Welcome to Tanzania! The top safari destination of Africa with plenty little surprises from nature. From the trunk-raising greeting of a baby elephant to a sight of blood-smeared feast by a pride of lion or the tall giraffe spreading its legs to drink water, every little gesture in the wild is amusing. With so much to see, sometimes the big splendors of nature may go unnoticed. Did you ever wonder what do the dry majestic leafless trees do in the action packed savannah during the dry season? After reading this you would probably want to take the Mighty Baobab with you!

Almost Eternal; The Chosen One

Grand and over powering nearly 30 meters in height, the Baobab tree in Tanzania, scientifically known as Adansonia Digitata can live up to 1000 years while sustaining the driest of the seasons. Do not go by the face value of the giant. It looks dry and old; however it is the most sustainable fauna.

A Giant Befriends a Giant

You will often see elephants clinging to the Baobab Tree in the dry season from July through December in Selous Game Reserve, Tarangire and Ruaha National Park. The healthy Baobab Tree can store as much as 100,000 liters of water and elephants can seamlessly extract the stored water and satiate thirst. Do not be surprised if you notice the giant digging into the bark of the tree. Elephants know where to ‘exactly’ find water when the rivers turn dry.

Legend Holds…

God cursed the Baobab and all its leaves were taken away. You will notice the Baobab Tree barren and looks like it has been upturned, therefore popularly called by locals as the upside down tree with roots growing on the top. In reality, the tree grows small leaves on the tip of its branches only for three months and adapts to the dry season. Despite being holed by the elephants or shading leaves, the tree continues to grow for decades.

Where is the fruit?

Do not be deceived by the egg shaped shell that grows on the Baobab. Although not popularly seen in the market, the baobab fruit is imported worldwide as one of the super foods to power up meals with its rich concentration of calcium, potassium and magnesium. Its pulp is also used to make fresh juices, porridge and soups. Sometimes local communities make a healing concoction of the fruit, leaves, barks and fruits to cure as indigestion and nutritional deficiency.

You can also pick up some Baobab fruit to make home-made jams and sauce with its delicious tart flavor, constituting 50% more iron than spinach and Vitamin C as much as in oranges. A gift of health. Isn’t it!
Stunning Landscapes

Above all, the Baobab Tree in its all grandeur and bizarre beauty is one of the signature trees of Tanzania. In fact, the largest of all six species is seen in East Africa. Several top lodges and camps are surrounded by the majestic Baobab trees that beautify and render an authentic wildlife touch in the African bushes. If you have been on a safari in Tanzania before, go back to your photos with a baobab tree and you will agree with us.

Do you want to know more about baobab trees? Write to us and our safari guides will be pleased to answer you.