Books about animals in Namibia

For the kids and/or for us, do you have any good book recommendations for identifying and learning about the animals of Namibia (or Southern Africa)?

Hello, so in parks like Kruger, there are some great guides like "Pocket Guide to Animals of Southern Africa" by Burger Cillié, which covers animals across southern Africa and was a hit with the kids. "Field Guide to the Animals of the Greater Kruger Park" by Burger Cillié, Christo Joubert, and Ulrich Oberprieler. In French, there's Caroline Oriol’s "Compagnon de Safari", a practical guide to Namibian wildlife with lots of text and a photo for each animal.

Raf

Thanks! I guess there are enough animals common to South Africa and Namibia (+Caprivi + Chobe) for the first two guides to be worth it?

Hi, We’ve used Caroline Oriol’s book two years in a row and really enjoyed it. It might not be exhaustive, but she provides great details on the lifestyles of different animals—it’s really interesting.

Off to the Oribi then :)

Hi,

As I mentioned in another post about Namibia, I discovered during my last trip to the country an excellent guide about the Namibian environment: "Geology, Wildlife and Flora of Namibia", by Maxime Lelièvre. It's available on the website www.guide-namibie.com.

The book is practical, easy to read, packed with very interesting info, with beautiful photos, and most importantly, it helps identify the main animals and birds you'll come across in Namibia. Plus, the chapters on flora and geology give you a complete overview of the Namibian desert environment.

However, it mainly covers animals from desert or semi-desert areas, so it’s less suited for a trip to northern Botswana (even though many animals can be found in both countries).

For the lucky ones heading there soon, don’t hesitate—buying the book is totally worth it.

Justine

Hi, Thanks for the info (I’d lost the first one!). Since we’re heading back to Namibia... What’s the format of this book? Is it heavy? Worth taking along or better left at home for sorting through photos later?

Have a great day,

Hi Titaille,

In my opinion, it's a nice book to take along during your trip—it's A5 size and not heavy. Plus, it lets you get immediate feedback on what you're seeing.

Have a great week

Hi, Thanks for the info!

Like Caroline Oriol’s book, then? (*Compagnon de safari*)

I’ll get myself a copy. Have a good day,

In terms of format, it does look like the Safari Companion.

Have a good evening

Hi, On my end, I found another practical French pocket-sized book for travel that helps identify animals—it’s *L'essentiel des mammifères Sud Afrique*. You can order it directly from the publisher here: thebookedition. It covers Namibia well.

Hi there! There are some great books about the animals of Namibia and Southern Africa that can help both kids and adults better understand this amazing land and its biodiversity. I recommend:

*Animal Friends of Namibia* and *Ecological Wonders of Southern Africa*—they cover common animal species, habits, and habitats in Namibia and are perfect for nature lovers.

When reading these books, the experience will be even better if you can enjoy a quiet, distraction-free environment! For example, by using jammermfg.com/fr, you and your child can be fully immersed in the book’s world without outside interruptions. Wishing you and your kids lots of knowledge and fun exploring the animals of Namibia and Southern Africa! !