WildNothos
THE NOTHOBRANCHIUS SITE
Béla Nagy
RETURN TO THE LAND OF RAINS
Adventures of Discovering New Life in Africa
A WildNothos publication
A richly illustrated series of expeditions, featuring over 100 full colour photographs and maps, printed in premium quality to create an immersive reading experience centred on the discovery of fish species new to science.
Chasing mysterious discoveries means following the rains, where life appears for a fleeting moment before vanishing without a trace.
In this compelling sequel to Rough Road into the Deep Unknown, the author travels through the parched dust of Kenya, the forgotten wetlands of Chad, the shifting seasons around Lake Victoria, and the myth-laden landscapes of Congo. From highland gorillas in Uganda to elusive seasonal fishes in the wilderness of Tanzania, from desert storms to rain-drenched forests, he blurs the line between science and adventure.
Whether navigating predator-infested marshes, witnessing a birth on open savannah, or fulfilling a promise made to his son, each chapter tells a story of survival and wonder. They reveal Africa’s hidden worlds and the courage it takes to reach them.
For those drawn to wild places, this is exploration at its most elemental, where existence hangs in the balance between drought and flood, instinct and awe.
CONTENTS OF THE BOOK
Chapter 1 – The Ghost in the Dust
Kenya, 2010
An expedition across the vast, arid Boji Plains of northern Kenya in pursuit of a long-lost seasonal fish, intertwining hardships of travel with glimpses of history and culture.
Chapter 2 – Exploring the Forgotten Waters
Chad, 2013
A journey through southern Chad into remote borderland with the Central African Republic, where myth, danger, and scientific discovery intertwine, revealing how local stories and science together shape the meaning of these waters.
Chapter 3 – Life Between the Rains
Uganda, Tanzania and Kenya, 2019
A circuit around Lake Victoria in pursuit of fleeting seasonal fishes and lampeyes, capturing the tension between their impermanent lives and the race against time and nature to find them.
Chapter 4 – Safari to the Heart
Eastern Africa, various years
Encounters on safari, thrilling or deeply moving, reveal the rawness of the wild and offer quiet lessons in respect, resilience, and our connection to nature.
Chapter 5 – The Law of the Wild
Tanzania, 2017–2022
Journeys into the Rufiji floodplain of coastal Tanzania, where shifting rains and shrinking habitats expose ruthless predators in the shallows and the enduring law of survival that governs them.
Chapter 6 – Whispers of the Water Spirits
DR Congo, 2023
A perilous venture into southeastern Congo, where new species emerge from the mud amid myth and setbacks along an expedition shadowed by danger, wonder, and a last farewell.
Chapter 7 – The Scale of Wonder
Uganda, 2024
A journey shared as a father fulfils a promise to his son, to trek through the impenetrable forests of Bwindi, encounter mountain gorillas, and discover that the true scale of wonder lies in sharing big and small moments side by side.
282 pages | over 100 full-colour photos | maps | 6 x 9 in - 15.2 x 22.9 cm
More than a story. This is a unique visual journey into the heart of Africa, with over 100 full-colour photographs and maps, beautifully printed for an immersive experience in the discovery of life new to science.
What drives someone to chase vanishing fish through some of the most remote places on Earth?
The author takes readers across unforgettable expeditions into the wild heart of Africa: through the wetlands of the Congo, the arid landscapes of Sudan, the floodplains of Zambia, and the highlands of Uganda.
Driven by the pursuit of uncovering mysterious seasonal fishes, he ventures into the most distant regions of the continent, facing treacherous roads, unexpected dangers, and encounters with remarkable people. But this book is about more than scientific discoveries. It is about the thrill of the unknown, the resilience needed to endure the wilderness, and the untamed beauty of Africa’s last frontiers.
For those who seek adventure and mystery, these are stories of exploration from far beyond the beaten track. A journey you won’t forget.
268 pages | over 100 full-colour photos | maps | 6 x 9 in - 15.2 x 22.9 cm