Cries of the Savanna

An Adventure. An Awakening. A Journey to Understanding African Wildlife Conservation

By: Sue Tidwell

Narrated by: Sue Tidwell, Lilian Mremi, Tanzanian Game Scout, Bernadine Bornman

Her first night in a Tanzanian tent began with a prowling lion’s roar. Will the savage terrors open her eyes to an unseen world?

Sue Tidwell lived in awe of Africa’s extraordinary wildlife. After years spent appreciating the animals in her imagination, the tenderhearted American hated the idea of joining her husband on a big game hunting safari. And getting attacked by blood-sucking tsetse flies the moment she stepped off the plane gave no hint of the mind-blowing change of perspective in her future....

With her initial animosity turning into curiosity as they breathlessly tracked dangerous beasts, Sue formed a surprising bond with their young female government-assigned game scout. And as she became entranced by the tales and wisdom from the Masimba Camp crew, she was humbled by the mystery of the vilified safari and the people who relied on it for survival.

Supplementing her own experiences on the elephant-rutted roads with local insights and scientific research into conservation efforts, Tidwell explores how her preconceived beliefs sluiced away under the deluge of reality. And with an evocative narrative peppered with self-deprecating humor, vivid imagery, stories that will keep you on the edge of your seat, and over 90 photos and illustrations, you’ll emerge forever changed by the truths this greenhorn found buried in Africa’s rugged and romantic landscape.

Cries of the Savanna is an unflinching and passionate memoir. If you like awe-inspiring real-life adventures, truth revealed through laughter, and life being stranger than fiction, then you'll adore Sue Tidwell's brush with the wild.

Buy Cries of the Savanna to put boots on the ground today!

Awards:

Readers Favorite 2022 Gold Medal

The Wildlife Society’s 2022 Conservation Education Award

Professional Outdoor Media Association’s 2022 Pinnacle Award

Kindle Book Review 2022 Non-fiction Finalist

NOTE: The audible version includes the actual sounds of lions, hippos, hyenas, elephants, leopards, baboons, and more.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2021 Sue Tidwell (P)2023 Sue Tidwell

Better understanding of Africa’s conservation

Great listen, lots of great insights and good story telling by the writer. A very passionate and reflective journey through Africa.

The real story of African Sports Hunting!

This is a must read/listen for anyone who has any opinions on Africa, African hunting, trophy hunting, or animal rights. This author tells the real truth about this polarizing subject. The truth is much more than blood thirsty killers destroying nature and killing animals. The authors views as a none hunter are spot on! She understands and gets it!

The stories of the various hunts, camp & people blended with the facts and stats of hunting & conservation.

I found it quite educational wrapped up in interesting vignettes that brings one to the imagery and vibe of the area.. entertainment that also can bring understanding has the ability to impact people’s attitudes and viewpoints. Nuance is lost in much of today’s debates, this book looks at things from all sides and makes one contemplate.

An African “Boots on the Ground” Story: Truth and Facts Dispel Arrogance and Ignorance

Here is Africa, plain and simple, or maybe complicated in ways you didn’t imagine. More than likely, it is the latter.
Living the Safari experience results in more rational thought and action (e.g., conservation efforts) than fabricated emotions driven by third party hearsay and false, unfounded representations could impart, ever the more notable in the telling of the hunt. Sue Tidwell effectively placed us by her side as she embraces the magnificent landscape and lives alongside the remarkable creatures of the savanna (the sound of the African night is a brilliant addition to this book). Her straight-forward delivery of adventure is filled with her wonder, fears, sentimentality, and love of the African landscape, the fauna, and it’s people. Her undeniable passion for Africa emerges as it “gets in your blood”, which is commonly spoken of amongst those fortunate enough to leave footsteps in this great land. Sue’s descriptions of the various animals, how they live, and what endangers them will delight naturalists and stir the soul of conservationists.
This book entertains, broadens the mind, overcomes bias if you let it, and focuses our view of a misunderstood and all too real world that is at once our history and presents a future that is our challenge.

If you can only read one book on Africa this would be it!

Sue does a masterful job placing the reader right in camp in Tanzania! She does a wonderful job challenging misconceptions and making the case for conservation. Loved this book!

Real valuable information

Loved the book, I’m glad the author was the narrator. I will recommend it as much as I can

Loved the animal recordings and all the African sounds

This was very good insight into wildlife preservation and sustainability in Africa. After traveling there I found her information to be accurate and this was a good explanation of a complicated situation. Loved her animal experiences and the way she described her guides and the people who worked with them at the camps!

Slow

repetitive. getting off story , comparing to hunting in Idaho. Slow. Sing song voice.