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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 EXSAF248. Buy these 5 items as a set for $112 including shipping, 15% 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)

Atlas of Namibia, A Portrait of the Land and its People

Atlas of Namibia, A Portrait of the Land and its People

by John Mendelsohn

  • CULTURAL PORTRAIT
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 200 PAGES

Illustrated with topographic maps and striking color photographs, this authoritative atlas contains a wealth of information about the land, people, nature and culture of Namibia. (NMB19, $38.00)

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)

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)

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)

 
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)

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)

National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography

National Geographic Ultimate Field Guide to Travel Photography


by Scott Stuckey

  • GUIDEBOOK
  • 2010
  • PAPER
  • 160 PAGES

This concise, practical guide to taking better travel photos covers equipment, technique and digital photography, with suggestions and how-to's from experts. (PHT34, $21.95)

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)

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)

Beyond the Miracle, Inside the New South Africa

Beyond the Miracle, Inside the New South Africa


by Allister Sparks

  • HISTORY
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 408 PAGES

The South African journalist (Tomorrow is Another Country), continues the tale of the transformation of South Africa and its accomplishments, failures and challenges in the decade following the collapse of Apartheid. (SAF166, $20.00)

Diamonds, Gold, and War, The British, the Boers and the Making of South Africa

Diamonds, Gold, and War, The British, the Boers and the Making of South Africa


by Martin Meredith

  • HISTORY
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 592 PAGES

This history makes palpable the cost of greed to Africa's native peoples and explains the rise of virulent Afrikaner nationalism. (SAF208, $35.00)

Playing the Enemy, Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation

Playing the Enemy, Nelson Mandela and the Game That Made a Nation


by John Carlin

  • HISTORY
  • 2009
  • PAPER
  • 274 PAGES

Carlin vividly documents how Mandala used the 1995 Rugby World Cup to unite South Africa. (SAF240, $16.00)

The Fate of Africa

The Fate of Africa


by Martin Meredith

  • HISTORY
  • 2011
  • PAPER
  • 792 PAGES

Ambitious in scope, immensely readable -- and as big as a doorstop -- Martin Meredith's blockbuster country-by-country overview of the tumult in Africa since independence is now revised and updated to reflect recent events. (AFR154, $21.99)

The Making of Modern South Africa, Conquest, Apartheid, Democracy

The Making of Modern South Africa, Conquest, Apartheid, Democracy


by Nigel Worden

  • HISTORY
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 198 PAGES

This well-researched, readable primer covers South African history from colonial conquest to the end of apartheid and beyond, with an updated chapter focusing on 1994 to 2007. Worden is a history professor at the University of Cape Town. (SAF222, $36.95)

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)

Tomorrow is Another Country, The Inside Story of South Africa's Road to Change

Tomorrow is Another Country, The Inside Story of South Africa's Road to Change


by Allister Sparks

  • HISTORY
  • 1996
  • PAPER
  • 254 PAGES

Sparks explores the extraordinary developments that led to multiracial democracy in South Africa, an essential key to understanding South Africa today, (SAF31, $25.00)

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)

Sands of Silence, On Safari in Namibia

Sands of Silence, On Safari in Namibia


by Peter Hathaway Capstick

  • BIOGRAPHY/MEMOIR
  • 1991
  • HARD COVER
  • 214 PAGES

With its color photography and enthusiasm for hunting, this first-person account is classic Capstick -- and an absorbing, appreciative look at the country, its people and wildlife. (NMB03, $35.00)

Beethoven Was One-Sixteenth Black

Beethoven Was One-Sixteenth Black


by Nadine Gordimer

  • LITERATURE
  • 2008
  • PAPER
  • 192 PAGES

The Nobel Prize winner daringly explores racial identity, sexuality and loss in this latest, marvelous collection of South African tales. (SAF221, $14.00)

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)

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)

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)

Namibia Safari Companion

Namibia Safari Companion


by Alain Pons

  • NATURAL HISTORY
  • 2007
  • PAPER
  • 80 PAGES

A colorful illustrated guide to wildlife, photographic opportunities and travel. (NAM41, $20.95)

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)

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)

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)

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)

The Safari Companion

The Safari Companion


by Richard Estes

  • FIELD GUIDE
  • 1999
  • PAPER
  • 459 PAGES

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.