When it comes to computers, Safari isn't just a Mac Web browser. No sirree, because with the advent of Wild Earth Africa it's possible to take a virtual safari of the animal-related nature in the Serengeti National Park. The Serengeti is home to the largest overland migration of beasts in the world, no less (if you don't count England away matches).

You play the part of a photo-journalist, exploring this wonderful wilderness over the course of eleven assignments given to you by a magazine. Essentially, the game is a non-violent shooter: the player wanders around the pleasantly rendered 3D environment, shooting pictures of animals rather than bullets at them.

Each mission contains a number of photo opportunities which require you to complete tasks such as photographing an elephant trumpeting or a herd of zebra running at full pelt. There's a set target of snaps you have to reach, and missing too many photos results in the mission being deemed a failure (it then has to be repeated).

Along the way, plenty of interesting educational tit-bits are provided on the various animals' habitats and behaviour. For example, you learn about how elephants greet each other, what their poop looks like, and even how they are likely to react to a human presence. Incidentally, the game monitors how well you manage to avoid disturbing the various animals, so a sensible and cautious attitude to wildlife is fostered.

While Wild Earth Africa is labelled a family game, it's obviously aimed at the kids more than anyone else. The problem here is that some of the photo objectives aren't always made particularly clear, and younger children might find matters a tad frustrating in places.

There were several occasions when even this reviewer wasn't sure what an objective was referring to, or where it was located, so Lord help a youngster. If you happen to stray off the beaten track and get lost, the game does helpfully point you back in the direction of your next objective, but it's quite easy to miss some fleeting photo opportunities when you're bumbling around.

While there are some thorns in this African bush, it's reasonably enjoyable in the main, with jeep and helicopter rides thrown in for variety in several missions. A further smart touch is that kids can put together albums of their photos to show mum and dad.

Wild Earth Africa is a solid family game that deserves some credit for trying a different and creative approach to the 3D shooter. The only downside is that at times younger children may find it a little confusing.