An Unmistakable Silhouette

I was lucky to be spending some time in Tanzania’s Tarangire National Park, the 6^th largest park in northern Tanzania with a great deal of migratory activity. It is unique, it has both a river and the Silale Swamp, which behaves like a sponge to soak up the water and releases it slowly during the dry season. Home to up to 250,000 animals, with huge herds of herbivores, especially Elephants plus lions, leopards, and wild dogs.

Staying at Nomad’s bush camp Kuro Lodge I had a front row seat of twelve elephants welcoming me to my tent, to say I was beyond thrilled was an understatement. It took all my effort not to get up and walk 3 yards to be among them. All safari etiquette says that’s a No Go! But it was one of those moments in life that I shall never forget.

Another unique attraction to Tarangire is the abundance of Baobab trees. I may have seen a few in other areas in my African travels in the bush but not like here. They were everywhere and their sizes were mouth dropping. They are a botanical wonder. They are dubbed the “Tree of Life” but in realty I thought that was Disney ‘speak’ from The Lion King. It is not.

The Baobab is actually a succulent! Scientifically Adansonia digitata, a remarkable tree native to Africa, Madagascar and Australia famous for its distinctive appearance and longevity. During the rainy season it collects and retains water in its massive trunk allowing it to produce a nutrient dense fruit, called a “superfruit” during the dry season when everything else is barren. This fruit is a favorite for a variety of animals as well as its lush green palmate leaves. Elephants love their bark to eat and sharpen their tusks.  Its gigantic trunk can hold up to 73 gallons of water a true example of life-giving source. Thus, you can then understand why it is called the Tree of Life.

Local communities revere them as a symbol of resilience, adaptability and sustenance. The fruit and bark have over 300 uses besides being used in traditional medicine. The fruit pulp can be eaten (high in vitamin C), soaked in water for a refreshing drink, or preserved in jam. The bark can be pounded to make rope, mats or baskets.

I was enchanted when staying at Cardamom House on the Kenyan coast as all the chandeliers used the Baobab seed pods as lampshades. They were stunning and award winning for sustainability.

The Baobab lives for centuries, one tree that I sat in was a thousand years old! And others have been carbon dated to 2,450 years old.  The tree’s unique growth pattern, with branches resembling roots pointing skyward, especially after it drops its leaves, has led to numerous legends and stories. According to legend, these trees could easily roam over the African continent, but God was irritated by their aimless movement, so he chose to install them upside down to prevent them from moving again. Other myths believe they were planted upside down by the devil.

The ages and circumferences of the trees just fascinated me. I literally wanted to get out of the safari vehicle to wrap my arms about them. I didn’t, as I heard that snakes liked to make them a refuge! That is a game changer for me.

Once back home, I found out that there was a few famous Baobab right in my area. Fairchild Tropical Botanical Gardens in Coral Gables is a powerhouse in both conservation and science for tropical plantings. Luckily Dr. David Fairchild the founder, planted the African Baobab in the gardens in 1938 from seeds he collected on his exploration expedition in sub-Saharan Africa. Then there is another twist, in a place that I drive by all the time, there are three incredible trees on Young Circle in downtown Hollywood! According to the locals that they were planted in the 30’s- obviously the theory is that the seedlings had been obtained from Dr. Fairchild. Others believe that the Wray family, founders of Flamingo Gardens in Davie may have planted the seedling. But since it was Dr. Fairchild brought back the seeds from his 1927 trip.

For me it makes me think that they must have fascinated Dr. Fairchild as well. Their silhouette is like no other.

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden: Your Miami Botanical Garden

Cardamom House – Secluded Africa