On Shelves Now: Dave Varty’s The Full Circle

by Tracey on October 6th, 2008

Dave Varty was a cricket-playing school boy of fifteen when his father died. Less than two years later, and with only R62 in the bank, he and his brother John started a business that would change the conservation landscape across the African continent. It’s a story told in Dave’s new book, The Full Circle.

In his quest to save the last remaining wilderness areas of Southern and East Africa, and to extend the reach of his ecotourism business, Dave learned priceless life lessons. His has been a journey of discovery and rediscovery – bringing him full circle, from small family owned-and-operated game lodges, to tourism mogul and conservation kingpin, and now finally, back to Londolozi, the original family farm established in 1926 by his great-grandfather.

With passion, hope and humour Dave sweeps readers along his journey to find workable solutions for conserving wild spaces in a complex and crowded world, such as his involvement in the dissolution of the borders between the Kruger and Mozambique’s Gonarezhou Parks. Dave leads the way as South Africa’s environmental champion.

This is the true story of one family’s journey in pioneering conservation ecotourism development in sub-Saharan Africa. In it, Dave considers the implications of advancing green frontiers and just what it would take to turn back politically motivated ideologies and flawed business principles that were leading to the destruction of the natural world.

Personal experience has taught him that things happen for a reason and within every perceived setback lies a new opportunity for inner growth. Part memoir, part motivational manifesto, The Full Circle reminds of us of the grit and determination required to follow your calling and the sacrifices needed to make the world a better place for wildlife and, ultimately, for mankind.

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