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

Sylvatica BioProtect tested on baobab trees in Mapungubwe National Park

Elephant activity is causing substantial baobab mortality in Mapungubwe National Park. Between 2022 and 2026, elephants killed more than 50 baobabs, representing an estimated 10% of the park’s baobab population. In 2022 the Baobab Foundation did a study found that wrapping baobab trunks in wire mesh was an effective method of protecting the trees from elephant damage. However, because of [...] Continue Reading
By Nina Geraghty

Mapping baobabs from space

The Baobab Foundation is committed to supporting the next generation of baobab researchers. One of those students is Chafika Phiri from the University of Exeter, who is exploring an exciting question: can satellite images and machine learning—often called AI—help us map baobab trees across vast landscapes? The challenge is greater than it may seem. Tree size matters, because small baobabs [...] Continue Reading
By Dr Sarah Venter

Fresh Signs, Bright Starts

Over time, the signboards at the pre-schools faded and, in some cases, became damaged, so we decided to replace them. With the help of Prince Musekwa of EcoProducts, we erected new boards at Zwigodini and Denzhe Preschools.
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 Dr Sarah Venter

Baobab Project in Giyani

The Ramaano Baobab Project has three parts. One is to plant baobab trees at the Tribal Offices around Giyani.  Second to plant baobab trees in villages following the Baobab Guardians model and third is to educate young people about the ecology and conservation of baobabs. During the course of July, August and September Mr Ramaano planted baobab trees at 4 [...] Continue Reading
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