The Rookie Ranger

With a loss of confidence at work and on the wrong end of a breakup, James Bailey ran away to Africa in what some might call a midlife crisis. He packed an oversized bag dubbed 'Baby Elephant' and pursued a dream he'd nurtured for years — becoming a safari guide. 

Through this diary-style narrative, readers experience the highs and lows of life on the African veld. James shares his home in an unfenced camp, the hard slog of guide training, heart-pounding moments with the Big Five, and harsh conservation realities in a remote part of Kruger National Park. 

The story comes alive through fascinating characters like Innocent Crocodile, the poacher turned gamekeeper who taught James tracking, and Alan, the elephant whisperer who had him sitting cross-legged amongst wild elephants. Regaining confidence proved slow, but losing nerve could happen in the instant it takes to pull a trigger.