Babalala

This picnic spot is where the Mopane shrubland meets the Bushwillow woodlands. The Mopane tree, which abounds in both habitats, is quite distinctive with its butterfly shaped leaves and is favoured by the elephants roaming this area. Another feeder on this bush is the Mopane worm, slightly misnamed as it is actually the caterpillar of the large impressive Emperor Moth.

This attractive blue-green and somewhat hairy caterpillar is fried up as a protein-rich meal and eaten by the Venda people of northern South Africa and Zimbabwe. A tomato sauce is often served with it, a welcome sensory camouflage to the bland cardboard flavour and chewy consistency.

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