Few voices in the history of broadcasting are as instantly recognisable, or as deeply trusted, as that of Sir David Attenborough. Across decades, his documentaries have transported audiences into the heart of the natural world, revealing its beauty, fragility, and complexity. Today is Sir David’s 100th birthday – a significant milestone for anyone, but also a celebration of a career that continues to bring a deeper understanding of and desire to care for our planet Earth.
Africa, with its vast landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity, has unsurprisingly provided the backdrop for some of his most iconic storytelling. From the sweeping savannas of the Serengeti to the dense rainforests of the Congo Basin, Attenborough’s African documentaries do so much more than showcase wildlife; they immerse viewers in intricate ecosystems where survival is a daily drama. Through eloquent narration, passionate presenting, groundbreaking cinematography and patient observation, these films frequently capture never-seen-before moments – predator and prey encounters, migratory journeys, and delicate symbiotic relationships – that are equally moving and inspiring.
FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM: THE MOST ICONIC ATTENBOROUGH AFRICA MOMENTS
Here we look at some of the most unforgettable Attenborough Africa moments and reveal the locations that were used. If you dream of creating your own Attenborough experience on safari, here are our favourite pieces of Africa filming to provide the ultimate safari inspiration:
MOUNTAIN GORILLAS OF RWANDA – LIFE ON EARTH (1979)
Life on Earth, filmed in the late 1970s, saw Attenborough travelling the globe to trace the story of the planet’s evolution. The series was highly acclaimed and a milestone in British wildlife filmmaking including over 100 locations across the world. It established Attenborough as not only the foremost television naturalist, but also an iconic figure in British cultural life.
Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park took centre stage in the series when it provided the setting for one of Attenborough’s most important and memorable sequences of filming, as well as providing one of TV’s all-time greatest moments.
The purpose of the episode was to demonstrate the significance and evolution of opposable thumb and forefinger but this quest for scientific knowledge was soon eclipsed by a more empathetic and moving connection as Attenborough encounters Pablo – a three year old playful gorilla. The sheer joy of the encounter is clear to see on Sir David’s face, and the impact it had on the presenter was evident in his profound words. The footage was brief, but the message was powerful: “There is more meaning and mutual understanding in exchanging a glance of the gorilla than with any other animal I know”. If you’ve been lucky enough to encounter a gorilla in the wild, you’ll know how perfectly this encapsulates that incredibly moving experience.
Sir David also remarked how it wasn’t the strength and power of an adult gorilla that stood out (the aggressive characteristics that man had, up until that point, chosen to symbolise the gorilla), but their intelligence and awareness, and the fact that they might be able to teach us something.
In his memoirs Attenborough describes his filming with gorillas in Rwanda as “one of the most exciting encounters of my life”. Building on the conservation work that Dian Fossey famously carried out in the region, this episode helped to change the way the world perceived gorillas.
The new Netflix documentary “A Gorilla Story: Told by David Attenborough” continues the story and legacy of Pablo while Sir David reflects on the Virunga Mountains and its captivating gorillas, remarking that he “felt a deeper connection here than anywhere”.
Where can I stay to see mountain gorillas?
Rwanda is now recognised globally for its mountain gorilla conservation success and is often cited as a leading example of how tourism can support conservation. Populations have increased from around 250 mountain gorillas in the 1980s to over 1,000 today. Whilst mountain gorilla numbers have recovered, their habitat is under increasing threat and so the preservation of areas such as Volcanoes National Park is critical to their survival.
The country has positioned itself as a luxury safari destination and, alongside neighbouring Uganda, is one of the best places in the world to see mountain gorillas. The cost of trekking permits in Rwanda is extremely high, as they actively follow a low impact/ high income policy. But every gorilla trek contributes significantly to the protection of gorillas and their habitat, as does staying in one of the numerous superb lodges in and around Volcanoes National Park.
THE GREAT MIGRATION, TANZANIA’S SERENGETI – NATURE’S GREAT EVENTS (2009)
Nature’s Great Events was a six-part series documenting how seasonal changes create some of the planet’s most spectacular wildlife events. Three of the six episodes were set in Africa and we include two of those in our ‘top moments’ list (The Great Migration here, and The Great Flood below).
East Africa’s Great Migration must be one of nature’s most heavily documented events, captivating audiences worldwide and inspiring travel to witness this wildlife spectacle firsthand. Rather than focusing solely on the dramatic migration itself, this episode highlights how the entire Serengeti ecosystem is impacted by the seasonal rains. It is the story of a lion family’s struggle to survive in the absence of the Great Migration. While the migration chases survival, moving north to follow seasonal rains and fresh grass, the resident Ndutu lion pride in the southern Serengeti must endure the harsh dry season with its dusty landscape, diminished food source and rising tensions amongst predators and prey. Finally the rains arrive, transforming the landscape to lush green plains and bringing with them the return of the migratory herds, and the surviving lions can feast… for a while.
The Great Migration can be seen at any time of the year – you just need to know where to base yourself as the herds journey from the southern Serengeti as far north as Kenya’s Masai Mara. At certain times of the year, it’s easier to predict where the herds will be and so these tend to be peak migration viewing months (July to October in northern Serengeti and the Masai Mara; and December through to March in southern Serengeti). But with peak seasons getting ever busier, particularly July to October when the famous river crossings occur, Nature’s Great Events reminds us that the wildlife-rich Serengeti provides constant drama and even when the herds move away, there is resident wildlife that makes for fascinating viewing. By choosing how you travel, whether that’s time of year or specific location, it’s possible to have a very exclusive, action-packed safari experience – incredible wildlife sightings with no other vehicles around, giving you that wildlife documentary feeling, rather than being another tourist.
THE GREAT FLOOD, BOTSWANA’S OKAVANGO DELTA – NATURE’S GREAT EVENTS (2009)
Botswana’s Okavango Delta is the world’s largest inland delta and provides one of Africa’s most exclusive safari experiences. The delta is a complex system of permanent channels and floodplains and the ‘arrival of the flood’ is difficult to predict as the water hails from the distant Angolan highlands. In Nature’s Great Events, the flood advance was brilliantly captured with cutting edge technology as arid plains transform to a watery paradise. The episode shows the extremes of the Kalahari ecosystem and how animal behaviour adapts to survive, including ground-breaking footage of elephants. The stunning filming also showcases the wildlife extravaganza of the delta in flood – lechwe leaping through water, predators in action, astounding birdlife and even unique insect life.
How to enjoy the Okavango Delta in flood
Whilst the advance of the flood waters makes for compelling television viewing, in safari terms, it’s the unique perspective and range of activities that water adds to the experience that makes the Okavango such a magical destination. Rich wildlife and incredible birdlife can be enjoyed with not only traditional morning and afternoon game drives, but also mokoro (local canoes) safaris and boat trips. In the exclusive private concessions, night drives, guided walking and mobile camping are options from some camps. Scenic helicopter flights are also often part of the experience which offer the chance to take in the scale of the delta. If you’re wanting to make the most of the delta’s unique water-based activities, and the delta’s serene beauty during the flood, it’s worth taking time to understand which areas to visit and when. The best time to visit is after the flood waters have started to settle. The precise timing varies each year, as does the extent of the flooding, but generally late May through to July is a reliably good time to visit. From October onwards, water levels recede and so boating and mokoro activities can be more limited, depending on which area of the delta you’re visiting. For further details on the best time of year to experience the flood, see our recent blog Bless the Rains Down in Africa.
THE ELEPHANTS OF KENYA’S AMBOSELI – AFRICA (2013)
From savannah to desert, cape to rainforest, Africa was Attenborough’s series dedicated to this diverse and spectacular continent. The series covered five different habitats and the wildlife that has adapted to live in each. As well as showcasing the dazzling beauty of Africa’s wilderness, it illustrated the hard-to-watch brutality of nature with some of Attenborough’s most moving footage.
In the episode ‘Savannah’ the filmmakers focus on the life and death decisions animals must make. In the worst drought conditions to affect Kenya’s Amboseli National Park for 50 years, viewers learn about the incredible maternal instincts of elephants in a heart-wrenching piece of filming. In the drought-ridden plains of Amboseli, elephants can only scratch withered twigs from the dust – barely enough to support an adult elephant, and the mothers of the herd are struggling to provide milk for their young. As a young calf becomes too weak to stand, its mother faces the agonising decision of staying with the calf, or following the rest of her family in the search for food. She chooses not to abandon her baby and stays by its side until it takes it last breath.
The complex social structure and interactions of elephants have made this species a safari highlight, providing some of the most mesmerising and fascinating viewing. Kenya’s Amboseli National Park was chosen for the setting in the above episode for a number of very good reasons. Firstly, the park has superb wildlife and is especially known for its elephant population. Secondly, the elephants here are the focus of the longest-running elephant research project in the world, The Amboseli Elephant Research Project, founded by Dr. Cynthia Moss. In fact, Attenborough collaborated with Dr. Moss for an earlier documentary – Echo of the Elephants, about the life of matriarch elephant Echo and her family in Amboseli. Finally, the park is famous for its iconic Mount Kilimanjaro backdrop which makes for stunning cinematography.
Where is the best place to see elephants in the wild?
Amboseli National Park, with its large and well-researched elephant population and epic mountain backdrop can’t fail to disappoint anyone looking for incredible elephant encounters and photography on safari. The region is also famous for being home to some of Africa’s last remaining Big Tusker elephants. If you’re looking for an exclusive elephant experience, ol Donyo Lodge in the striking Chyulu Hills National Park, adjacent to Amboseli, has a sunken hide overlooking a waterhole in front of the lodge and is a wonderful place to watch elephants relaxed at close quarters.
THE RHINO OF KENYA’S LEWA CONSERVANCY – AFRICA (2013)
The conclusion of Africa, an episode called ‘The Future’, sees Attenborough discussing the challenges facing Africa’s wildlife with conservationists and scientists across the continent. Highlighting the plight of the black rhino and the amazing conservation efforts of Kenya’s Lewa Wildlife Conservancy, Sir David moves viewers when he has an extraordinary encounter with a blind baby rhino. The inquisitive little rhino takes a shine to the presenter and Attenborough crouches face to face and narrates: “He starts to squeak and we’re able to have a little chat”. This is a prime example of how the naturalist uses his innate respect for and understanding of wildlife to connect audiences with his subject. Who could fail to have empathy for rhino after watching that?
Where is the best place to see rhino in the wild?
Thanks to its long-established rhino conservation efforts, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is amongst the best places to see rhino on safari in Africa. At its inception in 1983, Lewa was the first and leading rhino sanctuary in East Africa. The conservancy has continued to provide a safe space for rhino, expanding its reach and incorporating neighbouring conservancy Borana to create 93,000 acres of contiguous protected rhino rangeland. This landscape is home to 14% of Kenya’s entire rhino population and there’s an excellent chance of spotting both black and white rhino on game drives. A ‘behind the scenes’ tour of the conservancy headquarters is not to be missed giving the opportunity to meet the rangers involved with protecting Lewa’s rhino and other endangered species. The conservancy also offers some wonderful safari accommodation options, with superb hosting and a unique range of other activities from guided walks and hikes to horse riding, camel safaris, conservation insight and community interactions.
AFRICAN WILD DOG, ZIMBABWE’S MANA POOLS – DYNASTIES (2018)
The Dynasties series featured five episodes, each focusing on an endangered or vulnerable species. The fourth episode highlighted the African wild dog, filmed in Zimbabwe’s Mana Pools National Park.
Mana Pools is one of the most visually stunning destinations in Africa, with the sparkling Zambezi river flanking its northern boundary while magnificent mahogany trees and iconic winter thorn forest grace the floodplains. The quality of light here draws photographers from across the globe to capture its ethereal rays as the sun dips in the sky. Add the high drama and unique social interactions of a family of wild dog to this scenic backdrop and it’s a winning combination.
Like so many of Attenborough’s documentaries, Dynasties reframed how we look at a species. Turning away from the obvious hunting angle which has earnt the dogs a reputation of being ‘killing machines’, the episode instead focuses on the fascinating social characteristics and deep bonds between pack members. It also highlights the challenges the species is facing, with competition for habitat (wild dog require extensive space for hunting successfully) coming from humans as well as other predators.
Where to see wild dog on safari
Zimbabwe is stronghold for wild dogs and Mana Pools offers a very good chance of seeing them. With the variety of activities on offer here, superb guiding and a stunning backdrop, it’s one of the most rewarding regions in Africa for viewing the species. Mana Pools is also renowned for offering some of the best walking safari opportunities in Africa and if you’re very lucky, it’s possible to see wild dog on foot with an experienced guide. Conservation efforts for wild dog in the greater Mana Pools region are also making good strides with the Great Plains vast Sapi Reserve to the east of the National Park having recently introduced a pack. The Dynasties crew was based at Vundu Camp and had the expert help of owner and guide Nick Murray during their filming.
THE CARNIVORES OF SOUTH LUANGWA, ZAMBIA – KINGDOM (2025)
This landmark and recent BBC series followed four rival carnivore families over a period of five years. The extended period of filming captured a deeper level of understanding of the relationships between the carnivores, as well as within the individual families. There were countless moments of high drama – a lioness and her cubs crossing a crocodile infested river; wild dog trying to rescue a pack member from the jaws of a crocodile; a pregnant hyena being saved from a pack of wild dog by a lion; and a bold leopard cub learning how close is too close with a hippo.
The end of the dry season in Zambia’s South Luangwa National Park, whilst extremely hot, is absolutely packed with high drama and even regular safari game drives can play out like scenes from a wildlife documentary. Highlights include close up encounters with elephants, huge herds of buffalo, and one of the best places in Africa to see leopards, all with superb guiding and authentic long-established safari camps. South Luangwa is also home of the walking safari, offering opportunities for that full wilderness immersive experience. Kingdom was filmed in South Luangwa’s Nsefu Sector and Remote Africa Safaris (owners of the excellent Tafika Camp and the adventurous Tafika Walking Trails) have just opened a new lodge on the site used as the filming base – Olimba is named after the female leopard in the series and promises to offer an exciting wildlife safari base.
NATIONAL TREASURE AND ADVOCATE FOR OUR PLANET
In exploring Attenborough’s work in Africa, we see not just a celebration of Africa’s incredible wildlife and wilderness, but a compelling call to protect it. Since his earliest documentaries, in addition to showcasing nature at its most dazzling, Sir David has had the insight and foresight to highlight the urgent challenges facing our planet. From climate change to habitat loss, his documentaries include the devastation wreaked on the planet by humans, whilst including uplifting stories of conservation, giving hope for the future. Attenborough documentaries, in all their glory, also have a purpose – to urge global audiences to recognise both the wonder and vulnerability of critical ecosystems. He does not merely present natural history documentaries, he advocates the survival of our planet.
Through responsible safari travel we can create our own Attenborough-like wildlife moments – where meaningful wildlife (and cultural) encounters make lifelong impressions, changing the way we view our world and our place within it, while contributing to the vital conservation of Earth’s wildest places.
HAPPY 100TH BIRTHDAY SIR DAVID from all of us at Safari Consultants.
If you’d like to create your own Attenborough-inspired safari, our knowledgeable team of safari experts would be delighted to help you plan your perfect wildlife holiday. Contact our expert travel team on +44 (0) 1787 888590 or go to our Contact us page.
With thanks for images to: Tony Enticknap, John Bassindale, Great Plains Conservation (Ol Donyo Lodge), Vundu Camp
Disclaimer: Images featuring a likeness of David Attenborough are AI-generated artistic interpretations inspired by publicly available images and are not official photographs, endorsements, or representations of Sir David Attenborough.
