The acacia tree is one of the most recognizable trees in all of Africa! You may have seen this tree in the movie The Lion King or even in animal documentaries where a giraffe is shown eating from a tree. This tree is all over South Africa and is a symbol of the African landscape! It is not only beautiful but also an important part of the ecosystem.
It has a tall trunk with wide, flat branches that spread out like an umbrella. Its leaves are small and delicate, and it has sharp thorns that protect it from animals.
When I first saw the acacia tree, I knew I was really in Africa! Its shape matched exactly what I had seen in pictures and documentaries. Seeing this in person made me appreciate the nature around me. Seeing this tree also made me look for a giraffe right away, but giraffes stay in protected lands around South Africa and are not just walking around at any place where there might be an acacia tree.