You may have seen our recommended reading list, packed full of inspiring, enlightening, and compelling reads to prepare you for your volunteering experience in South Africa. But sometimes a good film or documentary is just what the doctor ordered, so we’ve compiled a list of unmissable filmography for volunteers.
With a mix of essential conservation viewing and immersive wildlife storytelling, we hope this list will inspire and entertain as you prepare to visit South Africa and embark on your wildlife conservation experience.
Many of these films and documentaries are available on streaming platforms such as Netflix or Prime Video (availability may vary by country). Trailers can usually be found on YouTube if you’d like a preview. Some of them might also be available to purchase on DVD.
Your Essential Watchlist Before Volunteering with Wildlife in South Africa
Documentary Series
Making CONTACT – A K9 Conservation Story
A mini-documentary series by Hill’s Pet Nutrition that showcases the vital work of anti-poaching K9 units in South Africa's nature reserves. These units are vital in protecting our Endangered Species. Look out for Wildlife ACT in episodes 1 and 5!
Where to watch it: Watch on Hill’s website or YouTube.
Part of the Pack
A short but impactful documentary that sheds light on African Wild Dog conservation efforts and features Wildlife ACT.
Shamwari Untamed (2018)
This powerful, two-season-long documentary series offers a behind-the-scenes look at conservation efforts at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa, and gives you a look into the exciting and essential conservation work being done there.
Watch it on Netflix, Prime Video. Clips and trailer on YouTube.
Our Planet (2019)
While not focused solely on South Africa, the series, narrated by the legendary Sir David Attenborough, offers breathtaking insights into global ecosystems, including scenes from African savannahs and the feeding spectacle of humpback whales near Cape Town in episode 6. It’s a perfect watch for a bigger picture on conservation before zooming into the specifics of South Africa’s challenges.
Watch it on Netflix, some episodes available on YouTube.
Wild Africa (2001, BBC)
This classic six-episode series highlights the varied habitats of Africa, from savannahs to coasts, and from the mountains to the jungle. For volunteers, it’s a chance to see how landscapes shape wildlife behaviour, and to appreciate the interconnectedness of ecosystems as well as showing how humans and animals co-exist within these landscapes.
Available to buy on Amazon.
Lions: Spy in the Den (2000)
This groundbreaking documentary took filmmaking to a new level by employing buried periscopes, night-vision technology, and a “boulder cam” - a remote-control camera disguised as a rock - in order to capture footage of Lions in the wild unlike anything seen before, including the first-ever footage shot inside a pride’s den. While the quality may not be quite up to today’s standards, David Attenborough’s narration is as delightful as always, and the filmography is incredible for its time.
Watch it on Prime Video, AppleTV+, available to buy on Amazon, or view clips on YouTube.
Long-form Documentaries and Films
Blood Lions (2015)
This is a heartrending, no-holds-barred exposé of the world of canned lion hunting and captive breeding in South Africa. It’s an important watch for understanding ethical wildlife tourism and the road South Africa has to travel to better protect its wildlife.
Watch it on YouTube.
The Ivory Game (2016)
Produced by Leonardo DiCaprio, The Ivory Game is a hard-hitting documentary that exposes the dark world of ivory trafficking and its devastating impact on Africa’s Elephant populations. The film follows conservationists and undercover investigators as they risk their lives to combat poaching and save the African Elephant from extinction.
Watch it on Netflix (global), view trailer on YouTube.
Stroop: Journey into the Rhino Horn War (2018)
This award-winning South African documentary exposes the realities of Rhino poaching. The title "Stroop" refers to the Afrikaans word for poach. The filmmakers cover the poaching crisis over a four-year period, following wildlife rangers on the frontline of South Africa's national parks, and travelling to China and Vietnam to investigate the source of the demand. The film also looks at the motivations behind Rhino horn consumption in Asia and, how South Africa's criminal justice system is responding to the poaching challenge.
Where to watch it: AppleTV+, Google Movies, view trailer on YouTube.
Pangolin: Kulu’s Journey (2025)
From the Academy Award-winning director of My Octopus Teacher comes Pangolin: Kulu's Journey, a moving documentary about one of the world’s most Endangered and trafficked animals. When a baby pangolin is rescued during a sting operation in South Africa, a man finds a new purpose in caring for the fragile creature. He leaves the city and dedicates himself to the delicate process of rehabilitation, nursing Kulu back to health and preparing her for the wild. The film is both a personal story of transformation and a powerful reminder of why protecting species like the pangolin matters.
Watch it on Netflix (global), view trailer on YouTube.
Broader African Conservation Stories
My Octopus Teacher (2020)
When a filmmaker befriends a common octopus in a kelp forest in South Africa, he doesn’t imagine this eight-year relationship will change his life in such a profound way.
Watch it on Netflix (global), view trailer on YouTube.
Becoming Animal (2018)
A Swiss and British production, Becoming Animal is a meditative exploration of how humans connect with the natural world, and an invitation to explore our interdependence with the natural world around us.
Rent or buy it on Vimeo, view trailer on YouTube.
Experience the Wonder for Yourself
These films and documentaries offer a glimpse into the beauty of wildlife, and highlight the urgent need to protect it. Watching them is a powerful first step; the next is experiencing it for yourself. Join us in Zululand, where you’ll contribute directly to hands-on conservation and make a real impact for Endangered species.
Ready to be part of the story? Volunteer in Zululand with Wildlife ACT.
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