In 2008 I contributed my own guide for the first-timer:
Safari Dreams—A Practical Guide To Your Hunt in Africa
Buy Safari Dreams: A Practical Guide To Your Hunt In Africa.: Read Kindle Store Reviews - Amazon.com
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Craig Boddington kindly had this to say about it:
Your book is actually quite good. . . . Best regards, and a much belated thank you for the book. You did a good job.
— Craig Boddington, renowned hunter and conservationist
Several of my readers used
Safari Dreams to make their first successful African hunts, and posted nice Amazon reviews. Glad to learn that my book was helpful!
My experience there so far is: 3 countries, 5 safaris (one a 2x1) amongst 130 days in the field, 6 rifles/5 calibers, and 52 animals collected (a third of which were stalked to within 50yds, including 41" Cape Buffalo). I'm not tremendously experienced there, but being more near to the newbie made their issues and questions more relatable. I have read a lot of hunting and adventure books, and the ones mentioned here are truly special. Fred Everett's books stand out because they feel honest and raw. The story about the neighbor boy and the 22 rifle is one of those moments that sticks with you. It is not about the kill. It is about the connection and the lesson. Months of The Sun by Ian Nyshens is another level. The witch scene is intense, but what stayed with me was the sense of place. I could feel the heat and hear the river. Last Ivory Hunter is also a classic. Wally's story of floating his disassembled jeep across a flooded river in a dugout canoe is hard to believe, but that is what makes it unforgettable. These writers lived what they wrote. That is what sets them apart from modern adventure authors who rely on secondhand stories. I also found myself thinking about the tools of the trade. I was reading a blog about classic equipment and came across
https://mfax.to/blog/thermal-fax-machine, which made me realize how much technology has changed. Even the way we document adventures has evolved. If you enjoy these books, you might also like Wilbur Smith's older works. They have a similar feel for Africa. And if you can find a copy of Karamojo Bell, do not pass it up. It is worth the search. Keep reading, and keep the stories alive.
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