By Edson Baraukwa | gideonedson@gmail.com
There are eight types of baobab trees in the world, of which six are in Madagascar, one in Australia and one on mainland Africa. The species found in Tanzania is Adansonia digitata, the largest of all eight. One of the best parks in the north to see them is the Tarangire National Park. I like to call it ‘the Baobab garden’. In the south of Tanzania, Ruaha National Park is where you can find beautiful baobabs.
These trees have adapted to their habitat and are able to withstand long periods of drought. In the peak of the dry season a baobab is able to store up to 100 000 litres of water inside its structure.
The size of the tree varies, it can shrink and expand depending on its needs. In the dry season the trunk shrinks and when water is abundant, the trunk expands to support more water storage.
In addition, the baobab, which is also referred to as the “tree of life”, is one of the fundamental symbols of traditional African cultures. The old African baobabs with huge trunks give the impression of being witnesses of time immemorial. In many cultures in Africa, the baobab tree appears as the principle of connection between the supernatural world and the material world.
Baobab trees are often portrayed as a figure of origin, a sign of the foundation and beginning of all things. It is known as an element of connection between the multiplicity of “worlds”. Because of this a trip to African countries, including visits to Baobabs, are great options to delve more into the culture of the peoples of the continent. Here’s a guide to the best places in Africa to visit, enjoy and learn even more about our African roots.