Koncocoo

Best Kenya Travel

I Wish I Could Say I Was Sorry
Readers will shed a tear at her losses and laugh at her predicaments in this sometimes hilarious, often heartbreaking, true story that gives a moving and often shocking insight in to the earlier life of the much-loved travel author famed for her humour and her honesty. Susie recalls a 1950s childhood in post-war London's every shade of grey and the splendours of Africa as, with her glamorous mother and father, she boards a ship bound for exotic, technicolor Kenya. Then in its final decade as a colony, Kenya was peopled with larger-than-life characters who had helped to forge its identity. Each time it seems things cannot get any worse, they do as the popular travel author lifts the lid on her own, often shocking, behaviour in her quest to protect herself and those she loves. Rebellious, lonely and self-destructive, it is a small grey horse named Cinderella who saves Susie from herself and brings her the love she craves. ' There is something very special about this book and the way the reader is instantly drawn into Susie's world and the appalling people and situations she had to endure.'. Filled with candid humor and insights, this authentic tale captures one woman's incredible coming-of-age journey.'.
Reviews
"I felt that I was there with the author and daughter myself longing to visit, even though I know that the world has yet changed, several times over, since the time she lived in Kenya."
"I was able to go on an Africian Safari for an extended Tim.e in2008, by then, I was in love with that beautiful country and always will be. I am sure they love their mommy. It sounds like she finally met a man who was good to her a good husband and a good father to her children."
"What an interesting and full life this author has led."
"Her writing is descriptive, masterful, and painfully honest as she gives the inside view as her life unravels with estranged parents, lost dreams, abuse in a convent school,and disrespect in a marriage."
"I feel that she must have had a strong resilient nature to begin with, and that her tribulations only served to make her stronger still because I doubt if I could have survived her childhood half as well."
"Her marrying at an early age to 'get away from it all', was a great mistake which she paid dearly through the years and also losing both parents before she really got to say good bye and I love you has bothered her throughout life."
"Wonderful, sensitive story of self examination and the acquiring of necessary coping skills living in very different cultures."
"Her story is about finding her way in the world after her parents separate and she is shipped off to another country and then comes back years later to her father with his new family."
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Bill Bryson's African Diary
“Here is a man who suffers so his readers can laugh.” — Daily Telegraph Bill Bryson travels to Kenya in support of CARE International. “Bryson is one of the funniest travel writers in the business.” -- The Globe and Mail “Bryson has become an enormously popular travel writer by coming off as the most literate tour guide you’ve ever had.” -- The New York Times. You can’t help but enjoy his writing, for its cheer and buoyancy, and for the frequent demonstration of his peculiar, engaging turn of mind.” -- Ottawa Citizen.
Reviews
"of the book is an excerpt of Bryson's next book, describing the history of early English architects which I found dry and not that interesting until the final pages on the history of English furniture and the various woods used in ancient times."
"This is a small book – too small – I would have liked it to be at the very least twice the size it is – but it’s large enough to give the reader an idea of what life is like for our fellow earthlings in a part of the country much in need of help, of people just like you and me who are hopeful and love life even though it might be a life most of us would consider harsh and unreal."
"This book is a brief diary of some travels in Africa where he was working along with some representatives of CARE."
"I love Bryson's books; that's why I was so disappointed with this slender volume. On a Kindle, the actual diary takes up only 50%; the rest of the book is taken up with an excerpt from one of his other books, a book I had already read."
"While Bryson is usually witty, satirical and often irreverent , this time he is thoughtful, insightful and grateful."
"Bill Bryson never lets the reader down."
"What a pity it couldn't have been longer and included some other nearby countries; but Bill would have been well aware of the brevity of this account leaving his readers hungry for more."
"The first few pages were hilarious--the dry wit you expect from Bill Bryson."
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Lonely Planet Kenya (Travel Guide)
Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - daily life, tribes, national parks and reserves, cuisine Over 50 maps Covers Nairobi, Southern Rift Valley, Masai Mara, Central Highlands, Mombasa, Lamu, coastal Kenya and more. Authors: Written and researched by Lonely Planet, Anthony Ham, Stuart Butler, David Lukas and Kate Thomas. Butler is the foremost expert on Virginia in the War of 1812, having recently written the first book on the state's role in the war, "Defending the Old Dominion in the War of 1812."
Reviews
"Best guide book for making plans."
"So glad we had this guide."
"I was pretty disappointed because it didn't have the practical information you usually find in a Lonely Planet guide."
"I found it very informative and thorough."
"Love lonely planet guides!!!!"
"A decent book on Kenya with some very nice tip on most areas, particularly Nairobi."
"For a country as widely visited as Kenya, this book was a sore disappointment."
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Best Egypt Travel

Lonely Planet Egypt (Travel Guide)
Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, art, literature, cuisine, etiquette, sports, politics, landscapes, wildlife, architecture Over 102 maps Covers Cairo, the Nile Valley, Minya, Luxor, Esna, Siwa Oasis, Western Desert, Alexandria, Suez Canal, Red Sea Coast, Sinai and more. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing. Anthony Sattin is an award-winning journalist and the author of several acclaimed history and travel books.
Reviews
"Great guidebook for an amazing city."
"excellent composition."
"Excellent guide for the traveler going to Egypt."
"Very accurate and helpful for my trip to Egypt."
"Really good tour book for Egypt."
"Good stuff!"
"This book provided us with very helpful information."
"Great book with lots of detail for anyone planning to take a trip to Egypt."
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Best West Africa Travel

Lonely Planet Egypt (Travel Guide)
Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - history, art, literature, cuisine, etiquette, sports, politics, landscapes, wildlife, architecture Over 102 maps Covers Cairo, the Nile Valley, Minya, Luxor, Esna, Siwa Oasis, Western Desert, Alexandria, Suez Canal, Red Sea Coast, Sinai and more. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing. Anthony Sattin is an award-winning journalist and the author of several acclaimed history and travel books.
Reviews
"Great guidebook for an amazing city."
"excellent composition."
"Excellent guide for the traveler going to Egypt."
"Very accurate and helpful for my trip to Egypt."
"Really good tour book for Egypt."
"Good stuff!"
"This book provided us with very helpful information."
"Great book with lots of detail for anyone planning to take a trip to Egypt."
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Best Morocco Travel

The Caliph's House
In the tradition of A Year in Provence and Under the Tuscan Sun , acclaimed English travel writer Tahir Shah shares a highly entertaining account of making an exotic dream come true. Investing what money he and his wife, Rachana, had, Tahir packed up his growing family and bought Dar Khalifa, a crumbling ruin of a mansion by the sea in Casablanca that once belonged to the city’s caliph, or spiritual leader. When Shah, his pregnant wife and their small daughter move from England to Morocco, where he'd vacationed as a child, he enters a realm of "invisible spirits and their parallel world." In the March 2006 issue of The Atlantic , Terry Castle faced his addiction to the shelter magazines and furnishings catalogues that drive the "billion dollar business of home improvement." Travel writer Tahir Shah ( In Search of King Solomon's Mines ; Sorcerer's Apprentice ) possesses the same idealistic (and some critics say naïve) pursuit of greener grass through domestic upheaval. Though less intrepid souls might not care to live there, reviewers insist a few nights at Dar Khalifa in the company of such a talented writer is time well spent.
Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.
Reviews
"The story line involves a Londoner of Afghan descent who moves his young family to a rundown but beautiful estate home just outside a bidonville of Casablanca intending to restore the house to its former glory. Work proceeds, or not, based on a complicated system of beliefs and customs that we learn about through a series of work stoppages, destructions and contractors. As it turns out, the house comes with three longtime resident guardians who have much advice that varies as to usefulness and self-servingness."
"The obstacles the author encountered provide the reader with a window into life in Casablanca, with all it's checks and balances."
"This was interesting and at times amusing, while also sometimes being a bit rude about the people and culture of Morocco."
"His writing is very smooth and natural- it's almost impossible to put this book down and I am eagerly anticipating his next book. In other books he risks his life- often several times."
"I read this in Morocco, on a train between Tangier and Casablanca."
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book chock full of interesting characters, cultural tidbits, personal history, architectural information and let's not forget Jinns!"
"Given that I am FROM CASABLANCA, this book hit close to home, literally!"
"The characters in this book, in particular the writer are not developed sufficiently to make it interesting. I gave up about half way through."
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Best East Africa Travel

Lonely Planet Tanzania (Travel Guide)
Colour maps and images throughout Highlights and itineraries help you tailor your trip to your personal needs and interests Insider tips to save time and money and get around like a local, avoiding crowds and trouble spots Essential info at your fingertips - hours of operation, phone numbers, websites, transit tips, prices Honest reviews for all budgets - eating, sleeping, sight-seeing, going out, shopping, hidden gems that most guidebooks miss Cultural insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - including customs, history, religion, art, music, dance, politics, landscapes, wildlife, cuisine Over 50 maps Covers of Dar es Salaam, Mt Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, the Zanzibar Archipelago, Stone Town, Lake Victoria, the Serengeti Plains, Selous Highlands and more. Downloadable PDF and offline maps prevent roaming and data charges Effortlessly navigate and jump between maps and reviews Add notes to personalise your guidebook experience Seamlessly flip between pages Bookmarks and speedy search capabilities get you to key pages in a flash Embedded links to recommendations' websites Zoom-in maps and images Inbuilt dictionary for quick referencing. Looking for more extensive coverage? Butler is the foremost expert on Virginia in the War of 1812, having recently written the first book on the state's role in the war, "Defending the Old Dominion in the War of 1812."
Reviews
"contains great tips but is small compared to other guides, so fits easily in limited luggage."
"always clear, complete and full of information as usual!"
"Great for my Africa trip..."
"This as a kindle companion to my real life trip to Tanzania."
"Great book!!"
"Very informative and helpful in planning the trip."
"I bought two Tanzania travel guides because I didn't know which would be the most helpful: This one and the one from Insight Guides."
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Best Central Africa Travel

The Safari Companion: A Guide to Watching African Mammals Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, and Primates
The book includes an extensive glossary, as well as tips on wildlife photography, a list of organizations working to protect African wildlife, and advice on where and when to see the animals. Estes, who is affiliated with Harvard University and the Smithsonian Institute as a research associate, spent over eight years doing fieldwork in Africa and over 17 years leading safaris. Estes first covers the characteristics of families and subfamilies and then goes into even more detail on the individual species, charting behaviors one can expect to see and the usual context or meaning. Estes, who is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institute as a research associate, spent over eight years doing fieldwork in Africa and over 17 years leading safaris. Estes first covers the characteristics of families and subfamilies and then goes into even more detail on the individual species, charting behaviors one can expect to see and the usual context or meaning.
Reviews
"More then a simple field guide, this book focuses on East African mammalian behavior and social organizations. I also purchased a Princeton Pocket Guide to Wildlife of East Africa by Withers and Hosking full of colored photos - mostly because of its vast listing of birds that are not in the Safari Companion."
"Tremendous amount of detailed information about many species' behaviors, relationships, biological data, etc."
"We saw lots of large mammals, but, not being able to put their behavior into a larger context, I feel (after having read this work) that I didn't appreciate our sightings as fully as I would now."
"We have a few books to read in advance of going on safari next month."
"A lot of guidebooks give you information on how to identify a species, but don't really tell you much about the animals themselves (and unfortunately most guides and drivers aren't much help either). However, Estes' book is necessary if you want to go beyond simply a photography expedition and actually learn about African mammals."
"The book added tremendously to my understanding of the situation and the complex interplay in the animals' behavior."
"Based on others reviews I chose the full colour photo guide by Withers and this one; the Estes. When you see an Eland bull lower it's horns the Estes explains why. Wishes for future edition would be the inclusion of the social behavior of the Ostrich as they are such a large and obvious member of the Savannah."
"useful book for safari travel."
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Best North Africa Travel

A House in Fez: Building a Life in the Ancient Heart of Morocco
The Medina -- the Old City -- of Fez is the best-preserved, medieval walled city in the world. While on vacation, Australian photojournalist Clarke and her husband were bewitched by the exotic city, deciding to return and begin a search for a riad (a large home with an inner courtyard) to renovate. Readers get to tag along while Clarke deals with Kafkaesque bureaucracy, maneuvers delicately through relationships with neighbors, contractors and construction workers, and goes back to school to improve her French.
Reviews
"Clarke approaches expatriate life in Morocco with care, sensitive to the many issues involved when a foreigner from a wealthier country inserts themselves into the heart of a rich culture that is in many ways under attack."
"I really enjoyed the tale of expats attempting to restore an old house in the traditional area of the "zouk"."
"Great book but Kindle version should be checked for typos."
"Getting ready for a trip to Morocco and this gives good descriptions about buildings and people - a lot of information it will be handy to know that would be boring reading about without the "foreigner buys and renovates house" story line."
"An Australian couple visit Fez, Morocco, fall in love with the city, culture, history and architecture and decide to buy a restore an old Riad in the heart of the ancient Medina of Fez. And the prevailing attitude of workers, officials, and residents of this ancient city is best summed up by the ubiquitous phrase - "Insha'Allah", "God willing"."
"Must read before or after staying in the riads of the old medinas of Morocco."
"Thoroughly enjoyed following the story line focusing on way life is lived in Morocco."
"A very enjoyable book on the practicalities of buying and restoring a riad."
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Best South Africa Travel

Whatever You Do, Don't Run: True Tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
A hilarious, highly original collection of essays based on the Botswana truism: “only food runs!” With a new introduction and new material from the author In the tradition of Bill Bryson, a new writer brings us the lively adventures and biting wit of an African safari guide. No one could make up these outrageous-but-true tales: the young woman who rejected the recommended safari-friendly khaki to wear a more “fashionable” hot pink ensemble; the lost tourist who happened to be drunk, half-naked, and a member of the British royal family; establishing a real friendship with the continent’s most vicious animal; the Japanese tourist who requested a repeat performance of Allison’s being charged by a lion so he could videotape it; and spending a crazy night in the wild after blowing a tire on a tour bus, revealing that Allison has as much good-natured scorn for himself. A hilarious chapter recounting a troubled thousand mile trek through the Kalahari Desert finds Allison trying to wave down a passing truck in the middle of the night: "I realized that the driver would have seen what looked like a very animated sage bush with pasty white hands growing from it... he'd probably go straight to a witch doctor... and ask if there was a curse on him."
Reviews
"I really enjoyed this book but that was in large part due to the fact that we just returned from Botswana, where one of the camp managers recommended it. If you do go, Peter's book will give you a pretty good idea of the excitement and unpredictability of trekking through the jungles of Botswana in a Range Rover or trying to return to your tent from the camp bar and lounge area late at night."
"Just finished and this is a book that will appeal to virtually everyone!"
"A book full of adventure, and simply an entertaining read."
"Love the campfire type stories and the wonderful verbal visuals."
"Beautifully and humorous,y told stories with real appreciation for natural wildlife, the people he worked with and the animals encountered."
"I felt like I was reading a term paper from a ten year old."
"This is light reading and, if you like to people watch, it is as much about how people from different cultures react to unusual situations as it is about how wild animals react to encounters with strange human beings. My wife is always coming up with something to worry about regarding animal encounters on our hikes ( grizzly bears, black bears, alligators, mountain lions, moose, have all been in striking range at one time or another)."
"Fun read especially if you have been to Africa."
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Best Republic of South Africa Travel

101 Kruger Tales: Extraordinary Stories from Ordinary Visitors to the Kruger National Park
These are just a few of the 101 jaw-dropping sightings, scrapes and encounters in this collection of extraordinary true stories from the roads, camps, picnic sites and walking trails of South Africa’s Kruger National Park, as told by the very people who experienced them. There are no game ranger tales here – each and every story happened to an ordinary Kruger visitor doing what over a million tourists do in this spectacular reserve each year. :: Over 420 Kindle pages of extraordinary, hair-raising, unusual, hilarious and jaw-dropping safari tales. :: Astonishing photographs of many of the incidents. :: All stories 100% true - and could happen to YOU! :: Find out what it is like to be stormed by a lion, attacked by an elephant, bitten by a deadly snake or chased by hyaenas. :: A thrilling read whether you're a Kruger veteran or a safari dreamer. :: Discover for yourself the wildlife magic that draws over a million tourists to this spectacular piece of Africa each year. I can't think of a better way to experience the Kruger than through these fireside stories" Andrea Weiss , founding editor of go! "Best book ever written about Kruger National Park ... Had me gasping in astonishment, laughing out loud and even shedding a few tears" Dana Atkinson , author of Traveling Africa: A Woman's Guide. Prepare to giggle in disbelief, tut in despair, and turn pages like you're clicking on cat videos" Kulula Airlines Inflight Magazine. Prepare to giggle in disbelief, tut in despair, and turn pages like you're clicking on cat videos" Kulula Airlines Inflight Magazine. "Jaw-dropping stories ... A bedside book, travel companion, dip-into, read-anywhere compilation of joyful encounters laced with terrible warnings" North Coast Courier. The idea for this collection of 101 extraordinary tales from the Kruger National Park arose purely from envy. I am, however, always flabbergasted by the tales of other visitors, recounted - with perhaps a smattering of exaggeration - in rest camps in the evenings, or shared through open car windows when I've asked, 'Seen anything interesting today?'. When I first set about collecting stories for the book four years ago, I never anticipated the sheer wealth of incredible tales, accounts and anecdotes I would receive. But each one, I hope, captures and shares a little of the wonder and the thrill we all feel when we pass through the gates, full of anticipation of what lies ahead, into the great expanse of one of Africa's greatest treasures. The criteria for selecting the stories were simple: they should all be extraordinary in one way or another; they should all take place in the Kruger National Park itself, not one of the adjoining reserves of Greater Kruger; they should only take place on any of the publicly accessible tourist roads, rest camps, picnic sites or walking trails; and importantly, they should primarily be the tales of ordinary Park visitors like you and me - not game rangers, field guides or any of the other lucky people who work and live in the Park.
Reviews
"101 stories --- mostly memories of people who have had experiences in-situ --- brilliantly told in short (really short and crisp and to the point --- well done) stories about individual or family events while visiting the world's greatest wild life reserve."
"Each story was a few pages in length which made for a good pick up and put down book when there were a few minutes to spare."
"I think it would be a good book to read to older children and what a fun discussion it would bring."
"This is the perfect book to bring back memories of many a trip to the kruger national park I have taken.I had heard of some of the stories before by going on the San Parks forum but many were unfamiliar and some were unbearably sad .The tales are short so it is a great book to pick up and go back to again.It also is a must for anyone planning to visit the KNP as it helps to bring the various locales alive."
"what a lovely story, it tells us so much about life among the wild creatures of the park.,., It gave me a good idea of the Park that I am unlikely to ever see."
"The Kruger park never disappoints and this book lays claim to that."
"As a nature lover who grew up reading books on Africa by people like Osa Johnson, Armand and Michelle Denis, I cannot get enough of such stories.Thanks to a very dear friend, I was also able to visit Kruger eight years ago - a long cherished dream from my childhood."
"I have truly enjoyed reading this book of harrowing and hilarious stories about Kruger National Park."
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