Books and Films About Africa

Must-Read Stories and Must-Watch Movies Featuring Rwanda, Congo, South Africa, Nigeria, and Kenya

Africa is vast, complex, and endlessly rich in stories—yet too often it’s misunderstood or reduced to clichés. One of the best ways to deepen our understanding is through the books and films that bring its histories, cultures, and voices to life. Here are some must-read stories and must-watch films that open a window into the diverse realities of Africa.

This list includes both fiction and nonfiction from and about a variety of African countries, including South Africa, Rwanda, Congo, Nigeria, and Kenya. Between my husband David and I, we have read these books and watched these films and highly recommend them, though it’s not a comprehensive list by any means. If you follow me on Goodreads, you can check out my “to-read” and “already read” lists,” which contains plenty more.

Recommended Books (Fiction and Nonfiction)

The Fate of Africa: A History of Fifty Years of Independence by Martin Meredith (2006) is a definitive account of Africa’s post-colonial history, chronicling the triumphs and tragedies of its first fifty years of independence. Through compelling narratives, it explores the political, social, and economic challenges that have shaped the continent’s modern journey. Highly recommend.

The Fortunes of Africa: A 5,000-Year History of Wealth, Greed, and Endeavor by Martin Meredith (2014) offers a sweeping history of the continent, tracing 5,000 years of wealth, exploitation, and resilience. From ancient empires to colonial conquests and modern struggles, it examines how Africa’s vast resources have shaped its history and the greed that has often defined its story.

Diamonds, Gold, and War: The British, the Boers, and the Making of South Africa by Martin Meredith (2007) tells the riveting history of South Africa’s transformation, driven by the discovery of its vast mineral wealth. The book explores the conflicts between the British and the Boers, the exploitation of resources, and the political forces that shaped the nation.

King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild (1998) exposes the brutal exploitation of the Congo under King Leopold II of Belgium. It recounts the greed, terror, and human rights abuses during this dark chapter of colonial history, while celebrating the individuals who fought to bring these atrocities to light. I couldn’t put it down, but it was definitely a difficult read.

Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela (1994) is Nelson Mandela’s powerful autobiography, chronicling his journey from rural South Africa to becoming a leader in the fight against apartheid, his 27 years in prison, and his eventual triumph as the country’s first Black president. A story of resilience, courage, and unwavering vision for justice.

Disgrace is a novel by J. M. Coetzee, the acclaimed, Nobel-prize-winning South African novelist who has often used his country’s apartheid system and its post-apartheid transition to mirror the bleakness of the human condition. Published in 1999, Disgrace deals with the human inability to communicate effectively and with the uncertain relations between black and white in post-apartheid South Africa.

Elizabeth Costello, a novel by J.M. Coetzee, published in 2003, tells the story of a celebrated aging Australian writer, who travels the world giving lectures on everything from literary censorship to the lives of animals. An eloquent writer on behalf of animals, Coetzee perhaps places his own thoughts about animals in the main character of this novel, who says, “

Life and Times of Michael K: A Novel by J.M. Coetzee, published in 1983. Set in a South Africa turned by war, Michael K. sets out to take his ailing mother back to her rural home.

Burger’s Daughter (1979) by South African native Nadine Gordimer, winner of the Nobel prize in literature, is a moving political and historical novel about a young woman trying to forge her own life in the shadow of her martyred anti-apartheid-activist parents.

King Solomon’s Mines by H. Rider Haggard, published in 1885, it’s a classic adventure tale following Allan Quatermain and his companions on a perilous journey into unexplored southern Africa in search of treasure and a lost friend.

Gorillas in the Mist by Dian Fossey (1983) is a groundbreaking memoir detailing her work studying and protecting Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. Fossey’s passionate account of her experiences in the wild inspired countless conservationists, including me, to advocate for animals and their habitats.

Woman in the Mists: The Story of Dian Fossey and the Mountain Gorillas of Africa by Farley Mowat (1987) — Chronicles Dian Fossey’s life and fierce fight to protect Rwanda’s mountain gorillas. A compelling follow-up to Gorillas in the Mist, it highlights her dedication, challenges, and lasting legacy in conservation.

In the Kingdom of Gorillas: The Quest to Save Rwanda’s Mountain Gorillas by Amy Vedder and Bill Weber (2002) — Tells the fascinating story of their work studying gorillas at Karisoke and developing the conservation model that ultimately saved the species: eco-tourism. Though often at odds with Dian Fossey, their approach has created lasting protection for the gorillas, their forest home, and the surrounding communities. It’s thanks to their vision that people like me—and those who join me on Joyful Vegan Trips to Rwanda—have the privilege of supporting this remarkable ecosystem and its inhabitants with our eco-tourism dollars.

Land of a Thousand Hills: My Life in Rwanda by Rosamond Halsey Carr and Ann Howard Halsey (2000) — In 1949, Rosamond Halsey Carr left New York City with her hunter-explorer husband for the Belgian Congo. When their marriage ended, she stayed in Rwanda to manage a flower plantation, beginning a lifelong love affair with the country. Her memoir (co-written with her niece) recounts decades of adventure: from encounters with leopards and elephants to witnessing the end of colonial rule, the Rwandan genocide, and the murder of her friend Dian Fossey. After the 1994 genocide, she transformed her plantation into a shelter for orphaned children. I was thrilled to visit the home and orphanage she built, now a museum honoring her extraordinary legacy.

Shake Hands with the Devil: The Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by Romeo Dallaire (2003) — The harrowing and horrifying story of the Rwandan genocide from General Dallaire’s perspective as force commander of the U.N. Peacekeepers during 100 days in 1994 when almost one million men, women, and children were hacked to death by their own countrymen. Also see film recommendation below.

We Wish to Inform You That Tomorrow We Will Be Killed with Our Families (Story of Rwanda) by Philip Gourevitch (1999) is a harrowing account of the Rwandan genocide, exploring its causes, the global response, and the stories of survivors. A powerful and essential examination of one of humanity’s darkest moments.

Heart of Darkness (1899) is a haunting novella by Polish-English novelist Joseph Conrad about a journey up the Congo River into the heart of colonial exploitation and human depravity. Through its protagonist, Marlow, it explores themes of imperialism, morality, and the darkness within humanity.

Things Fall Apart by Chinua Achebe (1958) is a landmark Nigerian novel that tells the story of Okonkwo, a proud Igbo leader, and the cultural upheaval caused by colonialism and Christian missionaries. A powerful exploration of tradition, change, and identity.

Born a Crime: Stories From a South African Childhood by Trevor Noah (2017) is a poignant and hilarious memoir of the comedian’s upbringing during apartheid in South Africa. Through vivid stories, Noah reflects on his unique experiences as a biracial child navigating love, hardship, and resilience in a divided society.

Dark Star Safari: Overland from Cairo to Cape Town by Paul Theroux (2002) is a captivating travel memoir chronicling the author’s adventurous journey through Africa. Blending sharp observations, history, and humor, Theroux reflects on the continent’s challenges and beauty as he traverses its landscapes and cultures.

The Last Train to Zona Verde: My Ultimate African Safari by Paul Theroux (2013) is a reflective and gripping memoir of the author’s final overland journey through southern Africa. Facing the realities of aging and the complexities of the region, Theroux explores its beauty, struggles, and his own connection to the continent.

Recommended Films (Documentaries and Dramas)

South Africa

The Power of One is a 1992 drama film loosely based on Bryce Courtenay’s 1989 novel of the same name. Set in South Africa during the second world war, the film centers on the life of an English South African boy raised under apartheid.

Tsotsi — Set in a city slum in Johannesburg, South Africa, Tsotsi follows events surrounding a young street criminal who steals a car. Discovering a child in the back seat, he finds redemption through the care of the young infant. (2005)

White Material is a 2009 French drama film directed by Claire Denis about a struggling French coffee producer in an unnamed French-speaking African country, who decides to stay at her coffee plantation in spite of an erupting civil war.

Zulu is the true story of the battle of Rourke’s Drift between the British and Zulu nations in 1879. (1964)

Cry Freedom — Like so many of the films we’ve seen about apartheid, it’s a good story but slightly flawed in the telling of it, despite being directed by Richard Attenborough. Still, I definitely recommend it, despite the awful Afrikkans accents. South African journalist Donald Woods is forced to flee the country after attempting to investigate the death in custody of his friend, the Black anti-Apartheid activist Steve Biko. (1987)

A Dry White Season — Forgetful title, good story, mediocre dialogue. Still, our intention was to watch the most highly recommended films about apartheid, and this was one of them. It’s still a film worth watching, even if Donald Sutherland’s Afrikaans accent is cringeworthy. A white middle class South African suburbanite with no interest in politics agrees to help his black gardener find his jailed son. His investigation opens his eyes to the horrors committed by the secret police and turns him into a target. (1989)

The Bang Bang Club — A dramatized movie based on the true-life experiences of four combat photographers capturing the final days of apartheid in South Africa. Some of the scenes were impressively shot and harrowing to watch, and I sympathized with the different personalities of people being in a very difficult situation. (2010)

Goodbye Bafana — This is the true story of a white South African racist whose life was profoundly altered by the black prisoner he guarded for twenty years. The prisoner’s name was Nelson Mandela. (2007)

Central Africa / East Africa

Nowhere in Africa — A German-Jewish family flees to Kenya to escape the Nazi regime in their home country. Based on the autobiographical novel by Stefanie Zweig, it’s a film I’ve watched a dozen times. (2001)

The Last King of Scotland — Forest Whitaker won an Academy Award for his performance of the brutal Ugandan dictator Idi Amin. (2007)

Gorillas in the Mist — Sigourney Weaver plays primatologist Dian Fossey, whose fierce dedication to studying and protecting the mountain gorillas leads to her unsolved murder in 1985. Sadly, the film doesn’t hold up well and feels quite dated, but it’s still worth a watch. (See above for book recommendation.) (1998)

Shake Hands with the Devil: The Journey of Roméo Dallaire — A documentary film based on General Dallaire’s account of the genocide from the perspective of someone who was on the ground and trying to rally support from the international community, to no avail. (2007)

North Africa / West Africa

Battle of Algiers by Gillo Pontecorvo is a riveting documentary about the battle for independence in Algeria during the 1950’s. Incredible footage and breathtaking from start to finish. (1965)

Beasts of No Nation — A drama based on the experiences of Agu, a child soldier fighting in the civil war of an unnamed African country. Beautiful and heartbreaking. (2015)

The Lost Boys of Sudan is a feature-length documentary that follows two Sudanese refugees on an extraordinary journey from Africa to America.

Black Girl — This quiet but powerful film centers on Diouana, a young Senegalese woman, who moves from Dakar, Senegal to Antibes, France to work for a French couple. (1966)

Timbuktu — On the run from religious control, a farming family travel to Timbuktu for a quiet life which turns out to be anything but. A moving and emotional movie.

Nature and Animal Documentaries

Africa (2013)
Narrated by David Attenborough, this stunning BBC series explores Africa’s diverse landscapes and wildlife, from the Sahara Desert to the lush jungles of the Congo.

The Ivory Game (2016)
A Netflix documentary exposing the poaching crisis threatening Africa’s elephants and the global ivory trade’s devastating impact.

Virunga (2014)
Set in the Democratic Republic of Congo, this Oscar-nominated documentary follows the rangers protecting Africa’s oldest national park and its endangered mountain gorillas.

Queen of the Elephants (1994)
A documentary about Mark and Delia Owens’ experiences studying elephants in Botswana and their efforts to protect them.

Into the Okavango (2018) follows a conservation team’s 1,500-mile journey to protect Africa’s Okavango Delta, highlighting its beauty and the urgent need for preservation.

Chimp Empire (2023) offers an intimate look at Uganda’s Ngogo chimpanzees, exploring their complex social lives and striking similarities to humans.