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!

Please hit that "SUBSCRIBE" or "FOLLOW" button in your podcast app to receive future episodes automatically!

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
342: How Nosler Bullets Perform Afield With Cable Smith [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:17
Cable Smith joins me on the show again as we talk about some of his recent experiences hunting with the legendary Nosler Partition and AccuBond along with the Solid Base bullet from their new Whitetail Country line. Spon…
341: Last chance to help me test some ammo! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:56
Today is the last chance to throw your name in the hat to potentially receive some free Nosler Whitetail Country ammunition to test out this fall. To enter the random drawing for the chance to test and evaluate Nosler Wh…
340: The best new rifle of 2024? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:36
Sometimes you just find a rifle that just flat out works: it fits you well, it's not excessively large or heavy, has a nice trigger, it's easy to shoot accurately, it's not finicky and doesn't require an extensive break-…
339: Want to help me test some ammo? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 7:23
Nosler just sent me a bunch of their new Whitetail Country line of ammunition and I need some help testing and evaluating how it performs afield this fall. Here's how you can help me out and potentially receive some free…
338: 338 Caliber Cartridges: The Ultimate Guide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:59:45
I discuss all of the 33 caliber CIP and SAAMI standardized cartridges (plus a couple of other noteworthy rounds) in this episode and discuss their history, legacy, their strengths and weaknesses, and their recommended us…
337: I just punched my moose tag! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:01:29
I just made it home from an outstanding moose hunt in Colorado with my son! We had an amazing trip and I successfully took a cow Shiras Moose, which was a species I wasn't sure I'd ever get to hunt because those tags are…
336: Best Cartridge for Hunting Darn Near Anything with Ron Spomer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:14:40
Ron Spomer is back on the show and we discuss a subject I know you'll enjoy: our favorite cartridges for hunting virtually any species of big game. We're play little game where Ron and I each list our favorite cartridge…
334: 22 ARC Cartridge Profile [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:28
Today, we're talking about Hornady's new 22 Advanced Rifle Cartridge (22 ARC), which purports to deliver 22-250 level performance out of an AR-15 platform. In this episode I discuss whether or not Hornady delivers on tha…
333: About That Buffalo Roy Weatherby Shot With A 257 Weatherby... [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:41
As I promised you a couple of weeks ago, we're going to talk about the details I've been able to dig up regarding the often repeated story where Roy Weatherby supposedly killed a cape buffalo with the 257 Weatherby Magnu…