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

Mala Mala Game Reserve Spa Hotels

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Our top choices for Mala Mala Game Reserve hotels with a spa

Couples treatment room(s), hot stone massages, deep-tissue massages

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

Skukuza

katie

RM3,552 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Body treatments, aromatherapy, hot stone massages, deep-tissue massages

Kruger Gate Hotel

Skukuza

"Clean room with clean towels etc. Food was good but disappointed with gluten free options. Breakfast had the same very dry GF bread and same muffins very morning. Home made GF rolls available at dinner, were delicious but not always available . The dinner food options of meat, vegetables and salads was very good. Christmas dinner though, was a bit disappointing. Friendly staff. Visitors must be aware that costs charged for entering and leaving Kruger Park can mount up, plus manual firm filling...

raghbir

RM1,475 total

includes taxes & fees

11 Jan - 12 Jan

Hot tub, body treatments, aromatherapy, hot stone massages

Tintswalo Safari

Bushbuckridge

Tim

RM9,504 total

includes taxes & fees

16 Jan - 17 Jan

Wild Olive Tree Camp

Bushbuckridge

Sebastian

RM737 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Jan - 7 Jan

Couples treatment room(s), body treatments, deep-tissue massages

Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp

Bushbuckridge

Wouter

Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps - Mantobeni

Bushbuckridge

Terry

RM3,379 total

includes taxes & fees

15 Jan - 16 Jan

Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

Bushbuckridge

Andrew

RM3,483 total

includes taxes & fees

6 Jan - 7 Jan

aha Skukuza Safari Lodge

Mbombela

james

RM1,038 total

includes taxes & fees

9 Jan - 10 Jan

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Top Mala Mala Game Reserve Hotel Reviews

Lion Sands River Lodge

10/10 Excellent

"Everything about the lodge was amazing from the room to the safaris with our guide Barry and tracker Eddy. Ntombi was amazing during the meals. All staff was very friendly and made our short stay amazing. I would recommend this lodge to anyone going there. I will definitely if I get the opportunity. "

Hamiltons Tented Camp

10/10 Excellent

"Hamiltons is s a tented camp and the rooms were very large and comfortable. They fed us well, and our Safari guide Harley was very knowledgeable and friendly. We were in tent 1 which had the best view of the river and animal crossing. We travelled with 4 people and we all enjoyed our stay very much."

Mala Mala Game Reserve Spa Hotels

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Check availability on Mala Mala Game Reserve Hotels with Spa

Our top choices for Mala Mala Game Reserve hotels with a spa

Kruger Shalati - Train on the Bridge and Garden Suites

Kruger Gate Hotel

Tintswalo Safari

Wild Olive Tree Camp

Honeyguide Khoka Moya Camp

Honeyguide Tented Safari Camps - Mantobeni

Hoyo Hoyo Safari Lodge

aha Skukuza Safari Lodge

Leopard Hills

Lion Sands Tinga Lodge

Top Mala Mala Game Reserve Hotel Reviews

Lion Sands River Lodge

Kruger Gate Hotel

Hamiltons Tented Camp

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