Baobab Hill EarthCache

You may NOT get out of your vehicle at the point!

Remember that it is illegal (and dangerous) to get out of your vehicle at any place in the Park except at places especially designated and clearly marked to do so.

There is an entrance fee to enter the Kruger National Park. Wild Card holders can get in for free.

Baobab Hill

Baobab Hill is found on the H1-2 between Pafuri and Punda Maria in Northern region of the Kruger National Park and was the final overnight stop between Soekmekaar and Pafuri for goldmine recruits. The large Baobab that you have stopped at was a landmark on one of the early trade routes. Hunters used this route and it then became known as the “Ivory Trail”.  Some of the hunter’s names are also carved onto the tree. 

Baobab Hill used to be the first “outspan” or camp site for migrant workers from the northern areas (what is now Mozambique), who had been recruited to work in the gold mines of the interior.

General KNP Geology

The underlying geology of Kruger Park is predominantly basal and granite, where the granite is interspersed with gabbro. Shale and sand deposits are fairly minimal and widely dispersed.

Shale VS Mudstone

Both shale and mudstone are sedimentary rock and are made of silt- and clay-sized particles that are too small to see. The main difference between mudstone and shale is that mudstones break into blocky pieces whereas shales break into thin chips with roughly parallel tops and bottoms. Both are made of ancient mud.

Claiming the find

Please email send answers to the following questions to us via the message centre on the geocaching app.

1. At the GZ there is a small hill/incline leading up to the Baobab. Looking at the GZ with the Baobab in front of you there is a distinct difference between the left and right hand side of the GZ. Please describe what you see on the left vs what is on the right.
2. Now looking at the GZ with the Baobab in front of you and focusing on the right hand side only - Do you think this is shale or mudstone?
3. On the plaque at the GZ is a name and two dates. What are they?
4. As you cannot get out of your vehicle to take photos here please include a photo of your Visitors permit with your log.

We'd love to here of any interesting sightings you have at or near to the GZ so please include these in your log.