Africa: An Artist's SafariReviewed by Yuka Mizushima

I love watching Animal Planet, especially when they feature wild jungle cats. Imagine getting the opportunity to see them in real life! Fred Krakowiak had always dreamed of going on a safari and had been attending safari conventions for a number of years. He recently realized that due to the increasing number of endangered species, now is the time to go.

"Africa: An Artist’s Safari" shares his personal experiences and artwork.

Krakowiak went on a safari in two African countries: Zimbabwe and Botswana. The animals discussed in this book include “the Big Five: lion, leopard, rhinoceros, elephant, and Cape buffalo” (p.45), plus the spotted hyena, wildebeest, zebra, and giraffe.

The artwork is simply beautiful. I had to show my husband some of these pictures because they are so vivid and energized.

Krakowiak uses Sumi, a painting techniques that uses a bamboo brush and ink. Sumi allows the artist to recreate motion—you’ll see a leopard drinking at the pool, elephants at the watering hole, giraffes munching on some leaves, etc. The artwork is done in a variety of mediums: ink, watercolor, oil, etc.

This book educates and entertains. Curious about what you’ll eat on safari? There are descriptions of some meals. Maybe you’ll enjoy some meals on a sand bar while crocodiles float by. If you want to try ox-tail stew, a recipe is included. Wondering what it takes to be a safari guide? It’s an intensive four-year program that includes apprenticing with a safari company. Various subjects are studied including firearm laws, first aid and photography.

The animal anecdotes highlight the uniqueness of each living creature. I enjoyed reading about Warty the one-eyed wart hog, what it’s like being inches away from stampeding buffalos, and finding out how a mother leopard hides her cub. Throughout are fact cards about the various animals. I found these fact cards quite helpful as they contained physical characteristic, behavior, gestation, predators and conservation efforts.

Did you know that elephants require 200 to 400 pounds of food per day? That baby wart hogs can leave the burrow after a week and start to eat grass? That the cheetah may be too inbred to flourish as a species?

I could tell that Krakowiak has a deep respect for Africa: her people, the landscape and unforgettable wild animals.

Armchair Interviews says, Africa: "An Artist’s Safari" is a wonderful book for travelers and animal lovers.

Author’s Web site: http://www.MaverickBrushstrokes.com

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