A Large Succulent.

That's fascinating :)

I didn't know that was the Tree of Life. I know that olive baboons like to climb in them, but only because I've been playing Zoo Tycoon! :D

I wonder if health shops sell the powder. It would be interesting to try some.

Awesome pictures - I love elephants. Thanks for posting.

Thank you both. It was a wonderful holiday. There will be more plants and animals to show as I get around to posting them.
Baboons can be aggressive, have the most enormous teeth, best to be avoided. Why climb a tree when you can rob a tourist?

Barry told me all about it. The ten-minute lecture. He is such a clever clogs. Hope you are having a wonderful time.

Oh wow! I didn't know that about baboons!

That must have been the trip of a lifetime Siris! I do love elephants, especially seeing the whole family guarding the little ones! And how fantastic to actually see an ancient baobab!

For you folks who like elephants I am going to add some more to the end of the Baobab blog, lol.

That tree is unforgettable! It looks mythological!

Ahhh! Thank you Siris.The care the adults take of the babies is very beautiful to see. I remember seeing the first baby at Chester Zoo many many years ago, and it was surrounded by a group of adoring aunties as well as Mum. In the wild when the herd is threatened the adults make a circle with the littlies inside.There are some great videos on line of herds with little babies.

Stera, I took some video, from this escarpment, of about 30 elephants walking along this river bed looking for the remaining pools of water. They then started digging in the sand to get down to the fresher underground water. Now, Nov onwards should be the start of the rainy season.

Lovely images. Thank you, Siris. I didn't know much about the Baobab tree so I had to Google for info. Seems
the trunk can hold up to 4500 litres of fresh water, which is enough for 100 showers or 10,000 glasses of water. Amazing!

Found this interesting:

QUOTE: Nutrition

This versatile tree has long been used for medicinal purposes by Africans across the continent. It is also famed for its incredible nutritional properties, much like the moringa, it is a superfood that deserves the name!

– It has five times the magnesium of avocados
– Four times the potassium of bananas
– Twice the calcium of milk
– Twice the antioxidants of acai berries, and more than any other fruit
– Six times the vitamin C of oranges
– Ten times the fibre of apples
UNQUOTE

Anyone know which part of the tree is used? The fruit? The bark? The leaves?
Just checked! Seems every part of the tree is valuable. Now onder it is known as the Tree of life.

Thanks for the extra pics siris. Its like getting an extra slice of apple pie for dessert. ;)

An extra helping of elephant, Bathgate.

LOL! good one!

Siris I bet you enjoy that video over and over! Thanks for the info about the baobab - absolutely amazing!

its a WOW from me ....

Gg

And from me, fascinating information re the tree and it's medicinal properties, can you actually buy powder/tablets? I wonder..
So pleased the holiday turned out to be a good one Siris, you will have to show us the pics, next time we meet, btw I luuuuuuve the elephant photos! looking forward to more of the same....

I've been fascinated by baobabs since the first time I read "The Little Prince"... funny things..they look like they've been stuck in the ground upside down! I didn't realize that they were actually succulents.
Enjoyed the blog, Siris. I've only seen elephants at the circus. Would love to see them in the wild...
Can you imagine the injury those baboons could do with their teeth? I wouldn't need to be told twice, either! they're known for their mendacity. They look so cuddly but will take a chunk out of you.
Looks like it was a great vacation... looking forward to some more.

Thanks Lori, a smashing holiday, I'm still looking back at my photos with regret that it's over.

Thankyou so much Siris, I found this blog fascinating, especially The Tree of Life, I've read about it but didn't remember the proper name, did not know it was actually a succulent though, no wonder the elephants and other animals want to eat them, all that goodness in one place and with the lack of water you can't blame them can you.
Lovely photo's as well, pleased you enjoyed your holiday, sounds to me like the trip of a lifetime.

Having grown this species, Siris, I can tell you that it actually does have tough, elastic wood in it, but arranged more as a series of radial bands around the water holding pith, and surrounded by more water holding cortex--unlike the solid cylinders of temperate zone trees.

Is it a very ancient kind of tree? It has a primitive look about it doesn't it?

Not super ancient. It's sort of a third cousin of Hibiscus.

I didn't realise you lived in such an arid part of your country, Tugbrethii. Thanks for the additional info, although I won't be growing a Baobab, not enough space or time.

Gosh Tug, who would have thought it! It would be interesting ot see one flowering.