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Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa
R650.00NEW EDITION JULY 2013
This comprehensively updated and expanded edition of the region’s best-selling field guide to trees offers much, much more than the highly successful first edition. Fully updated text (including additional species entries) and distribution maps, numerous new photographs and a new 87-page section of full-tree photographs makes this well-loved guide even more indispensable in the field.
Southern Africa has a rich variety of tree species, with an estimated 2 100 indigenous species and more than 100 naturalised aliens. Field Guide to Trees of Southern Africa describes and illustrates more than 1 000 of these, focusing on trees that are the most common and most likely to be encountered. Species are logically arranged in 43 groups based on easy-to-observe leaf and stem features, and each account is illustrated by full-colour photographs of the plant’s diagnostic parts. The text also touches on the practical uses of the plants.
Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans
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First Field Guide: Rocks & Minerals of Southern Africa
R130.00First Field Guide to Rocks & Minerals, the latest addition to the popular Struik Nature series, introduces the most important and interesting rocks and minerals from our geologically exciting region. The guide details 30 minerals and 18 major rock types, focusing on those that are best known or most commonly found. A short introduction provides an overview of the topic; colourful photographs throughout, both of the rocks and minerals and of the particular terrain in which they are found, complement the clear text and aid identification in the field.
First Field Guide to Rocks & Minerals is a useful resource for the beginner geologist, curious novice, or anyone with a budding interest in southern Africa’s unique geological heritage.
Ook Beskikbaar in Afrikaans
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Eerste veldgids tot Gesteentes & Minerale van Suider-Afrika
R130.00Eerste Veldgids tot Gesteentes & Minerale, die jongste toevoeging tot die gewilde Struik Nature-reeks, stel die belangrikste en interessantste gesteentes en minerale van ons geologies opwindende streek bekend.
Die gids beskryf 30 minerale en 18 belangrike soorte gesteentes, met die klem op dié wat die bekendste of algemeenste is. ’n Kort inleiding gee ’n oorsig van die onderwerp; kleurryke foto’s van die gesteentes en minerale sowel as van die besondere terrein waarin hulle voorkom, vul die helder teks deurgaans aan en help met uitkenning in die veld.
Eerste Veldgids tot Gesteentes & Minerale is ’n nuttige hulpmiddel vir die aspirant-geoloog, weetgierige amateur, of enigeen met ’n ontluikende belangstelling in Suider-Afrika se unieke geologiese erfenis.
Also available in English
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On Track – Quick ID Guide to Southern and East African Animal Tracks
R100.00Following the success of the earlier Scatalog: Quick ID guide to southern African animal droppings, here’s another quick and quirky identification guide, this time to tracks of the region’s most commonly found mammals, but also includes tracks of reptiles, rodents, birds and insects.
A simple key on the inside front cover directs users to any of 11 categories, such as ‘cloven hooves’, ‘paws’ or ‘tramline-like trails’. Nearly 100 animals or closely related groups of animals are depicted; for each, there is a silhouette of front and back feet and a colour photograph of the track; the average measurements for each track; a short description of the track; and information about the circumstances and likely habitat.
Concise and to-the-point, this pocket-sized reference will prove indispensable in the field, no matter the experience of the user.
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African Wildlife Quiz Book
R150.00This new-format, new edition of the African Wildlife Quiz Book will provide hours of fun for people of all ages. Packed with quizzes, crosswords, word searches, brainteasers and interesting facts, it offers competitive games for lively groups, or a quiet challenge for solitary users.
The activities will keep family and friends entertained while they learn about African wildlife and the environment; and the varied levels of difficulty will ensure that the whole family is entertained and challenged as they fill in the quiz grids provided.
All the answers are given at the back of the book. An excellent companion to take on long voyages, or have handy to fill spare time or spice up a party.
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Shaping Kruger
R440.00The 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.
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Ardmore: We are because of others HB
R720.00Giraffe stretch out their necks and bat-eared foxes curl their tails to make handles for jugs, vases and tureens. Inquisitive monkeys peer over the edge of a planter, teasing the leopards below them. Magical creatures wear cloaks of flowers, spots and stripes; a turbanned Zulu figure sits astride a hippo…
Colourful, imaginative, vibrant, delicate and dramatic – these are just some of the hallmarks of the artworks that have garnered international accolades for Ardmore Ceramic Art in rural KwaZulu-Natal. It is here, in South Africa’s most successful ceramics studio set in the verdant Midlands, that exquisitely handcrafted and highly detailed figurative works and functional ware are created by more than fifty artists who draw on Zulu traditions and folklore, history, the natural world, and their own lives for inspiration.
In turn, it is the lives of the sculptors and painters of Ardmore that fire the vision of the woman behind it all: Fée Halsted is an artist whose love of teaching and determination to fight poverty and AIDS have set others on the path of creative self-discovery and ultimately worldwide acclaim.
Ardmore – We Are Because of Others tells the extraordinary story of this famous studio – from its humble beginnings in a poverty-stricken corner of South Africa to its fame as a producer of exceptional and irresistible objets d’art prized by collectors, galleries and museums throughout the world. It is also the story of the indomitable Fée Halsted who is the driving force behind the enterprise, and the artists whose inventive spirit and fearless creativity are at the heart of Ardmore.
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Find 50 in Game Reserve Southern Africa
R110.00This fun, fold-out checklist illustrates 50 of the wild animals and birds that you may encounter on a trip into one of southern Africa’s game reserves. Children will love looking at the lively, full-colour illustrations, reading the interesting accompanying facts, and ticking off each creature as they spot them in the wild.
* Fun fold-out format
* Check-boxes to tick
* Lively, full-colour illustrations
* Interesting facts
* Affordable price -
Smithers Mammals Southern Africa: A Field Guide
R550.00First 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 book 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.
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My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life
R180.00My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life was selected at one of Bookchat’s non-fiction books of the year for 2011.
My First Book of Southern African Ocean Life, which range in size from the earth’s largest animal – the blue whale – to the tiniest plankton.
* vibrantly colourful, detailed, accurate illustrations of each creature
* short, accessible texts with information that will satisfy the curiosity of both those who are learning to read and of young listeners
* simple pictograms that show at a glance where each species can be found, what it eats and its relative sizeAll text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Scatalog
R100.00Here’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.
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African Reptiles & Frogs to Read, Colour and Keep
R150.00How does the sea snake swim? What is a ‘hinged’ tortoise? Who cleans a crocodile’s teeth? Do toads cause warts? How do some frogs survive the dry season?
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 reptiles and amphibians (frogs and toads). There are more than 40 to colour in, each providing budding artists and inquisitive children with a snippet of knowledge as they work through the book.
In the middle of the book is a gallery of all the featured creatures, but this time in colour, giving a clear guide as to which shade of crayon or paint to use when colouring in the outlined images throughout the book.
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Pocket Guide to Saugetiere Sudliches Africa
R280.00This easy-to-use, compact book is the perfect pocket ID guide to mammals of the region. It covers – in surprising detail – some 120 mammals, from the smallest (bats, sengis and shrews) to the largest, such as elephant, lion and rhinoceros, as well as marine species, such as seals, dolphins and whales.
Authoritative and colourfully illustrated, this guide offers concise information on key ID pointers, similar species, habitat, behaviour, diet, reproduction, longevity, calls, occurrence and measurements. Clear images of each animal, distribution maps, silhouettes indicating size relative to humans and illustrations of tracks and droppings make this a must-have book for tourists and nature-lovers alike.
Also available in:
Afrikaans as Sakgids Soogdiere van Suider-Afrika ISBN 9781770078864
English as Pocket Guide: Mammals of Southern Africa ISBN 9781770078611 -
Pocket Guide to Mammals of Southern Africa
R280.00This title is available in three languages
This easy-to-use, compact book is the perfect pocket ID guide to mammals of the region. It covers – in surprising detail – some 120 mammals, from the smallest (bats, sengis and shrews) to the largest, such as elephant, lion and rhinoceros, as well as marine species, such as seals, dolphins and whales.
Authoritative and colourfully illustrated, this guide offers concise information on key ID pointers, similar species, habitat, behaviour, diet, reproduction, longevity, calls, occurrence and measurements. Clear images of each animal, distribution maps, silhouettes indicating size relative to humans and illustrations of tracks and droppings make this a must-have book for tourists and nature-lovers alike.
Afrikaans: Sakgids Soogdiere van Suider-Afrika ISBN 9781770078864
German: Taschenführer Säugetiere Südliches Afrika ISBN 9781770078871 English: Pocket Guide: Mammals of Southern Africa ISBN 9781770078611 -
Basic Bird ID in Southern Africa
R190.00Derived from an old Longman publication on bird watching and identification in southern Africa, this book focuses on the essence of how to go about identifying birds. Topics covered include size, shape, bill length, and other physical features that provide clues to the birds’ lifestyle and identity. Full colour photographs and simple line drawings support the text. This book is suitable for beginners of all ages as well as younger birders – in fact, for anyone daunted by the prospect of getting started in the captivating pastime of birding.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Creepy-Crawlies
R180.00My First Book of Southern African Creepy-crawlies is the newest title in this very successful children’s series, and a companion to its sister edition on Southern African Insects. The book covers 58 spiders, snails, millipedes and other creatures (excluding insects) that are likely to be seen around the home and garden.
An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then each page features:
* a vivid, full-colour illustration
* clear, informative text and visual clues for both pre- and beginner readers
* simple graphics conveying the creature’s size, what it eats and when it is activeThis inspiring and beautifully illustrated book will introduce everyday creatures to both pre-readers and those beginning to read in their mother tongue.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Succulent Flora of Southern Africa
R500.00Succulent Flora of Southern Africa, first published in 1981, has long served as an authoritative guide for academics and lay enthusiasts alike. This long-awaited third edition takes into account intervening taxonomic advances and the discovery and naming of ever more species. All information has been fully revised, updated and supplemented in line with the latest thinking, and the book has been newly designed for clarity and ease of reference. Given the phenomenal extent and variety of our region’s succulent flora, this revised version is a timely – and classic – addition to the botanical literature of southern Africa.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Seashore Life
R180.00My First Book of Southern African Seashore Life presents 58 sea creatures and plants that are likely to be seen at the shore.
An illustrated introduction gives context to the subject, and then for each species there’s:
* a vivid, full-colour illustration
* simple, informative text
* visual clues about the creatures’ diet, size, distribution round our coast, locomotion and exactly where they live relative to the water line.This beautiful and inspiring introduction to southern Africa’s shores will appeal to children – and parents – of all ages.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa PVC
R550.00This 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.
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Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa Commemorative Ed
R530.00This Commemorative edition of Newman’s Birds of Southern Africa at once updates a classic and pays tribute to one of the region’s best loved birding authors, the late Kenneth Newman. With the support of bird expert 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 familiar, user-friendly format of Newman’s Birds uses colour coding to indicate major bird groups and, as always, large accurate paintings of each species reflect the bird as it is seen in the field, now labeled with diagnostic features. 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.
Also available in Afrikaans as Newman se Voëls van Suider-Afrika.
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Newman se voëls van Suider Afrika PVC
R550.00Die gedenkuitgawe van Newman se Voëls van Suider Afrika is ‘n opdatering van ‘n klassieke voëlboek, asook ‘n huldeblyk aan een van die streek se voëlkenners, Kenneth Newman. Met die ondersteuning van Faansie Peacock (‘n opkomende voëlkenner) het Vanessa Newman (die outeur se dogter) die teks en illustrasies vir die nuwe uitgawe volledig hersien, opgedateer en uitgebrei.
Die titel bevat al die voëls wat waargeneem is tussen Antarktika en die Zambesirivier, en sluit in voëls van die Suidelike Oseaan, Suid-Afrika, Zimbabwe, Namibie, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho en Mosambiek. Die bekende, gebruikersvriendelike formaat van Newman se Voëls van Suider Afrika is behou, maar die boek spog met ‘n moderne nuwe voorkoms. Kleurkodes is gebruik vir voëlgroepe en kruisverwysings tussen die teks, en illustrasies is behou.
Die bekende groot, akkurate illustrasies van elke spesie wys die voël soos wat hy in die veld voorkom, en byskrifte tot die illustrasies lig nou hoofkenmerke uit.
‘n Hersiende inleiding wys lesers stap-vir-stap hoe om die nuutste uitgawe van Newman se Voëls van Suider Afrika te gebruik.
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Chamberlain’s Field Guides Birds of Southern Africa
R680.00Fully 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. Over 2 500 colour photographs show age and sex plumage variations, perched and in-flight birds, and colour morphs where relevant. Text – by Africa’s top birding authors – forcuses on identification, call, habitat and status, breeding details and diet. Colour-coded distribution maps show resident and migratory status and bird density. Annual calendar bars indicate, at a glace, w hen species are present and when they breed. 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.
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African Seashores to Read, Colour & Keep
R150.00Children 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.
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My first book of Southern African Wildlife
R370.00My first book of Southern African Wildlife introduces the young reader to a selection of southern Africa’s most commonly seen and fascinating wildlife species. Divided into three sections, the title covers 58 mammals, 58 birds and 56 reptiles, with an illustrated introduction to each section that gives context to the information. Highly visual with full-colour illustrations of each creature, the book also features line drawings indicating what food they eat, what spoor they leave, etc.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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My First Book of Southern African Birds V2
R180.00Following the success of My first book of Southern African Birds– a very first guide to birding – volume 2 introduces a further 58 fascinating birds found at the seashore, rivers and lakes, in grasslands and forests, and also in suburban gardens. A brief introduction explains how the book works and provides simple guidelines for watching birds, then each page introduces a new bird. Most of the information is visual, in the form of full-colour bird illustrations and line drawings of food eaten, typical nest and the bird’s track. A visual guide to the bird’s size is given at the base of the page.
All text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Wildlife of South Africa: A Photographic Guide
R400.00Wildlife of South Africa is a handy, all-in-one photographic field guide, an accessible introduction to the country’s more conspicuous and interesting mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs and trees. To facilitate identification, each account includes a photograph, distribution map and information on the habitat and best viewing localities. Concise text describes each species’ appearance, habits, size and conservation status. This book is an invaluable guide for visitors to national parks and other wildlife-rich places.
Ook beskikbaar in Afrikaans
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Fauna und Flora im Sudlichen Afrika
R470.00Published for the first time in German, this is the first local field guide to cover all the commonly encountered plants and animals of the southern African region in one compact and easy-to-use volume. More than 2 000 species (1 200 of them illustrated)
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Volledige fotografiese veldgids voëls van Suider-Afrika
R630.00Die grootste en omvattendste fotogids van Suider-Afrika se voëls in een boekdeel, die boek verleen ’n nuwe dimensie aan die uitkenning van voëls in die streek. Dit beskryf en illustreer al 958 voëlspesies plus 17 spesies van Antarktika en die eilande van die Suidelike Yssee. Meer as 2 500 kleurfoto’s wys verekleedverskille en kleurmorfe. Die teks fokus op uitkenning, roepe, habitat, status, broeibesonderhede en kos. Verspreidingskaarte wys stand- en trekvoëlstatus en voëldigtheid, en kalenderbalke wys wanneer spesies broei. ’n Onontbeerlike metgesel in die veld.
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Complete Photographic Field Guide of Birds Southern Africa
R630.00The most comprehensive photographic guide of southern Africa’s birds in one volume, this brings a new dimension to bird ID in the region. It describes and illustrates all 958 birds, plus 17 species from Antarctica and Southern Ocean islands. Over 2 500 photographs show plumage variations and colour morphs. Text by Africa’s top birding authors focuses on identification, call, habitat, status, breeding and diet. Distribution maps show migratory status and bird density, and calendar bars show species’ prevalence and breeding. With its extensive coverage, this guide will serve as an indispensable companion in the field.
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My First Book of Southern Africa Insects
R180.00Children are fascinated by ‘bugs’ of all kinds, and insects are a familiar part of their everyday environment. Dragonflies and ants, beetles and stick insects, butterflies and bees are just some of the many insects that are found in the home and garden, providing youngsters with a handy introduction to the natural world.
My First Book of Southern African Insects offers:
* 58 of the most common, intriguing and beautiful species accurately illustrated in full-colour
* concise text and simple graphics conveying the insect’s size, when it is active and what it eats
* straightforward text for children beginning to read in their mother tongueAll text appears in English, Afrikaans, Xhosa and Zulu.
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Pocket Guide to Birds of Southern Africa
R280.00Struik Nature’s pocket guide series – in a handy new format – combines the best of both worlds: it covers an astonishing 500 southern African birds yet is small enough to fit in your pocket. With identification text by one of South Africa’s foremost bird experts, habitat, status, voice, size and breeding details, seasonality bars, up-to-date distribution maps and full-colour photographs of each species, this compact field guide is excellent value for money.
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Secret Namibia HB
R420.00Namibia is a vast, ancient place, its legacy and endless expanse of desert sand fringed by coastal plain and rugged mountain terrain, and dotted with geological wonders that remain the country’s most impressive features. Intrigued by the scenic splendour and entranced by the everchanging landscape that emerges beyond every corner, every towering dune and every mountaintop, Lily and Marcel Jouve travelled the length and breadth of the country to discover the varying facets of the land and its geology. In Secret Namibia, they share their exploration of the terrain, and reveal its secrets – from the geomorphological make-up to the best routes to follow and the finest places to stay. From the famed Spitzkoppe to Kaokoland, Etosha National Park to the Fish River Canyon, Sossusvlei to Sandwich Harbour, this is Namibia through their lens, their celebration of its rock and sand, valley, canyon and plain – and the unique flora and fauna found in these landscapes. Secret Namibia is an invitation to discover, through word and image, the intriguing natural features of this wild country.
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Pocket Guide to Mammals of East Africa
R280.00East Africa comprises a range of habitats that provide living space for more than 360 diverse species of mammal. These vary in size from the massive elephant to the tiniest bats, shrews and mice. This compact guide covers all of the common and some of the less common mammal species of the region. For each species it offers: * key identification features, behaviour, diet, breeding biology, occurrence and size * clear, full-colour photographs * track illustrations * silhouettes to indicate size relative to human figure * distribution map A section on droppings/dung of many of the animals, as well a chart of comparative spoor, conclude the book. Compact and easy-to-use, this is the ideal companion for both regulars and visitors to the region.
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Weefselsoute vir Heilsaamheid
R270.00Hierdie boek is waarskynlik een van die mees ongewone wat jy ooit sal lees – een wat jou denke oor gesondheid en jou hantering van stres in die daaglikse lewe sal verander. Weefselsoute – ook bekend as sel- of biochemiese soute – is ’n groep van 12 minerale wat perfek gebalanseerd in ons liggame teenwoordig behoort te wees sodat ons heeltemal gesond kan wees. Dié soute word in die natuur in die aarde se gesteentes en grond aangetref en kom natuurlik voor in gewasse wat organies in mineraalryke grond gekweek is.
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Tissue Salts for Healthy Living
R270.00Tissue 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.
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My First Book of East African Birds
R180.00My First Book Of East African Birds introduces children to the birds most commonly seen in gardens and wildlife areas in East Africa. The 58 birds are featured in full-colour illustrations, with visual clues to each bird’s size, the food it eats, its nest and the footprint it leaves behind. This lively approach will appeal to young readers, as well as to learners of all ages who wish to improve their knowledge of other languages.
All text appears in English, Swahili, German and French.




































