ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF

What are you looking for?

ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
ZAR
USD
EUR
GBP
CAD
AUD
CHF
Hello traveller!

It's in Cape Town now.

We're sorry. Our safari planners aren't available now. Our office hours are 08:00 - 19:00 (GMT+2).

Call us to speak to an experienced safari planner.


Alternatively, we recommend...

travel-form-icon

Complete our travel enquiry form to connect with a safari planner

ENQUIRE TODAY
Email us
(optional)

The Historic Baobabs in Botswana

Africa's best authentic tailor-made safaris

View Photos

The Historic Baobabs in Botswana

Team Member Headshot

By Antoinette Booyse

Safari Travel Planner

Safari Enquiry

There are several extraordinarily monumental historic baobabs in the Makgadikgadi area, but the ones most worth visiting are Chapman’s and Green’s baobabs in Ntwetwe Pan and Baines Baobabs in Nxai Pans National Park. Green’s baobab can be found at Gutsha Pan on the Gweta–Orapa track, 27km south of Gweta village.

In the days of early European explorers, a small pan beside this baobab was filled with perennial water, giving the old tree special significance as a beacon of hope that signaled a spot to replenish supplies after a long trek through the saltpans.

Sunrise at Kubu Island, Botswana
Sunrise at Kubu Island, Botswana

The intrepid Green brothers were among the many early traders, hunters, and explorers to carve their names here, leaving “Green’s Expedition 1858–1859” scrawled into the tree’s bark and giving the tree its name. Perhaps the most intriguing mark on this baobab is the date 1771, which is even before Livingstone’s time and possibly left by an early Portuguese explorer.

The tree is now one of Botswana’s National Monuments. Baobab trees can live for thousands of years, and this one certainly bears the battle scars to prove it, gunshot wounds included.

Located in the south of Nxai Pans National Park are the seven baobabs known as Baines Baobabs or the Sleeping sisters. This stunted cluster of Africa’s most iconic tree was immortalized by the paintings of Thomas Baines, a British landscape artist commissioned by the Royal Geographic Society. Baines camped beneath these trees in 1862 en route to the memorable Victoria Falls.

Baobab Tree, Adansonia digitata, Chobe National Park, Botswana, Africa
Baobab Tree, Adansonia digitata, Chobe National Park, Botswana.

The pans at Baines Baobabs are dry and bare for much of the year, as are the branches of the baobabs themselves, but during the wet season, the pans are covered in sheets of water, and green canopies emerge from the tree’s branches.

Baines Baobabs overlook Kaudia Camp Pan on the South side of the Nxai Pan South camp. Three allocated camping areas with basic toilet and shower facilities require visitors to bring their own water.

How it Works

2

Contact us or fill out an enquiry form and one of our travel experts will help you tailor make your perfect safari

3

Enjoy an authentic African experience, with peace of mind

Travel with Confidence

With over 20 years of experience, our team will help you choose the perfect African safari for your adventure.
24/7 Support
Flexible
Authentic
Personalized

Why travel with us?

Recent reviews from travellers who planned and booked their Africa trips with Discover Africa Safaris
Great safari
Excellent - responsive, quick turn around, flexibility in dealing with COVID related...

Madikwe Family Safari Review

Carla , Brazil
29 Jul 2022
Very smooth travel thanks to Discover Africa Safaris!
Fantastic! Very professional. Speedy responses. You can travel stress-free.

Madagascar Family Vacation Review

Praveena J., United States
10 Jun 2019
Tanzania was so wonderful. Highly recommended Tour Operator!

Bush & Beach Safari Review

Debbie Wei, United States
28 Nov 2017
We were so impressed with how good and excellent everything was planned!

Excellent Service by Discover Africa Review

Maryna Lamberton-Kimble, South Africa
01 Jul 2013

Ready to plan your tailor-made safari?

Lana Goodwin, Safari Travel Planner

Free safari planning advice from destination experts

HELP ME PLAN
Copyright © Discover Africa Safaris | The Historic Baobabs in Botswana | Last Updated: 29 September 2023