Greens Baobab Botswana, Heike Pander
While I was travelling the southern African region on my motorcycle in 2010, I did not manage to visit all the promising baobab sites I had planned for due to various reasons. As soon as the opportunity arose I decided to go on a second trip on my own personal baobab adventure. For almost four months I travelled through the north of South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Sagole Big Tree, Limpopo Südafrika, Heike Pander
In South Africa, I met with various baobab experts and travelled not only to the north of the Kruger National Park but also to the region in Limpopo where the Venda people live. There, I managed to see the legendary Sagole Big Tree. It is one of the largest and oldest baobab trees and in South Africa known as a “Champion Trees” protected by law. In Botswana I visited the “Seven Sisters”, also known as Chapmans Baobabs, as well as the Greens and Baines Baobabs. All of them extraordinary trees in fascinating locations.
But the absolute highlight in Botswana was my visit to Lekhubu Island, also known as Kubu Island. Just to be able to sleep there for a few more nights among the baobabs in this fabulous landscape – I would give a lot for that. What a fascinating place.
In Namibia I found the baobabs in the north and was on my way with a personal mission. I did research for the book “The Cultural Groups in Namibia’s Eastern Zambezi Region (East Caprivi)”, to which I contributed a chapter on the traditional and current use of baobabs. I also provided Baobab information and photos for the information board in the small “Heritage Centre” near Namushasha Lodge.
Finally, the trip took me to the magical Mana Pools in Zimbabwe. I did not only see and enjoy the fascinating Mana Windows there but lots of Baobabs as well. Some in questionable condition. As it happened to be just before the rainy season not much was left for wildlife to feed on. Elephants tore huge chunks out of baobab trunks. All in all this trip was exactly as I had imagined. In the end, it was clear to me that baobabs have a larger fan base than one could imagine.
