Sasol First Field Guide to Skywatching in Southern Africa is a fascinating insight into the southern skies by night. Full-colour photo graphs and illustrations, monthly star charts and easy-to-read text will help the budding astronomer to identify the more visible objects in our night skies, as well as those that are less obvious, and discover some of the extraordinary phenomena of our galaxy.

The national parks and reserves of East Africa are widely known for their rich and abundant wildlife. This book presents a new and exciting angle – the geological highlights of the region’s intriguing landscape. East Africa’s cataclysmic volcanic legacy, caused by rifting of the landmass, has resulted in a rich source of geological wonders. These range from the seemingly endless, peaceful plains of the Serengeti to the stark skyscraper walls of extinct calderas and the boiling magma cauldrons and belching vents of the Nyiragongo Volcano.

This handy guide escorts users around all the major – and some minor – parks of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, as well as the Virunga Mountains in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Descriptions of each park and its wildlife offerings, both fauna and flora, preface discussion of the geological origins, influences and current conditions. Key geosites in the parks, and how to access them, are indicated. Maps, satellite images and diagrams, along with vivid photography, help explain the dramatic landforms, both close up and from above.

For anyone planning a safari to the legendary East African game parks and reserves, this book adds an exciting new dimension.

This guide to the parks and reserves of East Africa provides a valuable overview of some 58 protected areas across East Africa. The book is divided into the four East African countries Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda and Rwanda – and, for each park, provides essential background on geology and landscape, climate, vegetation and wildlife, capturing the essence of what each area offers. It also covers the brief history of each park.

Other features include:

• Many colour photographs of animal and plant life.
• Detailed park maps, indicating places of interest and best sites to view key species.
• Text panels with highlights, facilities and activities, wildlife facts, and important alerts.
• A photographic gallery of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles and trees, for quick identification of common species.

This must-have guide to East Africa’s protected areas will prove indispensable to local and international visitors to the region and to all nature enthusiasts.

Tissue Salts are a group of 12 minerals that should be present in our bodies to ensure good health and well-being. These salts are found naturally in the earth's rocks and soil, and are present in food grown organically in mineral-rich soils. This title explains how the 12 tissue salts (each presented in its own chapter) can be used to supplement our diet, not only to promote good health but also to treat specific ailments. It details how we can boost our intake of these salts both with tablets or drops, and by eating appropriate fruit and vegetables. The title ends with an 'Ailment chart' for quick referencing. In her easy, down-to-earth manner, Margaret Roberts laces her advice with case studies and personal anecdotes. For anyone interested in boosting or maintaining their health by natural means.

How do Corn crickets produce their high-pitched sounds? Which insect has a forked horn on the front of its head? Where does the small scarlet dragonfly scatter its eggs? Which bug is named after a famous artist?

Children will find the answers to these questions - and many other interesting facts - while enjoying hours of fun colouring in a selection of our most striking insects.

There are more than 40 images to colour in, providing budding artists and young children with enticing snippets of knowledge as they work through the title. In the middle of the title is a gallery of the insects, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlines on the other pages.

A focus on the minerals and gemstones of the East African region. A comprehensive introduction unpacks the topic and the regional geology; it is followed by an A to Z of minerals and gemstones, incorporating detailed text and multiple images for each specimen. The large format allows for a superb selection of photographs - pre-cut and polished specimens (and images to portray uses and jewelry where relevant) - to bring the subject alive.

Why do elephants flap their ears? Which big cat leaps into the air to catch birds? How do bushbabies get their name?

Discover the answers to these questions and enjoy hours of colouring fun with the latest addition to our Read, colour and keep series. There are more than 40 animals to colour in, each illustration providing budding artists and inquisitive children with interesting facts as they work through the book.

The centre spread contains a pull-out gallery of all the animals in full colour. These can serve to guide children in colouring in the outlined images – or they can simply use their imagination!

Southern Africa is without equal in terms of geology, a treasure trove of valuable minerals with a geological history dating back some 3 600 million years. In addition, the evolution of plants and animals, especially mammals and dinosaurs, is well preserved in the region, which also has among the best records of the origin of modern man.

The story of earth and life provides an insight into this remarkable history – how southern Africa's mineral deposits were formed, how its life evolved and how its landscape was shaped. Along the way readers will be enthralled by accounts of the Big Bang that marked the beginning of time and matter, by drifting and colliding continents, folding and fracturing rocks, meteors colliding with the Earth, volcanic eruptions, and the start of life. Other topics include why South Africa is so rich in minerals, how glacial deposits came to be found in the Karoo, why dinosaurs became extinct, how mammals developed from reptiles, and how closely humans are related to the apes.

The answers to many such questions can be found in this title. Anyone interested in the landscape and ecosystems in which we live will be intrigued by this title.

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.

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.

Meet Romario Valentine, an 11-year-old eco-warrior from Durban, South Africa.

Through his tree planting, beach clean-ups, avian art and other conservation projects in Africa and other parts of the world, this young activist has become a dynamic campaigner for the future health of our planet. In Protect our Planet, Romario enthusiastically guides young nature lovers through key environmental topics – from recycling and reforestation to pollution solutions and climate change.

Topics covered in this book overlap with the Foundation Phase curriculum, and include:

• The relationship between people and the environment
• Renewable resources, such as solar power
• Forestation and why trees matter
• Types of pollution and the problem with plastic
• Reducing, reusing and recycling
• Climate change
• The importance of clean water
• Craft ideas, art activities and backyard projects

Includes step-by-step projects suitable for Foundation Phase learners, such as building a bug hotel, birdfeeder and water filter.

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.

The 12 key tissue salts are minerals that should be present in our bodies in perfect balance to ensure optimal health. These remarkable salts are found in the Earth’s rocks and soil, and in food grown organically in mineral-rich soil. In this follow-up to Tissues Salts for Health Living, Margaret Roberts focuses on using tissue salts to enhance the development and wellbeing of children, from infancy to the teenage years. Each tissue salt is presented in its own chapter, with tips on treating specific ailments and advice on increasing the intake of the salts by means of diet. An ailment chart is included for quick reference. An indispensable guide for anyone interested in health, wellness, and using natural remedies to enhance wellbeing.

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.

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.

’n Onontbeerlike gids vir die uitkenning van al die gevaarlike slange en algemene onskadelike slange in Suider-Afrika, sowel as belangrike en praktiese kitsinligting oor noodhulp ingeval van ’n slangbyt.

Eenvoudige ikone, verspreidingskaarte, bondige teks en talle volkleurfoto's help om slange wat algemeen in die streek voorkom maklik uit te ken. Simptome en behandeling van slangbyte word beskryf, wat die leser lewensbelangrike noodhulpinligting gee.

Slange en Slangbyt in Suider-Afrika is helder, prakties, maklik om te gebruik en van onskatbare waarde vir almal wat van die buitelewe hou.

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.

Animals are often heard before they are spotted, and this book serves as an excellent guide to help identify 76 creatures (mammals, birds, amphibians and insects), based primarily on their calls.

For each of the species listed, there is a full-colour photograph, distribution map and brief facts about its life history and behaviour.

Key features:

- An accompanying CD with 76 common animal calls

- Photographs and distribution maps for each species

- Interesting facts, including habitat, diet and time of calls

An invaluable resource for nature lovers of all ages, this CD and book will provide a new way of recognising the varied sounds of Africa's wild areas.

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.

Children will enjoy hours of fun colouring in this selection of our most striking seashore life – more than 40 of the brightest, most fascinating, commonly known creatures and plants from our local shores.

In the middle of the book is a full-colour gallery of all the featured shore life, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlined images throughout the book.

As they work through the book, budding artists and inquisitive children will also be able to pick up snippets of knowledge about the creatures, such as how the colourful sea anemone overpowers its prey; whether the sponge is an animal; how the starfish pulls its stomach outside of its body to eat; why the hermit crab's homes are all second-hand; and the bag of tricks used by that master of disguise, the octopus.

A companion volume to Attracting Birds to Your Garden, the focus of this guide extends to other ‘wildlife’, such as butterfl ies, dragonfl ies, bugs of all sorts, frogs, lizards and geckoes, and small mammals such as mongooses, genets and hedgehogs.

The book reveals how to plant a garden that attracts indigenous ‘wildlife’, depending on where in the country you live, creating nesting and breeding opportunities, and shows how to maintain such a garden. Along with practical suggestions and tips, this handy guide offers: the principles of gardening for wildlife; how to plan a garden and build a pond and wetland; tips on how to set up or enhance an existing garden; recommended plants that will fl ourish in local conditions, and; info about the many creatures that frequent a wildlife-friendly garden.

Colourful, engaging and packed with information, Gardening with Nature will have broad appeal and is priced to sell.

Across the face of southern Africa are more than 460 remarkable stone palaces, once the abodes of kings. Some are small, others ramble, but many are absolutely astonishing: all are the legacy of kingdoms past.

Palaces of Stone brings to life the story of these early African societies, from AD 900 to approximately 1850. Some, such as Great Zimbabwe and Khami in Zimbabwe and Mapungubwe in South Africa, are famous world heritage sites, but the majority are unknown to the general public, unsung and unappreciated. Yet, the stone ruins that have survived tell a common story of innovative architecture and intricate stonework; flourishing local economies; long-distance travel; global trade; and emerging forms of political organisation.

By exploring a selection of known and unknown sites, Palaces of Stone reimagines the apparently empty spaces bequeathed to us by history, an Africa of places that once hummed with life. All that remains now are the ruins – a bedrock from which to unravel the past and understand the present.

This handy pocket guide presents the most fascinating and important rocks and minerals found in southern Africa. Accounts include diagnostic information, full-color photographs, concise descriptions, uses, and detailed information on where species occur.Physical characteristics of each mineral are summarized in tinted panels, and handy icons show other important information.

The rock section discusses how the three main rock types form. Pocket Guide: Rocks & Minerals of Southern Africa will be invaluable both to amateur geologists and budding collectors.

Frogs & Frogging in South Africa offers amateur froggers an accessible and practical introduction to frog identification.

This edition of the highly popular guide has been expertly revised and fully updated to reflect the latest advances in taxonomy and nomenclature.

It offers: all of the species in Africa south of latitude 22 °S; a section on frog biology and behaviour; how to photograph frogs and record their calls; how to attract frogs to your garden, and ideas for projects such as building a pond; the range of frog species to be found in different environmental niches; maps and colourful photographs with the updated accounts; a new key to the identification of tadpole genera; a CD with all 115 frog calls, which offer one of the best ways to find.