This is not only a book of discovery and adventure in Africa, but a deeply understanding and researched explanation of conservation and the conflict between wildlife and people living with it.

It will question pre-conceived ideas about Africa whilst seeing this amazing continent through the eyes of, at the beginning, an American who has never camped in the bush with the tsetse flies, heat and sneaky snakes before.

The adventure is there, from the roar of the lion shattering the peace of the night, walking through the bush dodging elephant foot pot-holes, listening for the warning cough of antelope, the wonder of seeing one’s first giraffe, and the emotion of being so close to nature.

The pleasant surprise of finding a flush toilet and shower surrounded by grass walls close to their tent, the amazing food cooked over open fires, and the all encompassing warmth of the people they met in camp and along the way, were all part of Sue’s first safari to Tanzania.

We chuckled at Sue’s description of leopards fighting: they turned out to be honey-badgers!

Sue forms a special relationship with Lilian a game scout assigned to their safari. Through Lilian she learns about life in Africa for the local people, their beliefs, legends and most importantly the harsh struggle to survive in the untamed wilderness alongside wild animals. She hears about poaching, not just for bushmeat and money, but the effects of taking honey from trees without care, and the making of charcoal on the forests.

Sue found it hard to align her emotional feelings for the animals around her, with the concept of hunting – or harvesting as it is referred to – but she learns that if done ethically it benefits the local communities in many ways.

Which should come first – the welfare of the people or that of wildlife? This is a question often asked and Sue had done a great deal of research to understand both sides of the argument. This she puts very clearly in this fact-filled book with itemised notes.

We highly recommend Cries of the Savanna not just for its pure entertainment value, its lovely illustrations, and for the treasure of information on the many animals, birds and medicinal plants she experiences for the first time, but most importantly for seeing that ethical and sustainable utilization of wildlife can benefit both people and the environment.