In this coffee-table book, Singapore resident Ian Poh Jin Tze offers photographs of wildlife, culinary dishes and luxury accommodations taken on a tour of Africa.
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The book, featuring lush color and black-and-white photographs, begins with stately, impressive images of the kings and queens of the savannah: lions, zebras, giraffes, cheetahs, and more. As the book progresses, the author includes brief comments and photos of sumptuous meals, glamping accommodations and exotic landscapes.

The book is beautifully produced, mostly delivering scenes that will be familiar to anyone who watches nature documentaries: a hippo’s head just breaking the water, a cheetah sunning in the crook of a tree. Such images and the accompanying text encourage readers to meditate upon the oneness of all things in nature, reinforcing the idea that the wisdom of the animal realm is in simply existing—not striving but just being—and therefore merely observing it teaches invaluable lessons.

The author often relies on sentimental cliché in describing his experience: “I did not see a savage beast. I saw a creature sharing god’s creations and felt the mutual respect between us. That morning, we parted not as man and animal. Instead, we parted as friends.” Perhaps more instructive, though, is his finely detailed record of a pack of lions devouring their prey. It is only these images of teeth tearing flesh down to the bone that trigger real revelation.

Because there’s no opening text, readers might feel a bit unmoored throughout this excursion. The author fails to deliver simple grounding details: exactly where in Africa did he travel? (He mentions “game parks,” “Kruger,” Cape of Good Hope, but no specific itinerary.) How did he travel: with a guide?; on a group safari? etc. Such information would provide a helpful framework.

In all, those looking for startlingly fresh views of the African savannah won’t discover many here. However, readers who enjoy a glossier view of nature will find much to appreciate in these pages.