In a recent blog post, Jess briefly touches on the singular Nyala tree at Londolozi, a narrative that serendipitously aligns with our recent family escapade. Not too long ago, my wife Samantha and I embraced a daring venture—investing in an offroad camping trailer. The spirit of adventure runs deep in our veins, and with a growing family that includes our two little ones, Sebastian and Olivia, we sought a means to continue exploring the wild corners of Southern Africa. Venturing off the beaten path into the wilderness with something that can be set up swiftly, and effortlessly, while containing everything we need.

Gonarezhou National Park in Zimbabwe has held a prime spot on our destination wishlist. Although I had visited it in my younger years, I hesitated to categorize that earlier experience as genuinely impactful. Now armed with a reasonably sound understanding of the natural world and a passion for photography, I realized the potential to extract far more from a return trip to Gonarezhou National Park. The days leading up to our departure were marked by three consecutive days of rain at Londolozi, adding a layer of challenge to our preparation and packing efforts. Eventually, we reached our destination, greeted by one of the most breathtaking landscapes I have ever encountered, ready to immerse ourselves in a fulfilling two-week inaugural camping trip.

At two out of the three campsites we occupied, we found ourselves nestled beneath the shade of magnificent, towering Nyala trees. While somewhat familiar having encountered the Nyala tree at Londolozi, seeing a few more in Gonarezhou was delightful, allowing me to fully appreciate the splendour of this remarkable tree species.

The Nyala tree, scientifically known as Xanthocercis zambesiaca, is an intriguing species that contributes to the unique ecosystem along the banks of large rivers such as the Runde River, a prominent river in Gonarezhou National Park. The climate there is very similar to that of Londolozi, however, the soil type and underlying bedrock in Gonarezhou are distinctly different. So this got me wondering, why is it that we only have one Nyala tree at Londolozi?

The Nyala trees, native evergreen species of Southern Africa, thrive in riverine environments, often flourishing along Lowveld watercourses, flood plains, and termite mounds in low-altitude, hot regions. While this description perfectly aligns with the landscape we recently explored, and somewhat with Londolozi we do not see these trees dominating the banks of the Sand River.

The likely reason for the absence of Nyala trees at Londolozi lies in their sensitivity to frost. Given Londolozi’s cold winters, the environment becomes less conducive for Nyala trees to proliferate along the banks of the Sand River.

A view along a section of the Sand River with large trees decorating the banks and of course a leopard in the river sand.

By now, I’m sure your curiosity has been piqued regarding the origins of this lone Nyala tree and how it weathers the frost and cold winters. The life cycle of Nyala trees unfolds with a burst of activity in early summer when they flower, attracting various forms of insect life. A few weeks later, they yield plum-shaped, stalked fruits that ripen to a rich reddish-brown hue. These fruits are a sought-after delicacy for numerous frugivorous birds, monkeys, baboons, elephants, and various antelopes, notably the nyala, from which the tree draws its name.

Typically animals only consume the fleshy pulp and leave behind the shiny black seed. However, in the case where elephants, baboons and monkeys ingest the entire fruit, the seeds embark on a journey within the belly of these animals. The ultimate destination is nestled in a pile of rich compost, courtesy of the animal’s digestion, creating optimal conditions for germination.

Baboons and monkeys exhibit a fondness for termite mounds, utilizing them as elevated vantage points during rest or foraging. If nature calls while a baboon perches atop a mound, and the baboon has recently consumed a Nyala berry, the nutrient-rich soils of the termite mound become an ideal medium for the growth of fruit trees like the Nyala tree and the Brown Ivory tree.

While baboons and monkeys often play a role in the growth of trees on termite mounds, in the case of the Nyala tree at Londolozi, my speculation leans towards the involvement of an elephant in the transportation of the Nyala berry seed. Considering the remarkable distances elephants can cover within a mere 24 hours, it seems plausible that the responsible elephant feasted on a Nyala berry, potentially in a northern region like Kruger National Park.

A Fork-tailed Drongo follows an elephant bull as he disrupts insects from the long grass.

Subsequently, it ambled down towards Londolozi, and approximately 40 hours later (the length of time taken for food to pass along an elephant’s digestive tract), the seed found its way onto a termite mound, where it germinated and has thrived ever since. Judging by its size, I’d estimate its age at around 40-50 years, bearing in mind that some members of this species can endure for up to an astonishing 600 years.

I strongly question the likelihood of baboons or monkeys being the carriers of this seed, given their limited capacity to cover the extensive distances required to transport a seed, in their belly, from the Kruger, where Nyala trees thrive, all the way to Londolozi within the time it takes for digestion.

In regions where these magnificent trees are prevalent, their role along riverbanks becomes evident in soil stabilization, contributing to the overall ecosystem’s health. Their presence helps prevent erosion and offers sought-after shade to numerous species during scorching summers.

While our camping adventure unfolded in the heart of Gonarezhou National Park, under the expansive shade of magnificent Nyala trees, I couldn’t help but ponder the mystery surrounding the lone Nyala tree at Londolozi. This sparked reflections on the intricate ways in which each of these trees find their place in the world. While Londolozi may boast only one Nyala tree for now, there may be room for a few more in the future and I certainly wouldn’t be unhappy with that. While we may not have the privilege of relishing the advantages of these splendid trees here at Londolozi, I can confidently say that they undeniably transformed our maiden camping expedition, setup in the deep cooling shade beneath their branches, watching the wilderness go by,  making it an unforgettable experience.