The Wander Africa Reading & Watching List: The Perfect Travel Companions!
We have created this reading and watching list of fantastic stories that will help create excitment and a feeling of deeper connection to the places you will be visiting.
Wether you read them before or during your travels, we hope that you can find time to allow yourself a different kind of trip through Africa - whether it’s picking up a book or flicking on a Netflix doc, we have you covered with tons of our favorite choices below!
The options allow you explore Africa’s ts wild spaces, complex history, vibrant cultures, and enduring spirit.
Books That bring Africa to Life
Conservation & Safaris
The Last Elephants by Don Pinnock & Colin Bell
A powerful collection of essays, stories, and stunning photography dedicated to Africa’s majestic elephants—and the people fighting to protect them.The Shadow of the Sun by Ryszard Kapuściński
A poetic, often haunting chronicle of postcolonial Africa from a legendary foreign correspondent.Cry of the Kalahari by Mark & Delia Owens
The unforgettable story of a couple’s years of wildlife research in Botswana’s remote desert.Out of Africa by Isak Dinesen (Karen Blixen)
A timeless memoir filled with beauty, nostalgia, and love for the Kenyan highlands.A Primate’s Memoir by Robert Sapolsky
Science, humor, and reflection collide in this account of studying baboons in Kenya.The Elephant Whisperer by Lawrence Anthony
The heartwarming true story of an unlikely bond between a man and a herd of rogue elephants.Whatever You Do, Don’t Run & Don’t Look Behind You by Peter Allison
Entertaining tales from a safari guide’s life in the bush—equal parts hilarious and insightful.Safari: A Memoir of a Worldwide Travel Pioneer by James Currie
An inside look at a life devoted to wild places and the thrill of wildlife encounters.
History, Colonialism & Cultural Context
Born a Crime by Trevor Noah
A brilliant, funny, and deeply personal story of growing up mixed-race in apartheid South Africa.King Leopold’s Ghost by Adam Hochschild
A harrowing but essential history of colonialism in the Congo.Africa: A Biography of the Continent by John Reader
Spanning millennia, this sweeping history weaves together Africa’s geology, politics, and culture.We Wish to Inform You… by Philip Gourevitch
A powerful and compassionate exploration of the Rwandan genocide.The Looting Machine by Tom Burgis
A deep dive into how resource exploitation continues to shape modern Africa.
Memoirs & Modern Voices
It’s Our Turn to Eat by Michela Wrong
A gripping account of corruption and courage in contemporary Kenya.I Will Always Write Back by Caitlin Alifirenka & Martin Ganda
The true story of an unlikely pen-pal friendship that changed two lives.Unbowed by Wangari Maathai
An inspiring memoir from Kenya’s Nobel Peace Prize–winning environmental activist.
Films and Documentaries That Stay With You
Conservation & Wildlife
The Ivory Game (Netflix)
An undercover look at the ivory trade and the fight to save elephants from extinction.Virunga (Netflix)
A gripping documentary following brave park rangers in Congo’s Virunga National Park.The Elephant Queen (Apple TV+)
An emotional, beautifully shot tribute to the power and wisdom of a matriarch elephant.My Octopus Teacher (Netflix)
Set in South Africa’s underwater kelp forest, this is a poetic reflection on connection and curiosity.
Culture, History & Storytelling
Out of Africa
The Oscar-winning film adaptation of Karen Blixen’s memoir, set in 20th-century Kenya.The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (Netflix)
A Malawian boy builds a windmill to save his village—true, heart-lifting, and unforgettable.Hotel Rwanda
A powerful portrayal of one man’s courage during the Rwandan genocide.Beasts of No Nation (Netflix)
A raw and moving depiction of a child soldier’s journey in West Africa.Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom
An epic retelling of Nelson Mandela’s life, adapted from his autobiography.
Come Curious. Leave Changed.
These books and films can offer a deeper lens into the landscapes you’ll explore and the people you’ll meet. They spark conversation, cultivate empathy, and bring nuance to a continent that’s too often misunderstood.
So whether you’re on the plane, curled up at home, or dreaming of your next adventure, let these stories guide you. And once you are on your trip, or back home, perhaps you’ll be inspired to write or speak through your own experiences!
– The Wander Africa Team