tourism, a Botswana safari is an ideal choice for travellers wanting a secluded experience away from large crowds.
Get excited about your next African safari tour by diving into one of these highly acclaimed nature documentaries.
Written by Paula Rabeling
• Travel Writer
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Written by Paula Rabeling
• Travel Writer