Chapman’s Baobab

Chapman's Baobab was a massive tree with a trunk circumference of approximately 25 meters at its base, standing as one of the largest baobabs in the world before its collapse in 2016.

Named after explorer James Chapman who documented it in 1861, this ancient baobab served as a landmark and shelter for early explorers crossing the Makgadikgadi Pans for over a century.

Local communities revered Chapman's Baobab as a sacred gathering place for traditional ceremonies and storytelling, considering it a symbol of longevity and connection to ancestral spirits.

The tree was located near Ntwetwe Pan in the Central District and could be accessed via local roads, serving as a natural landmark for navigation across the salt flats.

Chapman's Baobab functioned as Africa's first natural post office, with explorers leaving messages in its hollow trunk for other expeditions to collect and deliver to their destinations.

Location: Central District

GPS coordinates: -20.49021,25.24966

Latest update: July 24, 2025 15:27