'Tafiti: Across the Desert' Review: That'll Do, Pig and Meerkat, That'll Do
In 2013, German author Julia Boehme and illustrator Julia Ginsbach published a children’s book about a meerkat named Tafiti. As of January 2026, the Tafiti series boasts a total of 23 books depicting the titular character’s varied adventures. Boehme also collaborated with Nicholas Hause to write the screenplay for a film adaptation which was directed by Nina Wels and released in September of last year.
Tafiti - Across the Desert begins on the African savannah. The young meerkat Tafiti (voiced by Cosima Henman) lives underground with his siblings and grandparents. He is constantly warned by his cautious Grandpapa (Mark Rossmann) to only associate with his own kind, to never trust other creatures, and to beware predators at every opportunity. However, Tafiti can’t help but intervene when a young bushpig named Bristles (Steve Hudson) is attacked and nearly carried off by an eagle (Jeremiah Costelo). Because of this, the lonely Bristles tries to befriend Tafiti and his family. Despite his well-meaning nature, the bumbling bushpig rouses the attention of a cobra, who ends up biting Grandpapa. Things look dire for the old meerkat, but when Tafiti learns of a blue flower that might save Grandpapa’s life, he’s determined to find it. Eager to redeem himself, Bristles tags along (much to Tafiti’s chagrin).
The pair of them embark on a long journey through the desert; they face heat, thirst, hunger, sandstorms, jackals, and the ever-watching eagle, who’s determined to make a meal of the youths when the desert overwhelms them. Not all is grim news, however; they find unwitting assistance from a selfish mouse named MKonga (Mike McAlpine), a kindly elephant (Kathleen Renish) and a dancing lizard (Ellen Wagner). Most of the English voice cast also lend their talents to other characters, such as the aforementioned jackal pack, a gang of desert beetles, and a family of pelicans. As they travel, Tafiti wavers between his promise to follow Grandpapa’s strict instructions, and his dependance on others’ help. In the vein of Sid from Ice Age or Donkey from Shrek, Bristles is a very dumb and obnoxious character who serves mostly to provide easy comedy and exasperated eye rolls from Tafiti. But as the journey unfolds, Bristles proves to be a very loyal companion, and far more useful than even he might have predicted. And Tafiti, in turn, must learn that he needs Bristles just as much as Bristles needs him.
In case you haven’t figured this out yet, Tafiti - Across the Desert is unabashedly a movie for young children. Even with the end credits, the film barely surpasses 80 minutes. It aims to tell a simple tale which kids can follow without any trouble; its messages are emphasized to ensure they come across, and silly jokes abound which will doubtless make them laugh. One might be reminded of the direct-to-DVD The Land Before Time sequels of a previous generation. Then again, that sells this movie a little short, at least in terms of aesthetics. The animation by Timo Berg makes for a genuinely good-looking film, and the music by Carsten Rocker is effective at setting each scene.
As for the story, it’s sadly rather simple and predictable, even for a kids’ movie. Then again, it is also inoffensive and sincere. The messages it espouses are good ones, especially in such times as these, where empathy and kindness are too often overtaken by suspicion and hatred. Tafiti - Across the Desert tells a simple story about overcoming obstacles, being generous in the face of adversity, and seeing the value of friendship versus isolation. And really, can we honestly say that we live in a world where those lessons are unnecessary for the next generation to learn?