Author: Susan

If you’ve ever wandered through the Pilanesberg and caught the faint scent of something sweet and slightly musky in the air, chances are you’ve unknowingly passed under one of the bushveld’s most enchanting—and enigmatic—residents: the Tamboti tree.

Also known as African Sandalwood, this striking tree is far more than just a beautiful part of the landscape. It’s a quiet storyteller with a thousand-year history etched into its twisted bark and delicate heart-shaped leaves.

Here at Tambuti Lodge, we’re surrounded by these graceful giants. In fact, our very name is a tribute to the many Tamboti trees that dot the area, offering shade, shelter, and a touch of the extraordinary.

Beauty Wrapped in Mystery

At first glance, the Tamboti tree charms with its dark, fissured bark and glossy leaves, which blush a vibrant red in autumn. It thrives in sandy soils and is commonly found in the drier regions of the Pilanesberg, as well as the Kruger and parts of northern KwaZulu-Natal.

But don’t be fooled by its gentle appearance. This tree is full of contradictions.

Its wood, when burned, releases a sweet scent reminiscent of roasting meat—strangely comforting in the cool air of the bush. Yet that same wood is highly toxic. The milky latex sap it produces can cause skin irritation, severe stomach issues, or even convulsions if ingested. And its smoke? Absolutely unsafe for cooking fires.

“It’s a tree full of contradictions – admired for its beauty, yet feared for its potency. A gentle giant with a secret sting.”

A Vital Player in the Ecosystem

Despite its toxic nature to humans, the Tamboti is a welcome part of the bushveld ecosystem.

• Elephants, kudu, and giraffe browse on its leaves.
• Birds and rodents feast on its seeds.
• Francolins and guinea fowl often feed on the fallen capsules.
• It provides shade and structure, especially in open savannas and dry riverbeds.
• Its flowers attract insects, which assist in pollination.

With all this, the Tamboti quietly contributes to the biodiversity of the Pilanesberg, acting as both a provider and protector in its own mysterious way.

The Jumping Seeds: Nature’s Party Trick

One of the most fascinating features of the Tamboti tree lies in its seeds—more specifically, in their ability to “jump.”

Here’s how it works:

• The tree produces three-lobed seed capsules, which eventually burst open with a pop, flinging the seeds across the bush.
• Inside many of these fallen seeds lives a tiny hitchhiker: the larva of the moth Emporia melanobasis.
• When the seed is warmed by the sun, the larva moves, causing the seed to jump erratically, sometimes leaping up to 30cm into the air.
• This movement often continues for hours, creating a scene that’s equal parts magical and mysterious.

It’s no wonder the tree is sometimes nicknamed the “Jumping Bean Tree.” It’s another example of how the Tamboti surprises even the most seasoned bush lovers.

More Than Just a Tree

The Tamboti tree also holds deep cultural significance in parts of South Africa. While its latex has been used traditionally for toothache relief, it must be handled with extreme caution due to its toxic nature.

Its wood is highly valued for furniture, carvings, and decorative pieces — prized for its oily texture, rich aroma, and intricate grain. Craftsmen, however, know that the wood must be properly dried to neutralize the dangerous sap before it can be safely worked with.

A Silent Storyteller of the Pilanesberg

So the next time you explore the wild paths near Tambuti Lodge, take a moment to stop beneath one of these remarkable trees. Feel its shade. Watch the leaves shimmer in the breeze. Listen for the faint pop of a seed capsule or the rustle of a bird taking flight from its branches.

“There’s a quiet power to this tree – a reminder that nature, like life, is often a mix of beauty and caution.”

Here in the Pilanesberg, the Tamboti tree stands as a symbol of balance — gentle, fierce, giving, and guarded all at once. And at Tambuti Lodge, we’re honoured to share our name with such a compelling force of nature.