415: 10 Best African Safari Book Recommendations For Hunters

415: 10 Best African Safari Book Recommendations For Hunters

Author: John McAdams March 19, 2026 Duration: 23:24

Today, I'm unveiling my definitive list of what I think are the 10 greatest African hunting books ever written. This list of African safari book recommendations includes works from people like Hemingway, Roosevelt, Ruark, Capstick, and other legendary writers.

These Africa hunting books have everything you could ask for: heart-pounding adventures, adrenaline soaked drama, close calls that will make your knuckles turn white and even a few deliciously scandalous tales of betrayal, courage, cowardice, possible murder, more than one love triangle, one very good dog, and lots of talk about rifles, bullets, and cartridges.

Links to where you can get all these Africa hunting safari books are below.

Sponsor: Get in touch with me to make your Africa hunting dreams come true on a hunt in South Africa. We offer outstanding hunting safaris, simplified hunt logistics, assistance with many of the pain points associated with a hunt, and up front pricing with no extra fees. We just opened bookings for 2027 and still have a few spots remaining for May, October, and November 2026. Visit bestsafarihunt.com or email me at john@thebiggamehuntingblog.com to learn more. Make sure to state that you're a podcast listener and I'll give you a special bonus!

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The Man Eaters of Tsavo by John Henry Patterson

African Game Trails by Theodore Roosevelt

Out of Africa by Karen Blixen (aka Isak Dinesen)

Green Hills of Africa by Ernest Hemingway

The Complete Short Stories of Ernest Hemingway (including Snows of Kilimanjaro & The Short Happy Life of Francis Macomber)

Horn of the Hunter by Robert Ruark

Death in the Long Grass by Peter Hathaway Capstick

African Rifles & Cartridges by John Taylor

Wanderings of an Elephant Hunter by W.D.M Bell

The Perfect Shot II by Kevin Robertson

Jock of the Bushveld by Percy Fitzpatrick


John McAdams hosts the Big Game Hunting Podcast, a conversation grounded in the realities of pursuing game across continents. Each episode feels like a detailed campfire talk, moving from the technical specifics of terminal ballistics and caliber selection to the raw, unforgettable narratives from the field in Africa, North America, and beyond. McAdams brings together a global community, with voices ranging from seasoned industry professionals to fellow hunters who call in with their own experiences. The focus is always on practical knowledge and authentic stories, stripping away any pretense to get to the heart of what hunters actually want to discuss. By sharing his own journey of learning and improvement, McAdams creates a space where curiosity and respect for the wilderness drive the dialogue. Tuning into this podcast means joining a serious yet accessible exchange where the complexities of the hunt are explored without filter. New conversations are released every Thursday, offering a consistent dose of insight and camaraderie for anyone passionate about the pursuit.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Big Game Hunting Podcast - Hunting Africa, North America, & More!
Podcast Episodes
419: 257 Weatherby RPM With Richard Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:50
Field & Stream shooting editor and 25 caliber aficionado Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 257 Weatherby Rebated Precision Magnum. Richard discusses the origins of the 2…
417: Double Rifles, 500 NE & Elephant Charges With Jeff Rann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:06:26
Jeff Rann, one of Africa's most legendary professional hunters with nearly 50 years guiding dangerous game, joins me on the podcast to share his incredible stories of hunting elephant in Botswana. He takes us inside what…
416: 416 Caliber Cartridges With Terry Wieland [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:46:24
Gunwriter Terry Wieland joins me on the show as we discuss his thoughts on the various .416 caliber cartridges: the 416 Rigby, the 416 Remington Magnum the 416 Weatherby Magnum, the 416 Ruger, and even the 416 Hoffman an…
414: Leopard Mauling To Sudan Bongo Hunts with Robin Hurt [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:14
Legendary Professional Hunter Robin Hurt joins me on the show today as we discuss some of his adventures hunting all over Africa like Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Sudan, Zaire, Zambia, and Namibia. As you can imagine from a…
412: Stories From The African Bushveld With Johan Seyffert [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:35
I sat down with Johan Seyffert, one of my South African Professional Hunters, at the 2026 Safari Club International convention and recorded a short interview about some of his more memorable hunts from 2025, some funny a…
411: 458 Win Mag vs 45-70 Govt Cartridge Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:28:59
Here's how the mighty 458 Winchester Magnum stacks up against the venerable 45-70 Government cartridge, especially with regards to how both perform in Africa. In this episode, we discuss the history, design characteristi…
410: Best Cartridges For Hunting Africa [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:27
We're talking about the best cartridges for hunting Africa in this episode: plains game, thick-skinned dangerous game, cats, etc. The cartridges I list in this episode are based off the results of surveys I've recently c…