African Game Trails: An Account of the African Wanderings of an American Hunter-Naturalist

By Theodore Roosevelt

Book Overview

"African Game Trails" is a classic work of travel and adventure, detailing Theodore Roosevelt's famous 1909 expedition across East Africa. As both a seasoned hunter and a dedicated naturalist, Roosevelt provides a vivid account of his travels through the landscapes of modern-day Kenya and Uganda. The narrative captures the intensity of tracking big game-including lions, elephants, and rhinos-while simultaneously offering meticulous observations on the region's diverse flora and fauna.

This volume serves as more than just a hunting log; it is an important historical document of early 20th-century exploration and conservation efforts. Roosevelt's prose brings to life the challenges of the safari, the beauty of the African wilderness, and the scientific endeavors undertaken to collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. Readers are treated to a firsthand look at the cultures and environments encountered during this monumental journey. "African Game Trails" remains a seminal text for those interested in natural history, the history of exploration, and the complex legacy of one of America's most influential presidents.

This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work was reproduced from the original artifact, and remains as true to the original work as possible. Therefore, you may see the original copyright references, library stamps (as most of these works have been housed in our most important libraries around the world), and other notations in the work.

This work is in the public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work.

As a reproduction of a historical artifact, this work may contain missing or blurred pages, poor pictures, errant marks, etc. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1025264614
• ISBN13: 9781025264615
• Release Date: February 2026
• Publisher: Tradd Street Press
• Length: 358 Pages
• Weight: 1.10 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.1" x 9.2"

Customer Reviews

Better than being there

Not being very good with a gun, having little outdoorsman skills, and not being in the best shape of my life, reading this book was better than being there. If I was there, I would miss the animals, I would be too tired to enjoy it, and besides all of that, Africa is not as it was 100 years ago.I have just begun to reread this book, and I don't know how many times this is. I enjoy it each and every time I pick it up.

An Accurate Portrail of Life on Safari

Theodore Roosevelt has captured life on the safari brilliantly in this wonderfully written book. Having been to Kenya three times myself, I was able to relive my own experiences on the Dark Continent through T.R.'s words. He "shot" Africa with the use of his Springfield and Winchester, and I through my Minolta. But the excitement and adrenaline rush of viewing the magnificent beasts of the wild may be captured in similar ways. T.R.'s vivid descriptions of his adventures makes this depiction of Africa come to life. Through his use of graphic details of kills, life on safari, and portrayals of the people themselves makes this book worth reading. At times, I found it nearly impossible to put down. T.R. outdid himself with this one, and those who have never been to Africa, may be tempted upon the completion of this novel. I applaud this effort and recommend "African Game Trails" to anyone...

African Game Trails

A great book, detail the Roosevelt Expedition for the SMithsonian Institute. Teddy and his son Kermit travel almost the length of Afirca in a grand year long safari. They encounter all of the Big 5 adn the lesser aniamls as well. Teddy's observations of native customs and people are quite revealing for a New York raised politician! The Roosevelts hunted with some of the premier big game hunter of the era, Selous, Percival, the Hill brothers etc. This book is not to be missed,it is an important book on Afica but more so on Roosevelt. I recommend it highly.

An excellent work

Not only was the 26th president of the United States a great politician, and one of the most beloved men of all time he was also an adventure and an explore. To be able to read such a compelling work as African Game trails in a time when many of us have forgotten or never known what the country was once like is should be regarded as a treat to all. In this stunningly well writen work Theordore Roosevelt chronicals the year he spent on Safari in Africa detaling the preperations for such as trip as well as its undertaking and himself. This book is an excellent portrat of not only Africa but the man himself.

A description of Africa before television.

Our 26th President undertakes a safari in East Africa after completing his term in office. He thouroughly covers what he sees and encounters on his trek across Africa, lasting almost a year. His descriptions of the animals, natives and geography takes you to primitive Africa before television and the Discovery Channel. Not only a good hunting tale but a revealing look at the man himself through his own eyes. Roosevelt's 1909 opinions on hunting, race relations and other current pertinent topics is revealing. It makes one consider the change in our country and its premier politicians over the past 90 years. Read the book, open your imagination and let Roosevelt take you to an Africa that no longer exists.