Getting to know the elephants at Pilanesberg Elephant-Back Safaris on a personal level is a rare and
humbling experience. The first thing you notice is their grand size! Their mere presence commands your attention. Then their eyes…, gentle, liquid beautiful……. and oh so curious!
At the "Elephant Wallow" you get to meet each member of the herd, learn their history and begin to understand a little of what makes these magnificent, gentle and intelligent animals what they are.
As their, damp, prickly proboscis moves curiously & silently towards your dwarfed frame you cannot
be untouched by their interest, and awed by the power of their mere being!
Being witness to this mutually enriching and rewarding relationship between man and animal is
a rare privilege and a must for any curious and compassionate being!
Following culls in the 80's Chikwenya, Sharu, Mana and Sapi were initially raised on Umsweswe Ranch in Kwekwe, Zimbabwe. In November 1996 they were moved up to The Elephant Camp in Victoria Falls.
Michael was raised on Dombawere Game Park in Bindura, and moved to Elephant Camp, in 1999 Zimbabwe.
The herd, together with their handlers, was trans-located to the Letsatsing Reserve in 2002 with the
opening of Pilanesberg Elephant-Back Safaris.
23yrs: female,
The Matriarch: solid/dependable,..
Lesego’s proud mother!
23yrs male
shy, regal,
quick learner
24yrs male:
feisty,
but dependable
22yrs male: clever, quick learner, mischievous, nicknamed the 'the adolescent punk'
23yrs male, easy going, loyal
& proud dad of Chikwenya's new
born- Lesego!
Based on the principle that elephants need time to be 'elephants', the
herd spends much of their day browsing naturally in the Reserve, the
overall vision that allows for domesticated elephants to pursue a lifestyle,
which is similar to wild elephants, and at the same time, through tourism
play a vital role in conservation through education. Great ambassadors
they certainly are! Safaris run only in the morning
and late afternoons where they selflessly offer their services to visitors.
By offering their fiscal duties
they at the same time secure themselves a safe and secure environment.
"An elephant meets you on equal terms. He makes up his own mind about individual persons.
He doesn't love you unless you love him. Give him abuse and he will hand it back when his chance comes.
Gain his confidence and he will be your friend for life.
An elephant that trusts his handler can be led through fire, but his trust must be won first."
Peter Davies, 1955
The unique relationship between man and elephant witnessed at Pilanesberg Elephant-Back Safaris is
based solely on the utilization of positive reinforcement training principles and founded on trust and mutual respect between man and animal. The handling team is an integral part of the success of this concept - Without their accumulated skills, devotion and dedication, the concept would not exist. The years of nurturing and dedication devoted to 'the Chikwenya Herd' by the handling team has reaped the fruits.
A mutually enriching and rewarding relationship is plainly evident and testimony to the importance
of nurturing this fascinating bond.
Under the guidance of Brett Mitchell, Lungisani Ndlovu leads the handling team; their lives integrally
entwined, and intrinsically tuned in to the needs of each member of the herd.
Visitors
to the 'Wallow' are invited to share their fascinating world with them,
their lives uniquely
enriched by their fascinating, in-depth knowledge of these gentle pachyderms
of our continent.
This life-long commitment to these elephants is clearly defined in the
Wild Horizons Mission Statement.
Fostered
elephants in their care are offered sanctity according to a strict code
of conduct
which has been carefully drafted over years of experience.
"The
cat may be divine, the lion may be royalty, the dog and the horse may
be faithful yeomen; but the elephant is surely Plato's philosopher/statesman,
ready, indeed eager, to cooperate with mankind for the good of creation
as a whole"
Fc Sillar & R M Meyler 1968
