This is the English translation of the updated edition of a work first published by SANParks in 1990. It is an in-depth look at the prehistory and history of the Lowveld, as well as at the events that led to the proclamation of the Sabie Reserve in 1898 – one of the first conservation areas in the old Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek.

After the Anglo-Boer War, James Stevenson-Hamilton was tasked with running both the Sabie Reserve and the Shingwedzi Reserve (proclaimed in 1904). Stevenson-Hamilton, along with his small yet dedicated corps of rangers, protected and developed the reserve, and eventually, in 1926, the Kruger National Park was proclaimed – the biggest national park in South Africa. A Cameo from the Past covers the park’s history up until 1946, when Stevenson-Hamilton retired. The work also pays tribute to all of the park’s founders.

A Cameo from the Past describes the long and sometimes difficult developmental history of SANParks in detail. Despite the good and the bad from the past, the organisation has developed into the leading conservation authority in Africa, responsible for 3 751 113 hectares of protected land in 20 national parks.

From the bestselling authors of Saving the Last Rhinos comes a new vivid account of environmental conservation and the ongoing efforts to conserve and restore Africa's iconic wildlife and its wildernesses on a war-ravaged continent.

Conservationist Grant Fowlds lives to save and protect Africa's rhinos, elephants and other iconic wildlife, to preserve their habitats, to increase their range and bring back the animals where they have been decimated by decades of war as in countries like Angola, Mozambique and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

This vivid account shares the desperate conservationist efforts to save, preserve and restore Africa’s wildlife, and the tragic losses that sometimes happen along the way. Fowlds describes heart-pumping face-offs with poachers and how impoverished rural people are exploited by rapacious local businessmen. He also highlights the world-threatening illicit trade in ivory and endangered wildlife, some if it sold in ‘wet markets’.

Rewilding Africa goes to the heart of the impact of the Covid-19 on conservation efforts, it describes the importance of wildlife tourism that sustains rural communities; and tells of conservationists' passioned endeavours to support people through the crisis.

Fowlds and Spence take readers on a journey across some of the richest habitats in Africa, teaching the importance of conservation, and the vitalness the survival of wildlife has on humanity’s existence and that of the planet.

A refreshing new book on mushrooms and other fungi in South Africa, covering 200 species - more than any mushroom book in the region to date. Text covers each species' distribution (both regionally and worldwide), description, typical habitat, edibility and toxicity. Magnificent photographs accompany each species, making this both a practical guide and a beautiful book. It will be welcomed by all mushroom enthusiasts, and by nature-lovers in general.

Die vyfde uitgawe van Sasol Voëls van Suider-Afrika is tans volledig bygewerk deur die deskundige skrywerspaneel, met bykomende bydraes van twee nuwe voëldeskundiges. Hierdie omvattende topverkopergids is grootliks verbeter en sal beslis sy plek behou as een van die mees betroubare veldgidse in Afrika.

Belangrike kenmerke van die nuwe uitgawe:

• Meer as 800 nuwe illustrasies
• Skandeer en speel voëlroepe deur die gratis aflaaibare toep te gebruik
• Omvattende hersiening (met mees onlangse spesierekords), verspreidingskaarte en plaatbyskrifte
• Nuwe toevoegings van bydraende skrywers
• Omvattende dekking van die streek se voëls

Die vyfde uitgawe van Sasol Voëls van Suider-Afrika is tans volledig bygewerk deur die deskundige skrywerspaneel, met bykomende bydraes van twee nuwe voëldeskundiges. Hierdie omvattende topverkopergids is grootliks verbeter en sal beslis sy plek behou as een van die mees betroubare veldgidse in Afrika.

Belangrike kenmerke van die nuwe uitgawe:

• Meer as 800 nuwe illustrasies
• Skandeer en speel voëlroepe deur die gratis aflaaibare toep te gebruik
• Omvattende hersiening (met mees onlangse spesierekords), verspreidingskaarte en plaatbyskrifte
• Nuwe toevoegings van bydraende skrywers
• Omvattende dekking van die streek se voëls

A powerful, gripping story about an extraordinary herd of elephants, and the woman dedicated to keeping them safe.

Thula Thula game reserve in South Africa is home to a herd of elephants who have 4,000 hectares to roam. So owner Françoise was taken aback to find the herd’s matriarch Frankie – a feisty character – roaming her garden and eating her daisies. Was Frankie pointing out who was really in charge, or was there another reason for her presence?

The Elephants of Thula Thula is a heart-warming, sometimes funny, often moving account of life on a game reserve dedicated to saving endangered species. As Françoise struggles with bureaucracy and with the ever-present threat from poachers she is determined to keep Thula Thula going. The search is on to get a girlfriend for rhino Thabo – and then, as his behaviour becomes increasingly aggressive, a big brother to teach him manners. She realizes a dream with the arrival of Savannah the cheetah – an endangered species not seen in the area since the 1940s. But will Thula Thula survive the pandemic, and the threat from a mining company wanting access to its land?

As tragedy strikes the herd, Françoise mourns the loss of Frankie and watches as a new matriarch steps up to lead the family. She realizes once again that with their wisdom, resilience and communal bonds, the elephants have much to teach us.

When South African Joanne Lefson took on a piglet at her animal shelter, the young sow proceeded to eat everything in her stable but a paint brush. In a flash of inspiration, Joanne attempted to introduce the pig to the art of painting - and thus Pigcasso was born.

Starting out with a humble canvas on the sanctuary wall, Pigcasso's paintings are now owned by the likes of George Clooney, she has a Swatch watch design partnership, a wine label, and has eclipsed the previous world record holder for animal art. She's been commissioned by Nissan and has had exhibitions in Cape Town, Munich and Amsterdam. More than that, Pigcasso's art funds the food and veterinary services for all the animals at the sanctuary.

Pigcasso is the story of this unique pig and of the circumstances that brought her and Joanne together to take the art world by storm and form a unique and unbreakable bond.

Scenic Cape Town takes the reader on a photographic tour of the City, starting with Robben Island and Table Mountain, running through the City Centre, the Malay Quarter, Gardens and the Waterfront. Then along the Atlantic Seaboard through to Cape Point, back along the False Bay coastline to Constantia, Kirstenbosch and Southern Suburbs. The West Coast, Stellenbosch and the Winelands are also featured ending with Hermanus, Gordons Bay and Cape Agulhas.

Mark Skinner’s photography is outstanding, and all the photography featured has been specially commissioned for this book. Mark contributed most of the Cape material for the highly successful Scenic South Africa.

A concise introduction and extended captions are provided by Sean Fraser who wrote the text for Scenic South Africa, and Seven Days in Cape Town.

In this fascinating and entertaining memoir, the legendary White Bushman, Peter Stark, writes about his experiences in the former German South West Africa: first as a farm manager and lion hunter, and later as nature conservationist.

Stark's fearless personality and phenomenal knowledge of the veld, combined with an intimate knowledge of the San people and their culture make for stories and experiences that most people can only dream of. Whether it's about lions chasing San trackers, elephants trampling a campsite or the spearing of 32 scorpions with a kebab-skewer - Stark's stories are bound to awe and entertain.

With Peter Stark's unique and genial narrative voice, The White Bushman presents an important cultural-historical perspective on the country that became Namibia. The photographs, taken either by Stark himself or his fellow game wardens, contribute greatly to enhancing the images conjured up by these captivating adventures and anecdotes.

Botanicum is 'n pragtige volkleur boek wat 'n hele klomp raaisels om plante onthul.

Hoe het die eerste plante gelyk? Wanneer het die eerste woude gevorm? Wanneer het plante begin blomme dra? Watter plante is die grootste, kleinste, vreemdste, seldsaamste, lelikste en stinkste op aarde? In Botanicum kan jy die mees eksotiese en veemdste plante bymekaar sien.

Leer hoe plante al miljoene jare langer as ons bestaan en fassinerede dinge soos hoekom party plante groen is en ander nie en hoe party plante in water leef en ander in die lug hang sonder enige kontak met die grond.

Kom ontdek binne Botanicum die wonderlike planteryk in sy kleurryke, verrassende glorie.

The Pocket Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa is a handy and compact guide to over a 100 mammal species – from big cats to mice and bats.

Each entry contains a detailed description with:

• Clear, full-color photographs
• Information on identification, subspecies, mass, shoulder height, vocalization, age, habitat, habits, food, breeding, and male and female differences
• Details of other species with which the mammal could be confused, and their differences
• An illustration of typical tracks and their size
• A Southern Africa distribution map
• Listed where appropriate are the most recent standards set for trophy hunters by Safari Club International and Rowland Ward

• A vegetation map and habitat keys for essential, summarised information at a glance on distribution and preferred habitats
• A photographic section on dung
• An illustrated section on spoor and tracking

This remarkable collection of birding stories, written by some of our most intrepid bird observers, will convert a new generation of South African ornithologists and watchers of wilderness.

Birds and their names sing from the pages; owls, Shoebills, sandgrouse, Hooded Pittas, Rhinoceros Hornbills, Brown Kiwis, Rock Doves, Cape Eagle Owls, Greater Flameback woodpeckers, Inaccessible Island Rail, Superb and Beautiful Sunbird, Violet Turaco and the African Crowned Eagle.

Contributors include: David Allan, Mark D. Anderson, Mark Brown, Callan Cohen, Susie Cunningham, W. Richard J. Dean, Morne du Plessis, Vernon RL Head, Alan Kemp, David Letsoalo, Rob Little, John Maytham, Adam Riley, Peter Ryan, Claire Spottiswoode, Peter Steyn, Peter Sullivan, Warwick Tarboton, Mel Tripp and Ross Wanless.

All author royalties will be donated to the FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology to support ongoing ornithological research.

'The remarkable story of an astounding transformation' George Monbiot

Forced to accept that intensive farming on the heavy clay of their land at Knepp in West Sussex was economically unsustainable, Isabella Tree and her husband Charlie Burrell made a spectacular leap of faith: they decided to step back and let nature take over. Thanks to the introduction of free-roaming cattle, ponies, pigs and deer – proxies of the large animals that once roamed Britain – the 3,500 acre project has seen extraordinary increases in wildlife numbers and diversity in little over a decade.

Once-common species, including turtle doves, nightingales, peregrine falcons, lesser spotted woodpeckers and purple emperor butterflies, are now breeding at Knepp, and populations of other species are rocketing. The Burrells’ degraded agricultural land has become a functioning ecosystem again, heaving with life – all by itself.

This recovery has taken place against a backdrop of catastrophic loss elsewhere. According to the 2016 ‘State of Nature’ report, the UK is ranked 29th in the world for biodiversity loss: 56% of species in the UK are in decline and 15% are threatened with extinction. We are living in a desert, compared with our gloriously wild past.

In Wilding, Isabella Tree tells the story of the ‘Knepp experiment’ and what it reveals of the ways in which we might regain that wilder, richer country. It shows how rewilding works across Europe; that it has multiple benefits for the land; that it can generate economic activity and employment; how it can benefit both nature and us – and that all of this can happen astonishingly quickly. Part gripping memoir, part fascinating account of the ecology of our countryside, Wilding is, above all, an inspiring story of hope.

The view from this spot … is the most picturesque of any I had seen in the vicinity of Cape Town.
William Burchell — Travels in the Interior of South Africa, 1822

Kirstenbosch is a name that resonates around the world as the home of a uniquely rich flora in a setting of unsurpassed beauty. Established soon after the unification of South Africa in 1910, the Garden continues to draw both tourists and locals to its enchanting spaces and botanical riches.

This book tells of how the Garden came to be, its setbacks and triumphs, its benefactors and heroes. It outlines the Garden’s scientific eminence as the repository of knowledge on our prized flora and presents its many attractions.

In this new edition, the story is brought up to date with details of new developments and attractions, making it a quality memento for visitors and the thousands of locals who flock there annually.

Wilderness guide Sicelo Mbatha shares lessons learnt from a lifetime’s intimate association with Africa’s wildest nature.

Black Lion begins in rural South Africa where a deeply traumatic childhood experience – he witnessed his cousin being dragged away by a crocodile – should have turned Sicelo against the surrounding wilderness. Instead, he was irresistibly drawn to it. As a volunteer at Imfolozi Nature Reserve, close encounters with buffalo, lion, elephant and other animals taught him to ‘see’ with his heart and thus began a spiritual awakening.

Drawing from his Zulu culture and his own yearning to better understand human’s relationship to nature, Sicelo has forged a new path, disrupting the conventional approach to nature with an immersive, respectful and transformative way of being in the wilderness. Both memoir and philosophical reflection, Black Lion - co-written with environmentalist Bridget Pitt - is his brilliant and profound account of life as a wilderness spiritual guide.

As humanity hurtles into the anthropogenic 21st century, Black Lion is an urgent reminder of just how much we need wilderness for our emotional and spiritual survival.

Ek hoop jy's reg vir 'n lewe vol avontuur! Indien nie, moet jy asseblief nie hierdie boek koop nie.

Hierdie boek sal jou help om elke voel in Suider Afrika te identifiseer. Maklik!

Jy sal ook snaakse en interessante feite leer oor alles van sterre tot superhelde, plus so ietsie oor voels ook.

Explore the fascinating world of birds in the Kgalagadi Transfron- tier Park with “Kgalagadi Self-Drive Birds.” This book is a com- prehensive guide dedicated to the remarkable adaptation of bird species in one of the most extreme environments on Earth.

The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park, with its expansive blue skies, red dunes, and sparse vegetation, provides a unique back- drop for birdwatching. This guide is meticulously crafted to offer bird enthusiasts and casual observers alike a deeper understand- ing of the diverse avian life that calls this arid savanna home. Inside, you’ll find detailed cutout images of each bird species, making identification easy and engaging. Alongside these imag- es, the book provides in-depth information on the unique adapta- tions that enable these birds to thrive in the harsh conditions of the Kgalagadi. From temperature fluctuations that can swing from -10°C at night to 45°C during the day, to the scarcity of water and the fierce dust storms, the resilience of these birds is truly awe-inspiring.

Each section of the book focuses on different bird species, highlighting their behaviors, habitats, and survival strategies. Learn how raptors soar majestically over the dunes, how songbirds find sustenance in the sparse vegetation, and how each species has evolved to make the most of the challenging environment. “Kgalagadi Self-Drive Birds” is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in understanding the intricate balance of life in the Kgalagadi. Whether you’re planning a self-drive safari or simply intrigued by bird adapta- tion, this book offers a wealth of knowledge and visual delight.

Embark on a journey through the Kgalagadi and discover the incredible stories of its avian inhabitants.

On a lonely stretch of road a nameless man commits a murder.

The victim is a religious minister on his way to take up a post in a nearby town. When the murderer decides to steal the dead man’s identity, his first official duty is to bury the body, which has just been found near a disused quarry. But the head of the local police takes a close interest in the new minister’s work – watching, listening, slowly circling his prey.

In The Quarry, Damon Galgut brings the power of myth to his tender prose to create a devastating drama that builds to a climax that is almost too much to bear.

What are things made of? What is the sun? Why is there night and day, winter and summer? Why do bad things happen? Are we alone? Throughout history people all over the world have invented stories to answer profound questions such as these. Have you heard the tale of how the sun hatched out of an emu's egg? Or what about the great catfish that carries the world on its back? Has anyone ever told you that earthquakes are caused by a sneezing giant? These fantastical myths are fun - but what is the real answer to such questions?

The Magic of Reality, with its explanations of space, time, evolution and more, will inspire and amaze readers of all ages - young adults, adults, children, octogenarians. Teaming up with the renowned illustrator Dave McKean, Richard Dawkins answers all these questions and many more. In stunning words and pictures this book presents the real story of the world around us, taking us on an enthralling journey through scientific reality, and showing that it has an awe-inspiring beauty and thrilling magic which far exceed those of the ancient myths.

We encounter rainbows, our genetic ancestors, tsunamis, shooting stars, plants, animals, and an intriguing cast of characters in this extraordinary scientific voyage of discovery. Richard Dawkins and Dave McKean have created a dazzling celebration of our planet that will entertain and inform for years to come.

Is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes? And why do flamingos stand on one leg while bats hang upside down? Did you know that a chameleon’s tongue can shoot out at five times the acceleration of a fighter jet?

In The Buck That Buries its Poo, naturalist Quinton Coetzee answers these and many other intriguing wildlife questions. He also dispels countless myths and elucidates some of the legends that surround creatures in the South African bush we thought we knew all about.

For example, bats do not get tangled in people’s hair (because they are far too adept at flying) and elephants are not afraid of mice (but they do fear bees!). Other tall tales you might hear around the campfire are that lions roll in animal dung, entrails or carcasses to disguise their scent, and that rhinos have a predilection for stamping out fires. What is true, though, is that hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs.

This handy guide is based on Coetzee’s own research and that of others, and his experience gleaned over decades living close to nature and wildlife. It seeks to unravel the mysteries of nature in Africa – from mammals and birds to arthropods and plants – with fascinating information and fun trivia. It is a book that will enlighten and entertain. PS: Zebras are black with white stripes!

In this poignant, funny, and disarmingly honest memoir, one of the world’s most beloved storytellers, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Book Thief, tells of his family’s adoption of three troublesome rescue dogs—a charming and courageous love story about making even the most incorrigible of animals family.

There’s a madman dog beside me, and the hounds of memory ahead of us . . . It’s love and beasts and wild mistakes, and regret, but never to change things.

What happens when the Zusak family opens their home to three big, wild, street-hardened dogs—Reuben, more wolf than hound; Archer, blond, beautiful, destructive; and the rancorously smiling Frosty, who walks like a rolling thunderstorm?

The answer can only be chaos: There are street fights, park fights, public shamings, property damages, injuries, hospital visits, wellness checks, pure comedy, shocking tragedy, and carnage that must be read to be believed.

There is a reckoning of shortcomings and failure, a strengthening of will, but most important of all, an explosion of love—and the joy and recognition of family.

Three Wild Dogs (and the Truth) is a tender, motley, and exquisitely written memoir about the human need for both connection and disorder, a love letter to the animals who bring hilarity and beauty—but also the visceral truth of the natural world—straight to our doors and into our lives and change us forever.

A charming, moving account of one man's race to save a herd of elephants.

When South African conservationist Lawrence Anthony was asked to accept a herd of 'rogue' elephants on his Thula Thula game reserve in Zululand, his common sense told him to refuse. But he was the herd's last chance of survival - dangerous and unpredictable, they would be killed if Anthony wouldn't take them in.

As Anthony risked his life to create a bond with the troubled elephants and persuade them to stay on his reserve, he came to realize what a special family they were, from the wise matriarch Nana, who guided the herd, to her warrior sister Frankie, always ready to see off any threat, and their children who fought so hard to survive.

With unforgettable characters and exotic wildlife, this is an enthralling book that will appeal to animal lovers and adventurous souls everywhere.

In this insightful guide, the authors introduce readers to the rich animal life of South Africa’s largest nature reserve – the Kruger National Park.

The Kruger is home to 71 mammal, 252 bird, 36 reptile and 18 amphibian species. This guide describes the most common and most often seen animal species in plain language and the descriptions are accompanied by clear, full-colour photographs of each animal.

With this handy and easy-to-use field guide by your side, you never again have to worry about identifying animals correctly.

Southern Africa has possibly the most beautiful and diverse floral kingdom in the world, but it is also the most polluted and threatened. Agricultural production is under threat from both indigenous and alien weeds and our entire ecosystem is now being seriously threatened by these alien, invasive species. Awareness of these weeds, the regulations involved and possible control measures have become critical factors. Things change in time, more weeds appear and the scope of this edition is extended up into more Central Africa. This then initiated the fourth revised and updated edition, titled Problem Plants and Alien Weeds of Southern Africa.

AMAZING FEATURES
The contents cover more than 800 problem plants of which 433 species are illustrated and their origin, environmental impact and control measures are described. Similar species are mentioned.
More than 900 colour photographs assist with identification, create more awareness and illustrate the problematic nature of plants.
Up-to-date distribution maps show the range in Southern Africa.
The existence of a herbicide registration (in South Africa) is indicated with “H” where applicable, and the latest government regulations (NEMBA categories: 1a, 1b, 2 and 3), as well as biological control, where applicable, are mentioned next to the distribution map.
Introductory chapters cover biodiversity and the threat of alien species; problematic indigenous vegetation including bush encroachment; veld degradation; control and management techniques; biological control; chemical weed control; herbicide resistance, and the threat posed by ornamental garden plants.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Clive Bromilow holds a degree in Applied Biology with a major in Ecology. He has been involved in the agricultural chemical industry all over the world for over 40 years and this has led to a lifelong interest in plants and weeds. His first book Problem Plants of South Africa was published in 1995 and was a huge success. This edition and the subsequent three revised editions were very successful and became reference books on the subject throughout Southern Africa and indeed the world.

Die veldwagter stap saam is nie 'n tradisionele veldgids in die sin dat dit tot in die fynste besonderhede verduidelik hoe om 'n spesifieke plant of dier te identifiseer nie (alhoewel die teks tog nuttige wenke gee om uitkenning te vergemaklik). Die doel met hierdie boek is eerder om te dien as 'n persoonlike gids of 'veldwagter' tydens 'n besoek aan die Laeveld. Dit ontsluit op 'n toeganklike wyse 'n magdom verklarende inligting oor die mees algemene diere en plante van die Laeveld en doen so weg, met die nodigheid om 'n stapel verskillende veldgidse saam te karwei. Die Veldwagter stap saam is 'n beknopte gids propvol interessante inligting oor 'n verskeidenheid onderwerpe, met inbegrip van soogdiere, voels, reptiele en amfibiers, ongewerweldes, bome, grasse, veldblomme en spoorsny, toegelig met honderde kleurfoto's wat help met die verklaring van diergedrag en uitkenning van algemene spesies. Die veldwagter stap saam is die ideale handleiding vir amateurnatuurkundiges van alle ouderdomme, insluitend nuwe besoekers aan die bosveld, vakansiegangers en aspirant 'veldwagters'. Wanneer 'veldwagters' in die toerismebedryf hulle opleiding ontvang, is dit juis die inligting vervat in hierdie boek wat hulle eerste moet baasraak. Enige 'veldwagter' wat sy sout werd is moet oor 'n grondige kennis van die natuur beskik om kliente se vrae sinvol te kan beantwoord en die beginpunt is altyd om die mees algemene onderwerpe in elke studieveld onder die knie te kry. Mettertyd kan veldwagters hul basiese kennis van die algemene onderwerpe uitbrei deur al meer gespesialiseerde bronne te bestudeer. Hierdie benadering kan natuurlik gevolg word deur enigiemand wat sy of haar kennis van die bosveld wil verbreed - en Die Veldwagter Stap Saam beloof om dit 'n genotvolle en deelnemende proses te maak!