Peter Pickford

Husband and wife team Peter & Beverly Pickford are inveterate travelers and professional photographers who have, over the course of their 28-year careers, garnered a host of international awards: African Safari is their ninth book.

For tourists paying in pounds or dollars this 300 page glossy book of ‘stunning’ photographs of wild life and nature reserves is a cheap and beautiful souvenir of their African safari.

But what makes the book special enough to entice cash strapped South Africans to part with their hard-earned money? Well, for a start, the pictures really are excellent.

Yes, there are the obligatory images of animals – hundreds of them – but so much more in addition: landscapes, trees, skies, lakes, and people too. The rangers and vets who form the backbones of the great game reserves, tour guides, indigenous tribes, plus a decidedly erotic study of a languorous tourist bearing her breast as she lazes in a luxury suite, admiring the view.

But great photographs are more or less a given considering the target market: the elements which might attract South Africans are the wonderful graphics, excellent design, and surprisingly literate, personal and interesting text.

My only real complaint: why is there no index? This lack immediately compromises the value of what would otherwise be an excellent book.

The Camp and Lodge Directory at the back contains telephone numbers, physical and e-mail addresses and websites for easy reference: African Safari is not an essential buy but will be a definite asset to any local travel library.… (mehr)