Nestled like a rare jewel in the inhospitable but alluring Zambezi Valley, Mana Pools provides the early setting for the episodic story of Manzovo - place of the elephants.

Thandi, now at the height of her prime, is the astute and respected matriarchal head of a herd of elephants. She gives birth to Lesedi—the last of her five calves—and thus begins their sweeping journey through the bushveld and across the open vistas of southern Africa.

While the herd has to deal with their brushes with predators, farmers, poachers and culling gangs alike, their odyssey across southern Africa also embraces some of the cultures, natural wonders and landmarks that give character to this region. So too are described encounters with some of the floral and faunal species unique to this part of the continent.

The story portrays their epic travels through these parts at a time in our past when elephants were able to range, with relative ease, across the timeless plains of Africa. Both subtle and compelling, the story weaves in the arcane rhythm that pounds like a tribal drum deep in Africa’s chest.

GARY ALBYN was born in the old Rhodesia in 1960 and grew up in Umtali on the eastern border with Mozambique. An avid outdoorsman, he quickly developed a keen appreciation for the beauty and allure of the African bush—a passion that endures to this day. Upon leaving school he managed to satisfy one of his other passions—aviation—by gaining admission onto one of the Air Force’s exacting trainee pilot programs. With the advent of Zimbabwe, he adopted South Africa as his new home in the early 1980s. Soon after graduating in civil engineering he began a successful career in the industrial sector. With a personal philosophy that values life balance, Gary shares his time between family, career, flying, travelling, responsible 4x4 off-roading, research, sketching and writing. The International Library of Poets® has honored some of Gary’s previous poems, one of which was recently featured in a published anthology, Forever Spoken. He lives in Johannesburg with his wife Paula and two children, Adam and Paige.

CRAIG BONE was born in Salisbury, Rhodesia in 1955, where he grew up. He served for three years as a policeman before transferring to the Rhodesian Light Infantry in 1977. He was critically wounded in Frelimo mortar attack while on operations in Mozambique and it was only because of some desperate flying from the casualty-evacuation helicopter pilot that saved his life. While recuperating he started painting, initially military-themed works, and in a short time he was to be recognized as an artist of some repute. With his passion for wildlife, and the Zambezi Valley, he was to become an internationally acclaimed artist with his paintings being sold worldwide. A painting of his was recently auctioned on behalf of the Vietnam Veterans’ Association and fetched $110,000—it now hangs in the Pentagon. He is the official artist to the Court of King Zwelethini of the Zulus, and is resident artist for the new luxury Zoo Hotel in Dubai. He lives in Florida, USA but still manages to spend several months of the year in the Zambezi Valley. www.craigbone.com

"This is a physical and emotional journey that will move the reader in many different ways. Manzovo will reach out to your soul's wanderlust for the African wilds."   -- Annette Bayne, The Citizen, January 2009

“Superbly illustrated with full-colour full-page plates of Craig Bone’s paintings, this is an emotional book in which not just the words touch a cord, but the magnificent art work by this acclaimed artist, adds to the sense of awe one feels when perusing this exquisite book.”   -- Lesley Thompson, Talking Travel Africa, 2009

“Travel & Food does not usually review poetry, let alone a 107-verse epic, even if it is the story of a herd of elephants and their ‘sweeping journey through the bushveld and across the open vistas of southern Africa.’ But meticulous attention to detail and incredible illustrations-not to mention a foreword by Dr Ian Player, ‘international colossus in the field of conservation’-set this book apart. A magical, mystical visual celebration of Africa as she was, the verses and pictures in Manzovo will inspire everyone to become a conservationist."
  -- Aubrey Paton, Sunday Times

"This is a moving poem - one that had me reading till the end."   -- Meneesha Govender, Daily News

“…a great gift for someone special or for yourself and it is sure to be a treasured piece of art for a long time to come."   -- Babalwa Shota, City Press/ City Pulse