Best Africa Books

The only thing better than being in Africa is reading a really good book about Africa.  I just read one that I just have to share with you.  I picked it up in Johannesburg airport so I'm not sure it's in Australia yet.  It's called "The Elephant Whisperer" and it made me want to go and buy a game farm!  This man's amazing relationship with a small herd of abused elephants that have seen more harm than good at the hands of humans is really something else.  But what I really loved about it is that it makes you feel like you are there running the game reserve with him, trying to teach this amazing herd of elephants that we humans aren't all bad.  There are some real highs, some really sad bits and even a little humour.  All in all, it made me want to go and visit his game reserve, Thula Thula, in Zululand, South Africa!

Now that I'm on about books, I was asked recently to give some tips on good reads on Africa.  So here's my current Top Ten (obviously excluding Dry Water and Elephant Dance!) and not in any particular order.

The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay (this book changed my life as a teenager)

Silent Footsteps - Sally Henderson (and then there's her latest book Ivory Moon, also a brilliant escape)

Anything by Tony Park - Safari is a good one!

Twenty Chickens for a Saddle - Robyn Scott (really enjoyable, set in Botswana)

Anything by Wilbur Smith - probably my favourite was 'A Time To Die' set in Zimbabwe and Mozambique

The Elephant Whisperer - Lawrence Anthony (loved it)

The Fate of the Elephant - Douglas Chadwick

In the Shadow of Man - Jane Goodall (she's written some other great books on her primate work too)

Among the Elephants - Iain Douglas-Hamilton (set in the 60s, one of the all time 'greats')

Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela

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