An Unlikely Safari Guide

by Ella Craine

Safari guide Ella Craine sees the world in a different way. Ever wondered why a Hamerkop is better than you? Or thought about which animal has the weirdest tongue in the Kalahari? Probably not. A collection of true safari stories and quirky wildlife observations, 'An Unlikely Safari Guide' will leave you astonished at the antics of eccentric safari guests and giggling the next time you think of a wildebeest. And if all goes to plan, you'll crave a plate of cookies by the end. It's all about mind control... From menacing mongooses (or is it mongeese?) to philosophical antlions, 'An Unlikely Safari Guide' is delightfully unlikely.

Genres: Africa, Nonfiction

259 pages, Kindle Edition

First published September 27, 2013

Reviews

[Rebecca Wolf-Nail · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining look into a world most of us will never experience! I loved her descriptions of the animals and the safari guests, along with the ways she coped with all of the unexpected problems that cropped up along the way. Her deep love of the country is evident in every chapter.

[Elle Field · Rating 5 out of 5]

"An Unlikely Safari Guide" is a brilliant (true) tale of safari life, told humorously and warmly by safari guide Ella Craine.

I love the personal take from Ella, mixed with more serious insights that are shared in a captivating way, and I especially love the "hoof notes" that appear at the bottom of certain chapters.

If you fancy a different kind of safari book that's definitely not dull and dry, buy this book! You're going to love it. :)

[Jami Butler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Entertaining and educational!

I really enjoyed every story! Ella mixes the perfect amount of factual information with self-effacing humor and colorful descriptions of the various scenarios. Being a suburban who considers a hike in the outskirts to be a nature experience, I now have a deeper appreciation for the fragility of the truly wild places. I'm glad there are people like Ella out there fighting for them.

[Beth Robinson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detailed and funny bits about experiences as a safari guide. Ella has a clear voice and point of view and by looking at parts of Africa through her eyes I love them as much as she does, at least for a few moments.

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny, amusing, full of observations about people who go on Safari and facts about animals. Wish to meet this author to hear her life comments now that she has developed change plans for her life.

[Buchdoktor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ellas Grundschullehrer hätten es ahnen können. Ein kleines Mädchen, das in seiner Lieblingsschulstunde "Show and Tell" der Klasse mit unermüdlicher Geduld seine Dinosauriersammlung vorstellt und Aufsätze am liebsten aus der Perspektive einer Schildkröte schreibt, hat sicher eine Karriere als Ranger in einem Nationalpark vor sich. Ellas Traum ist jedoch kein ordinärer Nationalpark in den USA oder Kanada mit Elchen und Bibern - für sie muss es die Kalahari sein. Nach Studium und Ausbildung zum Safari Guide erfüllt die gebürtige Kanadierin nun Afrikatouristen aus aller Welt deren Träume. Bei Besuchern in Südafrika, Namibia und Botswana sind das meist die Beobachtung der Big Five, die vor ewigen Zeiten von Jägern als sehenswert definiert wurden. Ellas Berufsehre ist es jedoch, Interesse an kleinen, selten gesichteten Säugern, an Vögeln, Insekten, Gräsern, Bäumen und dem spektakulären Sternenhimmel zu wecken. Der Guide hat die Wünsche des Gasts stets zu erfüllen, ob der nun an seinem einzigen Tag auf Safari einen Löwen sehen oder möglichst jeden Vogel auf die Speicherkarte bannen möchte. Die Dynamik zwischen zahlendem Gast und seinem Führer ist sicher kein Zuckerschlecken. Urkomische Situationen und gefährliche Erlebnisse liegen nahe beieinander. "Die Kalahari zeigt sich nur denen, die sie mit ganzem Herzen suchen", lautet eine afrikanische Lebensweisheit. Ella Craine (Pangolin) hat sich Afrikas gewaltige Sandwüste gezeigt. Das kleine Mädchen von damals mit der Dinosaurier-Sammlung lässt heute seine Begeisterung für das südliche Afrika voller Humor und mit fundiertem biologischen Wissen auf die Leser des Buchs überspringen.

Der Arbeitsvertrag eines Tourguides verpflichtet vermutlich dazu, Erlebnisse und ihre Schauplätze zu anonymisieren. Auch wenn ich von Ella viel über die Natur der Kalahari gelernt habe, hätte ich gern genauer gewusst, wo sie mit ihren Gästen unterwegs war. Man hört doch stets gern Neuigkeiten von den Enkeln und Urenkeln der Stachelschweine und Erdmännchen, die einem dort einmal begegnet sind ...

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed riding with Ella in her Range Rover on late night, and early morning game drives in Kalahari. She provided terrific trivia about creatures great and small and taught me what it takes to be a good safari guest. Her conversational style is fun and informative. However, I think she should have hired a professional editor to curb self-indulgent rants and meanderings into the joys of junk food. It reads like a blog diary. I have no problem with that, but I do with obvious spelling mistakes throughout the text. I admire Ella’s pluck and charm, and hope she will continue sharing her journey, but in a more polished manner.
Lost Angel Walkabout: One Traveler's Tales

[Karen Markowski · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author was our safari guide so reading her book was like reliving some of our adventure.

[E.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wildlife + humor = great book!

Come along with Ella as she takes you on an African safari where you will learn about wildlife big and small. She has a easy of writing that makes wind and grass interesting. But don't worry the big game stories are there too! I'm hoping she has another book out there because I didn't want this one to end!

[Tara · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I thoroughly enjoyed reading Ella's experiences guiding game drives in South Africa. I hope to go some day and be the perfect safari guest. Her descriptions of wildlife are truly awful. And by awful I mean the original definition--full of awe. Thanks, Ella!

[Annette McIntyre · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ella gives snippets me her life as a safari guide as well as all sorts of facts. Makes me wish I could in on safari with her.

[Alison]

kindle 259 (Africa)

[Melissa Fasken · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was informing and tons of fun. Ella's writing is delightful.

[Edric Barbosa Filho · Rating 1 out of 5]

Perhaps good for kids...

Started OK, but after a while it reads like a book written for kids and becomes boring. At 20% I started to skip pages...