Elephants have the most magnificent story to tell. The handlers of these elephants are to be commended. They have extensive knowledge of the animals and also other species of game on the farm. They have a friendly disposition and can communicate well. They invite visitors to attend a masterclass on elephants and they provide information and facts that will astound you. From the sensitive skin on the inner side of their powerful trunks to the hard wire hairs on their tails. Even the youngsters in our group were involved and interacted with the animals and the handlers that included them in their presentation. It is a joyful learning experience for young and old.

Through unique interactions with the elephants, you get a better sense of how these animals think and what they are capable of doing. Get all your senses heightened when touching, smelling, and cuddling (if you prefer) an elephant. Elephants are very sensitive and loving creatures once you get to know them.
The handlers demonstrated the animal’s superior memory capacity and that they have a sense of humour. The conservationists would frown upon this as they say there are no human characteristics or behaviour in the gentle giants but come and experience yourself how much they have in common with us humans.

Through the Rory Hensman Foundation, Adventures with Elephants collaborates with individuals and various organizations to conduct effective conservation and research projects. Some of these elephants were rescued from certain death, therefore making these creatures extra special. They are the subject of many post-graduate studies and are part of the extended family.
The number of elephants worldwide has decreased by some 350% in the last 70 years and there are approximately 110 000 elephants according to the Great Elephant Census that was done with ten years of statistics. This dwindling number of elephants can be attributed to poaching and their natural habitat that was destroyed and invaded by human settlements. This leaves these gentle giants extremely vulnerable to the evils of modern society. Just to reiterate the fact that elephants are endangered: In the last century, three to five million elephants existed in Africa. It is a known fact that as late as 1980 more than 100 000 elephants were hunted for trophy value and some of these animals were killed by smugglers/ poachers for their tusks. In some regions, it is said that 80% of the elephant population was wiped out.
In recent years, the growing demand for ivory, particularly from Asian countries, has led to a surge in poaching. Populations of elephants — especially in Southern and Eastern Africa — that once showed promising signs of recovery could be at risk due to the recent surge in poaching for the illegal ivory trade.

African elephants are the largest animals walking the Earth. There are two species of African elephants — the savanna elephant (identical to the animals at Adventures with Elephants) and the forest elephant. Savanna elephants are larger than forest elephants, and their tusks curve outwards. In addition to being smaller, forest elephants are darker and their tusks are straighter and point downward.

An elephant’s eyesight is considered poor in bright light but in dim light movement can be detected. Elephants can see colour up to 30 m in daylight but objects farther than mentioned will be recorded as black and grey. At night, their eyes are most sensitive to blue and violet light, meaning their eyes are fairly well equipped for travel or activity during the darkest hours of the night.

The invitation stands!! Come and meet these gentle giants and become a warrior for the conservation of our legacy.

Adventure with Elephants is a profoundly and humbling experience that is on our doorstep.