Altezza Travel Library: 57 books about Tanzania for those who want to learn more

AI tools like Claude, ChatGPT, and Gemini can answer almost any question about Tanzania's wildlife in seconds. But becoming a great safari guide requires more than quick answers. It takes a deep understanding of animal behavior, ecology, and the natural processes that shape East Africa's ecosystems. That knowledge is built by reading the work of scientists, researchers, and experienced field experts.

That's why Altezza Travel has its own library. High-quality natural history books can be difficult to find in Tanzania, so we source them from the United States and Europe. Our guides also help choose new titles based on the questions our guests ask and the topics they want to explore most.

Books in our library

Books about birds

An illustrated guide to the birds of sub-Saharan Africa. Rather than simply helping readers identify species, the author explains why different birds have evolved their distinctive behaviors, appearances, and survival strategies. One of the best introductions for anyone beginning to explore birding. 

The standard field guide for birding in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Burundi. It covers more than 1,300 species, complete with detailed illustrations and distribution maps. Its compact format makes it ideal for taking on safari. 

One of the definitive references on the birds of the region. It features detailed comparison tables and comprehensive, encyclopedia-style accounts of each species, covering behavior, identification, and conservation status. 

A field guide covering around 500 bird species found in northern Tanzania's two flagship parks: Serengeti National Park and the Ngorongoro Conservation Area. Detailed illustrations make it easier to distinguish between similar-looking species. 

An engaging popular science book exploring how modern ornithology has transformed our understanding of birds. Ackerman presents research showing that birds use tools, maintain complex social relationships, play, and are even capable of deception. 

Books about mammals - general references

A photographic companion to the BBC wildlife documentary series covering the entire African continent. It provides an excellent introduction to the animals found across Africa's diverse ecosystems.

Drawing on decades of field research, Richard Estes explains the behavior of Africa's mammals, from territorial defense and courtship to social organization and communication. An essential reference for understanding animal behavior on safari. 

A landmark multi-volume work examining East African mammals through the lens of evolution and biogeography. Kingdon explores how climate, landscape, and the continent's geological history have shaped today's remarkable diversity of species. A scholarly reference for in-depth study. 

A comprehensive field guide covering the mammals of Africa, featuring the author's own illustrations alongside descriptions of each species and its evolutionary history. 

A six-volume academic encyclopedia covering every mammal species found in Africa. One of the most comprehensive references available on the continent's mammalian fauna.

Pathfinder: Illustrated for Nature Enthusiasts, Janesta Pulella, 2020

An illustrated introduction to African wildlife for general readers. Written for those new to wildlife observation, it highlights the species and behaviors that are most rewarding to look for on safari. 

A practical guide to observing animal behavior on safari, covering antelopes, predators, primates, and other mammals. Estes explains how to interpret animal behavior, social interactions, and ecological relationships in the wild. 

Books about elephants

The first long-term study of African elephants in Tanzania. Iain Douglas-Hamilton spent years living alongside elephant families in Lake Manyara, demonstrating that elephants possess some of the most complex social bonds in the animal kingdom. This pioneering work laid the foundation for much of our modern understanding of elephant society. 

Written by renowned African historian Martin Meredith, this book traces the history of elephants across the continent. It explores elephant hunting before and after European colonization, examines how populations have changed since the early nineteenth century, and explains why elephants are considered among the most intelligent mammals on Earth. An excellent choice for anyone interested in learning more about one of Africa's most remarkable animals. 

Cynthia Moss spent thirteen years observing a single elephant family in Amboseli, documenting every major event in their lives, including births, deaths, droughts, poaching attacks, and migrations. Written as a family chronicle, the book introduces individual elephants by name and captures their distinct personalities and relationships. 

Books about giraffes

A scientific monograph covering virtually every aspect of giraffe biology, including evolution, physiology, behavior, social structure, and conservation. Anne Innis Dagg was one of the first zoologists to study giraffes extensively in the wild, and this book draws on decades of research.

A beautifully illustrated book that combines observations from the African savanna with reflections on the beauty and vulnerability of the world's tallest mammal. More of a literary essay than a scientific reference, it offers a thoughtful perspective on giraffes and their place in the natural world.

Books about big cats

Wildlife photographer and naturalist Jonathan Scott spent several years observing a female leopard named Chui in the Maasai Mara. The book follows her life, hunting strategies, and the challenges of raising cubs. It was one of the first long-term studies centered on an individual wild leopard. 

A chronicle of a Maasai Mara lion pride over several years. Combining the work of a writer and a wildlife photographer, the book creates an intimate portrait of individual lions, revealing the complex social dynamics within a pride. 

Based on three years of fieldwork among lions of the Serengeti, this pioneering scientific study examines how lions hunt, defend territories, and raise their young. It remains one of the foundational works on lion ecology and is still widely cited by researchers today. 

Books about rhinos

An account of the northern white rhinoceros and the author's efforts to prevent its extinction. The book explores the causes of poaching and the challenges of protecting one of the world's most endangered mammals. Only two northern white rhinos remain, both of them female, making the subspecies functionally extinct. 

Books about primates

The culmination of forty years of research on the chimpanzees of the Mahale Mountains along the shores of Lake Tanganyika. One of the pioneers of long-term primate research, Nishida documents the traditions, social relationships, and behavior of several chimpanzee communities in a book that is both scientifically rigorous and highly accessible. 

Books about hyenas

Anthropologist Marcus Baynes-Rock lived in Harar, Ethiopia, where spotted hyenas have roamed the city's streets alongside people for centuries. The book explores this remarkable relationship while challenging the common misconception that hyenas survive solely by scavenging. 

Books about reptiles

The definitive field guide to East Africa's reptiles, covering more than 450 species of lizards, snakes, turtles, and crocodiles. A standard reference for naturalists and safari guides, it includes detailed species accounts, distribution maps, and full-color illustrations. 

A practical guide to Africa's venomous and potentially dangerous snakes. It covers species identification, the symptoms of snakebite, and recommended first aid procedures. 

A compact photographic guide to the snakes, lizards, turtles, and other reptiles and amphibians of East Africa. Its emphasis on high-quality photographs makes it especially useful for quick identification in the field. 

Amphibians

The first comprehensive scientific reference on the amphibians of East Africa. It covers more than 200 species, with detailed descriptions, distribution maps, and illustrations.

Books about insects and butterflies

Butterflies of East Africa, Steve Collins & Mark Congdon, 2018

A guide to the butterflies of East Africa, describing more than 700 species. It helps readers identify butterflies even during brief sightings and is considered one of the finest modern references on the subject. 

A compact illustrated guide to the region's most commonly encountered butterflies. Ideal for quick species identification while exploring the African savanna. 

An engaging introduction to the insects of East Africa for general readers. Covering beetles, ants, termites, praying mantises, dragonflies, and many other groups, the book presents the world of invertebrates in an accessible and fascinating way. 

Swallowtail Butterflies of East Africa (Lepidoptera: Papilionidae), Colin Congdon, 1995

A specialist monograph on swallowtails, one of the world's most spectacular butterfly families. It covers every Papilionidae species found in East Africa, with detailed illustrations and descriptions. An excellent resource for serious students of entomology. 

Books about plants

A practical guide to identifying the trees and shrubs of East Africa, featuring color photographs, detailed descriptions, and information on how local communities traditionally use different plant species. 

A field guide to the flowering plants of northern Tanzania, covering both native wildflowers and commonly cultivated garden species. Ideal for quick identification in the savanna or around safari lodges. 

Books about savannah bushcraft and tracking

Liebenberg argues that reading animal tracks was far more than a hunting skill – it represented humanity's earliest form of scientific reasoning. Combining practical tracking techniques with anthropology and evolutionary theory, the book explains how to interpret footprints, droppings, broken branches, and other signs left by wildlife. 

A practical guide to identifying animal tracks and other signs in the African savanna. Walker explains how to interpret footprints, droppings, feeding remains, scratch marks, and other clues that reveal the presence and behavior of wildlife. 

A comprehensive manual for identifying the tracks of African mammals, complete with illustrations and descriptions of each species' movement patterns. Widely used in the professional training of safari guides and wildlife rangers. 

Books about wildlife conservation

A historical study of how Tanzania's Usambara Mountains have been shaped by colonial rule, human settlement, and agricultural development. Conte argues that today's environmental challenges cannot be understood without considering the region's history. 

Historian Jan Bender Shetler explores how perceptions of the Serengeti have changed from precolonial times to the present day. Challenging the idea of an untouched wilderness, the book demonstrates that people have long been part of the Serengeti landscape. 

A collection of scientific studies on Mkomazi, one of northeastern Tanzania's largest protected areas. The volume examines the reserve's climate, vegetation, wildlife, and conservation history. 

Ngorongoro Conservation Area, Official NCA publication, 1988

An official publication covering the history, ecology, and management of one of the world's best-known protected areas. It also provides an interesting snapshot of conservation thinking in the late 1980s. 

A classic of conservation literature. German zoologist Bernhard Grzimek and his son Michael flew over the Serengeti in a light aircraft to conduct the first accurate wildlife census of the vast plains. Their work prompted the government to reconsider the park's boundaries and helped shape the Serengeti we know today. The film based on the book won an Academy Award. 

One of the Serengeti's leading researchers reflects on more than fifty years of scientific work in the ecosystem, exploring the interactions between predators, herbivores, and plants. The book combines personal memoir with accessible explanations of major ecological discoveries. 

Biologist Sean Carroll explains how ecological principles first identified through research in the Serengeti help explain the functioning of ecosystems around the world. Written for a general audience, the book explores how populations are regulated across different levels of biological organization. 

A comprehensive look at the Selous Game Reserve, one of Africa's largest protected areas and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The book covers its history, ecology, poaching crisis, and ongoing conservation challenges. 

Books about geology and paleontology

A guide to the geology of Tanzania's national parks, from the Great Rift Valley and the volcanoes of the north to the landscapes of southern Tanzania. It explains the geological processes that shaped the country's remarkable scenery. 

Gillman of Tanganyika 1882–1946: Life and Work of a Pioneer Geographer, B.S. Hoyle, 1987

A biography of Clement Gillman, the surveyor and geographer who spent decades mapping Tanganyika. Alongside his achievements, the book offers fascinating accounts of life during the German and British colonial periods. 

Olduvai Gorge: Home of Human Ancestors, Thobias Eginah Kiunguro, 2013

An introduction to the history and significance of Olduvai Gorge, one of the world's most important paleoanthropological sites. The book highlights the discoveries of the Leakey family and other researchers that made Olduvai a landmark in the study of human origins. 

Books about archaeology

One of the twentieth century's leading anthropologists, Mary Leakey, documents the rock art of central Tanzania. The book describes hundreds of paintings created by the San and other ancient peoples of the region. 

Books about mountaineering

East Africa International Mountain Guide, Andrew Wielochowski, 1986

A guide to climbing East Africa's major mountains, including Kilimanjaro, Mount Kenya, the Rwenzori Mountains, and others. It provides route descriptions, technical information, and practical logistics, making it one of the earliest comprehensive mountaineering guides to the region. 

Books about fish

The Cichlids Yearbook, Volumes 3–6, Ad Konings (ed.), 1993

An annual reference dedicated to cichlids, the remarkable fish that inhabit Africa's Great Lakes and represent one of nature's most extraordinary examples of evolutionary diversification. Intended for aquarists and ichthyologists, it includes species descriptions, behavioral observations, and husbandry information. 

General books about Tanzania

One of the earliest travel guides to Kenya and northern Tanzania. Today it serves as a valuable historical record of the region's landscapes, tourism infrastructure, and attractions during the first years after independence. 

Area Handbook for Tanzania (DA Pam 550-62), U.S. Department of the Army, 1968

A Cold War-era reference published shortly after the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar. It covers Tanzania's politics, economy, society, and armed forces and offers an interesting historical perspective on the country during its formative years. 

Arusha National Park, Tanzania National Parks / African Wildlife Foundation, 1970

A historical booklet published during the early years of Tanzania National Parks. It documents Arusha National Park and its wildlife as they were in 1970. 

Serengeti Research Institute, Tanzania National Parks, 1969

An informational booklet about the Serengeti Research Institute, established in the 1960s to study the Serengeti ecosystem. It outlines the institute's early scientific programs and research objectives. 

Tanzania (Places and Peoples of the World), Patricia E. McCulla, 1989

An accessible introduction to Tanzania's history, people, culture, and natural environment. A good starting point for anyone who wants an overview of the country before visiting. 

An account of a hot-air balloon expedition across Tanganyika shortly after independence. Written in a lively, almost novelistic style, it offers a vivid glimpse of what Tanzania was like during that period. 

Wild Tanzania, Jean-Michel Cresto, Alain Endewelt, Alain Pons & Christian Roussilhon, 1995

A photographic journey through Serengeti, Ngorongoro, Ruaha, Lake Manyara, and other Tanzanian parks. In addition to showcasing the country's landscapes and wildlife, it preserves a valuable archive of photographs from Tanzania in the 1990s. 

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