SANParks.org Forums

For the dutchies
I have a nice book on southern africa with lots of pages on the national parks of SA, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Namibie
Cool pics by Nigel Dennis en Roger de la Harpe
Beleef de wildernissen van Zuidelijk Afrika
Can be ordered through WWF Netherlands
Hardcover

Hi all
Would be great if any of you well informed formulites would like to share your favourite Field Guide. I know there are a couple on the market to chose from.
I have one from some time back "Southern Africa's Mammals" a field guide by Robin Frandsen.I do like the fact that this one includes pictures of spoor. Do also have Peter Apps "Wild Ways"
Am interested from your experiences as to which you have found the most helpful.To be precise, looking for one for a gift that will make game viewing, exciting for first timers to the Kgalagadi, inclusive of spoor, interesting facts etc.
Am I expecting too much in one guide
Many thanks
Dreamer

Jannie, if your time permits that would be appreciated,or else your suggestion without long list (we know we can rely on you) Just wanting to make a good choice seen its a gift and what better than a really useful one for newcomers to KTP.

Thanks so much

Hi Dreamer

There's a whole forum called Recommended Reading which might be useful.

I have a book called The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa by Burger Cillie which I love. It's published by Briza Publications, ISBN 1 875093 10 9. What I really like it about is:

- it has all the large mammals, and most of the smaller ones you are likely to see(although not bats and mice)
- each mammal has a double-spread, with two photos on the right hand page, and details on the left hand page (description, sexual dimorphism, habitat, habits, voice, breeding)
- also on the left hand page is a table which among things has a distribution map, photo of dung, spoor, gives mass, life expectancy, enemies etc
- right at the back of the book is a list of all SA parks (SAN Parks and others) with a table showing which animals occur in each park
- also right at the back are pages showing all the spoor for easy comparison
- best of all, it is an A5 sized volume of just over 200 pages and thus great as a field guide because it's so portable

And before you ask: I don't work for Briza Publications - I just really like the book.

Hi Restio
What is so fantastic about this forum is the members really take the time and trouble to assist.
Thanks so much for this. Had a look on the web, got details and now going to make a few phone calls to local book shops here in CT. I do believe you about not working for the publishers!! I am a great one for promoting anything that I have found good, be it products or service.
Jannie has also offered to name a few which I will check out as well but must say this sounds just like what is needed.
Thanks again
Dreamer

I found it on loot and couldn't resist ordering it
The isbn seems to have changed to 1875093451

Hi Dreamer !

I have to agree to Restio . Very good recommendation.
I bought ' The Mammal Guide of South Africa ' during our stay in KwaZulu last November. I was looking for a Mammal Guide book for quite a while. And I instantly liked it.
Before I was travelling with 'The Wildlife of South Africa' which comes quite handy as it has as well ,Plants Insects,Snakes, Trees etc.
But it is a bit of everything and nothing .
As you just got the main species and every now and then you are missing that specific Antilope, small Bokie etc.

I can not add anything more to the very good description Restio made.
We are now travelling with Peter Apps 'Wild Ways', SASOl Birds of Southern Africa and Burger Cillies The Mammal Guide of South Africa.

But I am still looking for a small guide to the Snakes and Insects , it has to be small as otherwise we are ending up carrying a whole library with us.

Katy

Hi KTD
How about the Struik Pocket Guides or are those too small
The Snakes of Southern Africa is ISBN 1868254283 and Insects ISBN 1868258319, found them both available on amazon.
Have a great trip, hope to see you in Punda

Hi Freda !

Thanx I just had a look.
Unfortunately the seller of the Insect Guide does not deliver outside the UK. And just ordering the Snakes Guide makes it quite expensive ( 110 Rand ) . I will have a look for the books in November in South Africa.
I bet we will see each other at Punda I discovered some time ago that we are sharing the same camp for 2 nights.
Still too long to wait till we are in Kruger, I just can't wait

Hi Katy
Snap!! We are currently using Wild Ways, The Wildlife of Southern Africa and Sasol and Newmans for the birds. We have the Struik book on Snakes and am sure you will find this one ideal!!
If you let me know when you will be arriving at Johannesburg International Airport I would be very happy to contact the main book shop there and ask them to order one for you. Sure that can be easily arranged and there would be no obligation for you to take the book should you feel you don't like it.
Although I'm sure that will not be the case.
Thanks for you response to my query, I'm pretty convinced that this is just what I want.
Dreamer

Freda, thanks, I discovered that as well, apparently its just a new publication no.

Thanx Dreamer !

I very much appreciate that.
I will give you all our flight details in a PM.

Katy

Glad that you found my description useful. Hope that you enjoy the book, if you get it. Especially if you ordered it on my recommendation, Freda!

I had a look at the loot link, and it's revised edition (2004). Mine's 1997. Looks like the second edition is even better because it has:



And that was the main thing missing from the first one. Hmm, tempting... but I think I might save my money and buy Wild Ways. I don't have it, and since Dreamer and Katy like it, I think I probably would too.

I saw that, looks a nice book and as I'm a book freek I couldn't resist it. Can never have too many books about wildlife.
I already have Wild Ways

Too true!!
And I'd never even heard of Wild Ways. Sounds great, so I've added it to the list I'll be ordering from kalahari.net — plenty to read (and dream about) during our long, cold winter