South Africa: Sunland Baobab

Sunland farm's big baobab tree.

The Sunland Baobab is said to be over 4 000 years old, and is the country's biggest baobab, featuring a small pub inside its hollow trunk. With its giant surreal branches, interesting flowers and quaint little pub, the Sunland Baobab delights all who visit.

The Sunland Baobab, near the sub-tropical town of Tzaneen, is the country's biggest baobab. The Sunland Baobab has a circumference of some 47metres and stretches to a height of 22 metres. It's so big there's room enough for a small pub inside. The Sunland Baobab is understandably, one of the area's most popular attractions.

The Sunland Baobab is situated on a farm owned by the Van Heerden family, who take care of this majestic specimen. The small pub inside the tree was created all the way back in 1933, and today is still a most unusual place to have a drink! The country's biggest baobab tree is famous around the world and has even appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal.

The Sunland Baobab, like all baobabs, is a source of great myth and legend. Limpopo province has adopted the baobab as its tourist icon, and the tree is also known as the upside-down-tree. Legend has it that the early San people believed the baobab tree offended God and as punishment, God planted the tree upside down. When you see a baobab tree in winter you will know what the San people meant. The branches look like roots pointing skyward.

Few trees embody the spirit of Africa quite like the baobab. In ancient times kings, elders and leaders held meetings under the spreading branches of huge babobabs, believing that the spirit of the baobab would guide them in making the right decisions for their people.

The scientific name for the baobab is Adansonia digitata.Baobabs are succulents, comprising 80% moisture which makes them very useful to both animals and humans. They provide shelter for a variety of creatures, including bush babies and fruit bats that pollinate the flowers. Baboons love the fruit of the baobab, and elephants browse the leaves and strip the bark for moisture.

If you're exploring the attractions of the Tzaneen area, don't miss the chance to see the Sunland Baobab, the country's biggest.