Africa’s Tree of Life: The Baobab Tree

Photo courtesy of J.H. Marden

The iconic baobab tree, which graces many of Africa’s national parks and reserves, is indeed a majestic bastion of the African savannah. A large concentration is found in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, unofficially known as the “baobab capital of the world”.

Often measuring 60 feet tall and 40 feet across, these giant trees outlive nearly all living life on earth, as their average life span is more than 1000 years. The baobab tree’s trademark are its enormous thick trunk and scrawny, scraggly stems and twigs. 

These trees are also a vital part of East Africa’s ecosystem, and such, the cultural history of its people. The trees provide resources for both wildlife and human use; they can store more than 1100 gallons of water in their trunks to survive dry conditions. Humans also use practically every part of the tree. The bark is processed into textiles and rope, the leaves are edible once cooked, the pulp creates paper and other supplies, the sap is used for glue and soap, and the fruit is also edible. When about 20 years old, baobabs finally start to produce large, white flowers which open later in the afternoon for one night only, with a pungent odor that attracts bats and bugs. The baobab fruit is unique because it dries naturally on the branch, for six months; once its exterior green coating hardens, the fruit is ready to consume. 

Your guides will be familiar with tales and traditions regarding the tree, with localized nuances. To learn more about this amazing tree of life, this article from the Herb Society of America provides an excellent overview: https://herbsocietyblog.wordpress.com/2022/09/19/baobab-tree-the-african-tree-of-life/#respond

The author is the mother of the founder of the company, and has been on more than fifteen safaris with Alika Africa. She wrote the article after a 2022 trip to Kenya during which she interviewed many safari rangers and guides about their knowledge of the baobab tree.