Magical, fairy tale setting, breathtaking, I could go on and on but I think my pictures will tell the story. First, what is a Fever Tree? It has a distinctive form and color. The tree is a very tall tree with an umbrella crown (sparse, rounded, and spreading canopy) and the bark is smooth and has an unusual lime green color with a fine yellow dust that covers over the bark. The tree trunk & its branches are flaky and tend to peel off in paper thin layers.
As we pulled up in our open air jeep, we were awe struck. The beauty and serenity of the forest engulfs you as soon as you enter. Birds are flying overhead, found in the trees and wildlife abounds.
The forest is located in the Pafuri area of the northern part of the Kruger National Park, SA. This area is a landscape worth seeing. To get there is a trek, but one that is well worth it. One highlight on the way, was coming to Crooks Corner, a famous point where at on time three countries met and “people who had no great wish to look into the eyes of the law would hide out and if needed could jump to the other side of the border. I am talking poachers, gun runners and outlaws who have their own idea of the law. This is a good place to ask your guide about old stories they can share about the “wild” frontier.
There was a beacon marking the corner where, in those days, the Union of South Africa, Portuguese East Africa & Southern Rhodesia met. If you were an outlaw and the law caught up to you, all you would need to do is jump to the other side of the beacon. If all three countries showed up with lawmen, one could just perch up on the beacon and be safe while the others figured out who had custody of the outlaw. No-one wanted to breach international boundary laws.
Fever trees are usually found growing on river banks, swampy areas or flood plains in eastern & Southern Africa.
African Fish Eagle
The bird life here is spectacular! There are some facts that I would like to share about this unique tree:
Photosynthesis is usually carried out the chlorophyll in the plant leaves. But, the fever tree is the only tree species in the world whose bark performs this process instead of it’s leaves.
The bark of the fever tree is often used for treating eye infections and fevers, and quinine extracted from the bark is used to treat malaria.
The tree has a very shallow root system and are easily knocked over, especially by elephants.
The tree will kill off their lower branches in order to maximize the nutrition they get from the soil so that they can grow as tall as possible. This is known as sacrificial branching.
The Luvuvhu River.
The following day we followed the Luvuvhu River and had some magnificent sightings. The impala males were in rut and the noises and grunts they made were so loud.
The Fever Tree has several uses among tribes. It is reported that some Zulu people will take the powdered bark of the stems &. roots as an emetic (induces vomiting) for malaria. The preparation produces sweating and purging.
It is also said, that for thousands of years, some African people will boil the bark & add some herbs into a brew, which when drinking this liquid will induce lucid dreams. Usually, you will ask a question before going to sleep and the answer will be in your dreams.
Keep a lookout for my next blog about Baobab Trees and so much more wildlife…
Beautiful. Pictures Karen, I felt like I was back in Africa again! The Fever tree area was really special!!