The Larger Illustrated Sasol Guide to Birds of Southern Africa
Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

• This new edition of "Sasol Birds" is larger in both size and extent; a new section deals with the identification of "problem species", or those which are difficult to tell apart. Intended for use in the field, the text is pitched at a level to appeal to beginners, although the detail suggests it may also be of interest to more serious and professional birdwatchers. Distribution information is shown by means of a colour map, and the whole book is colour-coded according to the different bird groups. Probably the best of the current guides.

• Superb, concise and compact enough to use in the field. All the mammals you are ever likely to encounter on a trip to africa. For anyone with an interest in African mammals, there really is no substitute. More than 700 illustrations by the authoritive and acclaimed Jonathon Kingdon.

Birds of Africa South of the Sahara: A Comprehensive Illustrated Field Guide
Ian Sainclair, Peter Ryan: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

• This book is the first time ever that a field guide is aiming for the whole region - from 20 deg N up to 200 nautical miles off the continent shores (including Socotra but not Madagascar, Seychelles and other Indian and Atlantic Ocean Islands).

Lonely Planet: South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland
Simon Richmond, et al: Buy from Amazon.com or Amazon.co.uk

• A stunningly fact filled book about South Africa. Whilst primarily a tourist guide, bird watching opportunities and details of National Parks and reserves are well featured. (Over a hundred reserves are covered in varying detail.) The Kruger has a chapter to itself, there are details of how to see South Africa's only Penguin colonies, Ndumo sounds like a magical experience for the birder.....read it!