My 10 Favorite African Hunting Books

[hwr239]

Like many hunters, I’m a collector of books. My library leans heavily toward titles about hunting in Africa, featuring classics from writers such as Frederick Courteney Selous, W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell, and John Taylor, as well as more recent publications from authors like Robert Ruark, J.A. Hunter, John Burger, and John Kingsley-Heath. I also own several books from Trophy Room Books, Amwell Press, and Safari Press, which include the writings of Robin Hurt, Hugo Seia, Bunny Allen, and others.
The following is a list of my favorite books on hunting in Africa:

• Hunting the Dangerous Game of Africa by John Kingsley-Heath
• Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway
• Hunter by J.A. Hunter
• Kambaku! by Harry Manners
• African Safari by Major G.H. “Andy” Anderson
• The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter by W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell
• Horn of the Hunter by Robert Ruark
• White Hunters by Brian Herne
• Adventures of an Elephant Hunter by James Sutherland
• African Hunter by Bror Blixen

While this list isn’t ranked by preference, Hunting the Dangerous Game of Africa is my favorite African hunting book. If you haven’t had the chance to read it, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's a comprehensive and detailed account of John Kingsley-Heath's experiences hunting big game, including elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros during what I consider the Golden Era of Safari Hunting—from 1947 to 1977. Kingsley-Heath began his career as a game warden before transitioning into a professional hunting guide. He became one of the most sought-after safari guides in East Africa, operating across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, and Sudan. Known for his ethical hunting practices and emphasis on conservation, he contributed to the development of sustainable hunting policies.
What African hunting books are on your favorites list?

 

[small bore]

The Book of the Lion by Sir Alfred E. Pease

 

[baxterb]

Like many hunters, I’m a collector of books. My library leans heavily toward titles about hunting in Africa, featuring classics from writers such as Frederick Courteney Selous, W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell, and John Taylor, as well as more recent publications from authors like Robert Ruark, J.A. Hunter, John Burger, and John Kingsley-Heath. I also own several books from Trophy Room Books, Amwell Press, and Safari Press, which include the writings of Robin Hurt, Hugo Seia, Bunny Allen, and others.
The following is a list of my favorite books on hunting in Africa:

• Hunting the Dangerous Game of Africa by John Kingsley-Heath
• Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway
• Hunter by J.A. Hunter
• Kambaku! by Harry Manners
• African Safari by Major G.H. “Andy” Anderson
• The Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter by W.D.M. “Karamojo” Bell
• Horn of the Hunter by Robert Ruark
• White Hunters by Brian Herne
• Adventures of an Elephant Hunter by James Sutherland
• African Hunter by Bror Blixen

While this list isn’t ranked by preference, Hunting the Dangerous Game of Africa is my favorite African hunting book. If you haven’t had the chance to read it, do yourself a favor and pick it up. It's a comprehensive and detailed account of John Kingsley-Heath's experiences hunting big game, including elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard, and rhinoceros during what I consider the Golden Era of Safari Hunting—from 1947 to 1977. Kingsley-Heath began his career as a game warden before transitioning into a professional hunting guide. He became one of the most sought-after safari guides in East Africa, operating across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, Botswana, and Sudan. Known for his ethical hunting practices and emphasis on conservation, he contributed to the development of sustainable hunting policies.
What African hunting books are on your favorites list?

That’s good list. I’m only missing the Kingsley-Heath book.

One of my favorites is For the Honour of a Hunter by Tony Seth-Smith. The Seth-Smiths have been in Kenya a hell of a long time and have had plenty of adventures along the way. Tony is a living legend and truly one of the greats. I had the pleasure of going on safari with his son Martin ( who has sadly passed away since then) and it was an amazing thing to hear all the stories.

Months of the Sun is a great book about a very unusual man.

Elephant hunting in equatorial Africa by Neumann is also very cool, and special to me as I have walked along literally some of the same tracks he took near Meru park in Kenya.

 

[bakerb]

Two of my favorites are Kai-uwe Denker books. About the spirit of the African wilderness and Along the Hunters path

I really enjoy Anthony Dyers writing style. I have his Men for all Seasons book, but haven’t read it yet. I did enjoy his book about the big 5

West with the Night is a classic. I need to read it again. Not really about hunting, but she did scout 100 lb elephants from the air for Bror Blixen.

Facing down fear by John sharp is a favorite. As well as Tall Tales by Buzz Charlton.

 

[hwr239]

That’s good list. I’m only missing the Kingsley-Heath book.

One of my favorites is For the Honour of a Hunter by Tony Seth-Smith. The Seth-Smiths have been in Kenya a hell of a long time and have had plenty of adventures along the way. Tony is a living legend and truly one of the greats. I had the pleasure of going on safari with his son Martin ( who has sadly passed away since then) and it was an amazing thing to hear all the stories.

Months of the Sun is a great book about a very unusual man.

Elephant hunting in equatorial Africa by Neumann is also very cool, and special to me as I have walked along literally some of the same tracks he took near Meru park in Kenya.

I was fortunate to spend a day with Tony Seth-Smith in Kenya in 2004. He was the real deal - a white hunter of the highest caliber, a veteran of the Mau Mau emergency, and an all-around great guy!

 

[hwr239]

Two of my favorites are Kai-uwe Denker books. About the spirit of the African wilderness and Along the Hunters path

I really enjoy Anthony Dyers writing style. I have his Men for all Seasons book, but haven’t read it yet. I did enjoy his book about the big 5

West with the Night is a classic. I need to read it again. Not really about hunting, but she did scout 100 lb elephants from the air for Bror Blixen.

Facing down fear by John sharp is a favorite. As well as Tall Tales by Buzz Charlton.

All great additions! Tony Dyer was a great man.

 

[baxterb]

All great additions! Tony Dyer was a great man.

I got to spend an afternoon with his son Martin at his house/farm - also a great guy!

 

[bakerb]

World Wide Hunting books is pre-selling a book that will be out this fall called Kota Gombe, about Marc Pechenart. It’s expensive. I think it may be already published in French, but this is an English version. Very limited. I pre-ordered it, can’t wait to read about his multiple hundred pounders

 

[Pablo]

Horn of the Hunter is my favorite along with Teddy’s African Game Trails. Although there are many different opinions on Capstick, he made for some entertaining and enjoyable reads. I have to politely disagree on Hemingway, I was ready to be through with it. He was the king of run-on sentences.

 

[hwr239]

The Book of the Lion by Sir Alfred E. Pease

Excellent title!

 

[hwr239]

That’s good list. I’m only missing the Kingsley-Heath book.

One of my favorites is For the Honour of a Hunter by Tony Seth-Smith. The Seth-Smiths have been in Kenya a hell of a long time and have had plenty of adventures along the way. Tony is a living legend and truly one of the greats. I had the pleasure of going on safari with his son Martin ( who has sadly passed away since then) and it was an amazing thing to hear all the stories.

Months of the Sun is a great book about a very unusual man.

Elephant hunting in equatorial Africa by Neumann is also very cool, and special to me as I have walked along literally some of the same tracks he took near Meru park in Kenya.

You really should get the Kingsley-Heath book. It's as good as it gets!

 

[hwr239]

World Wide Hunting books is pre-selling a book that will be out this fall called Kota Gombe, about Marc Pechenart. It’s expensive. I think it may be already published in French, but this is an English version. Very limited. I pre-ordered it, can’t wait to read about his multiple hundred pounders

That's going to be a good book. Preorder is available right now, I believe.

 

[Caveman]

Into the Thorns by Wayne Michael Grant is my favorite. He has written another book, Drums of the Morning, which I recently purchased, but have not yet read.

 

[Longshot308]

Death in the Long Grass seems to be a classic that's always mentioned. I don't like to read but that one I loved every bit of it. A friend that knows nothing about Africa bought it for me semi as a joke but joke was on him.
My next is either the first edition of Horn of the Hunter (No cover so fraction of the price, but I like the Gemsbok on the hard cover) or one that is unknown, Cries of the Savanna by Sue Tidwell. She's been doing really great social media post about her husbands elephant hunt but highlighting all of the benefits in local economies and the behind the scenes part of hunting.