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!

 

 

This Earth Day we celebrate the beauty of our planet and raising awareness of conservation and climate change.

This year's theme is 'Invest in Our Planet' and everyone is encouraged to act (boldly), innovate (broadly), and implement (equitably). We understand that it is going to take all of us to preserve and protect our health, our families, and our livelihoods.

Next-Level Sustainable Experiences

At African Travel, we recognize the importance of conservation, a green future is a prosperous future. In partnership with The TreadRight Foundation, we support three pillars: people, wildlife and the planet.

Visiting Africa is all about the memorable experiences you make with its people, culture, and wildlife while also learning about the importance of preserving and rejuvenating what makes the continent so special.

The world’s wildlife population is balancing on a dangerous precipice. We have partnered with leading wildlife organizations to work to protect and rehabilitate elephant, rhino, and big cat populations around the world to restore nature and build a healthy planet for our children and their children. 

We have highlighted some next-level experiences that connect guests with Africa’s people, environment, and wildlife and leave a positive impact on local communities. Every safari includes a donation to wildlife conservation or a child's education. In East Africa, we invest in future conservation leaders, supporting a local child’s participation in the Life & Land Wildlife Warrior Program. This program aims to educate the next generation of conservationists - who live in prominent wildlife areas - about the importance of wildlife conservation and tourism.

 

Net Zero Goals

Travel has great power to do good, but we must also recognize the role it plays in climate change – the greatest risk to our planet. As a travel company, we do not shy away from our responsibility. 

Along with our parent company, The Travel Corporation, we have taken the next step in our collective net zero journey and have committed to science-based reduction targets. TTC has developed company-wide emission reduction targets that are currently under review by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) and will be announced later this year. Science-based targets ensure we reduce our emissions in line with keeping the global temperature well below a warming of 1.5 C by mid-century.  

We have continued to accelerate our climate action efforts in response to the glaring threat of climate change to our planet, communities and wildlife. Last year we launched our 5-point Climate Action Plan, committing us to Measure, Reduce, Remove, Offset, and lastly, to Evolve. This has given us the flexibility to adapt our plan as new guidance and technologies become available. We are actively working with industry and destination partners and investing in promising nature-based climate solutions. 

In 2021, TreadRight invested in GreenWave and Project Vesta, two nature-based carbon removal solutions which are showing very promising results in their pilot stages. In addition, TTC and TreadRight have joined forces with VisitScotland and The Travel Foundation in a new project that aims to shape Scotland as the world’s first net zero destination. In alignment with TTC’s commitment to net zero, this pilot project will develop a structured process to better understand, avoid, and otherwise reduce in-destination travel emissions through a joint effort between the tour operator and destination, and will benefit destinations worldwide in the transition to become low-carbon destinations.

Learn more about our climate action plans here.

 

Sustainable Kenya

Generations of adventurers have traveled to Kenya in search of a safari into quintessential Africa. Kenya does not disappoint with one of the greatest natural shows on earth. The annual migration of hundreds of thousands of wildebeest and zebra crossing the Masai Mara’s rolling grasslands and wooded savanna is a sight to see. Luckily a luxury safari to Kenya does not come at the expense of sustainability. There are a variety of experiences that invest directly in the future of our planet and guests will not be disappointed. Learn how to experience conservation first-hand - and contribute to the future of wildlife conservation in Kenya. 

 

To book a sustainable safari contact African Travel, Inc.

at 1 (800) 421-8907

Our CEO Lucille Sive, shares her top five female heroes in Africa who are changing the game in the male-dominated food and wine industry. During Lucille’s 36-year journey as a female executive in the travel industry, she’s spent years of dedication promoting women empowerment and gender parity across the globe. Affectionately known in the travel industry as “The African Queen” and a South African native, Lucille has a heavy involvement in community projects in Africa and meeting inspirational women leaders along the way. Coincidentally, Lucille shares her birthday with International Women’s Day on March 8th.

“Success and good leadership are achieved through hard work, dedication, making mistakes, learning as you go and staying true to yourself,” Lucille said. “I believe these five African women are true indicators of this, and they inspire not only myself but many aspiring female leaders.”

This year’s International Women’s Day theme, #BreakTheBias, fits perfectly with Lucille’s list of inspirational women who are breaking barriers as female leaders and entrepreneurs. 

 

Ntsiki Biyela, South African winemaker and owner of Aslina Wines

Ntsiki Biyela grew up in Mahlabathini, a rural village in KwaZulu-Natal, and became the first black female winemaker in South Africa as head winemaker at Stellekaya Wines. In 2016, she established Aslina Wines, inspired by the strength and determination of the biggest influence in her life, her grandmother. Today, Aslina is renowned for its range of premium wines and is the realization of Biyela’s dream to create an exceptional world-class brand.

Ntsiki’s thoughts on this year’s #BreakTheBias theme:

“The theme basically means what is known to the public about women (which is not true) has to change, and we are changing it.”

 

Fayruza Abrahams, owner of Taste Malay in Cape Town’s historic Bo-Kaap

Fayruza Abrahams is a well-traveled, food enthusiast and successful entrepreneur with her business, Taste Malay, in Cape Town’s Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Abrahams is dedicated to teaching guests from around the world about her culture, heritage and the lovely traditional Cape Malay foods she grew up cooking. Abrahams' classes have become very popular on social media and television. During a visit to Cape Town, guests can visit Taste Malay and experience either a Cape Malay Dessert cooking experience or Samosa Folding Class where they will learn how to mix spices and fold and fill samosas with Abrahams.

Fayruza’s thoughts on this year’s #BreakTheBias theme:

“I would like nothing more than to see a world or society that is free from bias and stereotypes that are equitable and inclusive.”

 

Siba Mtongana, South African celebrity chef and owner of SIBA The Restaurant

Siba Mtongana grew up in the township of Mdantsane near East London, South Africa. Mtongana has broken industry barriers through her passion for food and people, becoming an international multi-award winning, culinary extraordinaire, food expert, author, and entrepreneur. In addition to her show on Food Network, Siba’s Table, she is currently a judge on Chopped South Africa, alongside Jenny Morris and David van Staden. She also opened her own restaurant, SIBA The Restaurant at The Table Bay Hotel, that serves unique recipes encompassing world flavors with an African flair and where guests can dine during their stay.

Siba’s thoughts on this year’s #BreakTheBias theme:

“Being different doesn’t have to be treated differently … it’s something that can be celebrated instead of being resisted. There will always be challenges in life, however, don’t dwell on them and always be on the lookout for opportunities that will propel you to the next phase. When you do come across those rare and precious moments – DO NOT BE AFRAID TO JUMP!”

 

Bianca Schreuder, pastry chef at Xigera Safari Lodge

Bianca Schreuder is a pastry chef at the world-renowned Xigera Safari Lodge in the Okavango Delta and her culinary journey began in her childhood, being surrounded by a family who loves to cook. Inspired by her brother who enrolled in culinary school, Bianca immediately knew her passion was for pastry, and received a behind-the-scenes tour of the kitchens her brother worked in. After years of following her heart, she has accomplished her dream of being a pastry chef, learning many different cultures, cuisines, and techniques. “What I love most about the industry is how much you can accomplish, with the correct mindset.You don’t only grow as a chef bit you grow as an individual,” says Schreuder.

Bianca’s thoughts on this year’s #BreakTheBias theme:

“A kitchen especially has a very masculine feel and energy, so as a woman breaking the bias doesn't mean I am anti-masculinity, it means I am pro-femininity. We as women should continue empowering each other to always be the better version of ourselves to always stand tall and strong.”

Andrea Mullineux, South African winemaker and co-founder of Mullineux & Leeu Family Wines

Andrea developed her passion for wine at the family dinner table, growing up in San Francisco. After studying Viticulture and Oenology at UC Davis and completing a handful of harvests in the Napa Valley, Andrea worked in Stellenbosch and Chateauneuf. Andrea’s love for South African wine brought her back to South Africa, where she learned further about vineyards and cellars. Mullineux was established in 2007 when she settled in the Swartland wine region, north of Cape Town. In 2016 she was awarded International Winemaker of the Year by Wine Enthusiast and her winery became one of South Africa’s most celebrated wine brands locally and internationally. In 2020 the winery received thirty 5-star ratings from Platter’s South African Wine Guide, as was awarded Platter’s Winery of the Year 4 times in 2014, 2016, 2019 and 2020.

Andrea’s thoughts on this year’s #BreakTheBias theme:

“Be strong and stay strong. Stick to what you know is right regardless of the people trying to dissuade you or distract you. Put in the hours and the grit - not for anyone else but for yourself.”

 

To book an African safari contact a safari specialist

at (800) 421-8907