Katie is a 30-year-old Hollywood actress known for her wholesome public image. She grew up in Manhattan with abusive parents involved in the theater scene and moved to Los Angeles to build an independent life. She uses her substantial wealth to bring her friends and family on an African safari to celebrate her recent marriage.

Billy is Katie's older brother and a psychotherapist practicing in Los Angeles. He suffers from claustrophobia and a fear of flying stemming from extreme punishments inflicted by his mother during his childhood. He maintains a pleasant demeanor and enjoys a supportive relationship with his famous sister.

David is Katie's new husband and an art gallery owner operating in Los Angeles. He grew up in the same Manhattan apartment building as the Stepanovs and reconnects with Katie as an adult. He relies on Katie's wealth since his gallery operates at a loss, creating friction and insecurity in his daily life.

Carmen is a hardworking supporting actress and a close friend of Katie. She prides herself on her grit and professionalism in the film industry, taking her career seriously. Her marriage suffers due to her husband's constant need for validation, which tests her patience when violence erupts on their trip.

Terrance is a Black American actor and Katie's recent costar. He is outspoken about the civil rights movement and acutely aware of the racial dynamics at play in both Hollywood and postcolonial Africa. He views the safari through a critical lens, recognizing the lingering imperialist attitudes of the white guides.

Charlie is the outfitter hired to lead Katie's honeymoon trip. He represents the old guard of colonial Africa, transitioning reluctantly from leading hunting expeditions to managing photographic tours. He carries himself with a rugged bravado that sometimes masks his insecurities about his changing profession.

Benjamin is a Tanzanian porter working on the safari. He comes from a family familiar with the colonial economic system and understands that his livelihood depends entirely on wealthy white tourists. He possesses a strong sense of independence and closely monitors the political shifts happening across the continent.

Reggie is Katie's publicist and a veteran who fought in Okinawa during World War II. He acts as a surrogate father figure to Katie and brings a grounded, realistic perspective to the Hollywood group. His military background makes him one of the few safari guests mentally prepared to handle sudden violence.

Margie is Billy's pregnant second wife. She is a quiet, observant woman who enjoys the safari experience until the kidnapping shatters their safety. She attempts to remain calm and compliant to protect her unborn child during the ordeal.

Felix is Carmen's husband and a man desperate to elevate his status in Hollywood. He only agreed to the safari to network with Katie's influential friends. He frequently name-drops his famous director father to mask his own professional failures and deep-seated insecurities.

Peter is Katie's Hollywood agent. He views the safari through a lens of masculine posturing and plans to stay an extra week to go big-game hunting with Charlie. He holds a cynical view of David's financial dependence on Katie.

Juma is the older, experienced chief guide for the safari. He possesses a deep knowledge of the local wildlife and terrain, sharing stories and facts that enrich the group's journey before the attack interrupts their trip.

Viktor Procenko is a Russian colonel with a history of military operations in Africa. A journalist familiar with the region recalls a story about him hunting in the Serengeti. He holds political ties to the Simba rebellion taking place in the nearby Congo.

Nina is a Russian painter who defected to the United States. She crosses paths with the Hollywood group when David Hill begins showcasing and selling her artwork. She remains a presence in the Los Angeles art scene.

Muema is a porter and second guide working for Charlie Patton's outfitting company. He provides practical advice to his younger colleague Benjamin when they face danger in the bush.

Glenda is the mother of Katie and Billy. A fixture of the New York theater scene, she struggles with alcohol use and exerts tyrannical control over her children, inflicting lasting psychological damage on them both.

Roman was a New York theater professional. He enabled his wife's erratic behavior and rarely intervened when she mistreated their children, offering little warmth or protection to his son and daughter.

Rex is an Oscar-winning Hollywood director and Felix's father. His massive success casts a long shadow over his son, creating an impossible standard that Felix constantly attempts to leverage for his own gain.

Luke was a fellow World War II veteran and Reggie's former romantic partner. Living in an era of intense social stigma, the two men had to keep their relationship completely hidden from the public eye.

Judy is an actress who moved to Kenya, married a British man, and farms a coffee plantation. She assures the Hollywood group that their travel plans are safe from the political unrest affecting other African nations.

Marc is Billy's four-year-old son from his first marriage to Amelia. Billy thinks of him fondly when trying to calm his own anxieties.