The film was shot on the MGM backlot using footage from King Solomon's Mines (1950).

[3] Producer Al Zimbalist had previously made another film for MGM using this method, Watusi (1959).

[8] The Daily News called it "a lukewarm cup of African drum beating drama.

"[9] Academic Kenneth Cameron wrote there was "the kernel of a very good film in Drums of Africa — something about love, rather than romance or boy-meets-girl.

"[10] Filmink called it "a silly movie" in which Frankie Avalon was "uneasily cast – it’s not his fault, he tries his guts out, he simply looks odd in 19th century Africa with a rifle and his character has no purpose in the story other than to ask questions.