Bradt Wildlife Guide: Southern African Wildlife A Visitor's Guide

About this book

This new, thoroughly revised edition of Bradt’s Southern Africa Wildlife guide provides an overview of all southern African wildlife – not only ‘big game’ and other large mammals, but also birds, reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates. Excellent for independent travellers, it is reliable as a standalone guide combining both wildlife and visitor information and is also a perfect complement to traditional field guides. Countries covered include Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Eswatini and Zimbabwe, with Malawi and Zambia both added to this new edition. Colour photographs illustrate all key species and the engaging text extends beyond basic identification features to illuminate the natural history and ecology of the wildlife that visitors will encounter. The text has been updated throughout to reflect the latest conservation initiatives and wildlife population figures. Included are a practical guide to tracks and signs, plus top tips for optimising your wildlife experience, as well as a ‘where to go’ overview which outlines the key wildlife attractions of each country and, together with a seasonal highlights calendar, enables visitors to plan a safari that suits their interests.

Contents

- Introduction: What’s new?, How to use this book, The southern African environment
- Habitats: Savannah woodland, or bushveld, Grassland, Forest, Desert, The arid zone, Fynbos, Wetlands and waterways, The coast, The human landscape
- Mammals: Carnivores, African elephant, Hoofed mammals, Primates, Ant-eating oddities, Small mammals, Sea mammals
- Birds: Seabirds and waterbirds, Ground birds, Raptors, Near-passerines (louries to honeyguides), Perching Birds
- Reptiles and Amphibians: Tortoises, turtles and terrapins, Snakes, Lizards, Crocodiles, Frogs
- Invertebrates: Millipedes and centipedes, Spiders and scorpions, Insects
- Tracks and signs: Making tracks, Droppings, Who’s at home?, Feeding signs
- Making the most of it: Planning your trip, Looking for animals, Other ways to watch wildlife, Roughing it, Photography, Minimum-impact code, Back home
- Where to go: Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Further information
Index

Customer Reviews

Biography

Mike Unwin’s experience of southern Africa began in 1988 when he arrived as a teacher in Zimbabwe and spent much of the next two years chasing wildlife around the bush. He quickly fell in love with the region – its people and its wildlife – and, over five more years based in Eswatini, he was able to explore all its key conservation areas. Hands-on wildlife experience ranged from safari adventures, such as wild camping in the Kalahari and canoeing the Zambezi, to volunteer work for the Southern African Frog Atlas Project and setting up the Swaziland Bird Club.

Since returning to his native UK and becoming a freelance writer, Mike has returned regularly to southern Africa on assignment, revisiting old haunts and discovering new ones. Today his body of work reflects his knowledge, experience and passion. Author of more than 35 books on wildlife for both adults and children, and regular contributor to numerous publications – from national newspapers such as the Telegraph to specialist magazines such as Travel Africa – Mike’s numerous awards include UK Travel Writer of the Year (British Guild of Travel Writers, 2013) and Bradt/BBC Wildlife Nature Writer of the Year (2000). He is also an accomplished photographer, illustrator and public speaker, and an enthusiastic imitator of unusual animal noises.