Welcome!

Enrich Your Travels with Longitude

We've got the classic, new and hard-to-find books and maps to help you get the most out of your adventures.

SIGN UP FOR

Longitude News

Get our monthly e-mail update

GET A

Catalog

In the Kitchen

Gran Cocina Latina, The Food of Latin America

Maricel E. Presilla

SEE ALL >

Antarctica

Endurance, Shackleton's Incredible Voyage

Alfred Lansing

SEE ALL >

Our Favorites

Arctic Dreams

Barry Lopez

SEE ALL >

Tuscany

Every Day in Tuscany, Seasons of an Italian Life

Frances Mayes

SEE ALL >

SOUTHERN AFRICA

Namibia and Botswana

READING AND TRAVEL GUIDE

  • E-MAIL
  • PRINT

Kids

Books for

Get the featured set of Essential Reading, our top picks of what to read, and get free shipping on anything else you order.

Essential Reading

Item EXSAF287. Buy these 5 items as a set for $110 including shipping, 15% off the retail price.
With free shipping on anything else you order.

ADD SET
TO BOOKBAG
Big Five of Africa

Big Five of Africa

by Gerald Hinde

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 143 PAGES

Hinde's stunning photographs celebrate Africa's lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalo. (AFR241, $20.00)

Skeleton Coast

Skeleton Coast

by Amy Schoeman

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2012
  • HARD COVER
  • 208 PAGES

This revised edition of Shoenman's classic, first published in 1971, shows the magnificent landscapes, wildlife and nature of the Namib desert, Skeleton Coast and Northwest Namibia in 160 color essays and accompanying essays on geology, climate, nature and history. (NMB08, $54.00)

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)

Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia

Lonely Planet Botswana & Namibia

by Lonely Planet

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 424 PAGES

An informative practical guide to Botswana and its attractions, including nearby Victoria Falls. (BOT14, $27.99)

Southern Africa Regional Map

Southern Africa Regional Map

by ITMB

  • 2008
  • MAP

A double-sided map of the continent south of the Zambezi River, at a scale of 1:2,125,000, with color photographs and notes on parks and major attractions. (SAF63, $12.95)

 
Botswana Map

Botswana Map


by Globetrotter

  • 2013
  • MAP

With a country map (1:1,600,000) and insets of Chobe and other national parks on the reverse. (SAF07, $9.95)

Namibia Map

Namibia Map


by International Travel Maps

  • 2008
  • MAP

A travelers map of Namibia, with an inset of Windhoek, at the excellent scale of 1:6.00,000. (SAF06, $12.95)

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)

Bradt Guide Namibia

Bradt Guide Namibia


by Chris McIntyre

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 544 PAGES

From the desolate Skeleton Coast to the lush Kavango and Caprivi Strip, or the picturesque capital, Windhoek, Bradt has it covered. (NMB06, $26.99)

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, $20.00)

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)

Traversa, A Solo Walk Across Africa from the Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean

Traversa, A Solo Walk Across Africa from the Skeleton Coast to the Indian Ocean


by Fran Sandham

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 2008
  • HARD COVER
  • 320 PAGES

Sandham writes with down-to-earth glee of the personalities, hardships, pleasures and idiocy of a 3,000-mile trek (sometimes in the company of a donkey or mule) through tough terrain. (AFR212, $25.00)

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)

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)

Classic Africa

Classic Africa


by Michael Poliza

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2010
  • HARD COVER
  • 320 PAGES

Printed and beautifully bound in Italy, Michael Poliza's exquisite new book showcases the wildlife of Africa -- each elephant, zebra, lion or rhino photographed alone or in a group against the African plains. The photographs, taken over a decade, have been rendered in rich sepia, not only recalling safaris of yore but also adding to their distinctive beauty. With full-age photos printed on uncoated, heavy eight vellum, bound in textured suede-like cloth. (AFR279, $125.00)

Eye of the Leopard

Eye of the Leopard


by Beverly Joubert | Dereck Joubert

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2009
  • HARD COVER
  • 208 PAGES

The National Geographic photographers Dereck and Beverly Joubert document the life of a young leopard, born at Mombo Camp in Botswana's Moremi Reserve, in dazzling color and evocative black-and-white. (AFR256, $75.00)

Okavango, Jewel of the Kalahari

Okavango, Jewel of the Kalahari


by Karen Ross

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2003
  • HARD COVER
  • 216 PAGES

An ecologist and champion of Botswana (she has been instrumental in getting Okavango listed as a World Heritage Site), Ross gives equal weight to the wildlife, habitats and people of the Delta and surrounding sands in this terrific portrait, featuring 170 color photographs. (BOT39, $28.95)

The Black Rhinos of Namibia, Searching for Survivors in the African Desert


by Rick Bass

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2012
  • HARD COVER
  • 272 PAGES

Rick Bass' lifelong search for rare and iconic animals takes him in to the harsh terrain of the Namib desert on the trail of the rare black rhino. In insightful prose Bass tells the story of the rhinos, brought back from near-extinction thanks to cutting edge conservation. (EXP98, $25.00)

The Elephant's Secret Sense, The Hidden Life of the Wild Herds of Africa

The Elephant's Secret Sense, The Hidden Life of the Wild Herds of Africa


by Caitlin O'Connell

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 240 PAGES

O'Connell chronicles the extraordinary social lives of elephants in Etosha National Park in this powerful account of a 14-year study. (NMB20, $15.00)

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)

Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa

Field Guide to the Birds of Southern Africa


by Ian Sinclair | Phil Hockey | Warwick Tarboton

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 447 PAGES

This compact, comprehensive field guide features 200 dazzling color plates covering 950 species of birds from South Africa to southern Mozambique. Fourth Edition. (SAF12, $35.00)

Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals

Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals


by Jonathan Kingdon

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 2004
  • PAPER
  • 272 PAGES

A convenient compact edition of Kingdon's gloriously illustrated Field Guide to African Mammals. With abbreviated information on identification, distribution, ecology and conservation status and the same 480 outstanding color illustrations and maps as its bigger cousin. (EAF128, $25.95)

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)

Photo Guide to Birds of Namibia


by Ian Sinclair

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1995
  • PAPER
  • 144 PAGES

A convenient, pocket-sized guide with color photos, maps and short descriptions. (NMB17, $15.95)

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)

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

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, $28.00)

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.