I'm looking for recommendations for a book on travel adventure in Africa. My Mom is ill in the hospital, and she loves to read, but can't now, so I was hoping to find a book that I could read to her, and that would take her away from her current condition. Something fairly light, nothing heavy with the current political strife and conditions in Africa, but something that is heavy on real places, discriptive landscapes and the beauty of Africa; particularly Egypt, on Safari, the desert, Mt Sinai etc. She always loves to hear about my travels there. I thought of Paul Theroux's Dark Star Safari, but I'm getting the sense that it might be a bit raw, looking for something positive.

IMO - Definitely the No 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency books by Alexander McCall Smith, which you should read in the correct order.

1. The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency
2. Tears of the Giraffe
3. The Kalahari Typing School for Men
4. Morality for Beautiful Girls
5. The Full Cupboard of Life
6. In the Company of Cheerful Ladies
7. Blue Shoes and Happiness
8. The Good Husband of Zebra Drive

I love No. 1 Ladies series.

West with the Night by Beryl Markham.

Flame Trees of Thika by Elspeth Huxley -- a classic and a charmer. You're right to stay away from Dark Star Safari (IMHO) as it's often very negative in tone.

Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert does not meet your criteria as it takes place in Italy, India and Indonesia but it is fabulous and very inspirational.

West With the Night is available on tape (and CD) from Recorded Books (and others) and some of these other titles are as well (all of McCall Smith) and they're superbly done. I actually own West With the Night and listen to it whenever I need a fix (often). Libraries are a good source but otherwise you can rent them. Look for UNabridged tapes.

I hope I've done the link correctly; if not, search on books with african theme, and you should get a very helpful list.

http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34948045

one of my favorites,
"The Trouble With Africa" by Vic Guhrs
Short stories from a safari camp, very entertaining and interesting.

No.1 Ladies Detective Agency

Light, funny, but true to life.