Christopher Tanser is a South African-born author and professional field guide whose roots lie deep in the wilds of Africa. Raised in the coastal town of Mtunzini, he grew up surrounded by zebras and monkeys – an early immersion in nature that forged his twin passions for wildlife and storytelling. He completed his school years at Mtunzini Primary school and Grantleigh College, where dedicated English teachers nurtured his love of writing, before earning a BSc (Hons) in Zoology from the University of Lincoln.
Tanser’s journey to becoming a guide was marked by a harrowing encounter at age fifteen: a black rhino ambush that put his grandfather in hospital. Despite this near-death experience, his love for the bush enabled him to face his fears – and he eventually trained and worked as a field guide in South Africa’s Greater Kruger region.
His encounters with elephants and lions inspired his debut novel, The Beasts of Old, an adventure that imagines mammoths and sabretooth tigers for the animals they truly were. It transports readers to a hidden sanctuary of prehistoric creatures, delivering action-packed narrative firmly rooted in zoological reality. Critics have praised its "well-researched novel" approach and vivid wildlife imagery; the book earned five-star reviews and has firmly established Tanser as an exciting new voice in young-adult adventure fiction.
Today, Christopher Tanser combines his roles as a guide and author, drawing on his bush experiences to craft thrilling, educational stories that inspire appreciation for conservation and adventure.
