South Africa's wide range of habitats sustains a richly diverse fauna and flora, most of it preserved by an intricate network of conservation areas that covers approximately 7.5% of the country's total land area.
National Parks and Nature Reserves: A South African Field Guide is a unique and indispensable guide that offers a comprehensive overview of 43 of the country's best and most accessible parks, reserves and wilderness areas. Organised by province, each site is presented in detail: history, location, landscape, geology, vegetation and wildlife, most notably mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish and insects, are described, and the most important species in each category profiled.
Engaging information panels list the highlights of each park or reserve, and provide key facts about its wildlife, climate, facilities and activities, as well as critical warnings for visitors. More than 900 colour photographs, 139 park, vegetation and locator maps, and a 31-page photographic identification guide representing 323 mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, tree and flower species bring the content vividly to life. In addition, 195 free species checklists covering mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians and fish encountered in each location are available online at www.parksandreserves.co.za