Sunrise at the Earth Lodge Sabi Sabi Game Reserve. Game drives start bright and early with coffee and danishes at 5:00 a.m. Departures at 5:30 a.m.

The tree seen silhouetted is The Marula Tree and has a history as a source of nutrition dating back to 10,000 years B.C. and it is certainly one of Africa's botanical treasures.
The multiple uses of the tree, it's bark, leaves, fruit, nut and kernels are legendary. My favorite is when the fruit ripens and drops to the ground and lightly ferments ... the elephants, giraffes, warthogs, and other animals get wasted and the party gets started safari style !
http://youtu.be/D5E5TjkDvU0

The fruits are a good food source and high in vitamin C.
The skin can be boiled to make a drink or burnt to be used as a substitute for coffee.
The wood is soft for carving
The inner bark can be used to make rope and for making dye
They produce small tasty nuts which are rich in protein.
The Oil is used as a skin cosmetic.
Their green leaves are eaten to relieve heartburn.
The bark contains antihistamines

The fruit can also be cooked to produce jam, juices and alcoholic beverages like "Amarula" a delicious South African Cream Liqueur that substrates just fine for coffee creamer any time of the day as far as I'm concerned. It also is used to brew a very tasty, potent South African moonshine known locally as "Mampoer" after a local Chief who favored it. It is said to make grown men weep.

the Venda people of Southern Africa maintain that bark infusions can be used to determine the gender of an unborn child. If a woman wants a son the male tree is used, and for a daughter, the female tree. If the child of the opposite gender is born, the child is said to be very special as it was able to defy the spirits.

Oh, and did I mention it sacred.

#treetrove #goldenhour

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"Amazing place, amazing animals, great food, amd some of the best staff and guides ever. "

"The managers and staff at Hamiltons's are extraordinary. They make you feel at home and part of the family. Everything from the game drives, to the food, the service, to just talking with the staff was excellent. It is the second time we have stayed there and hopefully we will be back again!! They are the best!! Very humble and loving pwople. Bob and Gilda"

"Picked imbali as a good place for a short 3 day safari. Food portions were large and of good quality . There are some areas where the wood at the lodge and around the property need some replacement but overall didn’t detract from a lovely setting . Watering hole for elephants is directly opposite the restaurant area so good for breakfast and lunch . Safari drives were good and Jayden did a great job for us . Would have been nice to have a transfer from local airport Skukuza included in the cost...

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