Kenya is a popular destination for many tourists, especially those who want to witness one of the 7 modern wonders of the world; which is the wildebeest crossing that takes place in November and December every year.
But there are other things that draw tourists and sightseers to this country of ours like the unique scenery and use of English as an official language, making it easy to conduct business here.
These two have been a big reason why the film industry has shot several movies in Kenya. Some of the historic movies shot here are below;
Nowhere in Africa
This 2001 film won the Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film and Best Feature Film in 2001. The story revolves around a Jewish–German family that fled Hitler’s Nazi Germany to find refuge in Kenya.
The film was shot on location in Baringo, Bogoria and Mt Kenya.
The Constant Gardener
The film is based on a book by legendary writer John le Carré about a British diplomat in Kenya, as he tries to solve the murder of his wife, an Amnesty activist, alternating with many flashbacks telling the story of their love. It was filmed on location in Loiyangalani and the slums of Kibera, a section of Nairobi, Kenya.
Cry Freedom
Denzel Washington starred in this South African drama that showed the true horror of the South African apartheid regime of the time. The movie was largely shot in Zimbabwe but the beach scenes are shot in Mombasa.
King Solomon’s Mines
This 1950 film which starred Deborah Kerr, Stewart Granger and Richard Carlson was at the following locations in Africa: Murchison Falls in Uganda; Astrida, “the land of giant Watusis”; Volcano Country and Stanleyville in the Belgian Congo; Tanganyika; and Rumuruti and Machakos in Kenya.
Mogambo
This 1953 adventure/romantic drama film directed by John Ford and starring Clark Gable, Ava Gardner, and Grace Kelly was shot in partly in Kenya. Some of the locations from Kenya were Mount Kenya, Mt Longonot, and Lake Naivasha, and Fourteen Falls near Thika.
Out of Africa
This 1985 American romantic drama starring Robert Redford and Meryl Streep won the Oscar for Best Picture. The film is based loosely on the autobiographical book Out of Africa written by Isak Dinesen (the pseudonym of Danish author Karen Blixen).
The film was shot on location at Ngong Hills.
Tomb Raider
Some parts of this Angelina Jolie led film was shot on location in the beautiful Hell’s Gate National Park in Kenya.