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Don't Shake the Mango Tree: Tales of a Scottish Maasai
At age fifty, Graeme and Candy have a mid-life crisis! Abandon their comfortable Edinburgh life and move to Tanzania where they rent a cottage on a deserted beach near an old friend who tragically dies and they have to bury.
Out of the blue they accept a job to manage a luxury safari lodge in the middle of the wild African bush. Surrounded by witch doctors and an array of eccentric and exotic friends they set out on a new career while surviving bouts of malaria, scorpion stings and encounters with lions.
As the years pass, their life becomes an exciting rollercoaster of emotions and madcap adventures as they are submerged into the local culture and gradually become respected members of the Maasai community. Floating on the surface like swans, they paddle furiously below water as they cater to their international guests' every whim. Life is not dull.
Each tale is told with a touching blend of humour, tragedy, gratitude and joy. Graeme and Candy fell in love with Africa. Reading this book, it is impossible not to do the same.
Out of the blue they accept a job to manage a luxury safari lodge in the middle of the wild African bush. Surrounded by witch doctors and an array of eccentric and exotic friends they set out on a new career while surviving bouts of malaria, scorpion stings and encounters with lions.
As the years pass, their life becomes an exciting rollercoaster of emotions and madcap adventures as they are submerged into the local culture and gradually become respected members of the Maasai community. Floating on the surface like swans, they paddle furiously below water as they cater to their international guests' every whim. Life is not dull.
Each tale is told with a touching blend of humour, tragedy, gratitude and joy. Graeme and Candy fell in love with Africa. Reading this book, it is impossible not to do the same.
- GenresAfrica
303 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 25, 2022
23 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 2, 2022
Africa through the life of a Safari Lodge Manager
This book had me hooked from the first page . I loved every minute of reading it, I sobbed and I laughed out loud .
Transported back to Tanzania through each paragraph, the people, the sights, sounds and ambiance so descriptive I could feel them . Hilarious look behind the scenes of lodge managers and the idiosyncrasies of Africa and it’s beautiful people. Along with stories of heartache, tremendous generosity, resourcefulness, survival and much more , makes it a must read .
I do hope there is another book in the pipeline .
This book had me hooked from the first page . I loved every minute of reading it, I sobbed and I laughed out loud .
Transported back to Tanzania through each paragraph, the people, the sights, sounds and ambiance so descriptive I could feel them . Hilarious look behind the scenes of lodge managers and the idiosyncrasies of Africa and it’s beautiful people. Along with stories of heartache, tremendous generosity, resourcefulness, survival and much more , makes it a must read .
I do hope there is another book in the pipeline .
August 2, 2022
An excellent behind the scenes view of life as a safari lodge manager in Africa. It is much more than that as it is a love story about Africa and the way it captures Graeme’s heart. Many laugh out loud moments interspersed with genuinely sad moments. The generous natures of Candy and Graeme can be seen and the love and care they have for the local people and their friends.
February 24, 2025
Amazing amazing story
August 3, 2022
An incredible book that captures all the intricacies of life in East Africa. A captivating story of the authors experiences ranging from the wonderful diverse people and tribes of Kenya and Tanzania, encounters with Witch Doctors, experiencing bouts of tropical disease, close encounters with Africa's most dangerous predators and the general highs and lows of living in such a beautiful part of the world. The book just keeps getting better and better as you read on. A MUST READ!
January 29, 2023
This was a very easy book to read. I loved the idea of following a couple through their journey form Scotland to Africa and learning more about the African culture. However, the writing tone at times frustrated me because it felt like there was quite a bit of white privilege and saviour complex. I felt in read the anecdotes the author kept swooping in to save the Africans and was looking for praise for doing.
November 6, 2022
4.5 stars
This was a delightful, well-written book by a middle-aged Scotsman about his experience running a safari lodge in Tanzania. His adventure involves a cast of zany characters and some close encounters with wildlife, as he learns to adapt to the local culture. Despite the corruption and poor infrastructure that he describes, his contagious affection for Africa and its people shines through. Besides being funny, the book was also touching, covering both the highs and lows of life, and I enjoyed it immensely. I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.
This was a delightful, well-written book by a middle-aged Scotsman about his experience running a safari lodge in Tanzania. His adventure involves a cast of zany characters and some close encounters with wildlife, as he learns to adapt to the local culture. Despite the corruption and poor infrastructure that he describes, his contagious affection for Africa and its people shines through. Besides being funny, the book was also touching, covering both the highs and lows of life, and I enjoyed it immensely. I won a free copy of this book (thanks to the author & publisher!) and am voluntarily providing an honest review.
April 19, 2025
I met Graeme and Candy in Africa and thoroughly enjoyed their company. Loved the book which brought back memories of our African trip which was fabulous. It is an interesting continent and Graeme captures the essence of the African spirit. For most people once you have been there, you want to return, reading Graeme's book takes me back to Africa and the wonderful experiences I had there.
July 14, 2023
An interesting read, and I was able to laugh at so many of the stories which can seem ridiculous, but if you have been to subsaharan Africa they are a regular part of life. So many of the chapters caused me to reminisce about our past adventures in Africa. I loved the author’s storytelling!
July 1, 2024
Fabulous book! We bought it while staying in Amboseli as a way to take a little bit of Africa home with us and have loved the stories and little reminders of our time in that amazing part of the world. Thanks to the author taking the time to share your adventure. ❤️
January 30, 2025
great adventures
We met Graeme and Candy in Amboseli and have also done many safaris, it was a lovely way of reminiscing on safari life and the fact it is so different to western life but it works.
We met Graeme and Candy in Amboseli and have also done many safaris, it was a lovely way of reminiscing on safari life and the fact it is so different to western life but it works.
April 3, 2025
I so wanted to enjoy this. The descriptions of the East African landscape and wildlife was what kept me reading to the end. Couldn't identify or empathise with the main guy. Major themes of white saviorism running throughout which was a huge shame!
July 2, 2023
A very easy read but I found the lack of plot and style of writing very boring. At one point I went looking for something else to read half way through. It's just ok.
July 25, 2023
Entertaining reading, good wit, and full of insights about life in the bush. Had me fully back in Africa again!
August 28, 2024
Excellent!
Having visited Elewana Tortillis in 2022 and had a fabulous time was so nice to read your book . I really enjoyed hearing your story. Thank you !
Having visited Elewana Tortillis in 2022 and had a fabulous time was so nice to read your book . I really enjoyed hearing your story. Thank you !
February 25, 2025
I loved every page of this book. It was poignant, tragic, beautiful, laugh out loud funny and full of wisdom. My husband has been to Africa several times and now I finally understand why.
December 26, 2023
So enjoyable, amazing tales of a life operating a Tanzanian safari camp in modern times. An excellent narrative, I could have read on and on!
May 18, 2023
This book is a "must read" for anyone who has loved being on an African wildlife safari or is eager to go on one. It captures the sights and sounds and feelings of East Africa. It makes me feel like I am there and makes me so eager to go back. I met the author(s) in Kenya in 2019 (and again in 2023). Graeme is a great storyteller in person AND now in print as well. Longing for a sequel!
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews