The Top 9 Common Trees to See In Tanzania During Your Safari Tour: Tanzania is the best safari destination in Africa, blessed with both diversity of flora and fauna that are spread in different Tanzania protected areas such as the Serengeti plain, the Ngorongoro crater highlands, the Tarangire National Park, the Arusha National Park, and the Kilimanjaro National Park, to name a few. These are just a few of Tanzania’s protected areas that are home to some of the country’s most diverse flora and fauna. On your Tanzanian wildlife tour, we will take you into the African Savannah, where the animals in the wild eat grasses and trees. There is no closed canopy, and the trees are scattered. A safari in Tanzania is not just about spotting large cats, enormous creatures, the “Big Five,” or the great wildebeest migration; it’s also about discovering the plants and trees that grow in the many safari parks, getting in touch with the environment, and soaking in breathtaking views.
In Tanzania, there are some unique trees that are extremely uncommon in other areas of the world. These trees are equally impressive and far older who have been looking upon the Tanzania savannah for long. In addition to providing a haven for predators and extreme heat for birds and monkeys, trees are the primary food supply for herbivores like giraffes, elephants, zebras, and others. So which trees are widespread in Tanzania? Let’s examine some of the trees you will likely see while on your Tanzania safari vacation.
- THE AFRICAN BAOBAB TREE (ADANSONIA DIGITATA)
One of the most prevalent trees that you will see on a Tanzania safari is the baobab. This tree is indigenous to Africa and can also be found in the Tanzanian Savannah. This tree’s look has led some people to surmise that it was planted backwards. According to some African tribes, baobabs were upright and arrogant. They were uprooted and thrown back into the earth upside-down by the gods after they became furious. The tree grows to a height of 5 to 25 meters (16 to 82 feet), and its trunk has a diameter of 10 to 14 meters (33–46 ft.). In fact, the tree’s roots are larger than its height, which helps it survive in arid climates. A tree can live for more than a thousand years.
- WHISTLING THORNS (VACHELLIA DREPANOLOBIUM/ACACIA DREPANOLOBIUM)
Whistling Thorns (Vachellia drepanolobium/Acacia drepanolobium) is another tree that are found in Tanzania and you will probably come across during your Tanzania safari tour. They are beautiful trees and they belonging to the Fabaceae family. It is a photoautotrophic shrub or tree with thin, spreading branches that grow from the primary stem. Often growing between one and five meters tall, but occasionally exceeding eight. The plant’s common name is derived from the discovery that whistling sounds are created when wind blows across bulbous spines in which ants have drilled entry and exit holes. In fact, the tree supports these ants by providing them with food and lodging in unique flower-like structures known as “extra-floral nectaries.”
- ACACIA (ACACIA TORTILLIS)
These are the most recognizable trees you will see while on your Tanzania safari vacation. Because of how they appear, these are referred to as “umbrella trees.” They are easy to find while on your safari. Acacia trees can survive even in extreme droughts because of their strong, sturdy roots, which extend deep beneath the ground in search of water. The soil that has been endangered by erosion is stabilized by the roots of these trees, The Top 9 Common Trees to See In Tanzania During Your Safari.
Typically, acacia trees are 3 feet (1 meter) broad and 40 to 70 feet (12 to 21 meters) tall. In actuality, these trees only live for 20 to 30 years on average. Some have lengthy thorns, while others have thorns that resemble hooks. A poison is released by acacia trees, which is a highly special characteristic. A defense chemical known as “ethylene” is emitted and has a range of up to 45 meters when animals like giraffes or elephants approach this tree.
- THE SAUSAGE TREE (KIGELIA AFRICANA)
These are the trees that are most common in Tanzania and no doubt you will probably come across to them during your Tanzania safari tour. Because of the way its fruit appears, it is known as a “sausage tree.” The fruit can weigh approximately 15 pounds and be between one and two feet long. These fruits are deadly to humans but very succulent for animals like baboons, elephants, giraffes, bush pigs, and hippos. Both alcohol and skincare products are made from these fruits.
Despite the fact that they can reach 66 feet (20 m) in length, The blood-red to maroon blossoms hang on protracted pinnacles before developing into fruits. In fact, according to the locals, camping under a sausage tree is not recommended. The elephants who come to gather the fruit will crush your head if the weight of the fruit doesn’t.
- TOOTHBRUSH TREE (SALVADOARA PERSICA)
The toothbrush tree has a bent shoot and is small and bush like. The villagers clip these shoots when they are still green and use them as toothbrushes. They chew the shoot until it resembles a toothbrush, at which point they use it to brush their teeth while spitting out the pieces of wood. Although it may seem absurd, it actually works. This plant is indigenous to Africa and the Middle East. In fact, this tree’s fresh leaves are sometimes used to make salads and traditional medicines for conditions like asthma, coughing, scurvy, rheumatism, and piles.
- STRANGLER FIG (FICUS THONNINGII)
The strangler tree initially appears as a vine-like plant that affixes to the nearest big tree. After creating a branching set, it thickens and strangles its host tree. When the original support tree perishes, a hollow void develops inside the remaining tree. Birds, bats, and many other species can find shelter and breeding grounds in this area, The Top 9 Common Trees to See In Tanzania During Your Safari
Then, the indigenous people used these plants in a variety of ways to treat illnesses like the common cold, diarrhea, sore throats, constipation, wounds, nosebleeds, and to promote lactation. The “Tree where Man Was Born” in southern Loliondo and the “Ancestor Tree” at Endulin, Ngorongoro, are two enormous fig trees that may be found close to the Serengeti.
- WILD DATE PALM (PHOENIX RECLINATA)
These trees are primarily found in locations with high water tables. These leaves have unbranched, parallel veins. This tree is a relative of bananas, lilies, grasses, orchids, and orchids. The natural palm tree found mainly around rivers and wetlands is the wild date palm tree.
Although edible, the fruits of this tree have a terrible flavor. In truth, palm wine is made from the sweet sap of this tree. They typically range in height from 3 to 6 meters, but they can reach a height of 12 meters. It’s ideal to relax under the sweet-smelling shade of the wild date palm tree.
- YELLOW FEVER TREE (ACACIA XANTHOPHLOEA)
Yellow fever Trees that grow next to or near bodies of water are low-elevation, medium- to tall trees. The ten yellow ball flower clusters on this tree are what give it its attractiveness. As the tree ages, flakes of the gorgeous, smooth, greenish-yellow bark flake off, leaving the trunk with an intriguing, multicolored pattern. Leaflets have a size of 2.5–6.5 mm, or 0.75–1.75 mm. At the base of the upper pinnae pairs, petiole glands are typically seen. Spines are white, straight and strong and arranged in pairs.
The common name was given to the tree because early settlers believed it to be the source of malaria. People connected the fever with the tree because it grew in swampy regions where malaria-carrying mosquitoes thrive,The Top 9 Common Trees to See In Tanzania During Your Safari.
- EUPHORBIA CANDELABRA (EUPHORBIA CANDELABRUM)
The Euphorbia candelabrum, one of the most frequent trees on the Tanzania safari, is a succulent with branches that persist from about 3 meters up, practically upright, and rebranch to form a sizable, broadly rounded crown. Although specimens up to 20 meters tall have been documented, the tree typically reaches heights of up to 12 meters. One of the more poisonous spurges is this one. The tree produces a large amount of milky-white latex that is bitter, acrid, and contains diterpenes. This latex is also considered to be highly dangerous since it irritates the skin and is carcinogenic.
Conclusion: Tanzania is the finest destination for botanists and nature lovers to travel to and enjoy the variety of plant species that are found within the nation’s various national parks. Tanzanian trees can be seen while on a game drive to the Serengeti National Park, in the Ngorongoro Crater, while climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, and in many other national parks throughout the country during nature walks or game drives. If you’re curious about trees and want to learn more or explore the trees of Tanzania, get in touch with us at Focus East Africa Tours.
