Sunland Baobab are found Kilima Private Game Reserve. An African icon that is the giants of the plains, they stand out on the horizon and have been the masters of survival.

The flowers are white and the fruit, which looks like a velvety gourd, is filled with big black seeds surrounded by tart cream, slightly powdery pulp. It is said to have six times the Vitamin C levels of an orange as well as vitamin A, twice the amount of calcium of milk and be stuffed with antioxidants such as iron and potassium. It is said to be pro-biotic, good for digestion, brain and nerve function. The seeds can be roasted, and the flesh sliced or diced and cooked in a variety of ways.

There are eight species of Baobab, the African variety, six in Madagascar and one in Australia. The African variety, Adonsonia digitata, is the largest and is found in 20 sub Saharan countries. It thrives in dry climes which have low to moderate seasonal rainfall. It can not stand being waterlogged and of course they are vulenrable to elephants as the giants tend to destroy the truck, branches and roots of young Babab trees.

Of course we live in South Africa and there is many belives and stories behind the Baobab. One is that comes from the Bushmen is that the Baobab tree offend God and in return God planted the tree upside down with the roots showing towards the heavens. In winter when the tree sheds it's leaves you can clearly see the branches looking like roots and this is also where the name "Upside tree" comes from. The Bushmen also believed that if one picked the flowers of the Baobab tree they will be a torn apart by lions. One of the other meths are if you drink the water in which the Baobab's pips have been soaked in, it iwll serve as protection against crocodile and makes you mighty strong.

The Baobab has a special role in the eco system here in Limpopo province where they are found. Elephants, monkeys and baboons depend on its fruit (the vitamin C content of one fruit is the equivalent of 4 oranges); bats pollinate them by crashing into the flowers while chasing insects; bush babies also spread the pollen by eating the insects that is attarcted to the flowers.

The pollen can be used as glue, the seeds are rich in protein, calcium, oil and phosphates - they can also be roasted and ground like coffee beans. Baobab coffee anyone? Young leaves have a high calcium content and can be used in food, cooking it like you would cook spinich. The trunk is fibrous and can be woven into rope mats and paper; beer and tea can be made from the bark, but you need a strong constitution to drink either. The oil of the Baobab tree can also be used as a skin care product and offers relief to sun brun skin as well. The tree is made of up to 80% of the trunk is water. A single tree can hold up to 4,500 litres (1,189 gallons).

Come view these giants as they stand out on the Limpopo province horizon and on Kilima Private Game Lodge and Spa where they are protected from man's harm. Kilima offers a 5 star accommodation as well as world class spa. A bushveld heaven just a 2 hour drive from Mbombela and an hour drive from Kruger National Park. Book your Limpopo accommodation with Kilima Private Game Lodge and Spa today.