Whatever You Do, Don’t Run by Peter Allison is a wildly entertaining memoir packed with hilarious, outrageous, and jaw-dropping tales from life as a safari guide in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. With a sharp wit reminiscent of Bill Bryson, Allison captures the chaos, unpredictability, and sheer absurdity of managing both wildlife and tourists in the African bush.
From drunk royals and misguided fashionistas to lions, elephants, and charging buffalo, Allison offers a guide’s-eye view of real-life safari mishaps—where the animals aren’t always the most dangerous part of the experience. His love for wildlife shines through every story, even as he skewers the eccentricities of his clients and the unpredictable nature of bush life.
Originally from Australia, Allison brings the African wilderness to life through a blend of humour, humility, and genuine respect for nature. This updated edition includes a new introduction and never-before-told stories, including a chilling account of being stalked by a lioness in the dark.
A must-read for adventurers, animal lovers, and armchair travellers, Whatever You Do, Don’t Run proves that the bush is full of surprises—and that running, even from a lion, might not be your smartest move.
