Wildlife of East Africa (Princeton Pocket Guides)
Product ID: 1623737
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Those looking for a concise yet informative, visually breathtaking yet affordable East African safari need look no further than this spectacular field guide. Featuring full-color photos of 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower, Wildlife of East Africa takes us on an exquisite one-volume tour through the living splendor of the main national parks and game reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. Many of the species included--from pelicans to plovers, ostriches to elephants, from the daintiest of antelopes to cattlelike giants, from leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes--also inhabit neighboring countries. The selection was based on the personal experiences of the authors, wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in the region for more than twenty years. Each species is illustrated with a photo and a detailed entry on the facing page; the text is commendably rich for such a compact guide. This information enables the particular animal or plant to be identified by such traits as size, plumage or pelage, color, and shape. An opening section on wildlife photography provides helpful tips on the best type of camera, film, and lenses to use, techniques, and codes of conduct. Wildlife of East Africa is a must for anyone considering a first-hand look at, or simply daydreaming of, the elegant, enormous, or exotic wildlife of East Africa. Covers the main parks and reserves of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda, plus surrounding countries 475 common species of bird, mammal, snake, lizard, insect, tree, and flower--from ostriches to elephants, leopards to lions, baboons to gorillas, chameleons to crocodiles, acacias to aloes Full-color photographs and detailed entries describing each species Written and illustrated by wildlife experts who have been leading safaris in East Africa for more than 20 years Tips on wildlife photography, techniques, and codes of conduct Review: Small, light, and useful! - I just got back from a safari to Uganda and Kenya and found this to be perhaps the most useful book of the small library I brought with me. When you're on a safari, you want something that is small, light, and informative. This book is all three of those things. I could easily fit it in my backpack without adding much weight. It is fairly comprehensive, covering birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. It usually has two good photos for each species, allowing for easy identification. One of the features I really liked is that the lefthand margin of each page is left blank. Intentionally or not, this proved really useful as an area to write the date of when you spotted that particular animal or other notes. I checked off each species I saw and wrote the date beside it, which I am now using as I go through my photos and try to identify them all. Perhaps the best compliment I can give this book is that it came home more bent up and dirtier from such frequent use than any of my other books. The only drawback to the book is that does not contain every important species you might see on your trip. I'd say it covers maybe 95% of the animals you're likely to see, but I also found the missing 5% to be frustrating. For example, it doesn't have the Great Blue Turaco or the Shoebill, beautiful birds that I saw in Uganda. For the former, I can perhaps understand since the Great Blue Turaco's range in East Africa is limited to the westernmost portions. Still, I hope future editions of the book include even more wildlife. Review: I thought I wasn't a birder until this trip, thank goodness for this book! - I thought I knew enough about mammal species to get by on a Tanzania trip without a book like this and I didn't have too much interest in birds. After all, the guides can usually answer most of those questions. THANK GOODNESS I brought this book anyways. Our guide was fantastic but sometimes we were seeing so many species at once that it was hard to keep up. This book was great to look back at after the fact to remember which ones we had seen, especially birds. And it turns out, I loved the birds! It has been great for ID'ing species in my pictures and I especially liked that it has some plants too. It was small and lightweight enough that I was able to easily make space in my daypack, though it was in my hand for most of the trip. Our guide liked the book so much that I gifted it to him at the end of our trip. I ordered another one while standing in the airport and received it just as I was coming out of my jet lag stupor a few days later.
| Best Sellers Rank | #47,362 in Books ( See Top 100 in Books ) #10 in Entomology (Books) #46 in Biology of Wildlife #74 in Zoology (Books) |
| Customer Reviews | 4.6 out of 5 stars 339 Reviews |
A**D
Small, light, and useful!
I just got back from a safari to Uganda and Kenya and found this to be perhaps the most useful book of the small library I brought with me. When you're on a safari, you want something that is small, light, and informative. This book is all three of those things. I could easily fit it in my backpack without adding much weight. It is fairly comprehensive, covering birds, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, and plants. It usually has two good photos for each species, allowing for easy identification. One of the features I really liked is that the lefthand margin of each page is left blank. Intentionally or not, this proved really useful as an area to write the date of when you spotted that particular animal or other notes. I checked off each species I saw and wrote the date beside it, which I am now using as I go through my photos and try to identify them all. Perhaps the best compliment I can give this book is that it came home more bent up and dirtier from such frequent use than any of my other books. The only drawback to the book is that does not contain every important species you might see on your trip. I'd say it covers maybe 95% of the animals you're likely to see, but I also found the missing 5% to be frustrating. For example, it doesn't have the Great Blue Turaco or the Shoebill, beautiful birds that I saw in Uganda. For the former, I can perhaps understand since the Great Blue Turaco's range in East Africa is limited to the westernmost portions. Still, I hope future editions of the book include even more wildlife.
B**A
I thought I wasn't a birder until this trip, thank goodness for this book!
I thought I knew enough about mammal species to get by on a Tanzania trip without a book like this and I didn't have too much interest in birds. After all, the guides can usually answer most of those questions. THANK GOODNESS I brought this book anyways. Our guide was fantastic but sometimes we were seeing so many species at once that it was hard to keep up. This book was great to look back at after the fact to remember which ones we had seen, especially birds. And it turns out, I loved the birds! It has been great for ID'ing species in my pictures and I especially liked that it has some plants too. It was small and lightweight enough that I was able to easily make space in my daypack, though it was in my hand for most of the trip. Our guide liked the book so much that I gifted it to him at the end of our trip. I ordered another one while standing in the airport and received it just as I was coming out of my jet lag stupor a few days later.
B**E
The one to pack!
Just returned from two weeks of safari in Tanzania. Before we left I scoured Amazon and the reviews of which would be the best field guides to take. The consensus was heavily in favour of the Withers and the Estes. I am glad of all the frank and honest reviews because they were SPOT on!! The guide is easy to understand; not filled with a lot of scientific jargon. The Withers helps you spot and decipher one gazelle from another. The Estes book fills you in on animal behavior in great depth. Take the Withers with you in the Land Cruiser and keep the Estes at the lodge for a great evening read. The Withers features great pictures that clearly show the animal. Thankful for all the birds, reptiles and even trees along with their descriptions. It's size is perfect for throwing into your day pack. Keep a pen tucked inside to note where you see the amazing animals of East Africa. Wishes for future editions would be the inclusion of common insects. Beautiful butterflies and giant grasshoppers remain nameless to us. How to tell the difference between a regular fly and a Tse Tse fly would be very helpful!!!. Thankfully our guide knew! Ouch! Enjoy your journey in East Africa. For us it was magical.
A**E
Helpful, not perfect
I love that it's pocket-sized and has almost every animal and plant I saw in three weeks in Rwanda and Tanzania. However, it gives almost no information about where any of the animals could be found. Just one sentence each to at least include the country would be nice, and especially naming famous parks would be helpful.
J**Y
I used this on safari and at camp. It was a great resource once I got to know the layout.
I really loved having this around on my safari at Amboseli park in Kenya. Once I got used to how it was organized, it became a pretty quick reference guide to identifying animals. The item fit well in my bag and didn't take up too much space, but had all of the information I needed. I loved that it had multiple pictures of the animals to show the variety they can have.
P**)
Great field guide
I am a travel agent, and have made 5 trips (and counting) to Africa. This book is the best portable field guide I have found, and I have bought about 5 or 6 different guides. I chose this one to give to each of my clients on the last trip I escorted to Kenya and Tanzania. It is quite complete and includes the birds as well as the animals we all love to see. Of course, it is not as complete in describing animal mating and social behaviour as The Safari Companion but the latter is a book usually in the Safari Vehicles with the guides. You can easily slip it in with your camera or large pocket along with a highlighter to check off your sightings. Update: 3/2013 I have just placed an order for another 6 of these books...they are great gift for my clients. I noticed on my last trip this was also the book being used by the guide...although I thought he should have had a more complete book, such as Safari Companion in addition. This is perfect for average safari goer. Mine has lasted me through about 8 trips to Africa. Binding is sturdy and has not disintegrated yet! I will buy another for myself if it gives out!
A**R
Great Reference Book
Go-To book in terms of identifying the animals and wildlife that I had so magnificently photographed.
T**H
Don't leave for The Serengeti without it!
Ordered this book after a little research. Spent a week on a Tanzania safari in The Serengeti, Tarangire, Lake Mayara and Ngorongoro Crater. Every animal we spotted (over 100 mammals, reptiles, birds) was found in this book - complete with a photo and facts. Great way to confirm spelling since our guide had a strong Swahili accent. I gave this book to our guide after the trip. Have been home only 12 hours and miss my book already. I am ordering 3 more copies for my safari friends. Great way to remember all the animals - it made the trip even more interesting. Small size, easy to pack.
U**A
Five Stars
Loved this book. Nicely sized and well illustrated.
J**Y
Great Wildlife Book
Excellent wildlife guide. Pictures are really clear. Very easy to find what I'm looking for and it tells you lots of interesting info.
M**E
wildlife of east africa
notre guide au kenya disposait de ce manuel très complet il m'a servi a trouvé des noms d'animaux que je ne connaissais pas dommage qu'il ne soit pas traduit en français
E**.
good book wildife kenya
very good Information. this is a good informatin book for all People they can good found all things in the book
M**N
Very useful on our safari in Tanzania
The index was pretty good but sometimes our guide had to help with various names. I recorded each animal we saw with the date and the park. I think it contained pretty well everything we saw.
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