/
RSS Feed
Several South African reserves offer unforgettable, up-close encounters with elephants — giving visitors the chance to connect with these gentle giants in extraordinary ways.
Experiences range from guided walks, where guests can touch and feed the animals, to observing them roaming freely during game drives or even while enjoying breakfast in the bush.
Some reserves, such as Tembe Elephant Park, are famed for their impressive residents — including some of the largest elephants in Africa — making them a must-visit for wildlife enthusiasts.
The tour begins in Bela-Bela, where reserve staff share the animals’ history and how they came to live there. Sean Hensman, director of Adventures with Elephants and the Rory Hensman Conservation and Research Unit, says the reserve’s mission goes far beyond education.
“The idea is to learn as much as we can about elephants and then use that knowledge to help both humanity and elephant conservation,” Hensman told the Associated Press.
The team also tests anti-poaching technologies, explores solutions to human-wildlife conflict, and conducts varied research to deepen understanding of these animals.
Hensman spoke on Tuesday, marking World Elephant Day, a global call to protect one of the planet’s most iconic species.
