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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"KrugerGate Hotel allows you to stay close to Kruger National Park and offers the ability to take drives through the park to view the animals who live within. "

SAR 1,326 total

includes taxes & fees

3 Sep - 4 Sep

"Incredible views and amenities from the train bridge. Service was fantastic. Wish we were there longer"

SAR 3,072 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Sep - 12 Sep

"Our stay at the camp was perfect. Above all, our guide K-K was extremly helpfull and nice and showed us many animals and how and where they live. It was a highligt during our vacation in South Africa. "

"Experience with elephants was special, but the lodge needs some TLC and lacks attentio to detail"

SAR 2,365 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Sep - 5 Sep

"Very relaxing stay and close to Kruger park. Little restaurant and shop are very convenient. Staff were helpful."

SAR 252 total

includes taxes & fees

2 Sep - 3 Sep

"Experiencia incrivel de dormir em uma tenda bem no meio do parque Nacional Kruger. Ouvir os animais durante a noite foi um dos pontos altos da viagem. Além do safari duas vezes por dia ser espetacular! O guia Simon é super atencioso e muito bom!"

SAR 3,950 total

includes taxes & fees

5 Sep - 6 Sep

"I had an amazing stay at Leopard Hills. The entire grounds are 5-star, all of the staff if there to cater to your every need and the location within Sabi Sand is fantastic for game drives! My stay here was worth every penny!"

SAR 11,642 total

includes taxes & fees

4 Sep - 5 Sep