"Hot and Happening Spots"

Week 5: Seeing Africa by Elephant

Elephant ride-South Africa Tours, Best Safari Tours of South Africa
http://www.south-africa-tours-and-travel.com/south-africa-tours.html

   "The beauty of the African wilderness is now more easily viewed through a variety of vantage points. The big highlight at Camp Jabulani, a Relais & Chateaux property, is elephant-back safaris within the Kapama Game Reserve in South Africa's Limpopo Province, with each guest being paired with an elephant based on their temperament. Once sitting comfortably atop the pachyderms on high-density foam saddles, you'll get a closer-than-ever view of giraffes and birds and a different vantage point of the bushveld."

   "The one thing that Camp Jabulani has that is clearly unique is the herd of elephants," says managing director Adine Roode. "It truly is a life-changing experience, interacting with the animals in such close proximity-and they truly have magical characters, each and every one of them."

   Guests can also go on a night safari aboard the elephants with the help of battery-powered spotlights, then help put the elephants to bed. You'll also get to play with baby elephants and even a "hug" from them. Besides the thrill of the elephants, one of Camp Jabulani's most enticing aspects is its Pioneer for Change program-a "pay for three nights, stay for four" package that requires guests to work half a day at the Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre, which focuses on the conservation of rare and vulnerable animals, to get the fourth night free. Although all stays include a visit to the center, the volunteer aspect of this program takes up a whole morning. You'll assist in preparing food for and actually feeding cheetahs, vultures, wild dogs, and small cat species. Participants will also be able to visit the Animal Hospital and talk to the Centre's resident vet if they wish. Camp Jabulani, by the way, is named after a baby elephant that was saved by the Centre and became the inspiration for the camp. As Camp Jabulani was created to care for these animals, each visit helps to support and sustain the herd.

   In addition to the elephant-back safaris, a stay here also includes accommodations in the form of an air-conditioned suite, game drives, bush walks, all meals and daily laundry service."

Quoted from Recommend magazine July 2012 vol.27 number 10 pages 34 and 35