Geological journeys - a traveller's guide to South Africa's rocks and landforms is an essential companion for car journeys. For those who wonder about the jaunty tilt of a mountain ahead, the unusual patterns of a road cutting, the colour and texture of the roadside soil, or the purpose of a distant minehead, this volume offers answers and explanations about features along all the major routes across South Africa, and some of the lesser, but geologically interesting, routes too.

Also included are the three main metropolitan areas – Johannesburg, Cape Town and Durban – so that city residents can understand the geological features surrounding them. Using familiar landmarks to pinpoint sites and subtle phenomena, the authors bring to light our rich geological heritage, its likely roots and often tumultuous history.

Along the way, they also discuss the historical background, personalities and stories that relate to the landscape.

Greater southern Africa has a wealth of mammal species, almost 400 – all of which are covered in this fully updated, comprehensive field guide.

Now expanded to include species found in Angola, Zambia and Malawi, it has also been extensively revised to include: the most recent research and taxonomy, revised distribution maps and many new images, colour-coded grouping of families, spoor and size icons, skull photographs, grouped for easy comparison, detailed descriptions of each species, offering insight into key identification characters, typical behaviour, preferred habitat, food choice, reproduction and longevity.

This edition of Newman's birds of Southern Africa at once updates a classic and pays tribute to one of the region's birding authors, the late Kenneth Newman. With the support of Faansie Peacock, the author's daughter, Vanessa Newman, has thoroughly revised, updated and expanded this new edition to reflect the latest research, both in terms of text and illustrations.

Covering all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi River, its range includes the birds from the southern seas as well as those of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique. The format of Newman's birds has been preserved and subtly modernized.

Colour coding of major bird groups and the characteristically bold cross-referencing between text and images have been retained. As always, large, accurate paintings of each species reflect the bird as it is seen in the field, and are now labeled with diagnostic features, in line with top guides round the world.

A revised introductory section takes readers step-by-step through how to use this latest edition of Newman's Birds of Southern Africa in the field.

The ultimate compact, quick ID guide to southern and East African animal behaviour, and the latest in the popular series of 'quick guides' to wildlife.

This title:

- describes and explains the habits of the more commonly found mammals of southern and East Africa;

- matches concise text with action photographs that capture characteristic behaviour;

- serves as a companion volume to more detailed field guides;

- provides a quick reference and easy read for anyone interested in understanding wild animals and their sometimes baffling rituals.

Fully revised, Birds of Africa south of the Sahara provides unrivalled coverage of African birds in a single volume, and is the first book to describe and illustrate all of the birds found in Africa south of the Sahara Desert (the Afrotropic Region), including Socotra, Pemba and islands in the Gulf of Guinea.

Despite its exceptional coverage, this guide is compact enough to use in the field, and follows the standard field guide format, with texts and range maps appearing opposite the colour plates.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Bome van Suider-Afrika bied ’n fassinerende blik op die bome van die subkontinent. Met behulp van volkleurfoto's en verspreidingskaarte, asook maklik leesbare teks, sal die beginner en ontluikende natuurliefhebber die meer algemene bome in Suider-Afrika kan identifiseer, kan vasstel waar hulle groei, en meer te wete kom oor hul unieke eienskappe.

Hierdie praktiese, eenvoudige gids tot van die voëls in Suider-Afrika wat die meeste gesien word, is gemik op beginner- en selfs juniorv oëlkykers. Dit is meer toeganklik as ’n volwaardige veldgids, en baie nuttig met eenvoudige teks, duidelike illustrasies en foto’s van 300 van die streeks se voëls wat die maklikste te sien is.

Vir elke voël bied die boek:

- Eenvoudige teks met onder meer ‘vind dit;’ ‘identifiseer dit’ en ‘verstaan dit’

- Illustrasies en foto’s in volkleur

- ’n Verspreidingskaart

- Die gewone Afrikaanse naam, wetenskaplike naam en gewone name in Engels en ander Afrika-tale

- Gemiddelde grootte en besonderhede oor die nes

- Omraamde teks met bykomende inligting vir sommige voëls.

Hierdie kleurryke, tersaaklike boek met bondige aanwysings vir identifisering behoort groot byval te vind by Suider-Afrikaanse voëlkykers en buitelewe-entoesiaste.

Chameleons are fascinating creatures: they almost always evoke in people a strong response, be it delight, wonder or fear.

Chameleons of Southern Africa explores this interesting group of lizards and discusses their strange and unusual, sometimes unnerving, characteristics. It presents an overview of all types of chameleons (of which there are up to 160 species in total, worldwide), their history, geographic distribution (restricted mainly to Madagascar and Africa), reproduction, behaviour and their relationships to each other.

It also contains a clear identification guide to all southern African species - some 25 have been identified to date - together with distribution maps and colourful photographs of their many features and guises. For interested students, gardeners, naturalists and even just the curious, Chameleons of Southern Africa is an essential guide to these intriguing lizards.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Soogdiere van Suider-Afrika bied aan die jong leser ’n fassinerende blik op die diere lewe van die streek. Met behulp van volkleur foto’s en verspreidings kaarte, asook maklik leesbare teks, sal die jong volwassene en ontluikende natuur liefhebber die meer algemene soogdierspesies in Suider-Afrika kan identifiseer, kan vasstel waar hulle leef, en meer te wete kom oor hul unieke vreet- en teelgewoontes.

Southern African birdfinder - where to find over 1400 bird species from South Africa to Zambia, is the essential companion to all local bird field guides.

It fills a gap in the market for a guide to the region's top birding spots and to finding southern Africa and Madagascar's most desirable birds. After an introduction to birding in the region, the authors outline and describe 39 key bird routes and more than 330 birding sites across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Madagascar and the little-documented but increasingly popular areas of Angola, Mozambique, Zambia and Malawi.

Sites include practical details of access, best times to visit, habitat diversity and the birds that occur in it, and general natural history; the more important sites feature a detailed map.

The Kruger National Park is one of the world’s leading stewards of biological diversity. Its management requires ongoing monitoring and re-evaulation to ensure that species survive.

Shaping Kruger provides fascinating insight into the lives, habits and behaviour of the larger animals that significantly affect the workings of the park. It expertly synthesizes decades of ground-breaking research into the animals and their environment, examining along the way individual species; predator-prey relationships; mammal distribution, and browsing and grazing interactions.

This detailed look at how Park management has had to interpret, monitor and adapt the processes that allow species to survive – even thrive – in an ever-changing environment makes for an intriguing and enlightening read.

Comprehensively revised, expanded and updated, this compact guide makes the ideal travelling companion on trips to the wildlife areas and nature reserves of East Africa.

It features

- authoritative text describing key identification features;

- full-colour photographs illustrating a range of commonly encountered, rare and beautiful species;

- distribution maps showing the range of each species;

- thumbnail outlines of each family group, enabling quick identification.

A remarkable variety of animals and plants can be found in the wilderness region surrounding the Okavango Delta. This photographic guide covers more than 470 of the area’s most conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, fishes, invertebrates, trees and aquatic plants.

An informative introduction describes the area’s geology, climate, habitats and the key roles played by some animals, such as termites and elephants. The species accounts feature concise text describing the species’ appearance, size, habits, habitat and status, with full-colour photographs to facilitate identification.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot Roofvoëls van Suider-Afrika bied ’n fassinerende blik op die voellewe van die streek. Met behulp van volkleur-foto’s en -verspreidingskaarte, asook maklik leesbare teks, sal die beginner en ontluikende natuurliefhebber die meer algemene roofvoels in Suider- Afrika kan identifiseer, kan vasstel waar hulle leef, en meer te wete kom oor hul unieke vreet- en broeigewoontes.

Sasol Eerste Veldgids tot die Paddas van Suider-Afrika is ’n interessante gids tot die paddas van die streek. Volkleurfoto’s, verspreidingskaarte en verstaanbare teks sal nuwelinge en aspirantnatuurkenners help om die algemeenste paddaspesies in Suider-Afrika uit te ken, te ontdek waar hulle voorkom en te leer van hul unieke gedrag en buitengewone eienskappe.

Here's a quick and quirky identification guide to animal dung or droppings.

Each animal group (carnivores, primates, antelope, rats and mice, reptiles, birds) is briefly introduced; but the main focus of this book is the photographs, mostly life-size. These images enable immediate identification of the animals responsible for the droppings. To confirm identity, summary tables give details of average width, length and typical contents of droppings (feathers, twigs, leaves, sand, etc.).

This should become a recommended reference for rangers and field guides in the region; and it will be of use to anyone with an interest in wildlife, and even to those who simply enjoy walking in the wild and observing the tracks and signs they encounter.

The book presents 50 of the most recognizable and geologically interesting sites around South Africa, including some of palaeontological or historical renown and some of mining interest. The diverse selection includes sites such as Chapman’s Peak, Howick Falls, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Mapungubwe, Tswaing Meteorite Crater and the Fraserburg Fossil Surface.

Each site is unpacked to reveal:

- key features

- geological heritage

- landscape and rock formations

- topics of local or historical interest

- things to see and do at the site and in the surrounding area.

Maps and GPS pointers make the sites easy to find, and some of the more complicated features are explained by means of simplified diagrams.

Nearly 1,000 colour images illustrate South Africa’s remarkable geology and bring the topic vividly to life, making the book suitable for armchair travel too.

Geology off the beaten track follows on the success of author Nick Norman’s earlier Geological Journeys (co-authored with Gavin Whitfi eld), which has sold more than 20 000 copies in the last 6 years. This new book helps readers understand and interpret the geology along SA’s regional and other less-travelled roads.

- It features 13 detailed routes across the country, taking in geologically interesting areas such as the Richtersveld,Cape winelands and the Valley of Desolation near Graaff-Reinet.

- The text is richly illustrated with photos and explanatory diagrams, making it suitable for armchair travellers too.

- Maps for all the routes indicate key geosites, with GPS readings to pinpoint their location.

This is a must-have handbook for travellers in the region, or for anyone wanting to know more about our rocks and landforms.

This edition of Newman's birds of Southern Africa at once updates a classic and pays tribute to one of the region's birding authors, the late Kenneth Newman.

With the support of Faansie Peacock, the author's daughter, Vanessa Newman, has thoroughly revised, updated and expanded this new edition to reflect the latest research, both in terms of text and illustrations. Covering all the birds recorded from the Antarctic to the Zambezi River, its range includes the birds from the southern seas as well as those of South Africa, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Mozambique.

The format of Newman's birds has been preserved and subtly modernized. Colour coding of major bird groups and the characteristically bold cross-referencing between text and images have been retained. As always, large, accurate paintings of each species reflect the bird as it is seen in the field, and are now labeled with diagnostic features, in line with top guides round the world.

A revised introductory section takes readers step-by-step through how to use this latest edition of Newman's Birds of Southern Africa in the field.

Drawing on the latest scientific research, the authors introduce the book with a discussion of reptile identification, diversity, biology, distribution patterns, and where to find and observe them, as well as unraveling the facts and fallacies of snakebites.

Written in a lively and accessible way, the subsequent chapters offer insight into: -Identification to group level, with an inclusive list of related species-A detailed description of appearance, together with colorful images-Biology and behavior of each group-Conservation status of species-Reproduction details-DistributionInformative panels provide key information at a glance, with a distribution map and clear icons giving typical habitat and period of activity.

A wealth of full-color photographs throughout brings the subject matter vividly to life.

This book will appeal to all wildlife enthusiasts, both professional and amateur, and will prove to be a valuable guide in the field.

Southern Africa is the natural home of the richest and most diverse succulent flora in the world. These plants come in all shapes and sizes, from trees such as the baobab at more than 20 m tall, to miniature soil huggers, just a few millimetres high, which mimic their pebble-desert surroundings.

This user-friendly, richly illustrated field guide features more than 700 southern African succulents, focusing on the most interesting and commonly encountered species. An introduction to families and their key features will help readers identify the relevant plant group, while concise accounts describing the plants’ diagnostic features, along with distribution maps, will enable quick ID of species.

More than just an ID guide for plant lovers, this book will inspire gardeners who are turning to indigenous, low-maintenance and waterwise plants for cultivation.

Here s a superb collection of in-your-face images of Africa s magnificent Big Five lion, leopard, rhino, buffalo and elephant.

Award-winning wildlife photographer Gerald Hinde has long been enthralled by these magnificent animals and has spent countless hours in the field, experiencing them in all their different moods and behaviors.

Big Five of Africa beautifully reproduces some of the more remarkable moments he has captured on film during his visits to the wildlife sanctuaries of southern and East Africa. Brief but informative text introduces each animal in turn, providing interesting insights into the nature of these formidable, yet compelling, creatures

Updated to include changing garden exhibits, this interesting guide to Cape Town’s world-famous botanical garden traces the history and development of Kirstenbosch, from its establishment in 1913 to the spectacular showcase of indigenous flora it is today.

Prominent features of the garden are described, such as the protea, erica and restio gardens, the Dell, Conservatory and Camphor Avenue, as well as floral highlights of the four seasons. An updated layout map makes for easy navigating, and indicates walks and climbs that can be undertaken from the garden.

Colourful photographs portray the extraordinary beauty of the garden, both its spectacular flora and its setting against the backdrop of Table Mountain – and make this a worthy memento of a visit to Kirstenbosch.

Namaqualand is justifiably famous for the floral wonderland it becomes in spring, when seas of bright flowers carpet the land. Astonishingly, the carpet comprises some 3,800 species, of which 28% are endemic.

This book introduces nearly 600 species, highlighting those most commonly found, most conspicuous, spectacular or interesting, as well as endemics. An introduction touches on the species selection for the book, the climatic and topographical subregions within Namaqualand, plant names and uses, and conservation issues.

The concise species descriptions also give seed and fruit details, uses, local growing conditions and fl owering times, along with beautiful full-colour photographs. This is a must-have guide for visitors to Namaqualand, or for anyone interested in the wild flowers of southern Africa.

First published in 1986, Smithers' mammals is an authoritative and popular guide to the mammals of Southern Africa. This revised and updated edition incorporates the latest information brought to light by molecular genetics, while remaining accessible to the layperson and handy in the field. Each entry includes an in-depth species description; notes on habitat, behaviour, diet and conservation status; accurate illustrations and spoor drawings; and a distribution map.

The title also details the whales, dolphins and seals seen along our coast.

This highly regarded field guide will appeal to general readers and wildlife enthusiasts, as well as to specialists in the field of mammals.