An integral part of the renowned beauty of South Africa's southwestern Cape are the Cape Dutch houses that date back two or three hundred years. Cape Dutch Houses and Other Old Favourites is a fully illustrated and easily accessible guide to almost 150 important historical houses of the southwestern Cape. Authoritative and up to date, it is the only such guide currently in print.

Butterflies are among the most familiar and popular of all the insects, and butterfly watching makes an absorbing hobby. This handy, compact guide serves as an introduction to the amazing butterfly diversity of East Africa. It introduces 246 of the more common, spectacular and interesting species found in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi.

Each species account features:

- concise text describing key identification features, habits,habitat and larval food plants;

- full-colour photographs;

- distribution maps showing the butterfly’s range.

This handy guide should prove invaluable to beginners andmore experienced butterfly enthusiasts alike.

Africa is home to more than the Cradle of Humankind. It was the core of the ancient supercontinent Pangaea, and comprises some of the oldest and most extraordinary geology on planet Earth.

This detailed and colourful book features 44 of the continent's most spectacular and interesting 'geosites', from Table Mountain in the south to the eroded necks and plugs of the Hoggar region in Algeria; and from the volcanic islands of the Atlantic Ocean to the continental fragments off the African east coast. Each site is authored by a geologist (or specialist in a related field) with in-depth knowledge about the particular feature or landform: how it formed and developed, its current geological status, ecological impact, and its archaeological and cultural interest.

Supported with many photographs, maps, satellite images and explanatory illustrations, the text is accessible to geologists and lay enthusiasts alike, unpacking the hows and whys of Africa's most intriguing landforms, sites and geological features.

The Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site situated in the heart of the Magaliesberg Biosphere Reserve is the jewel in South Africa’s evolutionary crown: an area ‘of outstanding universal value’, it has attracted world-wide interest and furnished key evidence about where, when and how we came to be. The greater Magaliesberg area is peppered with some 200 caves and has a unique geology, history and biodiversity. For decades now, specialists have been combing the area to uncover evidence of our heritage.

In his spectacular new title, Vincent Carruthers guides readers along a timeline, from the birth of our planet through to developments of the twenty first century. Along the way he documents the formation of our landscapes and the emergence of life, the rise of hominins, the stone and iron ages, early settlement, migrations, wars and modern developments in the Magaliesberg – the entire evolution of life up to the present, as we know it.

Vividly illustrated with photographs, maps and diagrams, Cradle of Life portrays the intrigue and importance of the site, taking readers on a magical journey of discovery.

Originally published in 1981, Living Shores was for many years the standard reference for marine science students but was also embraced by a popular market for its fascinating insights into marine and coastal habitats and the life they support. After a long absence, this classic has been revived and thoroughly reworked to incorporate the many dramatic changes that our oceans and coasts have undergone over the past few decades.

This book is the first of a two volume set, and examines the different marine ecosystems and how humankind interacts with them. It discusses the evolution of the sea and continents and looks at the ecology of coastal systems, including intertidal zones, beaches, dunes, estuaries, islands, kelp forests and reefs. The book unpacks the relationship between humans and the marine environment, and the consequences of harvesting and mining to meet our needs. It also addresses the impact of climate change, and highlights what can be done to protect our environment.

Richly supported by full-colour photography and numerous explanatory illustrations, diagrams and graphs, this book will prove invaluable to students and teachers but will also appeal to anyone with a fascination for nature and our marine world in particular.

Field Guide to Fynbos features over 1,000 species from the Cape Floristic Region – home to one of the world’s richest floras. This fully updated edition focuses on the most common and ‘showy’ plants.

An introduction unpacks the world of fynbos – including origins, diversity, climate and adaptations – and is followed by a photographic key and descriptions of the fynbos families. Species descriptions are accompanied by photographs, distribution maps, comparisons with similar species, and notes on traditional uses.

For botanists and amateurs alike, this will remain an indispensable guide to South Africa’s most renowned flora.

Formerly Spiderwatch in Southern Africa, this new edition, revised and updated, is now being relaunched as Spiders of Southern Africa.

It is part of an informal series of books that presents natural history topics in a readable, interesting and accessible fashion.

This book provides sharp insight into the complex, often mysterious and always fascinating world of spiders. The reader is introduced to the subject by informative features on the origins of arachnids, on their bewildering variety, their classification into families and genera and on their invertebrate relatives. The five chapters that follow cover the physical and behavioural characteristics of spiders, the main groups (hunters, trappers, ambushers, weavers and so on) and dangerous species.

A chapter on finding and studying spiders is followed by species accounts, entitled ‘What Spider is That?’ Spiders of Southern Africa is lavishly illustrated with full-colour photographs; the body text is supplemented by special-interest panels; and the design is bright and busy, with plenty to draw the eye on each spread.

A photographic masterpiece, this beautiful book is a fi tting tribute to the baobab – an extraordinary and majestic tree found principally in Madagascar, and peripherally in Africa and Australia.

The first section offers a short introduction to the classifi cation and general description of baobabs, details of their life history, biogeography, dispersal and their role in people’s lives. The second section comprises a guide to each of the eight baobab species, including a botanical description, details of their habitat, distribution and principal uses, accompanied by clear images and line drawings of the leaves, flowers, fruits and growth habit of each species.

Interesting text and lavish photographs throughout make this book irresistible for specialist botanists and lay enthusiasts alike, and it will have particular appeal for tourists too.

This bumper edition, comprising three lively children's nature guides, brings together a treasure trove of information, colourful images, games and activities for young readers.

A local guide leads adventurers on safaris into three surprisingly varied worlds: the bushveld, a river and a desert.

Each environment brings its unique flavour to the adventure; multiple images (both photos and illustrations) and interesting text introduce the region's fascinating wildlife with its intriguing habits and lifestyles. Readers are encouraged to play along by means of engaging activities, games and quizzes, with answers at the end of each section. Nature's edible treats and useful props are introduced, along with survival techniques for the young explorer.

This volume illuminates three important southern African natural arenas, and will engage readers from cover to cover.

A captivating story, told in rhyming verse, about a hadeda who loves to sing. Hagedash and her family will be familiar characters to children across the country – the cast is drawn from the comical birds they see every day on garden lawns.

The text offers insight into the real-life traits and habits of hadedas and tells the story of Hagedash, her happy meeting with Hagar and their growing family. The initially tranquil scene builds up to a great commotion, but it all ends peacefully.

The bright, playful drawings are by Claire Norden who has a proven track record in illustrating children's books. The book comes with a full page of stickers to encourage further engagement with the story.

This third title in Struik Nature's 'Original African Tale' series – set to become local classics – will have wide popular appeal with children and parents alike.

The Cape Town book presents a fresh picture of the Mother City, one that brings together all its stories. From geology and beaches to forced removals and hip-hop, Nechama Brodie, author of the best-selling The Joburg book, has delved deeply into the hidden past of Cape Town to emerge with a lucid and compelling account of South Africa's first city, its landscape and its people.

The book's 14 chapters trace the origins and expansion of Cape Town - from the City Bowl to the southern and coastal suburbs, the vast expanse of the Cape Flats and the sprawling northern areas. Offering a nuanced, yet balanced, perspective on Cape Town, the book includes familiar attractions like Table Mountain, Kirstenbosch and the Company's Garden, while also giving a voice to marginalised communities in areas such as Athlone, Langa, Mitchells Plain and Khayelitsha. Many of the images in the book have never been published before, and are drawn from the archives of museums, universities and public institutions.

This beautifully illustrated, information-rich book is the definitive portrait of the wind-blown, contradictory city at the southern tip of Africa that more than three million people call home.

This guide profiles 101 garden birds likely to be found in gardens across southern Africa, informing readers about what to look and listen for, and where and when. It is also an inspirational guide to creating a bird-friendly garden that is also a reservoir of biodiversity, wherever you are in the region.

With an attractive layout and multiple colour images, it offers the following:

• Descriptions and photos of 101 garden birds
• How to get to know your local species, their feeding, breeding, calls and general behaviour
• How to design your garden to attract the widest range of birds and other wildlife
• The best plants and structures to provide food and shelter for birds
• Detailed lists of recommended trees, shrubs, climbers, aloes and grasses