There’s something about the bush that calls us to quiet reflection, engaging in pastimes that we otherwise neglect in our busy day-to-day lives. At Leopard Hills, when the game drives pause and the chatter fades, you’re left with deep stillness, broken only by the sounds of nature, and cosy winter afternoons stretching out before you. In our opinion, this is the perfect time to reach for a book.

Below we’ve curated a reading list for just such moments; on your private deck, in our library (pictured above) or in the main lodge beside the fireplace. If you’re in the process of packing for your winter safari to Leopard Hills, consider purchasing one of these page-turners in hardcopy or prepping your Kindle for some well-deserved downtime.

Each title captures something essential about safari, wild spaces, or the soul of Africa – offering depth, wonder, and the kind of reflection that only a true escape can invite.

Cry of the Kalahari is a riveting true story of zoologists Mark and Delia Owens, who ventured into Botswana’s remote Kalahari Desert to study wild lions and hyenas. With no roads, running water, or outside help, their years of isolation reveal both the beauty and brutality of the wilderness – and the deep bonds formed in untouched nature.

Perfect for: Adventurous spirits and romantics drawn to solitude and discovery.

When conservationist Lawrence Anthony is asked to accept a herd of rogue elephants onto his game reserve in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, he faces a life-changing decision. In The Elephant Whisperer, Anthony recounts the extraordinary bond that develops between himself and these intelligent, unpredictable giants. Set against the backdrop of the Zululand bush, this moving memoir explores trust, resilience, and the delicate balance between humans and wildlife. A heartwarming true story that speaks to the soul of conservation and connection.

Perfect for: Anyone who’s felt awe in the presence of elephants.

The almost unbelievable tale of two Londoners who bought a lion cub from Harrods in the 1970s, raised him in the city, and eventually rewilded him in Kenya. A celebration of connection, courage, and what it means to belong in the wild.

Perfect for: Readers who enjoy heartfelt animal stories with a side of eccentricity.

At just nineteen, Elizabeth Marshall Thomas accompanied her family into the Kalahari in 1950, living alongside the Ju/wasi Bushmen. In The Old Way: A Story of the First People, she returns fifty years later to share a deeply empathetic account of their vanished hunter‑gatherer culture. Through vivid anecdotes, like using ostrich egg water flasks and managing wildfires, Thomas reveals a society in harmony with nature, rich in compassion and wisdom. Her narrative also laments how modern pressures eroded their way of life, offering timeless insights into our human origin.

Perfect for: Thoughtful travellers curious about ancient knowledge and indigenous ways.

While not strictly a bush story, Scatterlings is a lyrical and emotionally charged novel that delves into identity, loss, and belonging in early 20th-century South Africa. Set against the backdrop of the Cape Winelands in 1927, the narrative unfolds on the van Zijl family estate, just as the Immorality Act, a law banning interracial relationships, is about to be passed. Rich in cultural texture and historical resonance, Scatterlings is both intimate and epic; a story that lingers like late afternoon light over the bushveld.

Perfect for: Lovers of literary fiction and meaningful South African storytelling.

Whether you’re paging through a memoir or lingering over a novel, we hope that these books will deepen your Leopard Hills experience. After all, safari isn’t just about what you see, it’s about how the bush opens you up and creates space for you to examine and explore the depths of your own thoughts.

So, pour something warm, stretch out with a view of the Sabi Sand, and let these stories draw you in.

If you dream of going on safari, there could be no better place for it than the Sabi Sand Nature Reserve.

Leopards Hills is a luxury 5-star lodge nestled in the heart of one of South Africa’s most renowned reserves, offering seclusion, luxury and prime game-viewing.

Browse our exclusive suites and book your trip online.

Alternatively, get in touch with us at book@leopardhills.com and we’d be happy to help you arrange it all – from check-in to check-out.