From the Wild to the Familiar: A Journey of Compassion Through Nine Days in Eden
- Alexandra George
- May 5
- 4 min read
Animal-Kind International asked Alexandra George to tell us about her safari in Botswana and her beautiful book. Here's Alexandra's story.
During a nine-day mobile safari through Botswana’s Okavango Delta, I encountered creatures most people only dream of: black-maned lions resting in tall grass, a young leopard draped in a tree and wild dog pups tumbling at dusk near their den. These moments, captured in my book Nine Days in Eden, were filled with awe – but also something deeper: a sense of kinship. Whether it’s a painted dog on the hunt or a rescued cat curled under a shelter roof, the thread that connects us is empathy. That’s why I’m honoured to share my journey here – with Animal-Kind International, whose work reminds us that compassion knows no boundaries, wild or domestic.
Wild Dogs: A Symbol of Fragility and Resilience
Of all the animals we encountered, it was the African wild dogs that stayed with me most. Often misunderstood and increasingly endangered, these social, intelligent animals are among Africa’s most efficient predators—and yet the most fragile. We visited a den with the help of the Botswana Predator Conservation Trust (BPCT), and I was struck by the tenderness of the pack: the way they care for their pups, mourn their losses and rely on each other for survival. That day Alpha Mom was fretting by the den as she waited for the pack to return from the morning hunt but unfortunately the hunt was unsuccessful.
My book Nine Days in Eden features two Photo Tales dedicated to wild dogs, and proceeds help support the BPCT's important work. For me, these dogs are a symbol of what is possible when we make space for compassion in the wild. Their story mirrors that of the vulnerable cats and dogs helped every day by Animal-Kind and its partners.
The Power of Storytelling to Inspire Action
Photography freezes a moment; storytelling brings it to life. Through image and word, Nine Days in Eden invites readers into an intimate world where every animal matters.
The reactions I’ve received from readers – many of whom work in animal care or advocacy –remind me how universal the desire to protect animals truly is. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a lion, hyena or a donkey. What matters is the willingness to see and care.
The Lions of Botswana: A Conservation Success Story
While lions across much of Africa face a troubling decline, Botswana has become a critical stronghold for these majestic animals. The country is home to roughly a third of the continent’s remaining lions—a figure that is both hopeful and sobering. Hopeful, because it shows that with the right policies, lion populations can survive. Sobering, because it means other regions have lost so much.
During our journey through the Okavango Delta and the Central Kalahari Game Reserve, we encountered multiple prides and solitary males, including the famous black-maned lions of the Kalahari. Their presence is not just luck—it is the result of Botswana's commitment to conservation. The government has prioritized protected areas, enforced anti-poaching laws and supported scientific research.
Nine Days in Eden gives readers a glimpse into a place where lions still roam free, where their roars echo through tall grass and where their survival is not taken for granted. Including these sightings in the book was important to me. I wanted to show not just the beauty of these animals, but also the context that allows them to thrive.
In an era of environmental uncertainty, Botswana offers a model of coexistence. And in their own way, so do the shelters supported by Animal-Kind International: places where animals are not exploited, but protected; not forgotten, but deeply valued.
A Shared Mission: Protecting the Voiceless
What unites the work of wildlife conservationists and domestic animal rescuers is a shared mission: to protect the voiceless. I’ve seen firsthand how shelters supported by Animal-Kind offer haven to donkeys, horses, dogs and cats across Africa. Their challenges differ, but their needs are the same: food, safety, dignity and love. It’s a mission that echoes through the tall grasses of the Okavango Delta and the dusty villages where working animals labour every day.
An Invitation to Journey Further
If you’d like to see more of the Okavango’s wild beauty and the stories that came from those nine unforgettable days, I invite you to visit my website (www.NineDaysinEden.com), or watch the new short video trailer for Nine Days in Eden. My hope is that the book inspires readers to look closer, feel deeper and act kinder—in the wild and at home.
Thank you to Animal-Kind for the invitation to share this story. The work you do to protect animals across Africa is vital, and I’m proud to walk alongside you in compassion.
For more about Nine Days in Eden and author Alexandra George, see:
Instagram/ninedaysineden
Nine Days in Eden Trailer
📽️ Watch the trailer for Nine Days in Eden:
