Discovering The Pride of South Africa

Brand new and unique, this book works with our free app to play animal and bird calls and sounds simply by pointing a device over the image.Keep track of all your Kruger sightings with a tick box system, including Star ratings for rare animals. Listen to their calls and see what their tracks and spoor look like.Free app download (offers in-app purchases) which works fully offline.All mammals, birds and reptiles of the Kruger are listed, as well as a bonus section on trees. A star rating identifies rare and special sightings.

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Newman’s Birds by Colour offers beginner birders a quick and simple way to identify southern Africa’s most common birds using colour as a starting point. Now in its fourth edition, this handy illustrated guide has been updated to include the latest common names, expanded habitat information, and up-to-date distribution maps. An informative introduction provides practical tips for identifying birds, and includes information on bird anatomy and classification, and guidance on where to look for birds and what you need to go birding. Sales points: Fully revised – now with illustrations PLUS photographs. Use colour to ID birds. Bird names in indigenous languages too. Distribution maps for each species. Ideal for novice birders.

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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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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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The greatest botanical artists in the world capture one of the most diverse floral kingdoms on earth 44 botanical artists from all over the world, create 120 original artworks. A Ground Breaking 21st Century First: The traditional medium of botanical art is given a new lens with the aim to ultimately connect the reader to a bigger picture - one in which the intricate relationship between ourselves, the natural environment, plants and their pollinators is revealed. Expect meticulous detailing of floral structures, bursting seed pods, brightly coloured beetles, foraging ants, floating pollen and striped field mice...coupled with scientific facts and narrative stories about each plant. This is a florilegium immersed in the natural world, informed by ecology and the fragility of our botanical heritage. Each chapter includes an up-front ‘Wunderkammer’ of artists' notes, colour swatches, working drawings and archeological details, revealing a glimpse into the creative process and ancient origins of the area. - A unique marriage of art, natural science and storytelling is used to share the treasures of our botanical heritage, diversity and sustainability - Featuring flowers, their pollinators and the landscapes in which they are found - Artists’ notes, working drawings and archeological finds bring each chapter to life. Found on a narrow coastal belt on the southern tip of Africa, grootbos is a private nature reserve dedicated to protecting, rehabilitating and conserving the indigenous flora and fauna of the Cape floristic kingdom. The flats, slopes and valleys of Grootbos are a microcosm of the extraordinary botanical diversity that characterizes the region, one of the most species-rich habitats in the world.

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“Let us, then, set off together on a series of journeys around South Africa with an old kitbag full of books instead of maps to guide us. Let us follow meandering paths through the landscapes of literature, and celebrate how local authors, characters and readers are shaped and inspired by place …” In this gripping travelogue, Justin Fox goes on a one-of-a-kind journey. Marrying his love for travel and writing, he sets off to explore the places ofhis favourite books. From the mountainous eastern Karoo of Olive Schreiner to the big game lowveld of Sir Percy Fitzpatrick, from Deneys Reitz’s wide-open Cape interior to the bushveld of Eugène Marais’s Waterberg, Fox reveals the majestic power of place. Through the savannah of Herman Charles Bosman’s Marico, the dusty plains of JM Coetzee’sMoordenaars Karoo, the forests of Dalene Matthee’s Garden Route, the subtropical hamlets of Zakes Mda’s Wild Coast, and finally the sandstone crags of Stephen Watson’s Cederberg, he brings to life the settings we’ve only seen through characters’ eyes. Place is a moving love letter to South Africa, merging literature and landscape, and taking the reader on a breath-taking journey – into the heart of South Africa’s spectacular landscape and the inner-worlds of its most celebrated authors.

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The southwestern Cape is home to one of the world's richest floras. Field Guide to Fynbos covers over 1,000 species of this flora, focusing on the most common and showy flowers. An interesting introduction unpacks various aspects of the unique flora of the region. A color-coded photographic guide to fynbos family groups is followed by descriptions of the families, giving a comprehensive overview of the flora. Species described are accompanied by a vivid photograph, distribution map, comparisons with similar species, and notes on traditional uses. The new edition of this strong-selling guide has been updated with new maps where required, latest taxonomy and some additional species. For botanists and amateurs alike, this is an authoritative guide to South Africa's most renowned flora.

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Leon 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. Sales points: An absorbing portrayal of this characterful coastline; wide appeal for travellers and residents; evocative full-colour photographs; detailed map; highly regarded travel writer and photographer.

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The mountains and forests in and around Cape Town are a hiker's paradise, offering an array of excursions to suit both new converts and seasoned ramblers. Hiking Cape Town covers 35 exciting hikes on the Cape Peninsula and further afield, ranging from easy to moderate, with a number of more demanding trails for those who want to up their game. From classic hikes up the front face of Table Mountain and half-day hikes in the remote Cape Point, to gentle rambles along the coast and walks in mountains and nature reserves a short drive from the city, this book encompasses the area's must-do routes. Each description provides easy-to-follow directions and specifies the approximate walking time (between 3 and 7 hours), distance, difficulty rating and terrain. More challenging extensions to some of the routes are provided for hikers who want a more strenuous workout. Full-colour maps and photographs illustrate the routes, and information boxes offer insights into interesting aspects of the specific trails. Sales points: A fresh, engaging guide to 35 hikes in and around Cape Town; Mix of trails for different levels of fitness, difficulty and interest; Detailed full-colour maps throughout; Advice on hiking gear, mountain safety and dealing with emergencies.

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