-
Southern African LBJs Made Simple
R320.00Now updated and expanded,  Southern African LBJs Made Simple  offers a unique method for identifying and distinguishing the cryptic little birds that are known as ‘little brown jobs’. Using a three-stage process, the book guides readers through successive stages, each of which takes them closer to identifying the bird in question. As calls play a critical role in identification of these birds, individual calls and comparative tracks are included.
The book features:
- NEW BIRD CALL ACCESS – instant access to calls using free downloadable call app to scan barcodes on the species pages
- Concise text describing key ID criteria (such as size, habitat, habits, call and similar-looking and -sounding birds)
- Updated distribution maps and carefully labelled illustrations.
This enhanced and updated new edition will be an invaluable guide for anyone who wants to be able to tell one LBJ from another.
-
Walking Safaris
R320.00South Africa has a unique set of characteristics that make walking safaris in big game areas one of the safest and most rewarding outdoor experiences: a huge expanse of protected habitat richly populated with wildlife; excellent tourism facilities; a favourable climate; and expertly trained trail guides. Seasoned hikers, Hlengiwe Magagula and Denis Costello cover more than 50 guided walks across 21 parks and reserves in South Africa (including two in eSwatini and one in Botswana). They unpack the options available in each park, from short dawn and dusk walks and multi-day wilderness trails to backpacking trails that span several days. Facilities range from ultra-luxurious to ‘wild camping’, either in tents or under the stars. Also included is a series of first-hand accounts that vividly illustrate the magical experience of exploring the bush on foot. An advisory section gives a rundown of when to go, what to pack, what to wear, and the dos and don’ts of walking in areas with big game.
-
Pangolins: Scales of Injustice
R230.00Smuggled into China and sold for meat in the live-animal markets of cities such as Wuhan, the pangolin has dominated world headlines. Is it the vector for Covid-19?
Pangolins have long been sustainably harvested by local communities for their meat and scales, but today the burgeoning trade in these mammals has reached crisis point. Eight pangolin species occur worldwide, four in Asia and four in Africa, and all face extinction if current rates of hunting and trading continue unabated.
Now the spotlight is on the world’s most trafficked mammal. Scientists have identified pangolins as the likely source of the coronavirus infection that has brought the world to its knees. This multi-trillion dollar disaster makes pangolins the most expensive meals ever eaten.
In this timely expose, Richard Peirce unpacks the horrors and dangers of the trade in this enigmatic, little-known mammal. He explains the links between wildlife and Covid-19, and details China’s response to the pandemic.
He also tells the story of a particular pangolin poached in Zimbabwe and brought to South Africa to be traded. Readers accompany an agent of the African Pangolin Working Group, assisted by the local police, on an actual sting operation to rescue the animal and capture the traffickers. And they follow the subsequent progress of the rescued pangolin, from near death to rehabilitation and release into the wild.
-
Dinosaurs of Africa
R170.00African dinosaurs are no less significant than their ‘celebrity’ cousins, such as T. rex, and they are just as magnificent and fascinating. Their fossils have been discovered across the continent – from the Sahara Desert to the Karoo.
-
West Coast
R350.00Leon 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.
Framed by the Atlantic in the west and the winding N7 highway in the east, the West Coast is a place of varied landscapes and vast contrasts: from moody and at times tempestuous seas and windswept beaches, to verdant vineyards and kaleidoscopic swathes of wildflowers in spring. Wild yet tranquil, playful yet contemplative, dramatic yet understated – its eclectic offering beckons residents and travellers alike.
-
Skullduggery – Quick ID Guide
R100.00In this short but informative guide, trusted authors Chris and Mathilde Stuart turn mammal ID on its head – literally. The identification of mammal skulls is the subject of this latest addition to the quirky ‘Quick Guide’ series, and covers the most common skulls readers are likely to encounter in the wild – from easily recognisable species such as elephant, hippo, rhino, baboons, antelope, whales and dolphins, to the more challenging family groups: dogs, cats, hyaenas, equids, pigs, civets and genets, mongooses, rats and mice, bats, sengis, shrews, moles, hares and rabbits, hyrax, and squirrels.
Each entry features:
Close-up photographs showing the entire skull, teeth and, where available, upper and lower jaws
Pointers to diagnostic features
Average measurement for skull length
Short description highlighting main features of each skull and tooth structure
Dental formula for teeth in upper and lower jaws
A brief introduction, with labelled photographs, covers anatomy as well as dentition; and a quick-reference photographic key to the main animal groups appears on the inside front cover.An ideal companion to mammal field guides, this book will be appeal to rangers, safari guides and all nature lovers wanting to deepen their understanding of life in the bush.
-
Flying Mammals – Quick ID Guide to Bats
R100.00Following the success of earlier ‘Quick Guide’ books, this slim little volume tackles one of the few groups of mammals that can fly. Divided into large fruit bats and smaller insecteating bats, this ultimate quick identification guide covers Africa’s 12 bat families. An informative introduction touches on evolution, flight, echolocation and reproduction, demystifying an animal that is all too often misunderstood. The text describes the facial characteristics and wing shapes common to each family and points out features that can help to distinguish between them. But it is the photographs and annotated line drawings that are most useful for identification. They include bats in flight and roosting sites, and close-ups of facial structures and wings that highlight key diagnostic attributes. An added extra is a photographic section showing the skulls of a variety bats.
This is a valuable guide for anyone with an interest in wildlife and its less common members.
-
Avian Architects Quick ID Guide
R100.00Another title in the ‘Quick Guide’ series, this compact little book is a handy identification guide to the surprising variety of nests built by southern African birds. Covering multiple species, it is arranged according to nest type – ground, woven, stick, cup, mud-pellet and domed, as well as nests in tree holes, on water, on cliffs and in scrapes on the ground. It is packed with photographs and illustrations showing the ingenuity of the designs, the birds that built them, and the eggs that are laid in them. In pithy fashion, the text – matched to the photographs – describes:
nesting site and nest structure
building materials used to construct outer and inner layers
nesting habits of the architects
clutch sizeA simple key to nest types on the inside front cover directs readers to the relevant section in the book.
-
African Wildlife Colouring Book
R130.00Why do elephants flap their ears? Which big cat leaps into the air to catch birds? Which moth has large eyespots on its wings to scare away predators? Which bird’s call sounds like a soft chuckle? The answers to these questions can be found in this delightful colouring book, which will provide hours of enjoyment and colouring fun. There are 128 animals to colour in, each illustration providing budding artists and inquisitive children with interesting facts as they work through the book.
-
First Field Guide Mushrooms of Southern Africa
R110.00Sasol First Field Guide to Mushrooms of Southern Africa has been redesigned and fully revised to include new photographs and the most recent taxonomic changes.
With the help of full-colour photo graphs and easy-to-read text, the young adult and budding naturalist will be able to identify the more common mushroom species found in southern Africa, discover where they grow, learn about their unusual features and determine their edibility.
-
Renosterveld of the Overberg
R530.00Part of the Fynbos biome, Renosterveld is one of the world’s most threatened vegetation types, with just 5% of its original extent remaining. Focusing specifically on the Renosterveld of the Overberg region in the Western Cape, this field guide is the first of its kind to cover this highly endangered ecosystem, characterised by nutrient-rich soil which has been exploited for agriculture.
An in-depth introduction sets the scene, defining what Renosterveld is and giving some historical background to the ecology of the area.
The plants section follows, featuring over 980 plant species from the common and ‘showy’ to the weird, obscure and often-overlooked.
A shorter section of 140 animal species showcases the diversity of creatures found here despite severe habitat loss and fragmentation.
Additional features include a glossary with supporting illustrations, guidelines for landowners and farmers, and a comprehensive index.
Field Guide to Renosterveld of the Overberg promises to be an enduring record of this unique and severely threatened ecosystem. It will be a vital addition to any nature lover’s bookshelf. -
The Larger Illustrated Guide to Birds of Southern Africa (5th)
R600.00This 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. -
Sasol voëls Suider-Afrika PVC (5th)
R550.00Die 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 -
Sasol voëls van Suider-Afrika (5th)
R500.00Die 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 -
Sasol oorsiglys van voëls in Suider-Afrika
R70.00Al lank ‘n gewilde hulpbron, die nuwe, opgedateerde Oorsiglys van Voëls in Suider-Afrika is nou beskikbaar. Dit bevat ‘n lys van al die voëls wat in die streek te sien is, en bied ‘n eenvoudige metode om aan te dui waar en wanneer jy hulle waargeneem het. In gerieflike sakformaat bied dit:
Kruisverwysings na die nuwe Sasol Voëls van Suider-Afrika (vyfde uitgawe)
Ses kolumme vir veelvuldige waarnemings op ses verskillende plekke
Jongste name van alle Suider-Afrikaanse voëls
Endemiese en bedreigingstatus
Sal verwelkom word deur die streek se voëlkykers wat hulle waarnemings in Afrikaans wil nasien en opteken. -
Sasol Checklist of Birds in Southern Africa
R70.00An enduring and popular resource, this handy publication lists all the birds to be seen in the region and provides a simple way of recording where and when you have spotted them. Pocket-sized for ease of use, it offers:
Cross-referencing to the new Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (fifth edition)
Six columns for multiple recordings at six different localities
Up-to-date names for all southern African birds
Endemic and threat status for all birdsThis revised, updated checklist will be sought after by the region’s twitchers at all levels.
-
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa PVC (5th)
R550.00Now 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 -
Sasol Birds of Southern Africa (5th)
R500.00Ook in Afrikaans beskikbaar as Sasol Voëls van Suider Afrika (5de uitgawe)
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 -
Pocket Guide to Fynbos
R250.00Pocket Guide Fynbos features over 300 of the most spectacular and commonly seen species from South Africa’s renowned floral kingdom – all in one handy, easy-to-use guide.
The species are presented in detail, with each entry featuring:
succinct descriptions of the plant and its habitat, comparisons with similar species and flowering times
full-colour photographs and distribution maps
floral key, using symbols to denote main identifying features
interesting facts about species.
For ease of use, the species are divided into 10 distinct groups, and an illustrated floral key on the inside front cover offers flower lovers a smart tool with which to identify species more accurately.The introduction describes the world of fynbos, detailing the origins, diversity, adaptations and conservation of this unique flora.
This compact guide is an invaluable aid for anyone interested in South Africa’s astonishing floral treasures.
-
Night Skies of Botswana
R260.00This easy-to-use, accessible guide to starwatching in Botswana is ideal for beginner and amateur stargazers. All stars described can be seen with the naked eye – binoculars and telescopes are not necessary.
The book opens with stargazing tips while introducing important astronomical concepts, describing our galaxy and the Earth’s place in it.
The body of the book offers four star charts per month giving views from north, south, east and west, with supporting descriptions of the stars and constellations. Users can dip in during any month.
The final chapter surveys the solar system, including the Sun, Moon, planets and leftover debris. There’s information on a meteorite strike in Botswana in 2018, and how to identify artificial satellites orbiting the Earth (including the International Space Station).
Botswana’s ancestral stories about the stars are scattered throughout the book, honouring indigenous interpretations of the night skies and giving a unique African flavour.
