Insect Spotlight: The Dung Beetle

On March 5, 2010, In Spotlight: African Animals, By Sandy Salle
Yum!

Yum!

You might want to wait until AFTER you eat lunch to read the below . . . Fascinating stuff!

Sacred to ancient Egyptians, the Dung Beetle is truly a fascinating beetle. Without these busy creatures we could not live in the tropics as we would be knee high in dung and swamped by flies. The picture of a happy couple rolling their dung ball down the road gets great attention and brings great joy to our guests on African safari tours. Being hit on the head while driving home at night after a successful days game-viewing by a dung beetle flying in the opposite direction at 20 miles an hour does not bring as much happiness.

There are thousands of types of dung beetle found all over the world on every continent except Antarctica. True Dung Beetles eat dung and do not need to eat or drink anything else because the dung provides all the necessary nutrients. The larvae feed on the undigested plant fiber in the dung, while the adults do not eat solid food at all. Instead, they use their mouthparts to squeeze and suck the juice from the manure, a liquid full of micro-organisms and other nutrients.

The Dung Beetles’ importance to the ecosystem can be seen in the study of a small 1.5 Kg pile of Elephant dung on the African savannah. In two hours, the small pile of dung attracted 16 000 dung beetles of various shapes and sizes. Between the beetles, they had eaten and / or buried that dung completely in just those two hours.

Another good example can be seen in Australia. Before 1788 there were no cattle in Australia, and therefore, the dung beetles had not evolved the ability to deal with all the cow dung–they were only specialists at eating marsupial dung. There are about 20 million cattle in Australia and each one drops about 12 pads a day. This is a huge amount of dung with no beetles to get rid of it. The dung fouled millions of hectares of grazing land and gave birth to Australia’s infamous fly reputation. They brought in new types of dung beetles to manage the cow dung and the problem is being solved.

There are three basic groups of dung beetles: rollers, tunnelers, and dwellers. The dwellers simply live and breed in the dung, the tunnelers bury the dung where they find it, and the rollers roll round balls of dung off to a safe place to bury it. Regardless as to how they do it, they all lay their eggs in the dung and leave them to hatch with a food source of dung that allows the larva to grow and metamorphosis into adult beetles.

See below for the ultimate dung beetle race!

Tagged with: • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

The African Fish Eagle: Africa’s most Beautiful Soaring Predator

On January 22, 2010, In African Safari Tours, Spotlight: African Animals, By Sandy Salle
African Fish Eagle

African Fish Eagle

by Mark Homann, certified safari guide

One of Africa’s most striking and easily recognizable eagles is the African fish eagle. Similar in its appearance to America’s Bald Eagle, the fish eagle’s white mantle, head, and breast are offset by a chestnut abdomen and black under parts. These birds have a hauntingly beautiful call that is synonyms with Africa’s wild places and can be seen on African safari tours. With long claws that allow them to grasp fish, they are almost always found near water and are masters at fishing. Their broad wings help them to soar in the lightest breeze, and provide maximum power to lift fish out of the water.

The African fish eagle catches most of its fish between 5 to 12 inches in the water and has been known to catch fish as heavy as itself at about 8 pounds—although it’s more likely to catch fish smaller than this. Short fishing trips are conducted from a perch or on the wing. They will locate fish by sight although there is evidence that they can also find their prey from splashing sounds. While mainly a fish eating bird, they have been recorded hunting flamingoes and feeding on carrion.

These birds will often call in duet as a way to maintain their pair bond and mark their territories.  They are most vocal during the mating season when the male will fly high above his mate and then dive back down towards her. As he approaches her, she will turn on her back offering her talons to his.

Nesting in tall trees in the canopy, the African fish eagle’s nest is a flat-topped structure that’s about 45 inches deep and 60 inches across. One to three white eggs, occasionally marked with red, are laid and then incubated by both the male and female for a period of approximately 45 days.  Occasionally, two chicks will leave the nest but the survival of only one is the norm. The nestlings begin to leave the nest within 75 days and will not gain their adult plumage until they are 5 years-old.

What animal would you want to see us spotlight? Let us know in our comments section.

Tagged with: • • • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Reptile Spotlight: The Gaboon Viper

On January 18, 2010, In African Family Safari, African Honeymoon Safari, African Safari Safety, Spotlight: African Animals, By Sandy Salle
Considered one of Africa’s deadliest snakes, the gaboon viper is one of three vipers in the African giant viper group—the other two of the group include the puff adder and the rhinoceros viper.
As a native to Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, I’ve seen many of these gorgeous, yet frightening snakes throughout my years growing up in the region. These snakes are also primarily found throughout central Africa in the dense rain forests.
Weighing in at an average of 18 lbs., and growing up to 7 ft. in length, you would think these snakes would be obvious to spot. They’re not. Their ability to mesh in with the surroundings often makes this deadly snake an unseen predator.
Interesting facts:
• Equipped with some of the largest fangs of any snake, the gaboon viper’s fangs can grow up to 2 in. in length.
• The gaboon viper’s brown, triangle-shaped head has a shocking resemblance to a fallen leaf, which allows it to blend perfectly into the rainforest floor. In addition to its head, the gaboon viper’s body is thick and comprised of colorful geometric shapes and hues including brown, black, white, purple, and pink.
• When going in for the kill, the gaboon viper waits completely still and very patiently for their prey. These reptiles will eat smaller animals such as mice, rats, frogs, and birds, but have also been known to eat much larger prey if they can handle it. Their venom is deadly and is injected to kill.
• The gaboon is a nocturnal ambush predator that waits patiently beneath leaves in the dark for the perfect time to strike its unsuspecting prey. Although they only hunt at night, the gaboon can attack at any time of the day if threatened—often, if a human is attacked it’s because they stepped on a sleeping gaboon.
• Other names the gaboon viper goes by include the butterfly adder, swampjack, and forest puff adder.
• The gaboon viper gives birth live—an average of 20 offspring at a time.
• Gaboon vipers are usually calm and only attack when agitated.
 
Photo from Fitnesssafaris.com

Photo from Fitnesssafaris.com

Considered one of Africa’s deadliest snakes, the gaboon viper is one of three vipers in the African giant viper group—the other two of the group include the puff adder and the rhinoceros viper. 

As a native to Chimanimani, Zimbabwe, I’ve seen many of these gorgeous, yet frightening snakes throughout my years growing up in the region. These snakes are also primarily found throughout central Africa in the dense rain forests.

Weighing in at an average of 18 lbs., and growing up to 7 ft. in length, you would think these snakes would be obvious to spot. They’re not. Their ability to mesh in with the surroundings often makes this deadly snake an unseen predator.

Interesting facts:

  • Equipped with some of the largest fangs of any snake, the gaboon viper’s fangs can grow up to 2 in. in length.
  • The gaboon viper’s brown, triangle-shaped head has a shocking resemblance to a fallen leaf, which allows it to blend perfectly into the rainforest floor. In addition to its head, the gaboon viper’s body is thick and comprised of colorful geometric shapes and hues including brown, black, white, purple, and pink.
  • The gaboon is a nocturnal ambush predator that waits patiently beneath leaves in the dark for the perfect time to strike its unsuspecting prey. Although they only hunt at night, the gaboon can attack at any time of the day if threatened—often, if a human is attacked it’s because they stepped on a sleeping gaboon. 
  • Other names the gaboon viper goes by include the butterfly adder, swampjack, and forest puff adder.
  • The gaboon viper gives birth live—an average of 20 offspring at a time. 
  • Gaboon vipers are usually calm and only attack when agitated.  
  •  When going in for the kill, the gaboon viper waits completely still and very patiently for their prey. These reptiles will eat smaller animals such as mice, rats, frogs, and birds, but have also been known to eat much larger prey if they can handle it. Their venom is deadly and is injected to kill.
Tagged with: • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Walking Safari Safety Tips: Finding a Highly-Qualified and Experienced Guide

On January 15, 2010, In African Safari Safety, African Safari Tours, By Sandy Salle
There is no doubt that going on an African safari game-drive is the best way to see a ton of animals while in Africa. The vehicle allows you to cover a lot of ground in your search for Africa’s big game and acts as a mobile hide, allowing you to see animals in relative comfort. Game-drives are a great thing to do and makeup the bulk of a person’s safari experience.
More adventurous African safari tours, such as canoeing and walking in the dangerous game areas of Africa, are thrilling experiences. The world around you comes alive in a way that it cannot while you’re in a safari vehicle. The further you move away from the roads and into the bush or down a river, the further you move away from the modern world. This is a liberating experience as we have moved so far away from the world that we all came from. And the thrill of being out with nothing but your own senses transports you back to the world of our ancestors.
Often, you will not see any big game at all on a walking safari but you know they are there as you see signs, such as a fresh leopard track, a worn elephant trail, the warning bark of a secretive bushbuck, or the unmistakable scent of a recently past  elephant herd.
Today, the massive growth in the safari industry makes it quite easy to book a safari that can get you into a lot of trouble. In the late eighties and early nineties very few countries and camps offered adventure activities like canoeing and walking. When I first started working as a guide in 1992, Zimbabwe had so few walking guides you could count them on one hand. Today, nearly every country and every camp or lodge offers walking and canoeing tours, and some even offer horse riding and mountain biking. This is great as there is a lot more to an African safari experience than sitting in a vehicle.
But it is VERY important to be with people who know what they’re doing. We hear more and more about accidents happening when people are out of the safari vehicle. Even the most experienced guide can get into trouble, which is why it’s important to ensure that you are with a guide who has the experience and training to handle the unpredictable situations that develop so quickly. A guide with experience can read a situation and avoid it before it even happens. Simple rules such as “never approach a female herd of elephants” can save a lot of trouble. A good guide needs to be stronger than his guests and not let them push him into going closer to get “that photo.”
There are many great guides in the field today in every safari country in Africa. Each country has its own licensing or grading system, so some are better than others. In Zimbabwe, it takes a minimum of 3 years of intensive training and exams before a guide is allowed to walk with guests. A good guide develops a feel and instinct for the world around him / her, as they spend thousands of hours in the field.
Adventure activities are without a doubt the best way to experience an African safari tour and something everyone should try and do if they can. But, it’s very important that you go out with a qualified guide, and the best way to do this is to bypass Internet sites and to book through experienced African safari travel agents who work with experienced operators.
Canoe Safari Safety

Canoe Safari Safety

by Mark Homann, certified safari guide

There is no doubt that going on an African safari game-drive is the best way to see a ton of animals while in Africa. The vehicle allows you to cover a lot of ground in your search for Africa’s big game and acts as a mobile hide, allowing you to see animals in relative comfort. Game-drives are a great thing to do and makeup the bulk of a person’s safari experience.

More adventurous African safari tours, such as canoeing and walking in the dangerous game areas of Africa, are thrilling experiences. The world around you comes alive in a way that it cannot while you’re in a safari vehicle. The further you move away from the roads and into the bush or down a river, the further you move away from the modern world. This is a liberating experience as we have moved so far away from the world that we all came from. And the thrill of being out with nothing but your own senses transports you back to the world of our ancestors.
Walking safari safety

Walking safari safety

Often, you will not see any big game at all on a walking safari but you know they are there as you see signs, such as a fresh leopard track, a worn elephant trail, the warning bark of a secretive bushbuck, or the unmistakable scent of a recently past  elephant herd.

Today, the massive growth in the safari industry makes it quite easy to book a safari that can get you into a lot of trouble. In the late eighties and early nineties very few countries and camps offered adventure activities like canoeing and walking. When I first started working as a guide in 1992, Zimbabwe had so few walking guides you could count them on one hand. Today, nearly every country and every camp or lodge offers walking and canoeing tours, and some even offer horse riding and mountain biking. This is great as there is a lot more to an African safari experience than sitting in a vehicle.
African family safari

African family safari

But it is VERY important to be with people who know what they’re doing. We hear more and more about accidents happening when people are out of the safari vehicle. Even the most experienced guide can get into trouble, which is why it’s important to ensure that you are with a guide who has the experience and training to handle the unpredictable situations that develop so quickly. A guide with experience can read a situation and avoid it before it even happens. Simple rules such as “never approach a female herd of elephants” can save a lot of trouble. A good guide needs to be stronger than his guests and not let them push him into going closer to get “that photo.”

There are many great guides in the field today in every safari country in Africa. Each country has its own licensing or grading system, so some are better than others. In Zimbabwe, it takes a minimum of 3 years of intensive training and exams before a guide is allowed to walk with guests. A good guide develops a feel and instinct for the world around him or her, as they spend thousands of hours in the field.
African safari tours

African safari tours

Adventure activities are without a doubt the best way to experience an African safari tour and something everyone should try and do if they can. But, it’s very important that you go out with a qualified guide, and the best way to do this is to bypass Internet sites and to book through experienced African safari travel agents who work with experienced operators.

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Top 10 Things to Do With the Kids on an African Family Safari

On December 25, 2009, In African Family Safari, African Safari Tours, African Safari Vacation, South Africa, By Sandy Salle

1. World of Birds: This bird park, located in Hout Bay, is Africa’s largest and most diverse. With over 400 different species of birds and small animals, the entire family can enjoy a unique learning experience through bird and monkey sanctuaries. Some of the many birds you’ll see while on this exciting safari tour include cranes, eagles, ostriches, peafowls, and spoonbills—to name a very few.

Photo from Ratanga Junction website

Photo from Ratanga Junction website

2. Ratanga Junction:

For an exciting and fun-filled day, the Ratanga Junction amusement park is the place to head. With rides and attractions for all ages, everyone in the family is sure to find excitement. Some kids’ rides include Crocodile Swamps, Rats and Cats Bumper Cars, and the Safari Bus. For the older kids looking for an extreme adrenaline rush, The Cobra, The Slingshot, and the Crocodile Gorge will satisfy their craving for adventure. 

3. Middelvlei Wine Farm and Fairview Winery: Located in Stellenbosch, South Africa, adults can enjoy the delectable wines of Middelvlei Wine Farm while the children play with the farm’s animals. Fairview Winery, located in Paarl, is also home to a fantastic selection of fine wines and children attractions, such as the goat tower. 

 

Adult and young gabar goshawk

Adult and young gabar goshawk

4. Spier Estate:

This is a hot-spot for the kids. The little ones can get their faces painted and have lunch as they watch African music performances. Before lunch, the family can enjoy the Eagle Encounters show, which features a variety of eagles and birds of prey, and provides an interactive experience for the kids. 

5. Joostenberg Bistro: This country-style restaurant is located in the rural planes of Stellenbosch and features delectable wines, hearty breakfasts, and sumptuous lunches. The bistro’s surrounding grounds welcome the kids to run and play as the adults wind down from a delicious meal.

6. Eaglevlei Winery: Enjoy exceptional wine tasting and fine dining at the Eaglevlei Winery in Stellenbosch as the kids play in the estate’s exciting jungle gym.

7. Boulders Beach: With calm, warm waters, Boulder Beach is the perfect place for the little ones to swim and enjoy an exciting day in the sun. When you’re in need of a lunch break, Penguin Point restaurant is perfect as it’s just around the corner and features a kids menu.

8. Imhoff farm village: Great for the entire family, the Imhoff farm village features horseback riding and camel riding. There’s also a snake park, petting zoo, charming shops, and delicious restaurants.

9. Victoria & Alfred Waterfront Harbour Cruises: Ideal for last minute decisions, Harbour Cruises do not need to be booked in advance as tickets can be bought on the spot. These cruises are a great way to soak in the surrounding area and learn about its historical heritage.

10. Kalkies: With a fantastic selection of fresh seafood and fish and chips, Kalkies restaurant has something to satisfy every palette. After a delicious meal, kids can enjoy walking through the working harbor to see seals, boats, and watch fisherman at work.

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Animal Spotlight: The Yellow Billed Hornbill

On December 23, 2009, In African Safari Tours, Spotlight: African Animals, By Sandy Salle

yellowbilled1The Yellow Billed Hornbill is always a delight on an African safari tour. They are comical, endearing, and fascinating. 

Favoring dry savanna and mopane, they spend much of their time foraging on the ground. Their large, powerful bill allows them to feed on a wide range of food where they forage for seeds, small insects, spiders, and scorpions. 

Breeding occurs between September and March. The hornbill family’s approach to nesting is novel and a masterly defense to predators such as snakes, mammals, and other birds. A breeding pair locates a natural hole in a tree, which is then lined with dry grass and leaves. The female enters the nest, sheds her feathers and seals herself inside with mixtures of mud, snails, old feathers, and seeds, leaving a vertical slit from which the male feeds her for the next 6 weeks. After this she breaks out and the nest is resealed by the now 3 week-old chicks, where they live for the next 3 weeks before they too break out.

 DSC_0297[1]DSC_0298[1]Below are photos of the yellow billed hornbill from our recent trip to Africa.

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

Lion Sands Private Game Reserve: A Holistic Approach to Discovering Africa

On December 14, 2009, In African Family Safari, African Honeymoon Safari, African Safari Tours, South Africa, By Sandy Salle

cheetahNestled in the Sabi Sands Game Reserve’s eclectic wilderness lies Lion Sands Private Game Reserve. Here, visitors can experience more than the traditional game drive–observing Africa’s enchanting wildlife in all sorts of new ways. From hippo tours to dinners in the bush, and astronomy lessons to bush walks, Lion Sands Game Reserve takes a holistic approach to Africa’s natural world.

 

The great thing about Lion Sands Private Game Reserve is there are a handful of accommodations to choose from, and each has fantastic activities included in the rates. There are also additional activities guests can choose from with an extra cost. You can’t go wrong at the Lion Sands Private Game Reserve–here’s proof:

 

Included in Rate:

 

Astronomy: During the evening game drive, guests are delightfully surprised when the vehicle stops to allow for peaceful and quiet star gazing. Guests hear about astronomy and its association to African folklore, and learn about the solar system as they see it from Africa by their knowledgeable tour guide.

 

Breakfast in the Bush: No boring restaurant setting here. Guests are taken to a nearby location on the reserve where they can experience a delectable continental breakfast from the comfort of a set table and attentive staff, while watching the resident animals perform their early morning rituals.

 

Safari Lunch: A picnic is set up upon request by guests who want to enjoy Africa’s exceptional nature during their lunch hours.

 

Dinner in the Bush: Illuminated by the soft glow of a crackling fire and paraffin lamps, the bush dinner takes place in the ultimate tranquil and romantic setting. As guests reminisce about the adventurous day behind them, chefs prepare sensational meals with the heat from the fire.

 

Bush Walk: Known throughout South Africa as one of the greatest ways to experience the African bush and its diverse species of wildlife, a bush walk takes visitors through the surrounding eco-systems and opens their eyes to hidden elements of nature. During the tour through the bush, certified and highly-knowledgeable rangers teach participants about the flora and their medicinal purposes in African society, as well as show them how to track animals by their calls and tracks.

 

Lion_Sands-ElephantGame Drives: Guests enjoy both morning and evening game drives and witness a wide spectrum of different creatures throughout various times of the day. During game drives, there are frequent sightings of lion, cheetah, rhino, elephant, and buffalo, as well as smaller animals such as nile crocodile, and various species of eagles, ducks, owls, pythons, tortoises, lizards, and more. No game drive is ever the same, which makes it one of the most exciting and adventurous African safari tours to take part in while on an African safari vacation.


Hippo Tours: Because the game drives throughout the reserve focus on the interior regions, guests often do not have the chance to witness hippos on game drives. But, on a hippo tour, guests are taken to a nearby river where resident hippos congregate as well as other exotic creatures such as the nile crocodile.

 

See what I mean when I say you can’t go wrong at Lion Sands Private Game Reserve?

 

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 
1 Comments
Leave A Response

Experience the Sights, Sounds, and Scents of the African Bush at Serengeti Safari Camp

On November 27, 2009, In African Family Safari, African Honeymoon Safari, African Safari Tours, Tanzania, By Sandy Salle
Photo from Serengeti Safari Camp website

Photo from Serengeti Safari Camp website

Quiet, peaceful, and intimate, the Serengeti Safari Camp in Tanzania reflects the Eastern African bush in its campsite design and setup. Accommodating up to 12 people in its six canvas-lined tents, the Serengeti Safari Camp is for travelers who desire a small, yet highly-sociable atmosphere, and an authentic experience in the African bush.

The open-aired tents invite the sounds, scents, and sights of the Eastern African bush inside, providing each tent with its rich essence of authenticity. With a nature-inspired feel, the Serengeti Safari Camp isn’t the traditional high-end, luxurious accommodation. Rather, its rustic appeal invites guests to relax with the comfort of nature and modern amenities. Guests enjoy plush beds with fine bedding, en-suite bathrooms with traditional safari-style bucket showers, and a spacious dressing and lounging area.

Photo from Serengeti Safari Camp website

Photo from Serengeti Safari Camp website

When travelers aren’t winding-down with a siesta or enjoying the sights of the African bush from their room, they can travel down to the dining tent, which acts as both the library and dining area. Reflecting a country-style ambiance, the dining area is lit with candles, comprised of stocked bookshelves, and open to its natural surroundings, giving each guest a sociable and romantic dining experience as well as a beautiful view of the sprawling Serengeti. Chefs at the camp are extremely talented when it comes to culinary creations and cook with only the freshest ingredients.

Although the camp’s amenities and accommodations are exceptional, one of its most appealing characteristics is its off-the-beaten path safari game drives. Guests experience the ultimate personalized safari tours through the Serengeti with Eastern Africa’s finest safari guides. These guides are extremely familiar with the area and its diverse eco-systems, providing the best knowledge to their vehicle passengers.

Photo from Serengeti Safari Website

Photo from Serengeti Safari Website

Each game drive features sightings of some of Eastern Africa’s most stunning game, including buffalo, elephant, cheetah, and much more, as well as a wide range of exotic bird species. And, visitors lucky enough to experience a game drive through the Serengeti during the annual wildebeest migration witness the largest migration on earth.

Share

Tagged with: • • • • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

6 Tips for Navigating Through the African Savannah without a Compass

On November 20, 2009, In African Safari Tours, African Safari Vacation, By Sandy Salle

Scenario: You’ve been lost for two days in the African savannah with nothing but the clothes on your back. You know survival skills but you’re not sure how to find civilization. The key is to stay optimistic and continue to implement your survival skills (view our post on survival skills in the African savannah here). It could take days, weeks, or even months to be found, so don’t get discouraged.

Although there’s no definite way to find your way back to civilization, there are strategies you can implement to increase your chances of finding people.   

6 tips to finding your way back to civilization without a compass or a map:

  1. Be confident: Have the confidence that you will find your way back. Don’t give up and don’t think negatively. When you think this way you become discouraged and less likely to be motivated to continue on. Keep going and don’t give up.
  2. Choose your direction and stick to that route: You don’t want to end up going in circles. When choosing the direction you want to go in, look for higher ground. This is where you’ll want to head.
  3. Climb to the highest ground: Implement your survival skills when traveling to the top and your chances of survival will be very strong.
  4. Observe from the top: Once you reach the top, make sure you have a panoramic view of the lower ground. Look for huts, smoke, villages, and streams.
  5. 5. Follow the streams: If you do not see any signs of civilization from the highest ground than look for streams—these are the best places to find civilization. Also, streams are interconnected and lead to larger streams, which will be more likely to be a large water source for villages.
  6. Use the sun and your watch: Point the hour hand of your watch directly at the sun. Look for the halfway point between the hour hand and twelve o’clock. This is north (if you’re in the northern hemisphere this would be south but since you are in southern Africa, you are in the southern hemisphere). Also, during midday in the southern hemisphere, the sun will be in the north.

You don’t want to have to use these navigation or survival skills, so always remember to stay with your vehicle and guide. Many African safari tours are comprised of a small group of tourists and a highly knowledgeable and certified safari guide, so the likelihood of getting lost is nearly impossible—unless you are intentionally trying to get lost!

Share

Tagged with: • • • • •
 
0 Comments
Leave A Response

The Elephant Sanctuary: The Ultimate Place to Connect With Nature

On November 4, 2009, In African Safari Tours, South Africa, By Sandy Salle

elephantImagine standing in the bush as you watch a 12,000 lb. mammal approach you without the restraint of a fence or cage. It would be exhilarating to say the least.

At the Elephant Sanctuary in Garden Route, South Africa, this situation is a reality. At the Elephant Sanctuary, you’ll not only be able to witness these creatures up-close, you will also have the opportunity to pet, feed, and walk with them trunk-in-hand. There is also the option to ride these magnificent creatures, which is a favorite among children and adults alike.

The staff members at the Elephant Sanctuary are completely dedicated to the safety, happiness, and well-being of the elephants and are equally committed to the enjoyment and learning experience guests have with the elephants. Because of their passion for guest and elephant happiness alike, staff at the Elephant Sanctuary takes great pride in their ability to foster relationships between elephants and humans.

elephant logoThe Elephant Sanctuary has three different locations including Plettenberg Bay, Hartbeespoort Dam, and Hazyview. All three locations provide excellent care for young African elephants that need a temporary home. Once the elephants become more independent, The Elephant Sanctuary will release the elephant into the wild.

During your visit to the Elephant Sanctuary, you have your pick of several different activities . . .

One-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program: This program is designed for all ages and is an excellent way to learn about elephant behavior and personalities from expert guides. You will also have the opportunity to pet, feed, and walk trunk-in-hand with these delightful animals.

Elephant-back ride: This includes the one-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program with the addition of a 15 minute elephant-back ride. Because there is no saddle between you and the elephant, you are able to have direct contact with the elephant and feel its natural movements beneath you.

elephant and boysEarly morning elephant brush downs: During this program, you have the rare opportunity to interact with the elephants as they are groomed and brushed down as well as view their daily training and stimulation program. In addition to these wonderful activities, the early morning elephant brush down program also includes the one-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program.

Afternoon sundowner elephant experience: This program is the ultimate experience for visitors to the Elephant Sanctuary. The program includes all three of the above programs: the one-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program, the elephant-back ride, and the elephant brush down.

Share the love with your friends—tweet this post.

Share

Tagged with: • • • • • •
 
1 Comments
Leave A Response
« Previous Entries

Catch up on Previous African Safari Articles 

 
Go To Top »