Bush books
There has never been a better time to pick up a good book and simply get lost in the stories that leap off the pages. Whether you like to read or listen to stories and tales from far away lands, we’ve got something for you here I’m sure. Of course when the time starts passing and travel to Africa imminent once more, you can look at the myriad of travel guides and companions.
In the meantime, here are some of our favourite Africa-based books fiction and non-fiction. This is just a sample, of course, because there are truly hundreds or even thousands to choose from.
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Whatever you do don’t run
by Peter Allison
This is a damn good read.
It’s heart-warming, off-the-wall and very entertaining because it is based on the adventure of Pete as a young safari guide living in Botswana’s wilderness. It’s full of strange but true stories of the people and animals he got to meet (whether he liked it or not).
It’s certainly going to bring tears to your eyes with laughter not least when you realise Pete is far from the typical guide, can’t repair a vehicle to save himself and is really rather un-coordinated. We can say that because we are blessed to know Pete personally and professionally. We love you Pete and your book.
If you enjoy this read, his other book of note is of South American adventures involving him roped to a puma…
It’s titled “How to Walk a Puma: And other things learned while stumbling through South America.”
We can also reveal that Pete has picked up a pen once again thanks to the pandemic and COVID-19 lockdown, so we may just see another book launch on the horizon.
Out of Africa
by Karen Blixen
This book is truly wonderful.
Danish by birth, Karen finds herself in Kenya from 1914 and as a reader, you’re immediately drawn into the story and yesteryear with the romance of adventure, exploration and nature vividly and beautifully depicted.
It portrays what we love about travelling in Africa and that’s the untamed wilderness and its wildlife.
Out of Africa is the story of this remarkable and unconventional woman, and a way of life that has vanished forever. Her happiest years in life were lived on a Kenyan farm and her experiences and friendships with the people around her are vividly recalled in these memoirs.
“A compelling story of passion and a movingly poetic tribute to a lost land”. The Times
The Elephant Whisperer
by Lawrence Anthony
Lawrence Anthony is a conservationist in South Africa and was asked to accept a herd of rogue elephants in a bid to save them from being culled. They are relocated to a private game reserve in South Africa called Thula Thula. There is great danger in accepting such a request because rogue elephants are totally unpredictable and dangerous and these particular creatures were apparently great escape artists too!
It’s not all roses because the matriarch and her baby were sadly shot when they escaped even before being relocated. The rest of the herd arrived extremely angry and it takes a long time for the traumatised elephants to learn to trust their new environment and Lawrence. What eventuates is a heartwarming story that connects you as the reader with the beauty of these enormous land mammals. Lawrence forms a bond so strong that it transforms the way you comprehend animal intelligence and certainly emotion. Lawrence learned a great deal about life, loyalty and freedom.
Take a look at a short documentary about Lawrence.
Lawrence wrote a subsequent novel called “The Last Rhinos” and it’s also worth reading.