Travel books that will inspire you to explore the world

2) Killing for profit, Julian Rademeyer

A raw, powerful read which will open your eyes to the battle to save a species which has so far survived for over 50 million years. A compelling account which delves into the world and follows the follows the bloody trail of the ‘rhino war’ in Southern Africa and one of the world’s most secretive trades. From the front lines with poachers, mercenaries and gunrunners, diplomats and government officials all the way to wildlife trafficking kingpins, and the medicine markets of the far east.

4) Gorillas in the mist, Dian Fossy

An account of the famous primatologist’s extraordinary life in a remote African rainforest and her efforts to ensure the survival of the mountain gorillas. This is a story of personal adventure and creates an unforgettable portrait of one of our closets living relatives.

6) Vanishing Kings: The lions of the Namib Desert – Philip Stander

A beautifull series of photos of the lions of the Namibm and their journey through this harsh but alluring land brilliantly put together. The ancient Namib is the only desert on Earth where a small population of desert-adapted lions occurs. Remarkably, these unique lions continued to survived along Namibia's Skeleton Coast, but until 20 years ago were elusive and seldom seen - then believed to have become extinct until their rediscovery in 1997 scientist Dr. Philip Stander. He then began to study the lions: work that has become a lifelong commitment. He has been able to unfold the secrets of these highly adaptive big cats, who seemed to thrive in this harsh environment.

8) Zulu – Saul David

A comprehensive yet eminently readable account of the events leading up to, and of, the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. David avoids falling in to the trap of over complicating the background to the war, making this a great option for more casual readers, but still covers there events in sufficient detail to satisfy the cognoscente. The battles of Isandlwana and Rorke’s Drift are graphically, but sensitively described and make this one of the leading publications on this turbulent period of South African history.

10) Mukiwa, White boy in Africa - Peter Godwin

An autobiographic account of growing up in 60’s Rhodesia, the bloody war which ensued, his time in the Rhodesian Army’s Anti-Terrorist Unit and then his eventual return, to now Zimbabwe, as a journalist bringing to light the atrocities that the government at the time was responsible for.

12) Long walk to freedom, Nelson Mandela

Madiba’s personal accounts during his 27 year imprisonment and the delicate negotiations which led to his freedom and the beginning of the end of apartheid. The riveting memoirs of the outstanding moral and political leader of our time, Long Walk to Freedom brilliantly re-creates the drama of the experiences that helped shape Nelson Mandela's destiny. Emotive, compelling, and uplifting, Long Walk to Freedom is the exhilarating story of an epic life; a story of hardship, resilience, and ultimate triumph told with the clarity and eloquence of a born leader.

14) The boy who harnessed the wind, William Kamkwamba

The true story of and by William Kamkwamba during famine-stricken Malawi. How his curiosity, and inventiveness overcame adversity to bring electricity and water to his village. William's dream is that other Africans will learn to help themselves - one windmill and one light bulb at a time - and that maybe one day they will be able to power their own computers, and use the internet, and see for themselves how his life has changed after picking up that book in the library.

16) Don’t run whatever you do - Peter Allison

Set in the wild bush of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, this absorbing read is a collection of tales by the author during his adventures working as a guide. His infectiously engaging narratives seamlessly draw you in to the life of a safari guide. With outrageous but true stories, you’ll find out when an elephant is really going to charge, what to do when faced by lions. Some of the stories delve in to how much wilder the tourists can be in comparison to the wildlife – from half-naked missing members of the Royal Family to Japanese tourists ignoring all the rules to get a better photo. This book will leave you with a longing to go on safari.

18) Long Way Down by Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman.

A light hearted book about the challenges and adventures of travelling overland through 18 countries (14 of which are in Africa). Ewan and Charley write about many of the highlights of the places they visited along the way, the people they met and wildlife they encountered, so it gives an entertaining insight into what makes this such a special and varied continent.

20) Dark star safari, Robert Holt

A collection of short stories about science fiction, the paranormal and fantasy. Try reading between the lines of this exceptionally clever collection and you’ll discover some fascinating insights.

22) Half a yellow sun - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

Recreates a seminal moment in African history and the struggle to establish an independent republic in Nigeria. Chilling violence, intertwined with astonishing empathy of a natural story teller who tells the story of three peoples’ struggle to survive and moral responsibility.

24) The power of one, Bryce Courtenay

The second World War is looming large and Hitler’s influence is reaching South Africa. This is the tale of a boy who embarks on an epic journey through a land filled with tribal superstition and modern prejudice.

26) River Dog - Mark Shand

Mark travels on a totally unique journey (with a dog) following the Brahmaputra river from it’s source in Tibet, through the remote north east of India and to its mouth in Bangladesh – lots of adventures, lively characters and very funny.

28) Memories of a Geisha - Arthur Golden

Nearly everyone has heard of this in either it’s cinematic form or as a piece of literacy brilliance. Enter a world where appearances are of significance, girls’ virginity are auctioned to the highest bidder and where love is a derided as an illusion.

30) The art of travel - Alain de Botton

A real ‘don’t leave home without it’ book. The author brilliantly considers all the elements of travelling and the value of noticing and absorbing everything about a journey. Right from the excitement and anticipation of planning, the journey of travelling itself to get to a destination and valuing all the finite details of absorbing everything about where you land in the world.

32) The haves and the have nots - Branko Milanovic

Milanovic, one of the leading experts in social-economic division uses history, literature and articles straight from newspapers to discuss the major divisions in today’s society. The haves and the have nots. A truly compelling read.

34) Prisoners of Geography - Tim Marshall

This award winning journalist goes in to detail about ten maps of crucial regions and explains political strategies of world powers. He explains why Europe will never be truly united, why the USA will never be invaded and how China’s future is restricted by it’s geography. A fascinating insight in to factors which shaped and will continue to shape world history.

36) Eat-pray-love – Elizabeth Gilbert

The story of a highly successful American lady who had everything she seemingly wanted but instead of feeling happy and fulfilled, she was consumed with panic, grief, and confusion. She went through a divorce, a crushing depression, another failed love, and the eradication of everything she ever thought she was supposed to be. An intensely articulate and moving memoir of self-discovery about what can happen when you claim responsibility for your own contentment and stop trying to live in imitation of society’s ideals.