Intimate Elephant Encounters
In Zimbabwe, Africa
by Gayle Lawrence
"He began our friendship with a gift, and later he gave me another. An incredible gift; a glimpse of the world through God's eyes....a glimpse of Africa. And I thought, "Yes, I see. This is the way it was intended." Karen Blixen, "Out of Africa"
Hemmingway has made East Africa - Kenya so synonymous with the safari experience that many people do not realize there are still those places in Africa that have not yet been touched with mass tourism. Perhaps you have dreamed of a journey to Africa so wonderful, it can't be described, only experienced. Should your heart one day guide you there, let the call of the elephants lead you to Zimbabwe.
Zimbabwe offers sights and experiences not found anywhere else in Africa. Most of Zimbabwe sits on a plateau, the High Veld, averaging 4,000 to 5,000 feet, making much of the country a malaria-free zone, mosquitoes here stick to elevations under 3,000 ft. From the grandeur of Victoria Falls, 5 times larger than Niagara Falls you get a sense of what Cicero said, "When you enter a tall grove, the presence of a deity becomes known to you." A solid wall of water, a few hundred feet high, a mile and a quarter long, pulverizing a seam in the earth as dramatic as the Grand Canyon puts you face to face with a force and power that commands your respect.
Upon entering the Matobos Hills, south of Bulawayo in Zimbabwe, another Africa descends upon you. You enter a world of knobby granite outcrops that look as if they have been transplanted from another planet. Here is an errie panorama, so captivating and mysterious that it has enchanted all who visit this place. This is the home of the elusive white rhino and as you walk in a hauntingly beautiful land that feels like you are in another time you may happen across one of these prehistoric looking creatures.
Also in the Matobo area you can view the vestiges of a very different people, the ancient San Bushmen. This area is rich for exploring some 20,000 rock art paintings about 3,000 years old. These beautiful drawings depict another world which existed thousands of years before the name Zimbabwe was ever invented. Visualize yourself in this magical place where the spirit of this ancient land is written in stone, the drawings speak to your soul and perhaps stir memories of a time long forgotten on the conscious level.
But the one thing that excites me the most and that you can only do in Zimbabwe, is spend some one-on-one very intimate time with elephants. These very intelligent and family oriented creatures are such powerful examples of caring for and supporting those they love. One of 2 places where personal elephant encounters are possible is Camp Amalinda in Matobos, Zimbabwe.
In 1985 a severe drought in Zimbabwe's second largest nature reserve, Gonarezhou took a mighty toll on wildlife. Fortunately 3 young orphaned elephants were rescued and relocated to a private ranch where they were cared for and bottle-fed back to health. Twelve years later these three orphans have built up an incredible relationship with man and they revel in the pleasure of carrying people on their mighty backs.
They are extremely social animals. Love and physical contact is a very important part of their daily routine. Guests are encouraged to spend a good deal of time interacting with the elephants. This includes walking with them during feeding hours, swimming, bathing, grooming, resting and of course riding. These gentle creatures are extremely intelligent and all training has been done with love and kindness.
The three "boys" already have quite distinctive characters. The biggest is Tusker. He has always been more adventurous and whenever mischief is brewing, you can be sure that Tusker will be at the center of it. Duma is "Mr. Cool, calm and collected" and very laid back. Not too much gets him excited. Ishe is the smallest of the family and is a bit shy initially but once he gets to know you its guaranteed "friends for life".
Abu Camp, just outside of Victoria Falls is the other camp where visitors can have intimate elephant encounters. Guests may spend an afternoon or a full 5 days at Abu Camp. The longer stays allow you to get very personally involved in the day to day care, feeding, grooming, and even bathing with the elephants, you literally become part of their family. The camp is named after Randall Moore's legendary elephant "Abu", the star of several motion pictures, one being "The Power of One". Abu is one of a herd of five adults and seven juveniles ranging from 5 years old to 40 years old.
Miss Ellie is the leader and the only female in the group, she is tuskless and smaller than the others - but is definitely in charge. (Here we have an example of an assertive, capable woman keeping everything running smoothly!) Jumbo is very intelligent and loves placing himself at the center of attention. Jock is the oldest and largest of the group. He seems more mature both in habit and in behavior, but is very sensitive to harsh words. Know affectionately as "The Pig", Jack lives for food and prefers the lazy life. Apart from this however, he is a very lovable guy and is an excellent example in the art of how to slow down and take life easy for those of us over-achievers.
Elephants can be complete hedonists, their stately being is animated by a streak of pure frivolity (another important lesson they teach... let your hair down and have fun!) In the wild they are only threatened by 2 things, drought and man, and over eons they have cultivated and polished a daily routine of relaxed enjoyment, eating, bathing, meditating, and going for long walks through the bush. (Could we have any better role models than these guys... talk about the path to enlightenment!)
Ambling along, riding in custom made saddles on the backs of these huge "thinking beings" is truly being on safari in the most effective of all 4 x 4's! An elephant is not only able to cope with sand and water with equal ease, but can also get really close to other game, without the animals being aware of human presence. But the true transformational quality of this is in being able to experience the elephant perspective, walking beside them or riding high through the bush, at one with the largest ears, and the longest noses in the world. The youngsters cavort and roll in the water, wander off and come charging back (does this sound like memories of your own household when there were perhaps youngsters about?) The adults stroll quietly on, browsing, snapping off the odd branch to munch on as they go. Expressive long-lashed eyes reveal patience, mischief and a joy and pleasure of just "being in the moment".
A journey to Africa should include some "intimate elephant encounters". The elephants may serve as powerful teachers for us about how to live a balanced fulfilling life. Elephants are also very involved in a mutually supportive community consciousness; they depend on one another and have a deep and abiding affection and loyalty for all of those in the elephant family. Older calves will help younger siblings, adult elephants will help sick or wounded companions. Elephants demonstrate the ideals of true community support.
We as humans have strayed from our connection with community and I believe that is part of what some feel is missing from their lives. Spending time with an elephant family may bring our focus back to that sense of mutual support and always being there for others. If your travels take you to "elephant encounters" in Africa you may come home with a renewed sense of commitment to your own family and community. This intangible bonding between human and elephant is probably one of the most touching and memorable wildlife experiences you are likely to encounter during a journey to Africa.
It is said that elephants never forget……what do we need to remember?
Copyright © 1999 Gayle Lawrence. All rights reserved.
Gayle Lawrence operates Journeys of Discovery - Unique Travel for women. If you would like to contact her you can email: info@www.ajourneyofdiscovery.com. For descriptions of her other trip offerings visit: http://www.ajourneyofdiscovery.com
