The majestic baobab – symbol of Africa

Anyone traveling through the northernmost part of South Africa has a chance to come face to face with one of the world’s most iconic trees: the baobab, the Adansonia digitata. Often called the “Tree of Life,” this baobab is not only a botanical wonder but also a source of stories, myths, and practical applications. The baobab is not actually a tree, but a succulent. Instead of a sap-flowing bark, it has a trunk that soaks up water during the rainy season. With its bizarre, inverted appearance—as if its roots are growing into the air—the baobab has captured the imagination of travelers, tribes, and scientists for centuries.

In South Africa, the baobab is found primarily in Limpopo, the northernmost province. Hoedspruit is home to one of the most impressive specimens: the Glencoe Baobab. With a trunk circumference of almost 47 meters and an age of approximately 1,850 years, this baobab is among the oldest and thickest in the world.

Dimensions of the Glencoe Baobab

• Trunk thickness: 15.9 meters

• Girth: 47 meters

• Height: 17 meters

• Crown spread: 37 meters

Age: approximately 1850 years (determined by radiocarbon dating)

These impressive dimensions make the Glencoe Baobab an absolute eye-catcher in the South African landscape. Scientists and nature lovers from around the world travel to Limpopo to witness this natural phenomenon firsthand.

The Tragic Story of the Fallen Giant

In 2009, disaster struck. The Glencoe Baobab, which had stood proudly for centuries, split in two. The cause was likely a combination of age, wood rot, and the enormous pressure of its own weight. The news went viral: one of the oldest living organisms on Earth had succumbed.

But as often happens in nature, an ending also means a new beginning. Despite the thick trunk splitting and the crown collapsing, the tree lives on through its branches and roots. Moreover, a younger baobab stands proudly nearby. This tree, several hundred years old, has since become a new landmark for visitors. Together, they tell the story of transience and resilience.

The Baobab as the Tree of Life

Why do African tribes call the baobab the Tree of Life?

• Water storage: a mature baobab can store up to 120,000 liters of water in its spongy trunk. During dry seasons, it serves as a natural water tank for humans and animals.

• Food: the fruits—often called “monkey bread”—are rich in vitamin C, antioxidants, calcium, and fiber. They have been used for centuries as an energy source and medicine.

• Shelter: the hollow trunks provide shelter for bats, birds, and sometimes even people.

• Medicinal value: the leaves, bark, and oil are used to treat fever, skin problems, and digestive complaints.

It is not without reason that the baobab was considered a sacred tree in traditional communities. Gatherings were held around the trunk, and the tree often served as a marker or meeting place. We also encounter less traditional excesses. For example, the baobab bij Gravelotte gebruikt als pub en in het verleden gebruikt als mortuarium van de naastgelegen mijn.

The Baobab Belt of Africa

The baobab doesn’t grow everywhere in Africa. There’s a kind of “baobab belt” that stretches from Senegal in the west to Sudan in the east. In Southern Africa, you’ll find the southernmost specimens in Limpopo. Further north, in countries like Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Malawi, you’ll find true giants – some older than 2,000 years. During our overland journey in the LandCruiser with license plate BA0BAB, how could we not, from Hoedspruit SA to Bennekom NL, we saw many baobabs. Naturally, we photographed them, as in the photo below, and posted them on Google Maps, which has now been viewed 223,780 times, and that’s for a baobab in the middle of nowhere. Especially in Angola, we saw entire forests of baobabs, and in Senegal, the very last one before we entered the Mauritanian desert.

The baobab also has international relatives:

Six unique species grow in Madagascar, including the world-famous Avenue of the Baobabs.

In Australia, you’ll find the Adansonia gregorii, locally called the boab, which sounds similar to how local South Africans pronounce it, as they say “Boabab“.

This global distribution makes the baobab one of the most recognizable trees on earth.

Myths and legends surrounding the baobab

The baobab is not only a source of food and water, but also of stories. Wherever this tree grows, myths and legends have sprung up.

• Upside-down tree: According to an ancient legend, God became angry with the baobab because it was too proud of its appearance. In anger, He uprooted the tree and replanted it—but upside down. That’s why the branches now resemble roots.
• Hidden treasures: According to local stories, the Glencoe Baobab is said to hide a treasure trove from the Kruger period. A termite mound is said to cover the treasure in the hollow heart of the tree.
• Spirit trees: In some cultures, baobabs are believed to house the souls of ancestors. Making a wish beneath the branches during the full moon is said to bring them good fortune and protection.
• Source of wisdom: Shamans and healers saw the baobab as a symbol of knowledge. Stories and traditions were often told around the tree and passed down to the next generation.

Ecological value of the baobab

The baobab plays a key role in the ecosystem:

• Elephants gnaw the bark to access water.

• Baboons and monkeys eat the fruit.

• Bats and moths pollinate the large white flowers at night.

• Birds nest in hollows in the trunk.

In this way, the baobab functions as a mini-ecosystem that supports countless animal species.

Practical Uses by Humans

For centuries, local communities have used baobab in their daily lives:

• Bast fibers are used to make rope and baskets.

• Leaves are cooked as a vegetable or processed into medicine.

• The fruit yields a powder that is now popular worldwide as a superfood.

• Oil from the seeds is prized in cosmetics and skincare for its moisturizing and healing properties.

In modern times, baobab production has even become a source of income for local communities. The fruit is exported to Europe and America, where it is used in smoothies, supplements, and skin products. It was so funny that we were parked in Gabon with our LandCruiser at a restaurant, and just as we were about to leave, a young man ran out of a shop and gave us a packet of baobab flour as a souvenir of Gabon. How nice: the baobab as a connector.

Flowering and Life Cycle

The baobab is leafless during the dry season, giving it a bare and lifeless appearance. But as soon as the first rains fall (usually around November), green leaves and large, fragrant flowers appear. These flowers open at night and are pollinated by bats and moths. Then, the fruit slowly develops – ripening for six months.

The contrast between the bare winter silhouette and the full summer canopy makes the baobab a tree that never ceases to amaze.

A tree with spiritual significance

For many African communities, the baobab is more than just a tree. It is a spiritual beacon. It symbolizes:

• Life force – thanks to its ability to hold thousands of liters of water.

• Protection – because people and animals shelter under its canopy.

• Immortality – through its often thousand-year lifespan.

To this day, ceremonial gatherings and rituals are held beneath the branches of ancient baobabs.

Why the Glencoe Baobab is a must-see

For travelers visiting South Africa, a stop at the Glencoe Baobab in Limpopo is a must. It’s not only a photogenic natural monument, but also a place where African history, mythology, and ecology converge.

Many visitors combine their visit with a safari in nearby Kruger National Park or a road trip along the Panorama Route. This makes the baobab a highlight of a journey full of nature and culture.

If you’d like to explore on your own, follow the sign for the Historic Baobab. As you drive towards Jessica de Hippo, go through a green sliding gate on the left side of the road marked “Baobab Tented Camp.” If the gate is closed, close it behind you, of course, and then follow the Baobab signs for approximately 2 kilometers. You’ll feel like you’re on private property, and you are, but you’re welcome. If you park at the restaurant, you can easily walk to the baobab. Taking pictures is allowed, but touching is not recommended.

Conclusion: A Living Legend

The baobab has inspired people for centuries. The Glencoe Baobab in Limpopo is tangible proof of nature’s grandeur and fragility. Although this ancient giant has fallen, it lives on, certainly in the stories, in the legends of local communities, and in the admiration of all who visit.

Whether you come for the science, the spirituality, the photography, or simply the wonder: the baobab leaves no one untouched. The baobab embodies the essence of Africa – strong, mysterious, life-giving, and timeless.

If you truly want to experience the baobab, visit The Baobab Bush Lodge in Hoedspruit.

What does this lodge offer?

• Luxury accommodation where the giraffes come right up to the pool
• Even a baobab board game to play in our lapa
• Nature walks, safaris, and stargazing
• Near Kruger National Park and the Glencoe Baobab

The lodge is ideal for nature lovers, photographers, and those seeking peace and quiet.

Tip: Book an overnight stay during the flowering season (November-December) for a unique experience.

Conclusion: The baobab as an icon of life

The baobab is much more than an impressive giant – it is a symbol of survival, wisdom, connection, and sustainability.

Whether you visit the Glencoe Baobab, enjoy a drink under its shade, or stay overnight at The Baobab Bush Lodge, one thing is certain: the baobab leaves a lasting impression.