Tarzan is a young white man raised by the Mangani apes in the African jungle after his aristocratic English parents die. Growing up among apes, he develops exceptional physical strength and agility while teaching himself to read from books left in his parents' cabin. He balances a complex existence between his inherent human intellect and his animal upbringing.

Jane is a 19-year-old American woman from Baltimore traveling with her father on a treasure-hunting expedition. She possesses a pragmatic, fearless demeanor that contrasts with the extreme dangers of the African jungle. Despite her formal upbringing and the strict social expectations placed upon her, she displays remarkable resilience during emergencies.

William is an English aristocrat who inherits the title of Lord Greystroke following the disappearance of his uncle. He represents the refined, polite society of England, acting as a courteous and protective companion to Jane Porter. While virtuous and brave, he lacks the raw physical survival instincts required to survive in the perilous wilderness.

Professor Porter is an eccentric, absent-minded academic who initiates an expedition to find a buried Spanish treasure. He remains entirely consumed by intellectual pursuits and scholarly debates, rendering him comically oblivious to the physical threats of the jungle. He struggles to manage practical matters, leaving his daughter to shoulder many of their burdens.

John Clayton, Viscount of Greystroke, is an English nobleman sent to Africa to investigate illegal military recruiting. Marooned on the coast by mutineers, he attempts to build a secure shelter for his family using his intellect and courage, though he struggles against the overwhelming forces of the wild.

Lady Alice is John Clayton's wife, a gentle English noblewoman thrust into a terrifying survival situation. After experiencing a brutal animal attack outside their constructed cabin, she suffers severe psychological trauma and loses touch with reality shortly before giving birth.

Kala is a large, powerful anthropoid ape belonging to the Mangani group. Following the tragic death of her own infant, her maternal instincts drive her to adopt a human baby left vulnerable in a nearby cabin. She raises the child with fierce devotion, defending him from the hostile members of her group.

Tublat is Kala's mate and an aggressive male ape within the Mangani group. He harbors an intense resentment toward the hairless, physically weaker human child his mate insists on raising, frequently tormenting the boy as he grows.

Kerchak is the massive, brutal leader of the anthropoid ape group. He rules through fear, strength, and unpredictable aggression, posing a constant, lethal threat to the humans in the jungle and to any apes who displease him.

Terkoz is the son of Tublat and a brutal younger ape within the Mangani group. He inherits his father's cruel disposition and seeks to violently exert dominance over others when his authority is challenged.

Mr. Philander is Professor Porter's secretary and loyal companion. Like the professor, he is thoroughly unequipped for jungle survival, often finding himself caught in perilous situations while attempting to humor Porter's endless scholarly discussions.

Esmerelda is Jane's loyal servant and former childhood caretaker from Maryland. She is deeply terrified of the jungle environment, frequently fainting or panicking when confronted by the wildlife.

Lieutenant D'Arnot is a brave French naval officer who joins an expedition to search the jungle for missing members of the marooned party. He forms a critical connection with the jungle's mysteries during his time in the wilderness.

Black Michael is a mutinous sailor who takes command of the Fuwalda. Although ruthless, he repays a debt to John Clayton by marooning him and his wife rather than executing them with the ship's officers.

Mbonga is the leader of an African community that relocates to the forest. His people practice distinct cultural traditions and hunting techniques, coming into direct, tense conflict with the area's existing inhabitants.

Kulonga is Mbonga's son and a skilled archer who hunts game in the forest. His hunting activities trigger a violent chain of events when he encounters the local Mangani apes.

Robert Canler is a wealthy American businessman who holds considerable financial leverage over Professor Porter. He uses this debt to pressure the Porter family into securing a marriage arrangement.