Musina Nature Reserve

Description

The Musina Nature Reserve, also known as the Messina Baobab Forest Reserve, is a 49km² reserve located 10km from the town of Musina, Limpopo. The reserve contains the highest concentration of baobab trees in South Africa, known as the “upside down trees” due to their appearance resembling roots. These magnificent trees that can grow up to 25m in height, 28m in circumference, and live up to a startling 3,000 years.

Baobab trees occur only in the northern parts of South Africa, mostly between the Limpopo River and the Soutpansberg, the northernmost mountain range. They occur most densely near the town of Musina, and the Musina Nature Reserve was created specifically to protect these trees so that future generations can enjoy them too.

What’s so fascinating about these trees is their ability to regenerate damaged bark and survive fire. They create their own eco-systems and support thousands of creatures that eat their leaves, make homes in the bark, live in the branches, and drink the nectar from the flowers. They have been adopted by the Limpopo province as one of its tourism icons.The reserve is home to the rare sable antelope, as well as zebra, giraffe, kudu, and eland. There are several picnic sites with braai areas, hiking trails, and a guest house on site.