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READING AND TRAVEL GUIDE

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South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zambia

Essential Reading

Item EXSAF218. Buy these 4 items as a set for $119 including shipping, 15% off the retail price.
With free shipping on anything else you order.

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Lonely Planet Southern Africa

Lonely Planet Southern Africa

by Alan Murphy

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 808 PAGES

This hefty practical guide to the nine nations of southern Africa, including Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Zimbabwe, South Africa, Swaziland, Malawi, Mozambique and Lesotho, is ideal for independent travelers on a multicountry tour. (SAF121, $32.99)

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)

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)

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)

 
Botswana, the Bradt Safari Guide

Botswana, the Bradt Safari Guide


by Chris McIntyre

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 518 PAGES

With comprehensive coverage of history, flora, fauna and practicalities, this third edition presents Okavango, Chobe, the Kalahari and other popular destinations in absorbing detail. (BOT18, $26.99)

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)

Africa, A Biography of the Continent

Africa, A Biography of the Continent


by John Reader

  • HISTORY
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 816 PAGES

With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a masterful and lively tale of the continent, from ancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all of Africa. (AFR49, $18.95)

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)

Cry of the Kalahari, Seven Years in Africa's Last Great Wilderness

Cry of the Kalahari, Seven Years in Africa's Last Great Wilderness


by Mark Owens | Delia Owens

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 1985
  • PAPER
  • 352 PAGES

The story of a family thrown out of Botswana for its stance on conservation. While their approach to conservation is controversial, there's no doubt that the Owens are dedicated to the wildlife of southern Africa -- and are very good writers. (SAF13, $16.00)

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)

Twenty Chickens for a Saddle

Twenty Chickens for a Saddle


by Robyn Scott

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 464 PAGES

Haphazardly schooled by her free-spirited mother and left to roam the bush, Scott writes with warmth and candor of her unconventional upbringing in Botswana, including her Grandpa Ivor (personal pilot to the first president of Botswana), physician father's work, unfortunate pets, siblings and adventures. (SAF203, $15.00)

Whatever You Do, Don't Run

Whatever You Do, Don't Run


by Peter Allison

  • TRAVEL NARRATIVE
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 246 PAGES

Allison spins captivating tales of wildlife, camps and the life of a Safari guide into a hilarious, slyly informative introduction to Botswana. (BOT29, $16.95)

Blood Safari

Blood Safari


by Deon Meyer

  • MYSTERY
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 400 PAGES

In this suspenseful tale of murder, set in and around the game preserves of South Africa, bodyguard Martin Lemmer helps to uncover the truth in the murder of four poachers. (SAF255, $7.99)

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)

Mating

Mating


by Norman Rush

  • LITERATURE
  • 1992
  • PAPER
  • 480 PAGES

This comic novel evokes daily life in Botswana and skewers the notion of well-intentioned academics at large in the developing world. The description of a trek from Gaborone to the Kalahari is terrific. (BOT03, $16.95)

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)

The Burning Shore

The Burning Shore


by Wilbur Smith

  • LITERATURE
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 632 PAGES

An epic tale of romance, survival and daring set in Southwestern Africa (aka Namibia) by the master of South African pulp fiction. (NMB12, $8.99)

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency

The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency


by Alexander McCall Smith

  • MYSTERY
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 235 PAGES

The delightful introduction to Botswana's formidable female detective, evoking the cultures, customs and texture of Africa. (BOT10, $13.95)

African Safari, Into the Great Game Reserves

African Safari, Into the Great Game Reserves


by Peter and Beverly Pickford

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2011
  • HARD COVER
  • 300 PAGES

With a traveler's notebook, essays and color photographs of Africa, its people, landscapes and wildlife, this dazzling photographic journey captures the adventure of Safari. (AFR260, $49.95)

The Myth of Wild Africa

The Myth of Wild Africa


by Jonathan Adams | Thomas McShane

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 290 PAGES

The authors, associated with the World Wildlife Fund, explode the romantic fallacy of an untouched continent where animals roam freely in sanctuaries. It's a no-holds-barred critique of old-style conservation in Africa. (AFR15, $29.95)

Wild at Heart

Wild at Heart


by Peter Godwin | Chris Johns

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2007
  • HARD COVER
  • 176 PAGES

This lush collection of full-color photographs tackles conservation, development and tradition in Southern Africa. It's a well-illustrated portrait of the region by National Geographic photographer Chris Johns and veteran journalist Peter Godwin. (SAF130, $65.00)

African Wildlife

African Wildlife


by James Kavanaugh

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1999
  • PLASTIC CARD

Slip this laminated foldout guide in your pocket for quick reference in the field. (AFR109, $5.95)

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa


by Chris Stuart

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 307 PAGES

Featuring 475 large color photographs, this compact, comprehensive guide covers all the mammals of Southern Africa in splendid detail. (SAF193, $29.95)

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)

Okavango, A Field Guide

Okavango, A Field Guide


by Lee Gutteridge

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 800 PAGES

This comprehensive guide, featuring 3,000 color images, covers not just birds and mammals but also tracks and signs, reptiels and amphibians, insects, flowers and trees, (BOT35, $60.00)

Southern African Birds, A Photographic Guide

Southern African Birds, A Photographic Guide


by Ian Sinclair

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1990
  • PAPER
  • 144 PAGES

Lightweight and handy for the field, this pocket guide to the 265 most conspicuous birds south of the Zambezi River includes color photographs, brief descriptions and range maps. (SAF14, $15.95)

Southern African Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide

Southern African Wildlife, A Visitor's Guide


by Mike Unwin

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 234 PAGES

A popular photographic guide to the mammals, birds, reptiles and habitats south of the Zambezi. With 300 color photographs and illuminating text. (SAF131, $26.99)

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.