I’ve been travelling to Africa for 16 years and I’ve lived in everything from a posh tent with a modern bathroom, to a tiny tent with nothing but a canvas bed, and outside, a hole in the ground for the loo. Rekero camp, in the Maasi Mara, gets it just right.

The tent is basic with zip up sections for privacy. There is no running water but it does have the luxury of a flushing loo. When I want a shower I tell the Maasi guide as we’re approaching the camp. By the time I’ve walked to my tent, hot water has been poured into a bucket outside. On the inside, I pull a chain and have a lovely hot shower.

The food at the camp is fabulous. The guides prepare breakfast out on the open plains or by the river, lunch back at camp under a huge tree and in the evening a superb three course dinner under candle light.

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I had a great guide at Larsen’s Camp in Samburu who found these gerenuk for me to photograph. I love their graceful beauty.

I have been traveling to Africa for 16 years and the leopard has always eluded me. But on the last trip to Samburu and the Maasi Mara I was successful. These are some of the photographs for my next book. It was great to have Jonathan Scott from the Big Cat Diary TV series as the guide. He knew where the leopards had their territory and he even knew their names. Thanks Jonathan!

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Baby elephants are so funny. They don’t know what to do with their little rubbery trunks and swirl it around and around. If they get into trouble their mother gently puts her trunk on the baby to reassure it. The only time I have been frightened was during a mock charge when a 6 tonne male charged the jeep.

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These lions entertained me for half an hour. They chased a warthog across the grassy plains and he ran down a hole. The lions started digging. When one got tired the other would continue. Then he gave up. The hole got deeper and deeper. They listened for sounds beneath the ground, but the warthog was safe. Finally the lions gave up and sauntered away.

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Custom House was my first library performance for adults. Over 50 people booked and more had to be turned away as the room was full. It was a new experience talking to adults instead of my school shows for children. And a thrill to see my new video on a big screen.

I was thrilled to discover that ten of my True to Life Books have been chosen for the NSW Premier’s Reading Challenge. To create the books I have travelled to Africa seven times, China twice and India. I follow animals each day taking photographs and writing about their behaviour.

I’ve had some great adventures  – I have played with chimps in Uganda and pandas in the mountains of China. I have walked with lions in Zambia and been charged by elephants in Amboselli. A cheetah came up to me in Nanuyki and I have held the horn of a rhino. 

I hope children enjoy reading my books and learn about endangered animals.

True to Life Books are suitable for children from 5 to 9 years.

Click here to purchase a book.

What big teeth

I was resting by a riverbank, watching out for crocodiles, when a young African approached me and said, “ Would you like to walk with lions?”. I said “Yes”, then thought of a hundred questions I wanted to ask. How many, how big, how dangerous and for how long.

All these questions were answered when I sat down with a small and nervous group for the briefing. No flapping clothing, shirts buttoned up and tucked in because lions love playing with anything that moves. We must walk in single file. And we are given a stick to shout a loud, “No” if the lion has a ‘naughty’ look on its face. Last, if anyone is frightened, they can’t go.

I took a deep breath and off I went.

We were driven into the bush, then slowly walked up to four lions. Three female and one male. And they were big. Eight month old lions have paws the size of plates and rather sharp teeth. For a few minutes we got used to one another then started to walk into the bush. For one hour I walked with lions. It was amazing.

Three guides came with us. One at the front, middle and back. We walk in single file. When the lions want to pass us, the last guide calls out, “Lions walking through”. We stop and the lions overtake us. I was breathless with excitement when a lion brushed up against my leg as he walked past me.

When the lions want to rest, we do too. And this was an opportunity to pat them. The guide said “Walk slowly up to the lion from behind, place your hand firmly on its back to let the lion know you are there”, Then I start to stroke the lion. Wow! I’m trying to think of him as a very large cat, but it doesn’t work. This lion could eat me for lunch!

The hour is up too soon. Everyone is silent when we go back to camp. I want to be by myself to remember every detail of my hour walking with lions.

Here are some of the exciting events of my last trip to Africa.