A previously popular tourist spot in Tzaneen, the site of the Sunland Baobab, has officially been closed to visitors.
Half of the ancient tree fell over in 2017 and although there is still a branch attached to the root, what remains is nothing like the former impressively-wide baobab. The Sunland baobab, Adansonia digitata, was the widest baobab of its species in existence with its diameter, at ground level, measuring around 10m and its circumference at its widest point measuring 33.4m.
The tree housed a bar and there was accommodation at the site when the baobab was still intact. Now that the site has been closed, the land has been leased for farm use.
Heather van Heerden, former owner of Sunland Boabab, spoke to the Letaba Herald and confirmed that the rumours about the site being closed are true. ‘It is very sad really. This wasn’t just a tree that meant a lot to me, but to people all around too. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done. All I ask is that people respect that the place is now closed to the public. I ask that they give the people in charge of the time and privacy they require from here on,’ she concluded.
When the tree fell over on 13 April 2017, the following was posted to Facebook:
Also read: Tzaneen – land of the Rain Queen
