Africa Books Galore To Help You Prepare For Your African Safari

The BRADT Travel Guides are leaders in the field with a guidebook on almost every African safari destination. Their guides would be my first choice:

Africa Overland: 4x4, Motorbike, Bicycle, Truck (4th ed, Jul 05) - If you're planning to explore the continent overland, this is one of the best Africa books. It's practical and covers everything from Morocco to South Africa. You'll find handy tips, maps, routes, info on accommodation, food and culture as well as some useful health and security advice.
Southern African Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide (May 03) - Easy reading in a handbook style. It's filled with interesting info on insects, birds and mammals. Excellent photography and a well-written text covering identification as well as behavioural insights.
East African Wildlife (1st edition Jan 08) - Information on the animals, their habits and habitats from the large mammals, to birds, to butterflies. It contains lots of photographs and has a handy section on the key wildlife sites of the region.
Kenya (1st ed, Jan 04) – Apart from the popular wildlife attraction, especially the wildebeest migration, this guide also covers trekking of Mt Kenya, the tropical coast and Kenya’s rich cultural heritage. It covers the popular and lesser-known regions and lists adventure and other activities, interests, events and accommodation to suit everyone.
Tanzania with Zanzibar, Pemba and Mafia (5th ed, Jun 06) - areas of the south and west that are not yet well known by travellers or discussed in other Africa books are covered, as well as revised info on top attractions.

Northern Tanzania: The Bradt Safari Guide with Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar (1st ed, Mar 06) - This guide covers the northern circuit in detail, incorporating specific coverage of the wildlife and natural history of the region plus extra environmental information. Find accommodation no matter your budget, learn basic words in the Swahili language, climb Mt Kilimanjaro and relax on Zanzibar all with the help of this book.
Zanzibar – Learn about the history and culture of the island, identify both land and marine wildlife and pick activities to your liking. Hotels, landmarks and markets are indicated, complemented by a guide to the architectural treasures of Stone Town.
Uganda (5th ed, Jan 07) - Includes every aspect of the country's tourist infrastructure for instance around viewing the highly endangered mountain gorilla, plus detailed coverage of the cultural and environmental issues that are Uganda's greatest asset.
Rwanda (3rd ed, Sep 06) – A guide revealing that the 'Land of a Thousand Hills' is one of the world's finest and friendliest ecotourism destinations. Apart from practical guidance, learn more about the history and culture, visiting the mountain gorillas, national parks and Kigali.
Botswana: Okavango Delta, Chobe, Northern Kalahari (2nd ed, Jan 07) – This guide concentrates on the popular northern safari region. It offers information on choosing lodges and safari camps, along with detailed sections on environment, wildlife and flora, including the abundant bird life in the wetland paradise of the Okavango Delta.
Namibia (3rd ed, May 07) – Predominantly aimed at self-drive travellers, providing unbeatable knowledge of the country complimented by information on how animals and plants survive the desert conditions. Include maps and detailed listings of lodges, guest farms and bush camps.
Zambia (4th ed, Feb 08) – One of the best destinations in Africa for walking safaris, river safaris, hot springs and waterfalls. The guide covers all the national parks, wildlife identification and culture. If you're planning to arrange everything yourself, it gives advice on choosing accommodation, adventure activities and safaris.
Malawi (4th ed, Sep 06) – The most explorable and tranquil of African countries, whether discovering little-visited mountains, forests and game reserves, or relaxing by Lake Malawi. Wildlife and bird-species identification, conservation areas, game and forest reserves and national parks up and down the lake are all covered in depth.
Madagascar (9th ed, Jul 07) - An award-winning guide by Hilary Bradt. It covers every aspect of this unique country. Come face to face with Madagascan wildlife at one of the many nature reserves. One of the top Africa books!
Madagascar Wildlife: A Visitor's Guide (1st ed, Jan 01 - reprinted with amendments 05) – Meet Madagascar's amazing and rare creatures, from lemurs to millipedes, which live in habitats ranging from rainforest to desert. 250 species are described and illustrated with over 200 colour pictures.
The Gambia (2nd ed, Jun 06) - The authors use their local knowledge to take you beyond the obvious. Whether you choose to explore the lush forests or walk along the golden beaches, drink green tea in mud-walled villages or seek out the secretive hippos, this guide will help you celebrate the rich diversity of a land labelled 'the gateway to Africa'.

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LONELY PLANET is well known and offers an extensive range of African guidebooks:

Africa (11th ed, Jun 07 - 30th anniversary edition) - Covers 49 countries: wildlife, classic routes, music, accommodation for all pockets, volunteering opportunities and more.
Watching Wildlife: East Africa (1st, Jun 01) – An all-in-one safari guide.
Watching Wildlife: Southern Africa (1st ed, Jan 02) - Helps you identify and understand the wildlife of Botswana, Malawi, Namibia, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Africa on a shoestring - Written for backpackers by backpackers.
East Africa (7th ed, Jun 06) - Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi – covering the wildebeest migration, gorilla viewing, Zanzibar. The guide has an entire chapter on safaris, a colour wildlife guide, all budget levels accommodation, maps, border and safety information.
Southern Africa (4th ed) - Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Covers activities, music, wildlife, accommodation and tours for all pockets plus health, safety, border information and maps.

Kenya (6th ed, Apr 06) - Wildlife viewing, tribes, scenery, politics, history and culture, activities, full range accommodation options and maps.
Tanzania (3rd ed, May 05) - Whether you want to watch wildlife, laze on the beach or ramble through Swahili ruins this guidebook will help you do it. Includes wildlife guide, activities and safaris, accommodation, beaches, Mt Kilimanjaro plus maps.
Botswana & Namibia (2nd ed, Feb 07) - contains 44 maps in total and a detailed section on all the national parks. Both countries offer the variety and energy you expect in Africa but without the negatives like war.
South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland (7th ed, Nov 06) - Discover the manifold delights of South Africa and the mountain kingdoms of Lesotho and Swaziland. Includes wildlife guide, information on the music scene, full range accommodation, maps and languages.
Madagascar & Comoros (5th ed, Aug 04) – Covers these two countries' diverse attractions: beaches, rain forests, parched deserts, lemurs, chameleons, culture, markets, art and more.
Mozambique (2nd ed, Feb 07) - Not your typical safari country, this guide focuses on the feel of the country and the stunning marine wildlife you can view in the tropical waters of Mozambique.
Healthy Travel Africa (1st ed, Feb 00) – Over 350 pages yet a handy pocket size Africa books with tips on what to do before/after your Africa trip; symptoms to look out for, information on illnesses like malaria and yellow fever. It provides first aid guidance, tips on safe food and drinking water, information on insect bites, has a chapter for pregnant travellers and provides advice regarding altitude, caves, the sun and much more.
Trekking East Africa (3rd ed, Oct 03) - 27 detailed trek descriptions in Tanzania, Kenya and Uganda (incl. Mt Kilimanjaro, Mt Kenya and Rwenzoris). Full of practical advice, maps and info on language, health, accommodation, fauna & flora.
South Africa: Diving & Snorkeling (1st ed, Nov 04) - explore the underwater wildlife from the kelp of the Cape, ship wrecks, shark dives all the way up to Mozambique's southern coast. Colour photos, maps and info on dive sites and operators.
If you want to be able to have basic conversations with the locals, especially if you're going to travel East Africa independently, you can do so with the help of another of Lonely Planet's handy Africa books: the Swahili Phrase book (3rd ed, Sep 05).
Africa Phrase book (1st ed, Jun 07) - apart from useful phrases in 13 African languages, the guide also provides cultural background and a pronunciation guide throughout.
Wildlife Travel Photography (1st ed, Jun 06) - by Andy Rouse. Learn how to get up close and personal to wildlife with your camera lens. Includes a section on Africa "hot spots".
The Africa Book (1st ed, Nov 07). A pictorial book with colour photographs, maps and essays about various African countries. If you're not sure where in Africa to go, this is a good place to start. You'll be inspired by the journeys and routes and the country profiles should be useful too.

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ROUGH GUIDES offers a slightly more limited range of Africa books and guides:

First-Time Africa (1st ed, Jul 07) - Use this guide before your Africa trip, to help with your preparations on tickets, visas, vaccinations, planning your itinerary, budgeting and packing wisely. Info on attractions, transport, accommodation, health and safety across 41 countries.
25: Africa (Jul 07) - Not really a guide book, but a collection of 25 great things to do in Africa, e.g. a gorilla trek, balloon flight over the Masai Mara or climbing Africa's highest mountain Mt Kilimanjaro.
Kenya* (8th ed, Oct 06) – information on wildlife watching, the culture, politics, practical information and health & safety.
South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland* (4th ed, Jul 05) - cultural background information, a comprehensive wildlife-spotting guide, urban as well as National Parks information, accommodation and restaurant details. Also include adventure activities information and maps.
Cape Town & the Garden Route (1st ed, Oct 05) – covers a beautiful and popular part of South Africa. Not all Africa books on South Africa covers the Garden Route in detail. This one also points out adventure activities, top whale-watching spots and big-game encounters at Addo Elephant National Park. The usual restaurant and accommodation reviews and maps are included.
Tanzania* (2nd ed, May 06) - covering the Serengeti, Mt Kilimanjaro and Zanzibar.
Zanzibar (2nd ed, Aug 06) - helps you pick basic to luxury accommodation, restaurants and bars. Read all about the lovely sandy beaches, coral reefs and essential Stone Town.
The Gambia (2nd ed, Dec 06) - a very small country but packed with possible activities from the beaches to bird watching and all is addressed in this book.
Swahili Phrase book (3rd ed, Jul 06) - Africa books can help you mix with the locals too. This one is great to have with you on safari, especially if you're planning on touring East and southern Africa independently. Download free audio files on the Rough Guides website to get the pronunciation right.
Maps - Especially handy for independent travellers, Rough Guides has published durable rip- and waterproof country maps for South Africa, Lesotho & Swaziland as well as Kenya.

*Amazingly, you can read these Africa books on-line at the Rough Guides website.

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Africa and Wildlife Magazines

There are a number of magazines that is Africa- or wildlife related:

Africa Geographic covers environmental & conservation challenges facing Africa;
Wildlife Conservation is an award-winning magazine with top quality photographs and articles on worldwide conservation programmes by the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS);
Outdoor Photographer gives advice on wildlife photography, in preparation for your next African safari!

... and for the kids:

Zoobooks targets ages 5-12 and teaches them in a fun way about all sorts of animals, complete with photos, diagrams, descriptions and activity pages;
Zootles is the little brother of Zoobooks, targeting ages 2-6;
Wild Animal Baby is a board format magazine for babies and toddlers up to 3 years old. It contains rhymes and stories of various lovable baby animals.

To subscribe or find out more about any of the 6 magazines listed above, simply type the name of the magazine that you are interested in, into the search box below, then click on "go".

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National Geographic Africa Books, Magazines and Films

Africa Books & Calendars:

National Geographic has a number of Africa books, especially some magnificent photography books that will take you on a virtual African safari. Hold your mouse arrow over the Africa books pictures below to see their titles: