By Dr Sarah Venter

Information board at Big Tree

Every day, people visit the Madifha-Zwigodini Big Tree, also known as Sagole tree. It is one of the largest baobab trees in the world, and its enormous size inspires awe. It is remarkable that a single tree can grow so big. To enrich the visitor experience, the Baobab Foundation funded an information board at the entrance to the visitor area. [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Leave Your Mark—Not on the Big Tree

For years, one of the most persistent problems at the Madifha Big Tree (Sagole) has been visitors carving their names into its bark. Unlike spray paint—which can be removed —a carved name leaves a wound that is far harder to erase. The impulse is understandable: people want to leave behind a lasting sign that says, “I was here.” Known as [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Mmadinotshi, the biggest baobab in the world

Mmadinotshi is the biggest measured baobab in the world. The Mmadinotshi baobab is situated in the northeastern part of Botswana in the protected area of the Okavango Delta. On the 23rd of July 2026 it size measurments were taken by Dr Sarah Venter and Jacobus Brummer with the help of four setswana trackers, Orateng Matamo (Dennis), Kenneth Mate, Fraye Karunga, [...] Continue Reading
By Sarah Venter

Weaver nests in baobabs

Every year I do an annual fruit count on 70 trees across the communal lands in north Limpopo province close the Pafrui area.  I always enjoy doing our annual fruit count as it gets me out to the trees and I often find interesting new things.  The usual weavers that use baobabs as nesting trees are Red-billed Buffalo Weavers which [...] Continue Reading
By Sarah Venter

Saving the Big Tree from graffiti monsters

The Madifha (Sagole) Big Tree is the biggest known baobab tree in the world with a girth of 34 meters.  The tree is managed by the Madifha-Zwigodini community who allow visitors to the tree every day for a small entry fee. Unfortunately, there are some insensitive visitors, that when no one is looking, spray their names on the magnificent bows [...] Continue Reading
By Sarah Venter

Planning to plant baobabs in Giyani

Mr Ramaano lives in Giyani and is passionate about baobab trees. He has established a Foundation that aims to plant baobab trees around South Africa.  In 2024 his Foundation donated 10 trees to the University of Venda and in 2025 he donated 14 trees to Mopani District and 10 trees to the University of Limpopo. Mr Ramaano’s Foundation is planning [...] Continue Reading
By Sarah Venter

Baobabs in Oman and the Mango-stem borer (Batocera rufomaculata)

In 2021, an adult tree in Wadi Hinna, a semi-arid valley in the country’s Dhofar Mountains, collapsed and died.  In May 2024 Mr Ali Akaak in Oman sent an urgent message to Dr Venter asking her to visit and see the destruction.  One year later, in May 2025, she flew to Oman to see what it was all about.   [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Climate change and baobabs: what’s the real story?

As global temperatures continue to rise millions of life-forms around the globe are under threat. Plants and animals differ in their ability to cope with variable climate conditions with many being sensitive to the slightest change and thus may be the first to die.  In contrast, baobabs are well adapted to changes in temperature and rainfall as can be seen [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Keeping an eye on Greens Baobab

Greens baobab is a historic tree found in the Magadikgadi area of Botswana.  The intrepid Green brothers were one of the many early traders, hunters and explorers to carve their names here, leaving “Green’s Expedition 1858–1859” scrawled into the tree’s bark and giving the tree its name. Greens tree is found on the Gweta-Orapa track, 27 km south of Gweta.  [...] Continue Reading