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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Our top choices for Mala Mala Game Reserve family-friendly hotels

aha Skukuza Safari Lodge

Mbombela

james

₩367,500 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 15 - Jan 16, 2026

Cheetah Plains Private Game Reserve

Sabi Sand Game Reserve

₩16,440,119 total

includes taxes & fees

Jan 22 - Jan 23, 2026

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Top Mala Mala Game Reserve Hotel Reviews

Sabie River Bush Lodge

10/10 Excellent

"O hotel é incrível! A vista do restaurante e piscina para o Kruger vale por toda a experiência. A equipe é incrível, super atenciosos e gentis, desde a recepção até os guias do Safari. Destaco Kabelo, um dos garçons, que sempre nos recebia com sorrisos e simpatia. Fechamos os safáris com o próprio hotel e foi a melhor opção possível! A comida também é bem gostosa. Não temos nada a reclamar."

Kruger Gate Hotel

10/10 Excellent

"Spectacular stay this time. Warm welcome, welcome wine and sweet and savoury platter in our room. Personalised treatment for dinner and the game drive amazing. "