The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. The present herd numbers nine – the largest domesticated matriarchal herd in the country. Responsible and educational interactions allow guests to appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals, but still give the elephants the space and freedom to choose where they want to move, what they want to eat and who they want to interact with. There are no fences to spoil the close encounter and their environment encourages elephants to exhibit natural behaviours.
We fed the elephants pieces of apples, oranges, butternut squash and carrots by holding the food out to them in the flat palm of our hand. We then got to touch their skin and walk alongside them as a guide told us about the elephants and how they eat, interact within the herd, and how their lives are different at the park than in the wild. It was a really unique experience!
When we returned to the hotel, we ordered a picnic lunch and took a shuttle to Noetzie Beach. Known as one of the best beaches in South Africa, Noetzie Beach is very secluded with only six residences on the beach and surrounded by rocks on either side. We had the whole beach to ourselves - most people would assume it is too cold to go to the beach, but our kids happily played in the freezing water and cold sand for two hours. The girls and I headed back to the hotel for a warm bath after two hours, but James and Brannon stayed out for another hour. They ended up being invited in to one of the "castles" on the beach where Nelson Mandela stayed in 2008. Since James has read about Nelson Mandela and was able to relate what he knew about Mr. Mandela to the workers there, he was invited to sit in a chair that Mr. Mandela had sat in when he was there. James thought it was a very special experience (i.e. he was sure to brag about it to his sisters when he returned to the hotel).
Another animal to add to our list of animals see while driving: baboons. Apparently they roam the forests here and can be quite aggressive, especially if they think you have chocolate. We have been warned not to feed them and be sure to keep the doors to our bungalow locked as they will try to enter to find any food they can. As we were driving back from the elephant park, we saw several of them on the side of the road. Unfortunately we were traveling too fast to get a picture.
We leave tomorrow for another 5.5 hour drive eastward.
Pictures from the Elephant Park:
Pictures from the beach:
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