Leon Nell’s sixth book to explore another captivating part of South Africa reveals a bounty of treasures that give the West Coast, or Weskus as locals call it, its particular allure.

Beginning at Melkbosstrand just north of Cape Town, and ending where the Orange River meets the Atlantic Ocean, the book divides the coastal stretch into four discrete and easily explored regions. Coastal and inland towns are described, together with their main
attractions, offering glimpses into early human history, local culture and traditions, nature and wildlife, and modern-day economic pursuits.

• SOUTH encompasses the Cape West Coast Biosphere Reserve, various wildflower reserves, Darling, Evita se Perron and !Khwa ttu San Heritage Centre
• CENTRAL covers Yzerfontein and the West Coast National Park, including Langebaan Lagoon, Eve’s Footprints, Postberg Flower Reserve and Saldanha
• NORTH explores the celebrated fishing industry at Velddrif, St Helena Bay and Elands Bay, and archaeological discoveries in the area
• DIAMOND COAST spans Doringbaai, Vredendal, Port Nolloth, Kleinzee and Alexander Bay.

Canned lion hunting sprang to the world’s attention with the 2015 launch of the documentary, Blood Lions. This movie blew the cover off a brutal industry that has burgeoned in the last decade or so, operating largely under the radar of public concern.

In Cuddle Me Kill Me, veteran wildlife campaigner Richard Peirce reveals horrifying facts about the industry. He tells:

• The true story of two male lions rescued from breeding farms
• The exploitation and misery of these apex predators when they are bred in captivity
• How young cubs are removed from their mothers mere hours after birth
• How they are first used for petting by an adoring (and paying) public
• Their subsequent use for ‘walking with lions’ tourism
• And how, in the final stage of exploitation, they are served up in fenced enclosure for execution by canned hunters – or simply shot by breeders for the value of their carcass, a prized product in the East

Well researched by Peirce with the help of an undercover agent, and illustrated with photos taken along the way, this is a disturbing and passionate plea to end commercial captive lion breeding and the repurposing of wildlife to cater for human greed.

After centuries of relative isolation, the Karoo – South Africa’s parched heartland – is a latecomer to the tourist industry. What was once viewed as a harsh and desolate place of limited attraction is rapidly gaining popularity with visitors who now make the Karoo their destination, keen to partake of its legendary charm, its extraordinary flora and the resurgence of wildlife that once again populates its plains.

Wild Karoo documents Mitch Reardon’s 4,000-kilometre journey of discovery through the region. The book focuses on:

• local nature conservation in all its facets
• the game, large and small – some recently reintroduced – plus birds, reptiles and invertebrates
• the unique, arid-adapted flora
• the landscape and geology
• the history and lifestyle of the people who have made a home here
• plans to combine public and private protected land to create wildlife corridors between isolated parks, re-establishing old migration routes and so reversing some of the effects of human settlement

Beautifully written, and illustrated with evocative photographs, this book is a must read for anyone interested in travel, wildlife and the environment.

Elephants are arguably Africa’s most charismatic animals, and among the biggest drawcards to our game reserves. While the burgeoning game-park industry may be increasing our access to these magnificent creatures, rising human-elephant encounters are an inevitable outcome – sometimes, sadly, fatal. Such encounters could likely have been avoided had those involved understood elephant behaviour, and particularly how these intelligent animals interface with traffic through their territory.

This book describes elephant family life, from rearing of infants to establishing dominance within a herd; it unpacks regular elephant behaviour, the matriarchal system, the particular dangers of males in musth, and many other aspects of their lives. Most of all, it provides guidelines for ensuring safe and enjoyable encounters with these majestic animals.

This is an essential guide for those planning visits to reserves: aside from the interest factor, being able to read the tell-tale signs may just save lives.

Here’s another batch of David Muirhead’s unrespectable creatures, following his successful earlier volume of hilarious animal accounts (The Bedside Ark ). It offers a wealth of accurate information on each of the profiled creatures, while revealing their softer sides and the near-human frailties from which they suffer – and temptations for which they fall. Delightful, humorous pen-and-ink sketches accompany many of the stories.

Muirhead’s mix of humour, mythology, anecdotal tales and folklore builds quirky and captivating portraits of each animal, and makes for a lighthearted, funny – as well as illuminating – read.

This new anthology, offering something different from the standard collection of animal CVs, will appeal to anyone interested in humorous writing and the natural world, no matter their age (from teen to adult) or level of knowledge.

The English naturalist William Burchell set off from Cape Town in June 1811 to explore the flora and fauna of the vast southern African interior. Over a four-year period, and travelling in a custom-built ox wagon, he amassed an astonishing 63 000 specimens of plants, bulbs, insects, reptiles and mammals – many not previously documented for science – as well as over 500 paintings and illustrations.

While the outbound trek is well described in Burchell’s famous Travels in the Interior of Southern Africa, little has been published about the challenges and discoveries made on his return journey to Cape Town, from 1812–1815. This pioneering book traces the homeward leg of Burchell’s epic odyssey – through the arid northern Cape, the Great Karoo, the warravaged eastern Cape, and along the Eden-like southern Cape coast.

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, including Burchell’s letters, his handwritten records archived at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and the detailed map he created to record his trek, the authors have crafted a thought-provoking and beautifully illustrated account that encompasses both the genius of the man and the natural history of the region that so intrigued him.

This book’s title says it all! Now in an updated second edition, it provides a clear understanding of how trees are constructed and what to look for when identifying a tree.

The book is divided into two parts: Part 1 describes and clearly illustrates the different parts of a tree and their role in tree identification. Part 2 features a key to 43 tree groups, based on easy-to-observe stem and leaf features. It carefully outlines each group and the southern African tree families represented in the different groups. Numerous colour photographs and explanatory illustrations support the text, making this an accessible and easy-to-use guide.

How To Identify Trees In Southern Africa will equip readers with a sound understanding of how trees work and what to look for in order to make a positive ID.

This fully updated edition of Field Guide to Wild Flowers of South Africa covers more than 1,100 species of flora, focusing on the most common, conspicuous and ‘showy’ plants around the region.

An informative introduction discusses plant diversity, vegetation types, and includes a key to identifying plant groups. The species descriptions follow and each is accompanied by:

• a vivid photograph,
• a distribution map showing range, and
• an indication of the plant’s flowering season.

This invaluable, up-to-date guide provides the tools and information needed to identify flowering plants across South Africa.

This larger edition is based on the updated and expanded fifth edition of Sasol Birds of Southern Africa, which has been brought fully up to date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from two new birding experts.

Greatly enhanced, this comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa’s most trusted field guides.

Key features of the 5th revised edition:

• More than 800 new illustrations
• Scan and play bird calls using free downloadable app
• Fully revised text (with latest species records), maps and plate annotations
• Fresh input from new contributing authors
• The larger format allows for better appreciation and easier use of the plates.

ow in its fifth edition, Sasol Birds of Southern Africa has been brought fully up to date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from two new birding experts. Greatly enhanced, this comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa’s most trusted field guides.

Key features of the 5th revised edition:

• More than 800 new illustrations
• Scan and play bird calls using free downloadable app
• Fully revised text (with latest species records), maps and plate annotations
• Fresh input from new contributing authors
• Comprehensive coverage of the region’s birds

Hoe bly gemsbokke koel in die woestyn? Waarom moet jy nooit ’n brulpadda optel nie? Watter roofdiere het die slimste jagtaktieke? Waar los wie hul dieremis?

Ontdek die antwoorde tot dié vrae (en baie ander) in hierdie interessante, prettige boek vir jong natuurliefhebbers. Propvol feite, foto’s van Afrika se diverse natuurlewe (van soogdiere en voëls tot reptiele en insekte) en toets-jou-kennis-aktiwiteite.

’n Interessante, lekkerlees-boek wat die jongspan oor en oor kan geniet – by die huis of in die wildtuin.

Now in its fifth edition, Sasol Birds of Southern Africa has been brought fully up to date by its expert author panel, with additional contributions from two new birding experts. Greatly enhanced, this comprehensive, best-selling guide is sure to maintain its place as one of Africa’s most trusted field guides.

Key features of the 5th revised edition:

• More than 800 new illustrations
• Scan and play bird calls using free downloadable app
• Fully revised text (with latest species records), maps and plate annotations
• Fresh input from new contributing authors
• Comprehensive coverage of the region’s birds

Neither plant nor animal, mushrooms constitute a unique group of organisms.

They appear in such diverse shapes, sizes and colours that identifying them can be di cult; and, for foragers, distinguishing between edible and poisonous varieties can be risky.

Featuring more than 200 fungi commonly found in South Africa, this engaging guide is organised according to the main family groups, enabling more accurate identi cation in the  eld. Individual descriptions detail the characteristic features of each species, as well as their distribution, habitat, size, edibility and toxicity. A comprehensive introduction explains the basic biology of fungi, their role in the ecosystem and their use for humans.

Additional features include an illustrated key to the dominant characters of form, shape and surface, and useful tips for mushroom hunters.

Lavishly illustrated with more than 850 colour photographs, this is both a practical guide and a beautiful book that will inspire nature lovers, foragers, epicureans and anyone curious about these extraordinary members of our natural world.

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

Of the more than 5,500 mammals species worldwide, at least 1,200 occur in Africa. Stuarts’ Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa concentrates on the more visible and easily distinguished larger species, as well as some of the more frequently seen smaller mammals.

This new edition has been extensively revised, expanded and redesigned and includes:

• the most recent research and taxonomy
• revised distribution maps and many new images
• colour-coded grouping of orders
• size icons
• detailed descriptions of each species, offering insight into key identification characters, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity
• whales and dolphins now featured too

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Spinnekoppe & Skerpioene van Suider-Afrika bied aan die jong leser Æn fassinerende blik op die ryke verskeidenheid spinagtiges wat in die streek voorkom. Met behulp van volkleur fotoÆs en maklik leesbare teks, sal die jong volwassene en ontluikende natuur liefhebber die algemene spesies in Suider-Afrika identifiseer.

A handy, all-in-one photographic field guide to the wildlife of South Africa, this guide covers the region's mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and trees that are most likely to be seen. Concise accounts and distribution maps are included for each species.

A brief introduction discusses geology, climate, vegetation zones, wildlife hotspots, and tips on watching wildlife. This convenient presentation of South Africa’s most visible wildlife in a single volume will find favour with tourists and local enthusiasts alike.

• Handy, all-in-one guide to diverse groups of wildlife and trees
• Full-colour photographs of all species
• Distribution maps
• Tips to watching wildlife
• Very attractive price

Namibia is a fascinating land of contrasts, where oodplains, swamps and the world’s oldest desert have contributed to a rich biodiversity. Wilde Natur in Namibia is an easy-to-use guide to the country’s most conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, invertebrates and plants.

The book includes: An informative introduction to the country’s geography, climate and vegetation; Accounts describing each species’ appearance, habits, size and conservation status, as well information on habitat and best viewing localities; Full-colour photographs of each species, along with distribution maps to show their range is all-in-one compact guide will prove invaluable to visitors to national parks, nature reserves and other wildlife-rich places in Namibia.

Pollinators, parasites, predators, decomposers – insects arguably play the most important roles in the functioning of the Earth’s ecosystems.

This lavishly illustrated and highly authoritative book is structured around southern Africa’s 13 distinct biomes; it

• reflects the essential role insects play in most ecological processes such as pollination, predation, parasitism, soil modifi cation and nutrient recycling;
• details how they serve as food for multitudes of other organisms, including bacteria and fungi, as well as specially adapted plants, insect-feeding arthropods, reptiles, birds and mammals;
• depicts the insects and phenomena described in some 1,600 photographs that accompany the accessible text;
• highlights the crucial role insects play as ecosystem service providers, giving intimate insight into the beauty and importance of insects in the natural world.
• includes a guide to each of the 25 insect orders found in southern Africa, with images showing their diagnostic characters.

A new addition to the successful 'Quick ID guide' series, Primates is a succinct survey of the features and habits of our closest relatives.

Divided into the three main primate groups - great apes, typical monkeys and prosimians (including the bushbabies) - this easy-to-use guide rovides pertinent facts, annotated photographs and up-to-date distribution maps to help readers accurately identify the most commonly seen and charismatic primates in the field.

This easy-to-use identification guide to the whales, dolphins and seals found in Southern African waters and the Southern Ocean is compact yet comprehensive.

Close to 50 species occur in the region: from the demonstrative Humpback Whale and Dusky Dolphin to the striking Leopard Seal and massive Blue Whale.

Ontmoet 36 van Suider-Afrika se mees algemene en interessante slange in hierdie lewendige en boeiende kindergids.

Ontdek die besondere kenmerkende gewoontes van slange – waar hulle woon, hoe hulle jag, watter gevare hulle bedreig, en hoe hulle hulself beskerm. Meer as 250 bekoorlike foto’s ondersteun die teks.

’n Volledige inleiding tot heelwat kenmerke van die gedrag van slange ontsluit die betowerende wêreld van hierdie wydverspreide reptiele.

Well-known geologist Nick Norman leads young readers into the absorbing world of geology. Budding rock collectors will find out all about the rocks that they’ll encounter in southern Africa, with a view to building their own rock collections.

Box of Rocks is packed with fascinating information about:

- how rocks form

- how to identify the different rock types

- what rocks are made of

- what different rocks are used for

- where to go to collect each rock type.

Readers will also learn about Stone Age tools, fossils and some of our best-known geological sites.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Slange & Ander Reptiele van Suider-Afrika bied aan die jong leser 'n fassinerende blik op die reptiele van die streek. Met behulp van volkleur fotoÆs en verspreidings kaarte, asook maklik leesbare teks, sal die jong volwassene en ontluikende natuur liefhebber die algemene reptielspesies in Suider-Afrika kan identifiseer.