Seven years in South Africa, volume 2 (of 2) : travels, researches, and hunting adventures, between the diamond fields and the Zambesi (1872-79)

In this vivid travel memoir the author sketches a restless journey across South Africa’s diamond fields, river valleys and the great salt lakes, blending detailed natural observation with first‑hand accounts of hunting expeditions. Readers are led from the rugged Vaal crossing and the eerie graves of the Harts River valley to the bustling markets of Molema’s Town, encountering barolong weddings, royal crane nests and the stark beauty of the Malmani valley along the way. The narrative captures the harsh climate, the thrill of wild‑goose shooting on Moffat’s Salt Lake and the occasional narrow escape from crocodiles and jackals, all illustrated with original sketches that bring the landscape to life.

Beyond the scenery, the work offers a nuanced portrait of the peoples the explorer meets, from the customs of the Marutse kingdom to the solemn rites of the Masupia. Detailed descriptions of tribal dress, music, dance and ceremonial feasts give listeners a sense of daily life far from European settlements. The author’s curiosity about language, agriculture and local superstition adds depth, making the journey feel both adventurous and thoughtfully recorded.