About the Book

Nine Days in Eden

17 Photo Tales

178 pages, over 200 coloured photos

10 watercolours by Tom Shepherd

Escape to the untouched wilderness of Botswana’s Okavango Delta, a UNESCO World Heritage site, in Alexandra George’s spellbinding new book, Nine Days in Eden. The work unveils the wonder and beauty of all the creatures great and small that inhabit this gem. Here, for half the year, nearly 7,700 square miles of the Okavango Delta, part of southern Africa’s Kalahari Desert, is transformed into a spectacular inland lagoon that swirls with life and death, a unique habitat for wildlife that invites us to appreciate its untouched splendour.

The 17 Photo Tales, or wildlife stories, are based on a nine-day mobile tented safari to the Okavango Delta, Botswana, the most untouched wildlife destination in Africa. The stories are interspersed with over 200 stunning wildlife and bird photographs from this immersive journey into the Okavango Delta complemented by watercolours by British artist Tom Shepherd.

Vivid descriptions transport you to the shimmering inland lagoons, sweeping grasslands, crystal clear waters of the Okavango Delta’s channels and waterways. The Okavango is a perfect wildlife destination with endless possibilities to explore the incredible natural wonders and some of the most diverse wildlife on the planet. Where a dazzling variety of bird species paint the skies with vibrant hues making the Okavango Delta truly a safari paradise. Where a stealthy leopard stalks its prey through the lush vegetation. Where a majestic elephant herd wades gracefully through crystal-clear waters.

Nine Days in Eden is also an ardent call to preserve and protect this unique ecosystem and the wondrous creatures and birds that dwell in the Okavango Delta.

Proceeds from the book will go to the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust Wild Dog Project.

Praise for Nine Days in Eden

From conservation leaders to art gallery curators, influential voices across wildlife, travel and the arts have praised Nine Days in Eden not only for its powerful storytelling and photography, but for the emotional depth and reverence it brings to the wildlife of the Okavango…

Tau Pan clearly left a lasting impression on you, and I love how the thread of black-maned lions weaves through your adventures, writings, and upcoming editions. ‘Under African Skies: Tenting with Lions’ and the tales in Nine Days in Eden feel like an immersive safari of soul and scenery. Your passion for shifting public perception about lions is refreshing — fear so often stems from misunderstanding. The care you take in your editorial choices is inspiring, striking a perfect balance of restraint and reverence for what deserves to be seen.

— Kate Nelson, General Manager (Operations), Kwando Safaris, Botswana

I got the book and the watercolor today, and WOW – they are incredible! The photos in the book are gorgeous, and the watercolors are so beautiful. The zebra piece is already hanging in our administration building, and people have been commenting on it all day. I also received a print of the African Painted Dog and plan to share it with our APD staff. Thank you for your support of wildlife conservation and these beautiful works of art!

— Devan A. George, Public Relations Coordinator, Dallas Zoo

What a beautiful book! I’m not sure what I love more – the stunning photos or the illustrations. Thank you for the wild dog print; it’s already framed and on my wall.

— Christina Gorsuch, Animal Welfare Coordinator, Cincinnati Zoo

Very well done. I can only imagine how much work went into that book. Your passion for wildlife truly comes through, and I’m sure a lot of people will be touched by its spirit. I’m glad to have managed to say thank you in person at the airport. We all appreciate all the work you do for our cause.

The pack you saw at the den in June 2023 with me is doing very well. Seven of the puppies you saw made it to adulthood. We collared one male and one female with a satellite collar, in the hope to learn more about their dispersal. They are the right age to do so, so fingers crossed we picked the right individuals! The pack also raised ten puppies, which brings the pack size to 26 dogs in total.

As you must have seen on your trip, we had some good rains and the grass has grown to a height which makes it very challenging to find the dogs, even with collars. But we are managing. I just saw them yesterday afternoon, see the video attached. Marine pack is having lots of fun!

— Peter Brack, Research Operations and Logistics Coordinator, Botswana Predator Conservation Trust, Maun, Botswana

Nine Days in Eden by Alexandra George provides readers with a front-row seat to the wonders of the wild, untamed beauty of Botswana’s Okavango Delta—a place so teeming with life it feels like nature’s own masterpiece. Over 17 “photo tales,” Alexandra captures the spirit of a nine-day mobile safari, with the heart-stopping grace of leopards in tall grass, jaw-dropping scenes of elephants crossing waterways, lions patrolling at dawn and painted dogs romping in the grasslands. Featuring over 200 photos and artfully rendered watercolours by Tom Shepherd, this book is a window into one of Africa’s last true Edens. Each page feels like a firsthand encounter with Africa’s wild at its most raw and beautiful.But it’s more than just a safari; it’s a heartfelt call to protect these extraordinary landscapes and the creatures that roam them. Proceeds support the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust’s Wild Dog Project, making every purchase a step toward preservation. If you’re ready to be transported and inspired, Nine Days in Eden is your next great escape into the wild.

— Ben Bressler, Founder and CEO, Natural Habitat Adventures, Boulder, Colorado

Nine Days in Eden is a beautifully illustrated journey into the heart of Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Expertly written by author Alexandra George, the reader is introduced to the region’s iconic mammals and birds through 17 Photo Tales that provide a unique insight into their lives. Having been lucky enough to visit the Delta on several occasions previously, Nine Days in Eden captures the life-changing experience of a visit perfectly. Ten stunning wildlife watercolours by Tom Shepherd offer a perfect counterpoint to the photographs, enriching the book with a distinctive artistic dimension that reflects its call for the conservation and reverence for the Okavango’s iconic animals and birds.

— Dan Free, General Manager, Wildlife Worldwide, UK

I found this book to be truly delightful. The photography was superb, catching the animals in their natural habitat. Each photo displayed made it clear that the photographer behind the camera knew exactly how to capture these beautiful creatures at their best.

The reading material was informative and written in such a way to make it an easy and relaxed read bringing the photos to life with love and attention to detail. I am proud to be fortunate enough to own this book and to add it to my collection.

— Brenda Evangelides
Manager, Charles Greig Gallery, Johannesburg, South Africa

I absolutely loved Nine Days in Eden. It truly transports and immerses you into the fascinating world of the Okavango Delta and its iconic wildlife and birds. Not only is this book an absolute feast for the eyes – visually stunning and stimulating on every page – but the words add a whole new element to this imagery, bringing the place to life by conjuring the feel, sights and even smells of this incredible place. Highly recommended!

— Tom Shepherd, British watercolour wildlife artist and highly commended
finalist in the world renowned Wildlife Artist of the Year award on several
occasions

Elephants, giraffe, hippos and rhinos are what most of us think about, dream about, and what bring many of us to Africa that very first time. But it’s the birds that keep me going back. So I especially appreciated chapter 14, “A Pageantry of Winged Residents and Migratory Feathered Creatures.” And while the photos and watercolours will certainly “grab” you and draw you in—like African wildlife does, it’s the 17 Photo Tales and Ms. George’s way with words that helps to bring the pages to life and gives you a thorough understanding of Okavango’s precious resources. Nine Days in Eden has something for those who have been, those who plan to go, and those who may never get to the Okavango. Most importantly, it shows we all have a stake in ensuring this corner of Africa (and other special places) need to be protected and saved.

— Karen Menczer, USAID Biodiversity Conservation Consultant and
Founder/Director Animal-Kind International