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Nkuwa 3:3 Female

Nkuwa 3:3 Female

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Kirst Joscelyne

Ranger

At less than a year old, Kirst went to her family’s hut in the Greater Kruger National Park, and has been fortunate enough to continue to go there ever since. Sharing a passion for the bush with her family, led to countless trips ...

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17 Comments

on How Did the Jackalberry Tree Get its Name?

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How wonderful this story of this ancient tree is. It is a living monument and home to so many creatures. The driving force in life, the balance between plants and soil… wonderful picture of the pensive Nkuwa female and interesting video of the striped jackal. Sometimes overlooked animals they have their role. last picture seems to come out of a fairytale!

Thank you Francesca, it really holds a whole world in itself!

The jackal berry tree is what you see first when you arrive to check in. it provides some shade if you want to sit on one of the comedy chairs and read a book accompanied by a glass of wine! can’t wait to do it again! thank you Victoria

We look forward to welcoming you back Victoria

Kirst your story on the Jackalberry tree is very interesting. It is a magnificent tree baring lovely fleshy fruits for the animals and birds. Shade for the leopards and birds and people. The prominent Jackalberry tree in the center of Varty car park is such a huge tree and it displays such beauty.

Thanks Valmai, that Jackalberry is definitely noteworthy aspect of the Varty car park

It‘s very nice to learn about the different trees at Londolozi and which animals prefer them

Thank you Christa

Kirst, I just love everything about this post! Thank you for writing such an interesting piece that combining elements of Londolozi past and present around the jackalberry tree. The photos are lovely as well. From the glowing marble like eyes of the Knuwa leopard, to the puffed green pigeon whose colors match the fruit and leaves of the tree, and of course the three Tsalala lionesses resting on that branch. Great to see the side-striped jackal eating the jackalberry fruit…Thanks!

Marcia thank you so much!

Terrific information about the Jackalberry tree. I enjoy learning more about the flora aspect of the SabiSand area through these educational blogs. Your photo of the Nkuwa female is beautiful and reminds me of the sighting we had of her in the tree, as she kept out of sight of the Nkuhuma/Avoca pride. Hopefully during my next visit to Londolozi, I can spend more time learning the differences between the Jackalberry, Leadwood, Marula, and other indigenous trees. The video of the jackal is fascinating, watching him eat the fruits from this tree as I thought they were carnivores.

Denise, that is exactly the sighting the photo was taken from! What an incredible sighting that all was! They quite frankly are opportunistic omnivores which I find makes them so much more interesting. You are already halfway there with your trees!

Senior Digital Ranger

Very nice discussion. I had wondered where the name came from. I didn’t know there were any jackals in that part of South Africa. Very interesting! Thanks!

Thanks Paul! We get two different types of jackals here – the black backed jackal and the side striped jackal. We often find them in more of the open grassland areas.

I really enjoyed your blog Kirst. I love trees and this tree is really beautiful. It serves so many purposes also. That is very interesting about the jackals eating fruit. As the saying goes “the starving will eat anything”. It is amazing how animals will adapt to certain conditions. Thank you so much for sharing this with us.

Thank you Leonie, it really is quite incredible to observe how all these animals survive.

Kirst, what a wonderful reminder of the historical importance of the Jackalberry trees! They do provide wonderful shade and it’s amazing to think of all the memories that have been shared under them over the decades at Londolozi! We wonder if anyone ever ferments the berries into some type of wine or liquor?

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