Best Books to Prepare for Your African Safari
Your African safari is quickly approaching. You’ve spent weeks planning your packing list, comparing camera gear online, and mapping out tracking techniques to maximize your chances of encountering all the amazing wildlife you want to see. How else can you prepare for what is bound to be one of the most exciting adventures of your life? How about the old fashioned way – by getting off Google, and reading a book!
There are so many classic travelogues and remarkable stories that have been written about Africa, it’s hard to narrow them all down. But following is a list of our favorites, including everything from hilarious first-person safari tales, to thoughtful explorations of the human impact on Africa’s delicate ecosystems and wildlife communities. The best travelers are those who take the time to learn, and who journey with an open mind: it is our belief that these books will help get you started on your path to adventure and awareness.
Cry of the Kalahari by Mark James Owens and Cordelia Dykes Owens: Delve into the passions and professional escapades of two young, idealistic zoologists, whose world revolves around their love for Africa’s wildlife—and for each other! Their personal account of intimacy amidst adventure spans seven years living and working in the Kalahari Desert in the 1970s, documenting and protecting Africa’s greatest species, often while facing down natural dangers like drought, storms and bush fires. This classic best seller offers unique insights into the sophisticated social hierarchies of animals and humans, and is a must read for romantics and animal lovers alike.
The Last Rhinos by Lawrence Anthony and Graham Spence: This e-book chronicles the journey of one man—through war, political instability and other remarkably difficult circumstances—to help save one of the world’s greatest species from extinction. When poachers started targeting the northern white rhino for their commercially coveted horns, Anthony saw no choice but to venture deep into the jungles of the war torn Congo to deal with the situation head on. With little help from the government, Anthony develops an even deeper respect and appreciation for the value of all life—animal, human and beyond.
Whatever You Do, Don’t Run by Peter Allison: Cautionary travel tales with a comedic twist, this highly entertaining collection of essays comes from an uber-experienced Botswana safari guide who has seen and done it all. Thirteen years of tracking big game in the bush, surviving face-to-face encounters with pythons and learning the intricacies of “monkey language” straight from the source has led to this compilation of anecdotes that are both hilarious and informative, as well as a wildly enjoyable read.
Across the Ravaged Land by Nick Brandt: Brandt’s third installment of photographs takes us through the dark world of dwindling animal populations in East Africa, and offers a realistic window into the current precarious state of much Africa’s wildlife. His incredibly raw images are both touching and tragic, exposing the predatory side of human progress, and the damage our behaviors have wrought on some of the world's greatest species. His work will add a dose of perspective to your African safari and—it is hoped—a greater depth of appreciation for the especially delicate lives of the creatures you will encounter.
Around Africa On My Bicycle by Riaan Manser: It took Manser a little more than two years to ride his bike around the entire continent of Africa, starting and ending in Cape Town. Wanting to highlight the awesome beauty and diversity of his beloved birth land, Manser rode across 34 countries through tremendous highs and lows—from navigating extreme conditions in the Sahara, to facing arrest and resorting to eating a rat. His story is far more than a simple travelogue: not just the tale of a man adventuring through Africa, but also the story of Africa itself, its glorious natural history, and the remarkable people who have shaped it.
Soul of a Lion: Biography of Marieta van der Merwe, by Barbara Bennett: This biographical e-book tells the story of the Harnas Wildlife Foundation in Namibia, and its inspiring founder, Mariete van der Merwe. Raised in a wealthy ranching family, van der Merwe converted a portion of her family's land to care for animals that are disabled or had been mistreated in captivity. Her charges include a one-eyed lioness, a baboon with epilepsy, and a lion mistakenly injected with the AIDs virus, and her story is filled with grit, humor and an undeniable call to action. You will be moved by the love and dedication she brings to her mission, and amazed by the remarkable resilience of the animals under her care.
