Simply Safari by Daryl and Sharna Balfour is an oversized book (10 inches by 13 inches) billed as a book for "designers and homemakers seeking to recreate the elegance, simplicity, and vitality that accompanies safari style". There are photo from twenty-six safari and hunting lodges in southern Africa. The lodges are located in the countries of Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

In Simply Safari are a handful of gorgeous full color pictures of each lodge, a one page page description of each lodge, and every photo has a descriptive caption. There are pictures of living areas, bedrooms, bathrooms, patios, decks, furniture, artifacts, and more.

At the back of the book is a list of stores you can purchase similar items for your home. Chances are you won't be able to get the exact items you see in any of the pictures as those items were made locally in Africa. The authors do give in idea of which items are available at which store.

Personally, I like to decorate with curios, wall hangings, and fabrics I've picked up in my own travels instead of raiding stores for items that don't hold any particular memory for me. When people ask about the items in my home, I can usually tell them where I bought the items, about the person who sold it to me, and how hard I had to bargain to get that price. I like that about the things in my home - they all hold a little story and a piece of my experiences and travels.

A couple of alternate uses for Simply Safari is as a coffee table book since the pictures are so fascinating to look at. Also, I would use this book if I were going to southern Africa on safari to help me decide where I might like to stay.

Simply Safari is a very interesting book to look at with well photographed pictures and can give you some great decorating ideas if you are interested in decorating in the safari style.



A review copy of Simply Safari was provided by the publisher free of charge.