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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"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...

NT$42,558 total

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Oct 17 - Oct 18

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

NT$33,820 total

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Oct 12 - Oct 13

"We had an amazing time at Hamilton’s! Since it sits next to a seasonal river, we saw so many animals right at the property when they came out to drink. Being in a private concession also meant no crowds during our game drives. The food and service was impeccable! Every meal was meticulously prepared. We loved it so much we ended up staying an extra night! The staff was so helpful with arrangements to reschedule our flight and transportation. The service was excellent, it’s no wonder Hamilton’s...

NT$61,416 total

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Oct 6 - Oct 7

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Top Mala Mala Game Reserve Hotel Reviews

Sabie River Bush Lodge

10/10 Excellent

"The service here was unbelievable… WOW ! Such a wonderful stay !!! Should have stayed here longer. "

Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps - Mantobeni

10/10 Excellent

"This is an exceptional property in the Manyeleti Game Reserve adjacent to the Kruger National Park. It is a magical place where Impala's roam the property and the elephants come to drink water from the pool. The "tents" are very nice with toilet facilities and showers and comfortable beds. The food was good, but the staff are the best! They do everything they can to meet your needs and wants. Everyday there are two game drives into the reserve where you can get very close to amazing game animals. The guides on these drives are very good at their jobs. Ours was named Brilliant and he truly was brilliant. He can find animals, birds and snakes at distance and at night in places I can barely see. He is amazing! We want to thank the staff for making our stay very special-Dan, Mavis, Trevor, Previous, Noa and other...and especially Brilliant!"

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Imbali Safari Lodge

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Sabie River Bush Lodge

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