The description below explains the Elephant Activity available at Stanley’s Camp and Baines’ Camp.
Activity Outline
The activity encompasses a leisurely paced walk with a trio of semi-habituated elephants, becoming personally acquainted with them, observing and interacting with them and a picnic lunch in their company.
Duration:
± 4 hours in the morning culminating in a picnic lunch in the bush.
Maximum number of guests:
8 on an activity. If a group exceeds 8, a second session may take place where group 2 will meet group 1 for lunch and thereafter enjoy the afternoon interacting with the elephants.
Introduction
Currently, Grey Matters, Doug and Sandi Groves’ Botswana based company, supports the elephant trio: Jabu, Thembi and Morula. As part of a unique learning adventure, visitors accompany the herd on daily foraging treks.
A herd of your own
You are invited to discover the elephants, from the bristled ends of their long tails to the tip of their powerful yet sensitive trunks. Marvel at their big ears, thoughtful eyes and enormous padded feet. Trace the textures of their skin and the silken polish of their ivory. Explore the astonishing bonds of kinship forged over more than a decade between the elephants and their guardians in a wilderness of mesmerizing beauty. A delicate blink of Morula’s long lashes reveals her sensitive yet powerful personality. Jabu takes you, trunk in hand, with his bold and generous nature and together you slowly uncover the age-old secrets of the African elephant and the mysteries of the surrounding wilderness. Thembi, cute, boisterous and impossible to ignore, infatuates you and transforms your understanding of elephants to a deeper and more personal level. “If I learned anything from my time among the elephants, it is the extent to which we are kin. The warmth of their families makes me feel warm. Their capacity for delight makes me feel joy. Their ability to learn and understand things is a continuing revelation.” It is this continuum between people and elephant that Chadwick writes about so eloquently in his book “The Fate of the Elephant”.
Background
Elephants can live for 50 years, so when Doug and Sandi Groves adopted Jabu, Thembi and later Morula, rescuing them from culling operations that had left them orphans, they knew they were making a life-long commitment to the trio.
Elephant personalities
Jabu, short for Jabulani, a Zulu name, means happiness and indeed Jabu’s zest for life is inspiring. Jabu is a proud and handsome bull who enjoys his role as alpha elephant of the small herd. He is kind, playful, generous, big-hearted and dependable. Of the three elephants he is the most independent and confident. Jabu loves interacting and building solid relationships based on mutual trust and respect. He is predictable and unconditional in his giving.
Thembi, is a common Zulu name meaning trust. Thembi is the sweetheart of the herd and the smallest in stature. Perfectly formed, pretty and dainty, Thembi knows a few tricks for getting her way. Smart and very social, she loves to be the centre of attention.
Morula, is named after a beautiful African fruit tree. Her strongest personality trait is one of great gentleness; she is mild-natured, sensitive and easily bruised emotionally. She can be described as a wallflower but she blossoms beautifully when love and attention are focused directly on her. Morula weaves a powerful magic of her own as in her quiet and subtle way she captures your heart with her sincere, loyal and sweet nature.
www.livingwithelephants.org
