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These are the wildlife books I pack with my camping gear or are on my desk!

28 items

Gareth Parkes

🌿 This is our Wildlife Lens which makes us go “wow, I never realised nature was this interesting” gateway into the wild. I’ve spent decades exploring everything from South African savannas to UK woodlands — and also the forests, mountains, wetlands ...

Sections

📚 15 US Outdoor Books Every Nature Lover Should Carry

🦁 Animals & Behaviour

🐦 Bird & Wildlife ID

🐾 Tracks, Signs & Fieldcraft

Prepare for an African Safari

📚 15 US Outdoor Books Every Nature Lover Should Carry

I read any good book, these are books I recommend highly.

I rate this the gold standard for practical survival: shelter, fire, water, navigation, emergencies. Clear, calm, no‑nonsense, my type of book.

SAS Survival Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to ... - Barnes & Noble

No matter how anyone may try, this book is the best ever field guide for being intuitive. Covers North American birds and perfect for bird watching enthusiasts.

Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America ...

I found this compact, durable, and surprisingly comprehensive. Great for quick ID in the field. It is used constantly!

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Mammals

Peterson Field Guide to Animal Tracks – Olaus Murie & Mark Elbroch barnes

Peterson Field Guide To Animal Tracks: Third Edition - Barnes & Noble

I grew up with the wilderness on my doorstep, this book made me think again about my roots: Teaches how to read the landscape, sky, plants, and animals as navigation tools. A real mindset shift for outdoor lovers.

The Rediscovered Art of Letting Nature Be Your Guide by Tristan ...

I don't climb, much, but I know all the knots and how to use the kit. This book gives great advice, it is the definitive manual for hiking, climbing, knots, safety, and mountain travel. Definitely a lifetime reference that doesn't get old.

Mountaineering: The Freedom of the Hills - Barnes & Noble

what happens when you see something and its potentially venomous? you reach for your book which is essential for understanding what’s venomous, what’s harmless, and what’s simply misunderstood.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to North American Reptiles & Amphibians

This works universally, it is practical, modern guide to planning, gear, safety, and backcountry decision‑making.

The Backpacker's Field Manual, Revised and Updated

I just love foraging, this book is a clear, conservative, safety‑first. A good baseline for foraging awareness.

The Complete Guide to Edible Wild Plants

As a scout I earned my badges and so know a little about the outdoors and how to alleviate risk, this book is a compact, scenario‑based guide for treating injuries and emergencies far from help. It should be read and internalised, but also kept close by.

Field Guide to Wilderness Medicine: Expert Consult

I have read every chapter and probably know more than most Americans about their outdoors. Its hard to imagine never visiting places of such beauty.

National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States ...

I am unabashed tree hugger. I think somehow they are sentient beings so its good to know what to call them. Excellent for learning forests by species, structure, and ecological role.

National Wildlife Federation Field Guide to Trees of North America

I love birds, they keep me motivated to explore the outdoors. But as a journaler, drawing often follows my photography pursuits. This book transforms field observation into a deeper connection. Brilliant for wildlife lovers.

The Laws Guide to Nature Drawing and Journaling - Barnes & Noble

A random find while looking for outdoors books for my collection. I just love it. Its a masterclass in lightweight, efficient, purpose‑driven outdoor travel.

The Ultimate Hiker's Gear Guide, Second Edition

So, I dont spend any time in North America and it is unlikely to ever happen. However, I do care about weather and this book excels. Understanding clouds, storms, and atmospheric patterns is one of the most underrated outdoor skills.

National Audubon Society Field Guide to Weather: North America

🦁 Animals & Behaviour

A curated library of the most reliable, field‑tested wildlife and nature books from Africa, the UK, and beyond. These are the titles that shape confident naturalists — from beginners learning their first bird calls to seasoned fieldworkers refining t... “This list contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you.”

An Immense World is one of those rare books that doesn’t just teach you something — it changes the way you look at everything. Ed Yong has this magical ability to pull you straight into the sensory worlds of animals, and suddenly you realise how limi...

An Immense World: How Animal Senses Reveal

Until I read this book on a long international cross continent flight, I had little interest in reading about animal behaviour. I thought I knew it all as a young lad growing up in the African veld with many Boy Scout tracking skills and a former Game Ranger. This really is worth a read and a good choice for a wildlife book collection.

The Trials of Life: Natural History of Animal Behavior

So, I have been fortunate to have seen several octupuses in the waters off South Africa. I found I enjoyed watching them and I think they were also watching me. There was definitely a sense of curiosity that enthralled me. Read this if you want some of your preconceived ideas fortified or adapted.

The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration

I have a whole collection of DK books, they are awesome and make the subject come alive. This book is excellent, you will be enthralled by it and will learn a lot about animals and why they behave the way they do.

Animal Behavior: Instinct, Intelligence, Adaptation

So, I was always curious about the way some animals behaved. This is the landmark reference for anyone who wants to understand African mammals beyond simple identification. Estes breaks down behaviour with scientific clarity and field‑tested insight ...

The Behavior Guide to African Mammals

An early book of mine that sat on the shelf until one day, after reading Attenboroughs book, I picked it up. I learned a lot and it gave me a good foundation to understand animals. It is now one of the many books I have read on the subject.

Social Behaviour in Animals: Vertebrates

🐦 Bird & Wildlife ID

A practical, field‑tested collection of the most reliable identification guides for birds, mammals, reptiles, insects, and the ecosystems they belong to. Whether you’re walking a Sussex hedgerow, exploring Kruger’s river systems, or watching garden v... “This list contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you.”

I have been a member for 30 plus years of the RSPB. If you are UK based and love birds you should join this awesome charity protecting wildlife reserves across the country.

RSPB Bird & Wildlife Conservation Charity

There are bird books, and there is an awesome bird book that will help you identify any bird you have on your travels around Europe, this is the book.

Collins Bird Guide: Complete Birds of Britain

I have all the Southern African bird books, this is one I use regularly because I like the way it is so easy to find the bird I have just seen. Yes, I live in Eastbourne England, but I travel to Southern Africa when I can for wildlife and bird photography.

Roberts Bird Guide: Comprehensive Field Guide

This is a new addition to my collection and I just love it. Its right here where I sit and now my default book when editing my bird photos. Its a book that really feels it belongs and its well thought out and organised. If you are going to buy just one book as your desktop guide, this is it.

ID Guide to Birds of Great Britain & Ireland

🐾 Tracks, Signs & Fieldcraft

A practical collection of the most reliable guides for reading the land — footprints, feeding signs, territorial markings, trails, calls, behaviour clues, and the subtle patterns that reveal what wildlife is doing when you’re not there to see it. Thi... “This list contains affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them—at no extra cost to you.”

Ever wondered about those weird tracks in the sand? I did until I found this book, a practical, image‑rich introduction to identifying and interpreting the tracks, trails, and signs of southern Africa’s wildlife. This guide uses clear photographs, si...

Photographic Guide to Tracks in Southern Africa

I fancied the title and bought it on a whim in the airport and read it while waiting to board. Usually, once boarded the book ends up in the hand luggage and out of the way for the duration of the flight, probably not resurfacing until it gets placed on a bookshelf. Well, not this book, its images and information is really fascinating. If you want a book that teaches and fascinates, this is a great choice, whether or not you visit Africa.

Game Ranger in Your Backpack: All-in-One Guide

Prepare for an African Safari

When Africa is in your blood, you need to to take Safaris. I live in England and everyday I long for Africa, my cameras are ready and I itch to go.

African Safari: Books - Amazon.com