Jaya Travel & Tours’ “On Location” series focuses on famous movie locations worldwide that you can tour. Today, our series features film locations from the Academy Award Winning Best Picture: Out of Africa.
Everyone loves movies! They transport us to a different time and place. They let us dream in a way unlike any other, and let us forget our troubles, even if it’s only for a few hours. Three decades after its release, one of the most iconic films continues to captivate audiences and transport them to one of the most romantic places in the world: Kenya.
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Inspiration Behind Out of Africa
Out of Africa is a 1985 film adaptation of the book by the same name. The book was written by Karen Blixen under the pen name Isak Dinesen. Originally published in 1937, the story chronicles the life of the author when she “had a farm in Africa at the foot of the Ngong Hills.”
Out of Africa Synopsis
Director: Sydney Pollack | Run time: 1 hr 41 min | Genre: biography, drama, romance | Rating: PG
Initially set on being a dairy farmer, the aristocratic Karen Blixen (Meryl Streep) travels to Africa to join her husband, Bror (Klaus Maria Brandauer), who instead spends their money on a coffee plantation. After discovering Bror is unfaithful, Karen develops feelings for hunter Denys (Robert Redford), but realizes he prefers a simplistic lifestyle compared to her upper class background. The two continue on until a series of events force Karen to choose between her love and personal growth.
Out of Africa Film Locations
Shaba National Game Reserve
The Shaba Reserve, formed by three local reserves, is located north of Nairobi in central Kenya. Animals here are allowed to roam freely without fences blocking off wildlife from wandering the natural landscapes.
Many of the outdoor scenes on the savanna were filmed here, including the moment where Karen and Denys are threatened by a lion attack.
Here, you’ll find five species unique to the area including the Reticulated giraffe, Beisa oryx, Somali ostrich, Grevy’s zebra, and gerenuk. It’s also known for impalas, gazelles, zebras, hyenas, jackals, oryx, Masai Lions, African leopards, and African bush elephants.
Maasai Mara National Reserve
Maasai Mara National park is where the iconic image from the movie poster was shot. You’ll find it on the Kenya-Tanzania border, where the film’s popularity has driven tourism to the area.
Consequently, there’s no shortage of things to experience that recreate the romantic feeling of the film. For example, you can take a hot air balloon ride or reserve a number of lodges and tented camps.
The Mara River, which runs through the reserve and drains into Lake Victoria, is also featured in the film. You’ll recognize the banks of this river as the filming location of the iconic shampoo scene.
Fun fact: While Redford shampoos Streep’s hair on the banks of the river, Streep was actually terrified due to the presence of territorial hippos nearby.
The Ngong Hills
In real life, Karen Blixen’s residence was at the foot of the Ngong Hills. Their peaks are located along the Great Rift Valley, a continuous geographic trench that runs approximately 3,700 miles from Mozambique to South Eastern Africa.
The name “Ngong” is an Anglicization of a Maasai phrase meaning “rhinoceros spring.” This area was a major farming region during the colonial period, as Blixen’s history will attest.
Visitors can take guided tours and are awarded with a bird’s eye view of the surrounding area – not unlike the view Karen Blixen had when she flew over the region in Denys Finch Hatton’s plane.
The Karen Blixen Museum
The epicenter of Out of Africa tourism would have to be the house where Blixen lived. Built in 1912, Karen and her husband purchased the estate in 1917. Now the Karen Blixen Museum, she lived here after the divorce and ran the plantation until 1931.
The museum is open from 9:30 am – 6:00 pm, including weekends and public holidays, and offers continuous tours. You’ll see some of Karen’s original furniture and belongings as well as some props from the film. There’s also a gift shop with both African-themed items and Out of Africa-themed items.
Tour Africa With Jaya Travel!
When you’re ready to embark on your journey, Jaya Travel is here to turn your dream trip into a reality. Plan your luxurious escape to Kenya’s romantic landscape, or find another vacation filled with film destinations.
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Are you ready to book your vacation? Contact us today and enjoy a 5% discount on your personalized tour. At Jaya Travel, we’re dedicated to ensuring your adventure is not just smooth—but extraordinary.
