By Dr Sarah Venter

The involvement of community members significantly increases the success of tree planting projects

Last year an honours student, Glender Kwilimba, form the University of Venda did an evaluation on how well the Baobab Guardians project did.  The project was started in 2024 and ran for 10 years to 2024. This study assessed the health, growth and survival of planted baobabs which were cared for by community members called “Baobab Guardians” and compared their [...] 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

Next batch of baobabs growing well for rewilding

This year our April 2026 baobab growth measurements of trees in Mabvete village showed promising results.  Many trees have passed the 2.5 meter mark and may be ready for rewilding in November 2026. Many of the number tags on the trees had faded or broken off, so we replaced all of them. Rainfall since October 2025 has been exceptionally high [...] Continue Reading
By Sarah Venter

Annual baobab fruit count shows an increase in fruit production

This season’s exceptional rainfall appears to have been good for baobab fruit production.  Our April 2026 fruit count showed a 30% increase in fruit production since last year. There are also many more medium and large sized fruit compared to 2025. Image caption here
By Sarah Venter

Domboni Community Preschool complete!

Domboni Preschool was started by Mavis Tshiwela with to support the early childhood development of the children in her village of Domboni.  A tiny (3 x 3 meter) room is all she had which did not have a roof, windows or door.  In 2023 the Baobab Foundation helped her fix up the room and build toilets for the children and [...] 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

Rewilding baobabs and learning as we go…

In 2024 we planted 50 baobab trees into the wild at Nthakeni Camp.  We chose this place as it has very few antelope and no domestic animals, such as goats and donkeys, that like to eat baobab seedlings. The trees were planted in a variety of habitats such as closed forests, open woodlands and grasslands.  We do not interfere with [...] 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

The secret life of baobabs: how bats and moths keep Africa’s giant trees alive

After 5 years of research and travelling to many African countries I and my collegues have stared to untangle the mystery of how baobab flowers are pollinated. A research article published in the Botanical Journal of the Linnean Society was recently summarised and posted in The Conversation. Please read all about it here. My research is supported by Milbon Pty [...] Continue Reading