Day Trip: Elephant Back Safaris & Sharu the elephant
An Elephant Back Safari is a truly remarkable experience which brings man and elephant much closer together – literally.
At the Pilanesberg, just 40km away from Rustenburg, Sharu and other elephants are ready to take you on this experience for young and old. To experience a safari like no other, make sure to add this to your list of daytrips from Rustenburg and enjoy some up, close and personal encounters with South Africa’s most majestic animal, the elephant.
To give you some insight into one of the elephants that currently reside at the Pilanesberg, we give you the story of Sharu, a 27 year old African elephant male:
Sharu the elephant came to South Africa from Zimbabwe in 2002 and was one of 5 elephants that were transported from Wild Horizons in Zimbabwe to the Elephant Wallow in the Pilanesberg.
Sharu was alone when he lost the rest of his group during a culling operation along the Zambezi valley. He got distracted while munching a lovely Mopani tree. For 2 weeks he wandered around alone until he finally arrived back at camp. It seems he learnt his lesson, though, as he has never left the side of his fellow elephants since his return! Sadly, he was mostly perceived to be a coward from then on and the other elephant bulls who tried to assert their dominance over him, picked fights regularly.
Sharu against the younger Mana trying to show who’s the main elephant
Once the elephants were grazing on the mountain side when Mana, an elephant bull tried to pick a fight with Sharu belatedly realising that Shanu was not going to take it lying down. Shanu came from downhill and ran full force into Mana, causing Mana to fall over, breaking trees level to the ground! Mana, after trying for over 10 minutes, finally got to his feet and after that humiliating stunt, stayed away from Shanu, licking his wounds.
Sharu is generally known to be a relaxed and chilled-out elephant.
Even after this ordeal, Sharu is generally known to be a relaxed and chilled-out elephant. He isn’t nicknamed “the lazy one” for nothing. If there is one thing that Shanu does not like, it is exercise. Leave him to take naps and laze around and feed him his favourite fruit, watermelons, and he is the happiest elephant you’ll find. With his background and his nature, Sharu has crept deep into the hearts of the people around him and has created a bond with his fellow elephants.
Experience an Elephant back Safari like no other:
You have the opportunity to go on an elephant safari and meet Sharu and the other 5 elephants at Elephant Wallows in the Pilanesberg.
Children are more than welcome and there is a chance for them to pet a real live elephant. Mana, Micheal, Sapi, Chikwenya, Sharu and the first captive born elephant, Lesego, are all at the Pilanesberg Elephant Back Safari to welcome you and to accompany you on your safari.
What one can expect on such a safari:
A trained and knowledgeable guide hosts the safari trips. The safari can take a different trail depending on where the most wildlife can be found and lasts over an hour. Expect to see giraffe, wildebeest, zebra, kudu, rhino and many more.
An elephant back safari is a perfect way to get close to the majestic elephant as well as the other animals in the wild.
The terrain follows ancient game trails through the Letsatsing Reserve, which lies at the foothills of the Pilanesberg Mountains, bordering the Pilanesberg National Park. The whole experience includes feeding the elephants, and photographing and thanking them after the safari. Champagne and light snacks are also included on this great trip.
To take along:
- Wear comfortable shoes like tekkies or hiking shoes
- Suntan lotion (the son can be harsh)
- A cap & sunglasses
- A camera (to capture the memories)
A bit of history about elephant conservation
Wild horizons Safari Company that was based in Zimbabwe, took in elephants that were being culled by the Zimbabwe National Parks in the 1970’s/80’s. Farmers who wanted to keep the elephant calves on African soil, offered to keep these elephants on their farms, but these animals quickly outgrew the land, and that is when the help of Wild Horizons became desperately.
Through this, the idea of domesticated elephants was born, where the elephant enjoy life in the wild, and yet also playa major role in tourism.
Bookings can be done online or you can call:
Tel: 014 552 5020
E-mail: adventure@gametrac.co.za