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The Man-Eater of Tambuti: A Collection of Novel Tales
When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted
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Deep in the African bushveld, an ancient predator has developed a deadly preference—human flesh. This isn't just another lion. This is a 600-pound killing machine with the intelligence of experience and the ruthlessness of a true apex predator.
From the storm-born cub who grows into a legend of terror, follow the chilling chronicle of Africa's most feared man-eater as he stalks human prey across the unforgiving landscapes of Namibia and beyond. Professional hunters, corrupt officials, idealistic volunteers, seasoned trackers—none are safe when this massive lion decides they're on the menu.
Based on 30 years of real African experience, these interconnected tales capture the raw truth about life and death in the bushveld—where a moment’s carelessness can mean the difference between predator and prey. Each story reveals how quickly civilization’s thin veneer crumbles when faced with nature’s ultimate killing machine.
★ Authentic African Adventure – Written by an author with 30 years of African experience
★ Interconnected Stories – Follow the same legendary lion through multiple deadly encounters
★ Gritty Realism – No Hollywood heroics, just the brutal reality of survival in the wild
★ Expert Detail – From tracking techniques to animal behavior, every detail rings true
Perfect for fans of Peter Capstick, Robert Ruark, Tony Park, Wilbur Smith and classic African adventure tales.
These stories contain graphic violence and mature themes. Africa doesn’t apologize for its harsh realities—neither do these tales.
The bushveld has rules. Break them, and you become dinner.
Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited
Deep in the African bushveld, an ancient predator has developed a deadly preference—human flesh. This isn't just another lion. This is a 600-pound killing machine with the intelligence of experience and the ruthlessness of a true apex predator.
From the storm-born cub who grows into a legend of terror, follow the chilling chronicle of Africa's most feared man-eater as he stalks human prey across the unforgiving landscapes of Namibia and beyond. Professional hunters, corrupt officials, idealistic volunteers, seasoned trackers—none are safe when this massive lion decides they're on the menu.
Based on 30 years of real African experience, these interconnected tales capture the raw truth about life and death in the bushveld—where a moment’s carelessness can mean the difference between predator and prey. Each story reveals how quickly civilization’s thin veneer crumbles when faced with nature’s ultimate killing machine.
★ Authentic African Adventure – Written by an author with 30 years of African experience
★ Interconnected Stories – Follow the same legendary lion through multiple deadly encounters
★ Gritty Realism – No Hollywood heroics, just the brutal reality of survival in the wild
★ Expert Detail – From tracking techniques to animal behavior, every detail rings true
Perfect for fans of Peter Capstick, Robert Ruark, Tony Park, Wilbur Smith and classic African adventure tales.
These stories contain graphic violence and mature themes. Africa doesn’t apologize for its harsh realities—neither do these tales.
The bushveld has rules. Break them, and you become dinner.
222 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
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August 5, 2025We read to go places.
The Man-Eater of Tambuti took me to South Africa, a place that I have never been but often muse about. What I liked about the book most was the passive weaving of setting into these small stories. Along with the man-eating lion, it is setting that connects these stories. When I say ‘passive weaving’ I mean that rather than explain things generally, Bussey’s descriptions include native flora and fauna. The characters are not eating cows when they sit down at the barbecue to have steaks. They are grilling eland antelope. The same is true about use of local South African dialect. They aren’t driving a pickup truck through the ‘bushveld’. They are driving a bakkie. The animals aren’t just animals. There animals or animals in the big 5.
Don’t poach animals in the big 5. Or else.
The author also succeeds in taking characteristically unlikable characters and making you root for them. In one story you meet a poacher who makes a living illegally hunting on national park lands. I didn’t think I’d empathize with his life of criminality. Then I found out he had seventeen kids to feed. And all he knew how to do, like his father before him, was hunt. That father is no longer around, but he seems to be omnipotent in everything the poacher does. How relatable.
Bussey’s book of short stories, independently published in July 2025, serves as an excellent example of the importance of reading about other cultures to expand your own mind.
Nobody tells a tale like a local.
The Man-Eater of Tambuti took me to South Africa, a place that I have never been but often muse about. What I liked about the book most was the passive weaving of setting into these small stories. Along with the man-eating lion, it is setting that connects these stories. When I say ‘passive weaving’ I mean that rather than explain things generally, Bussey’s descriptions include native flora and fauna. The characters are not eating cows when they sit down at the barbecue to have steaks. They are grilling eland antelope. The same is true about use of local South African dialect. They aren’t driving a pickup truck through the ‘bushveld’. They are driving a bakkie. The animals aren’t just animals. There animals or animals in the big 5.
Don’t poach animals in the big 5. Or else.
The author also succeeds in taking characteristically unlikable characters and making you root for them. In one story you meet a poacher who makes a living illegally hunting on national park lands. I didn’t think I’d empathize with his life of criminality. Then I found out he had seventeen kids to feed. And all he knew how to do, like his father before him, was hunt. That father is no longer around, but he seems to be omnipotent in everything the poacher does. How relatable.
Bussey’s book of short stories, independently published in July 2025, serves as an excellent example of the importance of reading about other cultures to expand your own mind.
Nobody tells a tale like a local.
October 19, 2025
Having been to Africa, though not Namibia, this book brought back lots of memories of the wilds of the African bush. Larry's vignettes are interesting in many ways as he introduces a lot of information about a very broad array of animals well beyond just the Big 5. The reader learns a good bit about the birds, the many unique plants and a good bit about the struggles of those people living on or near the bushveld. Though the book describes several somewhat brutal interactions between various animals, it also provides some insight into what it is like for those humans living in concert with their wild environment. Clearly Larry's. 30+ years living in Namibia and building his own game preserve in addition to other business interests have provided him with a broad understanding of and appreciation for life (and death) in one of the few remaining natural environments where life for many depends upon their alertness and swiftness.
November 2, 2025
Never underestimate the call of nature
I must say having to finish the story was a must because one could only wonder who was next and how or if the Man Eater would ever come to an end...so the book will keep you a bit on edge if you are walking in thorn bushes wherever you are...
I must say having to finish the story was a must because one could only wonder who was next and how or if the Man Eater would ever come to an end...so the book will keep you a bit on edge if you are walking in thorn bushes wherever you are...
April 17, 2026
Similar to the Ghost and a the Darkness
This book reminds me of the book of my title review this was such a massive lion , he got his just due in the end though along with the sneaky hyena
This book reminds me of the book of my title review this was such a massive lion , he got his just due in the end though along with the sneaky hyena
September 1, 2025
Excellent series of short stories that tell both the beauty and brutality of Africa.
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews