Dark Star Safari (2002) is a written account of a trip taken by author Paul Theroux from Cairo to Cape Town via trains, buses, cars, and armed convoy. Theroux had lived in Africa as a young and idealistic early member of the Peace Corps and part of the reason for this trip was to assess the impact on Africa of the many years of aid from Western countries. His assessment is generally critical of the long-term impact of aid programs. Throughout the duration of the trip Theroux describes the writing of an erotic novella. This novella was eventually published in 2003, amongst a collection of short stories, as "The Stranger at the Palazzo D'Oro".
Surprised myself in enjoying this, the last few time I tried reading Theroux I found them uninspired and tedious. Good read of a modern view through Africa from top to bottom
