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Introduction
For each vacation booked through SafariTracks.com you will be given the option to buy a recommended pack of useful books, maps and guides - many written by SafariTracks.com’s partners, which are not available outside Africa. A good introductory book is the Insight Guide, African Safaris, produced by Discovery Travel Adventures, ISBN 1-56331-935-7. Full of destinations, Parks and other useful information for safari planning. A comprehensive book list is provided by SafariTracks partner Digital Safaris. Every so often a book is published which encapsulates a subject or an experience. Well the safari stories told by legendary safari guide, Mark Ross, is such a book. He has guided across Africa and his stories are wonderfully compelling, his close encounters with animals and unfortunately with people too. But it is a MUST BUY - available from Hyperion Press, entitled "Dangerous Beauty, Life and Death in Africa: True Stories from a Safari Guide. ISBN0-7868-6672-1.
Unknown to many people there is a Safari Museum, the only one of it’s kind in the World and it is situated in the U.S. The Africa House, Christina Lamb, ISBN 0-670-87727-1 The true story of Stewart Gore-Brown, a British Army Officer and his African Dream (recently made into a film). Charts his life in Africa and the building of his dream house and estate in Zambia from the turn of the century to his death in 1967. King Leopold’s Ghost, Adam Hochschild, ISBN 0-332-66126-5 The true and at times harrowing story of King Leopold of the Belgian’s Colony in Africa. Safari, Bartle Bull, ISBN 0-14-016885-0 The best and most readable classic history of the safari in Africa. Highly recommended. The Scramble for Africa, Thomas Pakenham, ISBN 0-297-81130-4 Another classic history of Africa, which concentrates on the Colonial period. Highly recommended. White Hunters, Brian Herne, ISBN 0-8050-5919-9 Written by an ex. hunter, this book traces the development of the African safari. Some wonderful stories. Highly recommended. The Kenya Pioneers, Errol Trzebinski, ISBN 0-434-79502-X If you are going to Kenya then this is a must as it follows the evolution of the Colony.
King Soloman’s Mines, Rider Haggard, ISBN 0-19-282204-7 This book did so much to focus the 19th century mind on Africa. Written in the style of the time, much of the language is now deemed politically incorrect, this aside it is and remains the classic African yarn. Highly recommended. Jock of the Bushveld, Percy Fitzpatrick, ISBN 0-86852-177-9 Another classic, which traces the adventures of Jock, a dog and his master on their various African safaris. Great story. Highly recommended. My Pride & Joy, George Adamson, ISBN 0-00-637195-7 Written by one of Africa’s giants, immortalized on film in Born Free and more recently A Walk With Lions. This is his, often tragic story. Highly recommended. Other titles to consider are:
Photographing the Natural World, Heather Angel, ISBN 1-85585-185-7 A general and how to practical guide. New Complete Guide to Wildlife Photography, McDonald, ISBN 0-8174-5009-2 Practical guide, supported by video. If you buy one guide then this is it. The McDonald’s are accomplished wildlife photographers and lead photographic safaris to Africa on a regular basis.
There are many, the selection here are recommended as being of the most general use. Wild Ways, Apps, ISBN 1-86812-373-1 General animal behavior guide, although concentrates on South African animals. The Safari Companion, Guide to African Mammals, Estes, ISBN 0-930031-49-0 If you take one then this has everything from line drawing identifiers to diet to behavior. Highly recommended. Signs of the Wild, Clive Walker, ISBN 1-86825-896-3 Although concentrating on Southern African Mammals, many species in East Africa are covered here. Great book for identifying tracks outside your tent/lodge room. Also doubles up as a general guide.
Many of these books are dry or full of meaningless technical data for the layman. These titles are selected as they give a good overview or easy to follow story. The Myth of Wild Africa, Adams & McShane, ISBN 0-520-20671-1 Interesting book, which aims to be controversial in exploding some of the myths surrounding conservation in Africa. Read on your return from your safari. The Serengeti Shall not Die, Grzimek, ISBN 0-00-211764-9 Written by the father of the famous father and son team, who did so much to bring the plight of the Serengeti to the world’s attention. If you are visiting this part of the world it is a must. Into Africa, Craig Packer, ISBN 0-226-64430-8 An entertaining book from this lion researcher. You can also visit his site at LionResearch.org, which identifies and tells the history of lion prides in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Conservation area. Surprise your guide!
There are a huge number of these around, covering individual species, locations and environments. The selection below are highly recommended. Although expensive, what brings back your safari more on a cold winter’s evening than browsing through marvelous photographs. Serengeti, Iwago, ISBN 0-87701-441-8 Great photographic reference work for the Serengeti, remains a classic. Eye to Eye, Frans Lanting, ISBN 3-8228-7745-X Animals in close up. Any photographic book from this man is worth buying. You can also visit his site. Okavango, Africa’s Last Eden, Frans Lanting, ISBN 0-8118-1182-4 All shot in Botswana’s magical Okavango Delta. If you are going here then it is a must. The Great Migration, Carlo Mari and Harvey Croze, ISBN 1-86046-678-8 Stunning black and white photographs of the annual migration of wildebeest and zebras in the Serengeti and Mara Reserves. Etosha, Daryl and Sharna Balfour, ISBN 1-85368-160-1 Great pictures, supported by informative text on Namibia’s premier Game Park.
Travel Africa Magazine This is the only publication that brings the safari reader regular information on safari destinations, history, conservation, parks, wildlife and culture in Africa. Subscribe online at TravelAfricaMag.com. Other recommended magazines about Africa are Africa Environment and Wildlife. and for those specifically interested in birds Africa Birds & Birding. |
Introduction
Safari Lore