The Wizard Of Zee by Desmond Bishop

This is an adult/teenage fantasy novel set in Gondwanaland 150 Million years ago. 11 year old Demki ventures into the wilderness and meets the Wizard of Zee and many colorful characters (including wild creatures).. This is a coming-of age time for him. He learns to see that he is part of nature. The shamans reveal that there is a threat of war ahead. The lion man with his friend, Kubulu the chameleon, hatch a plan to combat war with peace. Demki and his friends are sent on a mission to Vulcana to carry out this secret mission. All of this happens on the eve of the great tectonic shift that will forever cause Arabia, India, South America, Australia, Antarctica and New Zealand to leave the ancient continent of Gondwanaland. Demki develops his powers as a magician and experiences many of the joys of Nature.