At Wild Again, we believe that travel is more meaningful when it's informed by stories - stories that capture the soul of a place, its people, wildlife, and history. Our team has put together a carefully curated list of our favourite books about Africa to inspire and educate you before your journey.

From moving memoirs and exciting wildlife tales to powerful fiction and eye-opening histories, these books offer a deeper connection to the continent we love to explore. Whether you're dreaming of wide-open savannahs, curious about conservation, or eager to understand the rich cultural and political landscapes of Africa, there’s something here for every reader.

Happy reading - and see you in the bush!

🐘 Memoirs & Personal Stories

An African Love Story - Daphne Sheldrick

A powerful memoir by the pioneering wildlife conservationist Dame Daphne Sheldrick, recounting her extraordinary life among Kenya’s wild animals, her love story with David Sheldrick, and her journey building the famous elephant orphanage.

Born a Crime - Trevor Noah

A coming-of-age memoir by South African comedian Trevor Noah, filled with humour and insight into life under apartheid and his struggles navigating identity as a mixed-race child in a racially divided country.

Long Walk to Freedom - Nelson Mandela

The iconic autobiography of South Africa’s former president, detailing his childhood, years in prison, and eventual role in dismantling apartheid and building a democratic nation.

Don’t Let’s Go to the Dogs Tonight - Alexandra Fuller

A raw, evocative memoir of growing up as a white child in war-torn Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), marked by family tragedy, colonial tension, and a fierce, wild landscape.

Cocktail Hour Under the Tree of Forgetfulness - Alexandra Fuller

A companion memoir to Dogs Tonight, focusing more on Fuller’s enigmatic mother and offering insight into post-colonial Africa and family eccentricities.

Mukiwa: A White Boy in Africa - Peter Godwin

A compelling account of Godwin’s youth in Rhodesia during the civil war, and his journey from a privileged white upbringing to becoming a journalist uncovering political violence in Zimbabwe.

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🌍 Conservation & Nature Writing

Memoirs of a Game Ranger - Harry Wolhuter

The gripping tales of one of Kruger National Park’s first game rangers, including his famous survival story of killing a lion with a knife.

A Game Ranger Remembers - Bruce Bryden

An entertaining collection of real-life ranger stories from 30 years of experience in Kruger Park, filled with drama, humour, and insight into animal behaviour.

Cry of the Kalahari - Mark & Delia Owens

An unforgettable story of two young American zoologists who spent seven years living in the Kalahari Desert, studying wildlife in near-isolation.

The Elephant Whisperer - Lawrence Anthony

The emotional story of a conservationist who accepted a herd of "rogue" elephants onto his reserve, forging a deep bond with them while navigating the challenges of conservation in South Africa.

Elephantoms - Lyall Watson

A reflective and mystical journey into the psyche of elephants, blending personal experience, natural science, and spiritual insight.

How to Change a Leopard's Spots - Alex van den Heever

A remarkable story of self-transformation, wilderness immersion, and resilience, by one of the creators of the Tracker Academy in South Africa.

Rewilding Africa - Grant Fowlds & Graham Spence

A gripping account of the behind-the-scenes challenges and triumphs of conservation efforts across southern Africa, written by active environmentalists.

Shaping Kruger - Mitch Reardon

A deep dive into the conservation strategies that have shaped Kruger National Park over the decades, from animal management to fire and water policy.

101 Kruger Tales - Jeff Gordon

A delightful collection of short, true safari stories from Kruger Park visitors and rangers - amusing, astonishing, and often moving.

All Things Wild & Wonderful (Adult & Kids) - Kobie Krüger

Memoirs of life in Kruger National Park, blending humor and heartwarming stories, both for adults and adapted versions for younger readers.

Mahlangeni (Adult & Kids) - Kobie Krüger

An intimate look at life in a remote ranger outpost in Kruger, told from a family perspective, including vivid wildlife encounters and local life.

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📚 Fiction Inspired by Africa

The Power of One - Bryce Courtenay

A gripping coming-of-age story set in apartheid-era South Africa, following a young English boy who dreams of becoming a boxing champion while navigating a racially divided society.

Jock of the Bushveld - Percy Fitzpatrick

A South African classic based on the author’s real-life adventures with his dog Jock in the wilds of the Lowveld in the 1880s. A story of loyalty, adventure, and the African bush.

No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency - Alexander McCall Smith

A gentle, charming mystery series set in Botswana, featuring the intuitive and beloved detective Precious Ramotswe solving crimes while celebrating everyday African life.

The Covenant - James A. Michener

An epic historical novel that traces the story of South Africa through multiple generations, blending fictional characters with real historical events and cultures.

Tony Park (Author in General)

Tony Park writes action-packed fiction set in the African bush, weaving in themes of conservation, politics, and adventure. Great for lovers of fast-paced, safari-themed thrillers.

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⚙️ Educational & Historical

The Soul of the White Ant - Eugène Marais

A pioneering work of natural science and poetic observation, exploring the complex social behavior of termites and the author’s belief in group intelligence.

The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind - William Kamkwamba & Bryan Mealer

The inspirational true story of a Malawian boy who builds a windmill from scrap to bring electricity to his village, highlighting resilience and innovation.

Whatever You Do, Don’t Run - Peter Allison

Hilarious and jaw-dropping tales from a professional safari guide in Botswana, filled with animal encounters, tourist mishaps, and the realities of life in the bush.

Out of Africa - Karen Blixen (Isak Dinesen)

A lyrical memoir of life on a coffee plantation in colonial Kenya, capturing the romance and hardship of Africa from a European settler’s perspective.

The Scramble for Africa - Thomas Pakenham

A detailed and critical account of the late 19th-century colonisation of Africa by European powers. Essential for understanding the roots of modern African geopolitics — but very dense reading.