Q&A with James Hendry | Ranger, Writer, Musician

Meet James Hendry

For our next Q&A session, we met up with James Hendry, a former ranger who has spent more than ten years working at exclusive lodges in southern Africa. He’s been more than just a ranger though, having filled roles as ranger trainer, land manager, lodge manager, researcher and entertainer as well. Some of our consultants have even had James as their trusty game ranger on safari at Londolozi Private Game Reserve in the Sabi Sand! And we can definitely vouch for the “entertainer” part…

James is also a musician and the author of three books – one, which he co-authored, called “Whatever You Do, Don’t Run” (2006), and two, which he wrote alone, called “A Year in the Wild” (2011) and “Back to the Bush: Another Year in the Wild” (2013).

• Be sure to get a copy of James’ books for a taste of safari life! They are available online or at most bookstores in South Africa. Watch the trailer for his book, “A Year in the Wild” and “Back to the Bush“!

Find out more about the exciting experiences that James writes and sings about in today’s Q&A!

Q&A

1. You’re currently both a musician and an author. What do you enjoy doing the most?

They are two different things. I enjoy performing music for people; it’s a release for me and writing is more an introspection. It’s more difficult to write; performing comes naturally for me. When I write I have to dig deep.

2. Your first book, which you co-authored, called “Whatever You Do, Don’t Run”, was non-fiction. What made you change to fiction with “A Year in the Wild” and “Back to the Bush”?

I turned to fiction because I find it easier to write to be honest. You have more poetic licence. You can say things you might not be able to say yourself. It’s freeing not having to be completely factual. I like making people laugh and sometimes my own life has nothing to laugh about but with fiction I can create those situations that makes laughter possible.

3. Are any of your characters based on real people?

The protagonist is based on me but it’s not exactly me. The only real characters in my latest book, “Back to the Bush”, are a dog and a cat, which are my parents’ pets. Most of my characters are taken from the various people I have met throughout my life.

4. Where did you learn to speak both Zulu and Shangaan?

I did Zulu at school until Matric (the final year of high school), but when I left school I hardly spoke it. It was after I joined Fugitive’s Drift Lodge on the Zulu Battlefields that I learnt to speak Zulu. I picked up Shangaan in the bush as well. I worked in an area where people spoke Shangaan but still spoke Zulu. So every afternoon I would sit with one ranger with a notebook and he would teach me phrases and the next day I would practice them for six months. My Zulu helped me pick up Shangaan quicker.

‘A Year in the Wild is a delight to read [and a] hugely entertaining novel. Don’t miss it. If there’s a sequel, and I hope there is, I will be first in line to read it.’

– Brian Joss, Bolander

5. Which African safari lodges have you worked at?

I have worked at Ngala Safari Lodge, Londolozi,  Nxabega Tented Camp in Botswana and briefly at Fugitive’s Drift Lodge.

6.What is your favourite game reserve in South Africa?

Ngala Safari Lodge, because I spent most of my time in the bush there. It is much wilder than many other lodges; there aren’t so many game vehicles and guests waiting in line for the wildlife sightings.

7. What’s is your favourite African destination?

I like Victoria Falls Hotel and Fugitive’s Drift Lodge on the Zululand Battlefields and just about anywhere in the Kruger National Park…

8. Did you have any particularly memorable guests?

There isn’t one that stands out but I have learnt a lot from my guests even if they did not learn much from me. I’ve learnt that people are very varied. I’ve been asked some really dumb questions, intelligent questions and some very offensive questions as a game ranger, but you learn to accept it.

9. Could you describe your most memorable wildlife encounter?

Once when I was driving guests through the bush, I had an encounter with wild dogs chasing a leopard up a tree. The leopard went down and was chased back up again about six times. The dogs finally caught up with him at some point and pinned the leopard to a dead tree. When it escaped, it came straight to the car and mauled the tracker seat in front of the car. Fortunately the tracker was at the back. The dogs went after the leopard. I couldn’t move the vehicle but when I had a chance to I took it and hit a tree. Luckily, the guests were very happy and thought that it was all part of the experience.

10. What advice would you give to someone going on a safari for the first time?

I would ask them what they want to see. If it’s a once in a lifetime trip I would advise them to go to a private reserve where you can go off-road and see so many more animals. If they are repeat safari-goers I would tell them to go off the beaten track and try a remote place like Namibia. Even though they aren’t going to see as many animals as they would in the Kruger, the wilderness in the Kalahari is a different and wonderful experience. I would also suggest more unusual places like Congo Brazzaville.

Contact one of our travel experts today to start planning your ultimate African adventure!