author
Frank Oates
1840–1875
Drawn by curiosity and a love of the natural world, this Victorian traveler turned difficult journeys into vivid records of southern Africa. His letters and notes blend adventure, observation, and the eye of a naturalist.
1 Audiobook
Matabele land and the Victoria Falls
by Frank Oates
About the author
Born in 1840, Frank Oates was a British naturalist and explorer remembered for his travels in southern Africa. He came from a family with strong interests in natural history, and from an early age he developed a close interest in birds and the wider natural world.
Poor health affected much of his life, but it did not stop him from traveling. After earlier journeys in Central America and North America, he set out for southern Africa, where he explored areas including what are now Botswana and Zimbabwe. He is often noted as one of the first European visitors to see Victoria Falls.
Oates died in 1875 during his African travels, still a relatively young man. His reputation rests largely on the journals and letters published after his death, especially Matabele Land and the Victoria Falls, which preserved his observations of landscapes, wildlife, and travel in the region.