Back to Nature

This guide is packed with practical, interpretative information on the most commonly encountered animals and plants of the Lowveld – information that is usually only available if you have a game ranger or field guide by your side in the bush! It teaches people how to observe, identify and interpret what they see in the bush in a meaningful way, without having to wade through the reams of technical information found in most other field guides. The reader-friendly mind-map layout of the book, with pictures linked to brief but informative text boxes, makes pertinent information accessible at a glance. Other features include colour-coded chapters for ease of reference, while blocked information and icons in the mammals and trees sections provide technical details in a concise form. Hundreds of stunning interpretative images, highlighted keywords and a flowchart structure to each spread direct the eye to the different topics on each featured species, allowing the reader to pick out whatever is of interest to him or her. Game Ranger in your Backpack is an essential companion for amateur naturalists of all descriptions including first-time international visitors to South Africa’s bushveld, annual local holidaymakers or aspiring 'game rangers'.

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"There are only two great certainties in a game ranger's career. The first is that you will never be well off. The second - and best by far - is that you will do things that most other people only get to dream about. This is a collection of stories about the life of a bushveld conservationist as it is lived at ground level by that elite band of men and women who guard the Kruger National Park - at the cost of much sweat and, not infrequently, quite a bit of blood. Bruce Bryden's tales of 30 years in the service of our most famous park make a gripping and entertaining read, abounding with encounters with elephant, lion, buffalo, leopard and rhino, whether darting for research, managing culling operations by helicopter or stalking on foot. In the best tradition of bushveld stories, there is a great deal of shooting, and a fair amount of running away; there are meetings with extraordinary characters among the rangers; memorable gatherings; hilarious mishaps and narrow escapes; and throughout, a great love and respect for both the wilderness and the creatures that inhabit it."

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Is a zebra black with white stripes or white with black stripes? And why do flamingos stand on one leg while bats hang upside down? Did you know that a chameleon’s tongue can shoot out at five times the acceleration of a fighter jet? In The Buck That Buries its Poo, naturalist Quinton Coetzee answers these and many other intriguing wildlife questions. He also dispels countless myths and elucidates some of the legends that surround creatures in the South African bush we thought we knew all about. For example, bats do not get tangled in people’s hair (because they are far too adept at flying) and elephants are not afraid of mice (but they do fear bees!). Other tall tales you might hear around the campfire are that lions roll in animal dung, entrails or carcasses to disguise their scent, and that rhinos have a predilection for stamping out fires. What is true, though, is that hyenas are more closely related to cats than to dogs. This handy guide is based on Coetzee’s own research and that of others, and his experience gleaned over decades living close to nature and wildlife. It seeks to unravel the mysteries of nature in Africa – from mammals and birds to arthropods and plants – with fascinating information and fun trivia. It is a book that will enlighten and entertain. PS: Zebras are black with white stripes!

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Sappi Birds of South Africa is a new field guide that changes the face of birdwatching in South Africa. It can be bought as a book only, or a book plus Callfinder that allows playback of bird songs from the pages of the field guide.The Callfinder is a battery-operated device that is easy to use. It doesn’t depend on internet or network coverage and has no complicated menus or operating instructions. Using a new printing technology, an invisible grid is printed over every photo. The eye of the Callfinder reads this grid and recalls the bird’s call from its internal memory card, allowing bird calls to be heard from the pages of a field guide.This enhanced edition of Sappi Birds of South Africa, redefines birdwatching for enthusiasts, families, tourists, and students with its companion device, the Briza Callfinder. Since its debut in 2014, Sappi Birds of South Africa has been a cherished companion, and now, with the innovative Briza Callfinder app, the tradition of exploring South Africa’s diverse birdlife is set to soar to new heights.Special features:- Callfinder ready- Covering all 728 species from South Africa’s mainland- Discover additional oceanic species and updated photographs.- Quick identification through Shapefinder, Callfinder, and Dualdex- More than 800 quality images- Interesting and unusual facts for each species- Callfinder companion app available- Featuring updated scientific names, distribution maps, and fascinating facts, ensuring you stay informed about South Africa’s birdlife

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With this handy checklist, you can tick off all the animals you see as you explore the Greater Kruger Park. The park encompasses the Kruger National Park, various private game reserves, as well as the Limpopo National Park in Mozambique and Zimbabwe’s Gonarezhou National Park. In this accompanying booklet to Animals of the Greater Kruger, the authors have listed the most common and regularly seen animal species in the park. Each entry is accompanied by a photo of 4.75 x 3 cm, as well as basic information about each animal’s size, habitat and preferred food. A map of the Greater Kruger can also be found in the middle of the booklet. 

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On Route in South Africa is a classic travel guide that offers an unsurpassed range and depth of information about South African villages, towns and cities, and on the intriguing and informative tales they have to tell. This fully revised and updated third edition has a new, contemporary look, and contains expanded text with more than 500 new photographs. The 37 chapters are arranged in logical sequence, beginning with Cape Town and radiating outwards. Each chapter corresponds to an established and coherent geographic or demographic area. Included are detailed regional maps, incorporating up-to-date place names, and complemented by route directions within the text. On Route in South Africa contains a remarkable wealth of information, making it the perfect travel planner and companion.

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In this insightful guide, the authors introduce readers to the rich animal life of South Africa’s largest nature reserve – the Kruger National Park. The Kruger is home to 71 mammal, 252 bird, 36 reptile and 18 amphibian species. This guide describes the most common and most often seen animal species in plain language and the descriptions are accompanied by clear, full-colour photographs of each animal. With this handy and easy-to-use field guide by your side, you never again have to worry about identifying animals correctly.

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VELD Birds of Southern Africa: The complete photographic guide incorporates the latest photographs of, and research and atlas information on, all species of birds recorded in southern Africa to date. This comprehensive field guide contains almost 2 000 beautiful colour photographs, as well as: the latest information on all 991 bird species in southern Africa; concise entries focusing on identification, behaviour, possible confusion and habitat, along with differences in sex, age, colour morphs and subspecies; at-a-glance information on each species’ size, food, status and sociality; brand-new, colour-coded distribution maps reflecting each bird’s status and abundance; full-length and quick indexes; an app providing bird calls and additional photographs of plumage variations. An essential companion, whether you’re out in the field or on the couch at home.

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The definitive photographic guide to the amazing avifauna of South Africa. South Africa - from the vast savanna of Kruger to the unparalleled richness of the Cape - is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, featuring the highest number of endemics of any African country, as well as rich seabird assemblage and vast numbers of more widespread yet no less spectacular African birds. The perfect companion for any wildlife-friendly visitor, Birds of South Africa provides photographic coverage of more than 340 species that regularly occur in the region. Concise text for each species includes information on identification, songs and calls, behaviour, distribution and habitat, with each photo having been carefully selected to guide identification. A guide to the best birdwatching sites in South Africa is also included. Portable yet authoritative, this is the perfect guide for travellers and birdwatchers visiting this spectacular and bird-rich destination.

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The Kgalagadi Transfrontier Park in the Northern Cape is a unique wildlife destination due to its remoteness and the harshness of the dry savanna region it finds itself in. Despite the severe climate, the park is home to several animal species. Animals of the Kgalagadi is a handy guide to the 53 mammal, 164 bird, 30 reptile and 9 amphibian species that live in the park. The most common and most often seen animal species are described in plain language and the descriptions are accompanied by clear, full colour photographs of each animal. The book also includes additional information about and photographs of the 105 uncommon bird species found in the park. With this essential field guide by your side, you never again have to worry about identifying animals correctly. 

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To both the beginner and the experienced birdwatcher, this compact guide will prove as indispensable as binoculars.Special features:• Updated with new bird names• Fits your pocket• Practical and user-friendly• Over 400 bird species• Excellent colour photographs• Logical grouping of birds• Concise biological information• English & Afrikaans names• Southern African bird numbers• Distribution maps according to the new bird atlas• IndexOver 90 000 copies of this book have been sold to avid birders from South Africa and across the world.

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Professionals and novices alike are ecstatic about Sappi Birds of South Africa and the portable, user-friendly Callfinder® that unlocks sound from the pictures. Practical and logical grouping, interesting facts and user-friendly features make this publication a must for any nature lover. Special features include: Callfinder® ready More than 728 bird species from South Africa’s mainland Quick identification through Shapefinder, Callfinder®, and Dualdex More than 800 quality images Interesting and unusual facts for each species Callfinder® companion app Featuring updated scientific names, distribution maps, and fascinating facts, ensuring you stay informed about South Africa’s birdlife

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Omhels die gees van verkenning, maak kontak met die natuur en verhef jou voëlkyk-avonture na nuwe hoogtes met die nuwe, verbeterde uitgawe van Sappi Voëls van Suid-Afrika!

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Nature Unpacked is the ultimate travelling companion for those visiting the southern African bush - whether for the first time or for the tenth. Much more than a field guide to the wildlife of the region, it provides insight into the behaviour and adaptation of the more common mammals, birds, reptiles, frogs, insects, spiders and scorpions that are found here. Identification of common trees and shrubs is made simple by way of easily accessible descriptions and close-up representative images.

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The fully updated 5th edition of the touring atlas covers Southern Africa and is designed for all road users – from the regular commercial traveller to the casual tourist. The atlas consists of a main map section covering South Africa, where main touring areas are shown in larger scale and greater detail, as well as city maps, where the main city centres and significant surrounding areas are also shown in detail. Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe have a full spread for each country, together with the main tourist areas and city plans. The atlas also includes a comprehensive index of place names and, where appropriate, an index of city plans. The touring sections show places of interest in specific locales, such as the battlefields of KwaZulu-Natal and the wineries of the Western Cape. Lastly, photographs of scenic areas accompany the maps where appropriate.

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