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
390: 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor Caliber Comparison [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:25
John McAdams shares insights on the 25 Creedmoor vs 6.5 Creedmoor informed by real world data on obtained at the range, afield, and in ballistic gel in this podcast episode. John discusses the design characteristics, per…
389: Taurus & Rossi Firearms With Caleb Giddings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:27
Caleb Giddings, the marketing general manager for Taurus holdings, joins me on the show to talk about Taurus and Rossi firearms. We discuss the history of Taurus and Rossi, the details on some of the hunting handguns and…
388: 25 Creedmoor-A Triple Threat Cartridge With Richard Mann [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:08:19
Field & Stream shooting editor Richard Mann joins me in this podcast episode to discuss the new, SAAMI standardized 25 Creedmoor. Richard discusses the origins of the 25 Creedmoor, some of his experiences shooting and hu…
386: Hunting Brown & Grizzly Bear With Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:03:05
Ron Spomer is back on the show to discuss his adventures hunting brown and grizzly bear on the Kamchatka Peninsula in far eastern Russia as well as in Alaska. Ron shares the stories of those hunts (a couple of which are…
385: North Fork Bullets-Africa's Premier Bullets? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:16:49
North Fork bullets have a stellar reputation for hunting in Africa and are considered by some to be among the best projectiles available for hunting the continent. To that end, North Fork Bullets' technical support speci…
384: 2025 Big Game Hunting Podcast Safari Recap [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:33
As promised, I have a more comprehensive recap of my 2025 African safari hunt with several podcast listeners for you today. I'll talk about that hunt in more detail today and provide some reflections on the results of th…
383: Tracking Buffalo Like Your Life Depends On It [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:46
Though I've interviewed plenty of great Professional Hunters over the years, you don't hear from many trackers in podcast interviews for various reasons. That changes in this episode where I sit down with Pheilemon Matho…
382: Live from South Africa! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:41
Join me, the three podcast listeners I just hunted with in Africa, and our entire crew of PHs for an informal "campfire style" discussion of the highlights of our July 2025 safari in South Africa's Free State & Limpopo P…
381: A Cape Buffalo Hunt 30 Years In the Making With Jimmy Epperson [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:17:17
Jimmy Epperson dreamed about hunting Cape buffalo for over 30 years before Big Game Hunting Adventures helped turn that wish into a reality for him in 2023. Jimmy also just returned from another hunt with us in early 202…