Reviewed by Leonard Smuts for Readers' Favorite

Born and brought up in London’s East End in 1952, Steven James Foreman longed for adventure and headed for Africa in 1992 to follow his dream. He was to stay for 30 years, returning to the UK in 2024. He recounts his experiences in From the East End to East Africa: The Safari of a Lifetime. He describes his working-class childhood in post-war London, the daily drudgery, punctuated with trips into more rural areas when the family relocated. His interest in nature grew. Television offered new vistas. On leaving school, he joined the army, married and divorced, and did security work in France for the next 20 years. His travels began in Kenya on the way to Arusha in Tanzania. Work and study opportunities were scarce, but a chance meeting changed his life. He journeyed to Lake Victoria to join a rhino conservation project. Animal behavior in Africa is described, including the author’s interactions with lions, elephants, hippos, snakes, ants, gorillas, scorpions, and poachers. The dramatic sounds of the bush are also evoked. He later became a wildlife safari guide and expedition leader, taking tourists to places that included visiting the gorillas in Zaire, before becoming a magazine editor and security consultant.

Steven James Foreman captures the atmosphere and vibe of Africa admirably, as only somebody who has lived there can. It is a continent of contrasts, from the prolific animal and bird life to the cultural diversity, community spirit, run-down charm, and poorly maintained roads of the rural areas. All this is described in detail, with numerous anecdotes and fascinating encounters. From the East End to East Africa reminds readers that things happen rather differently in Africa. Despite the stark beauty and welcoming people, nature can be cruel. The author compares authentic Africa with the distorted view perpetuated by tourist traps. He points out that visitor expectations are sometimes unrealistic and often uninformed. An African safari isn’t just about wildlife. It is about affinity with the continent and its peoples. Maps provide orientation for those not familiar with the geography of East and Central Africa. Photographs are available on the author’s website. This is a memoir rather than a detailed autobiography. It brings to life an amazing series of experiences, told with humour and insight, which make for captivating reading. For those who love travel in general and Africa in particular, this is an excellent publication that opens new horizons.