Gauteng – Many people have made their wish of swimming with dolphins come true – but what about splashing around with elephants? Imagine getting up close and personal with the giants of Africa, giving one a tummy rub or taking a dip with them.
Adventures with Elephants is making this giant dream a reality.
Located on a beautiful wildlife reserve just an hour’s drive north of Pretoria, adjacent to Zebula Golf Estate and Spa in the Waterberg, Adventures with Elephants offers hands-on elephant interactions, elephant back rides, swims on the elephants, and tailor-made activities. Here visitors can learn about elephants in a unique natural setting.
You’ll meet five elephants – Chisuru, Chova, Mussina, Nuanedi and Shan – and their experienced handlers who will share their in-depth knowledge and passion for elephants with guests.
The elephant activities include an educational hands-on interaction where guides will teach you about various aspects of the elephant. They will describe anatomy, intelligence, training, as well as allow you to touch the elephant from trunk tip to tail tip and everything in-between (you are welcome to lick an elephant if you want).
If you’ve ever wondered what an elephant’s skin, its tongue or the sole of its foot feels like, or where its Jacobson’s organ is located, or why they sometimes have liquid pouring down the sides of their faces, or how heavy an elephant leg is, or what an elephant’s belly fat feels like in contrast to its six pack, this is for you. All these questions will be answered during the interaction.
If you enjoy walking, you can do a bush walk with the elephants. Spend time with the ellies “behind the scenes”. The early morning bush walk activity is a great way to start your day setting out on foot into the bush to join the elephants for their first free-range feeding session of the day.
The handlers will explain the elephants feeding and behaviour, as well as showing interesting bush signs such as spoor, along with the variety of birds, trees and wildlife on the property.
On the safari, rides will take you through the African veld while the handlers point out flora and fauna. You are also likely to encounter giraffe, wildebeest, zebra and more from atop an elephant.
Clamber on to an elephant and go for a cool dip with the herd in the midday heat. Enjoy the experience as the elephant ducks and dives in the water underneath you, or as they mill around splashing each other.
Adventures with Elephants is also home to the Rory Hensman Elephant Research Unit, that collaborates with local and international researchers, to facilitate better understanding of elephants in order to reduce human elephant conflict.
Cost
Hands on interaction lasts about an hour: adults R 560; children (1-12) R320.
Safari on elephant back, including interaction. Lasts about 90 minutes: adults R 1 120; children R880.
Swim on elephant back, including safari and interaction. Lasts about two hours. Adults R 1 900
All terms and conditions can be found at www.adventureswithelephants.co.za
To book contact the Zebula Adventure and Activity Centre at 014 734 7730/00; 079 431 7655 or [email protected]
Pretoria News