I had trouble following the story much of the time, but that might be on me. Like the tourists in Kidnapped in Safari, there was much I didn’t understand about the dangers lying just beneath the surface of a guided safari. Western tourists often treat Africa like a theme park without understanding the complexities of this diverse continent.

Tour guide Ubo sacrifices himself to save a careless tourist and is kidnapped by Boko Haram mercenaries for his troubles. The rest of the book is full of twists and turns as Ubo’s uncle, Mbuno seeks his return with the assistance of documentarian producer Pero Baltazar. There is plenty of action and evocative description. This was the third book in a series. I imagine reading them in order would be helpful.

The third book in this series, Kidnapped on Safari is packed with action, from start to finish. I haven’t read the other books in the series, but Riva heavily references them, and I was able to get an idea of previous adventures characters Pero and Mbuno had embarked on.
Early in the book, Mbuno’s son Ube is kidnapped by unknown assailants while leading a private safari. As Mbuno and Pero, and their team try to figure out why Ube was targeted, and how to get him back, they are thrust into the underbelly of dirty politics in Tanzania, uncovering a coup-in-the-making. Their plan to rescue Ube uncovers even more drama, and of course, Pero and Mbuno can’t turn a blind eye.
Kidnapped on Safari was a fun read, full of drama and suspense. I really enjoyed the brotherhood between the two men, and the trust of Pero’s team to follow him, essentially to the ends of the earth, or to their ultimate demise, whichever comes first.

Kidnapped on Safari is the third in Peter Riva's Mbuno & Pero series set in Africa. Pero Baltaza is a wildlife television producer, who has assisted the CIA in past episodes. He works with his trusted safari guide and devoted friend Mbuno.

As Kidnapped on Safari begins, they are filming on Lake Rudolf in Northwestern Kenya. Then comes an emergency call by shortwave radio. Mbuno's son Ube, also an expert guide, has gone missing while on a safari away in Tanzania.

This launches an expedition to save Ube, and it grows into an even more ambitious rescue project. This is a thrilling read in an exotic locale, with the extra of in depth description of filming of wildlife. I recommend this series.

This is the third book in the series but it is my first and read perfectly well as a standalone book.
Mbuno an expert safari guide and Peru an American wildlife television producer who works undercover for the CIA, are filming in Northern Kenya when they hear that Mbuno’s adopted son/nephew Ube has been kidnapped while he was working as a safari guide in Tanzania. There is no hesitation as they set off to find the young man and rescue him.
This is just one almighty adrenaline read with a new danger at every turn. They soon realise that they are up against one of the most feared criminal organisations the Boko Haram. If this rescue mission goes wrong the consequences will be unthinkable.
What a story, as each chapter brings another danger greater than the one before and the discovery of even more illegal trading in so many things. Mbuno and Peru don’t do things by half, making a very heart in your mouth ending that would be hard to beat in a book or on-screen.
If you enjoy thrillers then this would be your perfect choice. Brilliant writing, fearless heroes and action, action, action!

I really enjoyed this book, perfect for biography and memoir enthusiasts. This book was generously provided to me through NetGalley. Highly Recommended!

Kidnapped on Safari is the third book in Mbuno/Pero series. It can be read as a standalone but there are multiple references to the duo's previous adventures.

The writing seemed off at places - the conversations were difficult to follow at times. Also, the story is descriptive. The emotions of the characters are explained in detail - which, in my opinion, isn't necessary. The second half is where all the action lies but at the same time, it seems a tad dragged. (Some conversations could be cut down)

There are too many characters in the story and I had a hard time remembering who's who. Mbuno and Pero's camaraderie is well-explained throughout the story. The duo are ready to do anything for each other and this is the best part about the story.

The ending is nothing short of an action-movie sequence. The ending does justice to the tension and suspense built in the second half of the story. A railway hijack, weapons and high-end chase keep one hooked on to the story. A what-happens-next kinda scenario is sure to keep one on the edge of their seat. 

Overall, Kidnapped on Safari was a good read. Irrespective of the niggles, I liked the story.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for Kidnapped On Safari, a book of gripping, non-stop action. The setting, both in Kenya and Tanzania seemed authentic, and I was pleased with the inclusion of a map depicting the various locations. I felt that these areas were well known to the author.

This is the third book in the Mbuno/ Pero series. The book works as a stand-alone but reflects back occasionally to past events, friendships, and characters mentioned in Murder On Safari. I am now interested in reading the two previous books in the series.

Pero is an American producer of documentary films but also works undercover for the CIA and some affiliated espionage agencies. Mbuno is an expert East African guide, but also has many leadership skills which makes him indispensable to Pero. The two men are friends and consider themselves brothers.

The story begins with a pleasant wildlife photography session in Northern Kenya for a documentary TV program. Pero, wives and colleagues are interrupted in this work when they receive worrisome news. Mbuno’s adopted son/nephew, Ube, has disappeared while guiding several photographers on Safari in a wildlife park in Tanzania. Pero, Mbuno, and one of the men who had been on Ube’s safari in Tanzania start out on a search and rescue mission to find Ube. The others remain behind to keep in contact by radio and to edit the film.

On the rescue mission, the men learn that forests have been cut down to clear land which is being used to produce cocaine and that illicit gold is coming in from Siberia. Tobacco crops are being sold to the Chinese. The rescue of Ube is a riveting scenario where they must climb barriers and crawl through muddy swamps. They find the drugged and comatose Ube in a compound of Boka Haram terrorists. They also notice that about 30 kidnapped Nigerian schoolgirls are being held in the building. Underlying all this is a possible coup to take over the Government of Tanzania.

If this wasn’t enough action and heroic exploits, they decide with some volunteers, to hijack a train and return to the Boka Haram terrorist stronghold to rescue the kidnapped girls and return them to safety. As I read, I thought what a compelling action movie could be made based on the rescue.

My reservations were the complexity of the plot and its high number of characters. It was not an easy read, as there was so much thrilling but complicated, edge- of- the- seat action going on. Recommended for those who enjoy an action-packed story with likable, skilled protagonists.