The Heart of Kenya & Tanzania Book List

 

Biographies

Ancestral Passions, The Leakey Family and the Quest for Humankind’s Beginnings

Author: Virginia Morell
Type: Biography Published: 1996
Format: PAPER Pages: 640
Cost $38.95
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A biography of the Leakey family, documenting their discoveries and their vast contributions to the field of paleontology. The Leakeys have been instrumental in tracing human origins to East Africa.

Stanley, The Impossible Life of Africa’s Greatest Explorer

Author: Tim Jeal
Type: Biography Published: 2008
Format: PAPER Pages: 608
Cost $18.00
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In this grand biography, drawing on previously unavailable family archives, Jeal spins a surprising, revisionist tale of a life of tragedy, adventure, disappointment and success.

The Worlds of a Maasai Warrior

Author: Ole Saitoti
Type: Biography Published: 1988
Format: PAPER Pages: 170
Cost $29.95
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Bridging several worlds with tremendous grace, Saitoti looks back on his life among the Maasai, both as spokesperson for his tribe and as one of the first Maasai safari guides.

West with the Night

Author: Beryl Markham
Type: Biography Published: 2013
Format: PAPER Pages: 294
Cost $16
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Markham evokes the landscapes, people and wildlife of East Africa in engrossing detail in this classic memoir of amazing adventures as a bush pilot in 1930s Kenya. A favorite.

Through the Dark Continent, Volume 1

Author: Henry M. Stanley
Type: Exploration Published: 1988
Format: PAPER Pages: 400
Cost $24.95
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A reprint of the original accounts of Henry Morton Stanley in Africa.

 

Field Guides

African Wildlife

Author: James Kavanaugh
Type: Field Guide Published: 1999
Format: PLASTIC CARD Pages: 0
Cost $7.95
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A laminated foldout guide illustrating almost 150 species of African animals, designed for quick reference in the field.

Birds of East Africa

Author: Terry Stevenson, John Fanshawe
Type: Field Guide Published: 2006
Format: PAPER Pages: 602
Cost $39.50
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Compact and comprehensive, this guide to 1,388 species of birds in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi features 286 excellent color plates, range maps and notes on habitats and conservation. A veteran tour leader, co-author Stevenson lives in Kenya.

East African Wildlife, A Visitor’s Guide

Author: Philip Briggs
Type: Field Guide Published: 2016
Format: PAPER Pages: 288
Cost $28.99
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A compact guide to the birds and mammals, reptiles, insects and plants of East Africa, the Bradt field guide features a great selection of large color photographs, recommendations and detailed species profiles.

Kingdon Pocket Guide to African Mammals

Author: Jonathan Kingdon
Type: Field Guide Published: 2004
Format: PAPER Pages: 272
Cost $29.95
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A conveniently compact edition of Kingdon’s celebrated guide that includes information on distribution, ecology and conservation status, with 480 outstanding color illustrations and maps.

The Safari Companion

Author: Richard Estes
Type: Field Guide Published: 1999
Format: PAPER Pages: 459
Cost $30.00
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An invaluable encyclopedic guide to Africa’s mammals by a noted scientist, this perennial bestseller includes black-and-white drawings, an overview of each animal group and in-depth information. Written with the typical safari-goer in mind.

Wildlife of East Africa

Author: Martin B. Withers
Type: Field Guide Published: 2002
Format: PAPER Pages: 256
Cost $19.95
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This take-along guide to 475 common species of birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, trees and flowers of East Africa features full-color photographs with detailed descriptions on facing pages.

 

History

Africa, a Biography of the Continent

Author: John Reader
Type: History Published: 1999
Format: PAPER Pages: 816
Cost $21.00
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With the ease of a practiced journalist, Reader weaves a masterful and lively tale of the continent, from ancient cultures to modern times. Both authoritative and informal, this is a splendid introduction to all of Africa.

Big Five of Africa

Author: Gerald Hinde (Photographer)
Type: Natural History Published: 2009
Format: PAPER Pages: 143
Cost $20
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Award-winning wildlife photographer Gerald Hinde’s stunning photographs celebrate Africa’s lions, elephants, leopards, rhinos and buffalos. Brief but informative text introduces each animal but the photographs (rightly) are the main focus. Size: 8 x 8 inches.

 

Maps

Kenya & Serengeti (Tanzania) Map

Author: Nelles
Type: Reference Published: 2015
Format: MAP Pages: 2
Cost $13.95
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A detailed map (1:1,100,000) with inset maps of Lamu, Nairobi and Mombasa.

New Map of Serengeti National Park

Author: Marco Editions
Type: Reference Published: 2014
Format: MAP Pages: 2
Cost $14.95
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This detailed, full-color sketch map of the Serengeti ecosystem includes camps, lodges, watercourses, habitat and topography.

Ngorongoro Conservation Area

Author: Marco Editions LLC
Type: Reference Published: 2003
Format: MAP Pages: 2
Cost $14.95
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An attractive, colorful and informative sketch map of the area with notes on wildlife and conservation at a scale of 2:210,000.

 

Travel

North of South, An African Journey

Author: Shiva Naipaul
Type: Travel Narrative Published: 1979
Format: PAPER Pages: 349
Cost $17.00
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A sharp portrait of Africa, circa 1979. A brilliant and provocative observer, Naipaul meditates on the various peoples he encounters in Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia. The best, most insightful thing we’ve read about race relations in Africa.

The Tree Where Man Was Born

Author: Peter Matthiessen
Type: Travel Narrative Published: 2010
Format: PAPER Pages: 368
Cost $18.00
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A classic portrait of East Africa, enthralling in its detail on nature and daily life. Includes Maasai Mara, Ngorongoro, the Kenyan highlands and Matthiessen’s field trips, safaris and adventures in the Serengeti.