| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Photography Book | Into Africa |
| Best for Birders | Birds of Southern Africa: The Complete Photographic Guide |
| Best Migration Guide | African Odyssey: 365 Days |
| Best on African Snakes | The Dangerous Snakes of Africa |
| Best for Conservation | Remembering African Wild Dogs |
| Best Book About Hyenas | Humans and Hyenas: Monster or Misunderstood |
| Best for Zoologists | The Behavior Guide to African Mammals |
Sadly, most of us will never go on an African safari. Yet, we can live vicariously through the books published by world-class photographers and glimpse the continent’s dizzying array of wildlife.
We rounded up a few of our favorite books showcasing African animals. Whether they’re encyclopedic in nature or focused solely on stunning photography, we think you’ll enjoy them.
Check Amazon- Award-winning photographer shares some of his most iconic images of Africa's animals
- Great explanatory text accompanying the photos
- Images are printed on thick, high-quality paper
Check Amazon- Color photos of each bird species
- Extensive profile for all birds
- Over 2,500 images
- Images of birds in flight, perched, and differences in sex or age.
- Behavioral and diet information
Check Amazon- Includes images from the seasonal migrations of three large herds across Africa
- Lovely way to celebrate the beauty of Africa
- Portable and lightweight
Check Amazon- The series has raised more than $1,000,000 for conservation projects
- Over 140 pages of beautiful photographs of African wild dogs
- Great way to support the cause of conservation
Check Amazon- Explains the behavior of all three species
- Dispels myths about hyenas
- Great for naturalists
- Full of extensive information
Check Amazon- Complete information on dozens of species
- Behavior, habitat, diet information for each
- Discusses how each species affects each other
- Great for people who love learning everything they can about animals
1. Into Africa by Frans Lanting
In Frans Lanting’s Into Africa, the award-winning photographer shares some of his most iconic images of Africa’s animals. The images are printed in full color and on thick paper — displaying the raw beauty of the animals he included in his gorgeous book.
It’s an African safari in your hands! Readers love the text that accompanies photographs and has some information about each animal; we love that you can flip through Into Africa and discover something unique and beautiful on each page. This awe-inspiring book will inspire nature lovers and photographers to explore our planet and is a wonderful addition to any library.
Pros and Cons of Into Africa by Frans Lanting
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This book features some of award-winning photographer Frans Lanting’s most iconic photos of African animals. | None |
| They’re printed in full color on thick paper. | |
| Each photo is accompanied by text providing info about the featured animal. |
- Award-winning photographer shares some of his most iconic images of Africa's animals
- Great explanatory text accompanying the photos
- Images are printed on thick, high-quality paper
2. Birds of Southern Africa by Peter Ryan and Ian Sinclair
Birds fascinate we humans, and have since the beginning of time! Where we’re stuck on the ground, they’re free to fly and see the world in ways we cannot imagine. The variety in these feathered flyers is as dizzying as their comfort at great altitudes.
In Birds of Southern Africa, the author includes over 2,500 color photos of the various species that inhabit southern Africa. Each species profile is complete with habitat, breeding, and diet — including photos of each species in flight, perched, and age or sex differences, where appropriate.
Pros and Cons of Birds of Southern Africa by Peter Ryan and Ian Sinclair
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This book includes over 2,500 color photos of birds that inhabit southern Africa. | None |
| Each species profile includes their habitat, breeding, and diet. | |
| It also includes photos of each species in flight, perched, and age or sex differences, when applicable. |
- Color photos of each bird species
- Extensive profile for all birds
- Over 2,500 images
- Images of birds in flight, perched, and differences in sex or age.
- Behavioral and diet information
3. African Odyssey: 365 Days by Anup Shah (Photographer) and Manoj Shah (Photographer)
Join Anup Shah and Manoj Shah on a year-long journey through Africa in African Odyssey: 365 Days. In it, you’ll find a photo that celebrates the animals for each day of the year.
This beautiful book includes images from the seasonal migrations of three large herds across the African landscape. Although African Odyssey: 365 Days isn’t as full of information as some of the other books on our list, the photography in it may spark a new interest in the animals that travel in huge herds. We love that they included enough photos with corresponding information enjoy a different one every day. We also love that it’s easy to flip through and enjoy reading about each animal — no matter which day you flip the book open to see.
A sole reviewer said that the quality of the photos and their reproduction was “disappointing.”
Pros and Cons of African Odyssey: 365 Days by Anup Shah (Photographer) and Manoj Shah (Photographer)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This book includes a photo for each day of the year. | A sole reviewer said that the quality of the photos and their reproduction was “disappointing.” |
| It includes images from the seasonal migrations of three large herds across the African landscape. | |
| It’s easy to flip through and enjoy reading about each |
- Includes images from the seasonal migrations of three large herds across Africa
- Lovely way to celebrate the beauty of Africa
- Portable and lightweight
4. Dangerous Snakes of Africa by Stephen Spawls and Bill Branch
These slithering reptiles conjure terrifying images in the mind. Some continents, like Africa, seem to have more than their share of dangerous snakes.
In Dangerous Snakes of Africa, authors Steve Spawls and Bill Branch detail all 170 dangerous African snakes, including the 70 or so that look similar. Each profile details proper identification, habitat, behavior, venom, and snakebite treatment. Although the species profiles are excellent, the photos are sadly a bit small.
Small photos aside, Dangerous Snakes of Africa is a terrific addition to an African herpetology library!
Pros and Cons of Dangerous Snakes of Africa by Stephen Spawls and Bill Branch
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This book details all 170 of Africa’s dangerous snakes, including the 70 or so that look similar. | The photos are a little bit small. |
| Each profile details proper identification, habitat, behavior, venom, and snakebite treatment. |
- Covers 170 dangerous snake species in Africa
- Also covers the type of venom
- Great photos
5. Remembering African Wild Dogs by Margot Raggett and Wildlife Photographers United
Remembering African Wild Dogs is the sixth book in a series, the proceeds of which support conservation efforts in Africa and Asia. As of 2021, over 150 photographers have contributed to the books, and the series raised more than $1,000,000 for conservation projects.
Species and habitat information accompanies the beautiful photographs in this 144-page book, making it a fantastic book for conservation-minded animal lovers. We love how wildlife photographers worldwide have united to support a worthy cause.
Pros and Cons of Remembering African Wild Dogs by Margot Raggett and Wildlife Photographers United
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This is the sixth book in a series, the proceeds of which support conservation efforts in Africa and Asia. | None |
| So far, 150 photographers have contributed to the series and raised over $1,000,000 for conservation projects. | |
| This 144-page book includes beautiful photos as well as species and habitat information. |
- The series has raised more than $1,000,000 for conservation projects
- Over 140 pages of beautiful photographs of African wild dogs
- Great way to support the cause of conservation
6. Humans and Hyenas: Monster or Misunderstood by Keith Somerville
For all the myths and beliefs surrounding this apex predator, Humans and Hyenas: Monster or Misunderstood by Keith Somerville describes hyenas in all their glory — from their complex social structure to their astounding ability to adapt to change.
In over 260 pages, the author discovers the origins behind our dislike and argues for conserving all three hyena species. Humans and Hyenas looks at the hyena, its behavior and its relationship with humans; it’s perfect for those interested in conservation and wildlife.
It’s not an easy read, but it’s definitely worth the time!
Pros and Cons of Humans and Hyenas: Monster or Misunderstood by Keith Somerville
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| This 260-page book examines why humans dislike hyenas. | It’s not an “easy read.” |
| He argues for conserving all three hyena species. | |
| It looks at hyenas, their behavior, and their relationship with humans. | |
| It’s ideal for readers who are interested in wildlife conservation. |
- Explains the behavior of all three species
- Dispels myths about hyenas
- Great for naturalists
- Full of extensive information
7. The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates — 20thAnniversary Edition by Richard D. Estes (Author), Daniel Otte (Illustrator), and Edward O. Wilson (Foreword)
The next book on our list isn’t a field guide, and instead describes the behavior of the major African mammal groups. It’s one of the most comprehensive books of its kind available and many readers consider it a must-have book.
The Behavior Guide to African Mammals goes in-depth with the most current research available when it was written in 1991. If there’s a complaint, it’s that the 20th anniversary edition didn’t include newer research completed since the original publication.
The Behavior Guide to African Mammals is a foundational book for aspiring naturalists and zoologists worldwide.
Pros and Cons of The Behavior Guide to African Mammals: Including Hoofed Mammals, Carnivores, Primates — 20thAnniversary Edition by Richard D. Estes (Author), Daniel Otte (Illustrator), and Edward O. Wilson (Foreword)
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| The book describes the behavior of the major African mammal groups. | The 20th anniversary edition doesn’t include newer research completed since the original publication. |
| It’s considered to be one of the most comprehensive books of its kind and is invaluable to aspiring naturalists and zoologists. |
- Complete information on dozens of species
- Behavior, habitat, diet information for each
- Discusses how each species affects each other
- Great for people who love learning everything they can about animals
How to Choose the Right Book About African Animals
While all of the books in this review are about African animals, they cover an amazingly wide variety of topics. Several are compilations of photographs of African animals, which are, as we said before, like holding an African safari in your hands.
The list also includes three guides: for birds, snakes, and mammals. The first two can be used for visual identification, while the last is a guide to the behavior of key African animals.
If you would like to support conservation efforts, check out Remembering African Wild Dogs. And if you are curious about the behavior of one of the most maligned animals on the planet, Humans and Hyenas: Monster or Misunderstood is the book for you.
| Best for | Product |
|---|---|
| Best Photography Book | Into Africa |
| Best for Birders | Birds of Southern Africa: The Complete Photographic Guide |
| Best Migration Guide | African Odyssey: 365 Days |
| Best on African Snakes | The Dangerous Snakes of Africa |
| Best for Conservation | Remembering African Wild Dogs |
| Best Book About Hyenas | Humans and Hyenas: Monster or Misunderstood |
| Best for Zoologists | The Behavior Guide to African Mammals |
Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us? Contact the AZ Animals editorial team.
