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Discover South Africa

READING AND TRAVEL GUIDE

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Books for

Enrich your travels with reading! Here's a hand-picked list prepared for your journey in conjunction with the book experts at Longitude.

Essential Reading

Item EXSAF205. Buy these 4 items as a set for $91 including shipping, 20% off the retail price.
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Eyewitness Guide South Africa

Eyewitness Guide South Africa

by Eyewitness Guides

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 408 PAGES

This superb guide features color photography, dozens of excellent local maps and a region-by-region synopsis of the country's attractions. (SAF138, $27.00)

The Wildlife of Southern Africa, A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region

The Wildlife of Southern Africa, A Field Guide to the Animals and Plants of the Region

by Vincent Carruthers | Kenneth Newman

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 320 PAGES
  • BEST SELLER

With 1,200 color illustrations by a range of experts, this compact field guide includes all the birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, insects, fish and plants that a traveler is likely to encounter in Southern Africa. (SAF59, $29.95)

Africa's Big Five

Africa's Big Five

by Gerald Hinde

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2005
  • HARD COVER
  • 144 PAGES

Bestseller. Gerald Hinde teamed up with colleagues William Taylor and Richard du Toit for this portrait of the lion, elephant, leopard, rhino and buffalo, featuring hundreds of color photographs by the accomplished trio. (AFR178, $39.95)

South Africa Travel Map

South Africa Travel Map

by Globetrotter

  • 2008
  • MAP
  • BEST SELLER

A colorful map at a scale of 1:2,400,000. (SAF09, $8.95)

 
Cape Town and Region Map

Cape Town and Region Map


by National Geographic

  • MAP

This double-sided map includes Cape Town, Table Mountain National Park and other reserves south to Cape of Good Hope. (SAF161, $11.95)

Victoria Falls Destination Map

Victoria Falls Destination Map


by National Geographic Society

  • MAP
  • OUT OF PRINT

A full-color traveler's map and guide to the falls and surrounding area at a scale of 1:28,500, with inset maps of Livingstone and Victoria Falls Village, an overview map and information on the Zambezi and Mosi-oa-Tunya national parks. (SAF191, $8.99)

Cape Winelands, A Touring Guide

Cape Winelands, A Touring Guide


by Theresa Morrison | Lanz von Horsten

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2000
  • PAPER
  • 120 PAGES
  • HARD TO FIND ELSEWHERE

An informative, visual tour of 40 favorite wineries, all close to Cape Town. With fold-out maps, color photographs and information on restaurants, picnic spots and lodging. (SAF128, $20.00)

Culture Smart! South Africa

Culture Smart! South Africa


by David Holt-Biddle

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 168 PAGES

This handy guide will help you navigate local customs, etiquette and culture. (SAF169, $9.95)

Time Out Cape Town

Time Out Cape Town


by Time Out

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 280 PAGES

Compact, informative and lively, this outstanding guide covers where to go and what to do in Cape Town and surroundings. (SAF164, $19.95)

A History of South Africa

A History of South Africa


by Leonard Thompson

  • HISTORY
  • 2001
  • PAPER
  • 358 PAGES

A succinct history of South Africa, especially strong on early Africans and European colonization. (SAF101, $17.95)

The Scramble for Africa

The Scramble for Africa


by Thomas Pakenham

  • HISTORY
  • 1992
  • PAPER
  • 738 PAGES

Absorbing and meticulously researched, this in-depth history of the Victorian land grab in Africa includes excellent portraits of the egomaniacal personalities who overran the continent. (AFR26, $23.99)

Long Walk to Freedom

Long Walk to Freedom


by Nelson Mandela

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 640 PAGES

An unpretentious tale of an extraordinary life, Mandela's autobiography is essential reading for an understanding of South Africa. His grace and his love for his country shine throughout. (SAF15, $17.99)

My Traitor's Heart

My Traitor's Heart


by Rian Malan

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 2000
  • PAPER
  • 425 PAGES
  • FAVORITE

The Afrikaner and journalist recounts his return to his homeland just before the collapse of Apartheid. Malan grapples with the black and white heart of South Africa, drawing on the 300-year history of his family in Africa, legends of the Zulu nation and some brutally honest reporting. (SAF19, $15.00)

The Mirror at Midnight, A South African Journey

The Mirror at Midnight, A South African Journey


by Adam Hochschild

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 308 PAGES

Hochschild provides a new epilogue for this paper edition of his 1990 report from South Africa, a riveting blend of journalism, travel and history. (SAF190, $14.95)

Cry, The Beloved Country

Cry, The Beloved Country


by Alan Paton

  • LITERATURE
  • 2003
  • PAPER
  • 317 PAGES

The deeply moving story of Reverend Kumalo's quest for justice. First published in 1948, it is a striking, poetic tribute to the power of the individual and a trenchant indictment of Apartheid. (SAF30, $15.00)

Life & Times of Michael K

Life & Times of Michael K


by J.M. Coetzee

  • LITERATURE
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 184 PAGES

Coetzee sets this short, hallucinatory novel, the powerful tale of a troubled boy, in South Africa in the midst of civil war. (SAF17, $14.00)

Skinner's Drift, A Novel

Skinner's Drift, A Novel


by Lisa Fugard

  • LITERATURE
  • 2006
  • PAPER
  • 304 PAGES

This family drama, by the daughter of playwright Athol Fugard, unspools in Johannesburg, where the main character returns to care for her dying father. (SAF168, $19.99)

South Africa, A Traveler's Literary Companion

South Africa, A Traveler's Literary Companion


by Isabel Balseiro | Tobias Hecht

  • ANTHOLOGY
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 239 PAGES

This diverse collection of short stories reveals South Africa through the eyes of its writers, including numerous renowned names such as Nadine Gordimer, J.M. Coetzee and Alan Paton. (SAF236, $14.95)

South Africa Safari Companion

South Africa Safari Companion


by Alain Pons

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2007
  • PAPER

From Cape Town and Fynbos, Kruger National Park and private reserves, this slim photographic survey introduces the parks, wildlife and habitats of South Africa. (SAF189, $14.95)

Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals

Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals


by Jonathan Kingdon

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2004
  • PAPER
  • 272 PAGES

An artist and biologist, Kingdon provides both delightful full-color illustrations and informative text. (EAF128, $24.95)

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa

Newman's Birds of Southern Africa


by Kenneth Newman

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 538 PAGES

This commemorative tenth edition celebrates the contribution of the late author, Kenneth Newman, fully revised and updated by his daughter, Vanessa Newman, to reflect the latest research, taxonomy and common names. (SAF29, $26.00)

The Safari Companion

The Safari Companion


by Richard Estes

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 459 PAGES
  • BEST SELLER

An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa's mammals by a noted scientist. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind, this perennial bestseller includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each group and in-depth information. (AFR06, $30.00)

More Recommendations

Here are some other groups of books that might be of interest

Longitude provides recommended reading for travelers in partnership with the leading tour operators and travel programs for hundreds of destinations worldwide. We've got the classic, new and hard-to-find books and maps to help you get the most out of your adventures.