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Chasseur
.375 member

Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!

Best Books on African Safaris?
#8688 - 11/02/04 07:45 AM

Just curious,

What are the two or three best books to read before planing an African trip??

I've read Taylor's "African Rifles," Boddintong's "Safari Rifles," and Woods' "Rifles for Africa," what else do you "old African hands" recomend?

Thanks!

--------------------
In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli

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Dark_Helmet
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Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 399
Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Chasseur]
#8699 - 11/02/04 09:07 AM

Rourk, Foa, Capstick, Roosevelt.

Then, there are a few guys on here and at AR that have compiled astounding "how-to" guidelines for first-timers.

I'll get you some names/emails here... post your email and I can send you a stack of stuff that I've been using to plan our trip...

--------------------
_________________________________________________________________
When someone says a rifle is "ugly," what they really mean is "push feed."

-me

(long live the Mauser 98!)

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Dark_Helmet
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Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 399
Loc: Lincoln, Nebraska, USA

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Dark_Helmet]
#8701 - 11/02/04 09:21 AM

also... get a copy of "the perfect shot" someone else here will have to tell you where to buy it... I can never remember and don't have the money right now anyway!

--------------------
_________________________________________________________________
When someone says a rifle is "ugly," what they really mean is "push feed."

-me

(long live the Mauser 98!)

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NitroX
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Reged: 25/12/02
Posts: 39877
Loc: Barossa Valley, South Australi...

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Chasseur]
#8704 - 11/02/04 09:36 AM

If you know what area you will be hunting I would also read historical books from the area.

eg if in Mozambique Harry Manners "Kambaku", if in Zimbabwe maybe Selous plus a dozen others.

To get the feel and when there think "Wow that is the river the early ivory hunters forded by ox wagon, or whatever.Also when zipping along a highway, or bouncing from pothole to pothole, you can think back to how it must have been when it was all bush and one may not have known what was over the horizon.

What area of Africa will you be hunting?

If not known yet, well then from anywhere will do and increase the anticipation.

***

The first two books you mention sound like good starts. The Perfect Shot or African-Hunters shot placement guide are also useful (Ihaven't used Perfect Shot).

James Mellon, "African Hunter" is also worthwhile reading.

I like also to buy books like "Africa on a Shoestring" or similar travel guides. "Africa on a Shoestring" was an original budget guide but there probably is twenty others now. If you are looking for a restaurant in Nairobi or Harare they have listings. Some of them will list the lentil soup ones catering for the bunny huggers who don't eat meat, but often still list the good restaurants such as the Carnivore of Nairobi worth visiting. Also how to get to them. Plus historical places to visit.

Plus obviously some fictional novels of the region, Wilbur Smith, Bartle Bull, Capstick

--------------------
John aka NitroX

...
Govt get out of our lives NOW!
"I love the smell of cordite in the morning."
"A Sharp spear needs no polish"

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mikeh416Rigby
.450 member

Reged: 24/02/03
Posts: 6051
Loc: The beautiful Oley Valley, PA....

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Chasseur]
#8720 - 11/02/04 10:32 AM

First on my list would by Capstick's "Safari-The Last Adventure".

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ThomasEdwards
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Reged: 04/01/04
Posts: 246
Loc: Newport Beach, CA

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Chasseur]
#8738 - 11/02/04 12:49 PM

...boddington's 'african experience' (safari press) is good from a planning perspective...

...there are two versions of 'perfect shot' (both by safari press)...the african game version by robertson (in full and pocket-version size) and the american game version by boddington...

...for a historical perspective on safari during the age of empire (the penultimate one version of empire, i suppose), see d.w. 'karamojo' bell, john 'pondoro' taylor and courteney selous...

...these books may be purchased directly from safari press, or through net retailers such as amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com...

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DPhillips
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Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Chasseur]
#8740 - 11/02/04 12:57 PM

Well, I'm no old hand at Africa, never been actually. But am planning my first trip. The one book that I have found tons of info in is James Mellon's African Hunter. It's a huge book with hunting details of nearly every country. It was written back in the 70's or 80's, so some areas have probably changed.

There's great where-to, how-to, and why-to info in it.

I also thoroughly enjoyed Terry Wieland's Spiral Horn Dreams and Boddington's Search for the Spiral Horn.

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Chasseur
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Reged: 18/11/03
Posts: 771
Loc: Hunting classic Indian game!

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: DPhillips]
#8910 - 13/02/04 08:23 AM

Hi,

Thanks for the suggestions.

Actually maybe I should be more specific. I've been reading "stuff" about Africa for a long time -- Hemingway, Ruark, Capstick (

), Paterson, Roosevelt, Haggardy, etc. -- what I am more interested in practical books on safaris: where to hunt, hidden fees, how to decide on outfitters etc.

Is Boodington's "African Experience" good? I've also heard good things about his new version of the aforementioned "African Hunter II" by Mellon. I've heard not so good things about that book by Safari Press, "Guide to Safaris."

Thanks!

--------------------
In regards to action he should devote himself to hunting...
-Machiavelli

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DPhillips
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Reged: 09/10/03
Posts: 819
Loc: Alaska

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: Chasseur]
#8911 - 13/02/04 08:26 AM

I bought Guide to Safaris, and there's nothing in it that you won't find here or in any book that helps with "how to go". 'African Hunter' is just outstanding. I've haven't read the updated version. Kinda neat to read about "Rhodesia" instead of Zimbabwe and Zambia.

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475Guy
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Reged: 22/08/03
Posts: 1088
Loc: Kali, US

Re: Best Books on African Safaris? [Re: DPhillips]
#8928 - 13/02/04 09:55 AM

If you can still find Elmer Keith's stuff, he writes up his Safari's pretty nicely. All the books named above are usually almost required reading anyways.

--------------------
Lo do they call to me,
They bid me take my place among
them in the Halls of Valhalla,
Where the brave may live forever.

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