The vegetation in the camp is a mixture of indigenous Cape Fynbos (macchia), indigenous forest and grassland, although surrounding areas have pine and gum plantations. The elephant minders take the elephants for regular strolls through the forests and plantations in the mornings and evenings which adds interesting variety to their diet.

At night the elephants are housed in a boma. They are fed a high protein porridge and black wattle branches at night. Their stalls are lined with sawdust providing a comfortable bed for them to sleep on. In the morning they are fed the high protein porridge and move onto the first dam for a drink of water. Their stalls are cleaned and prepared for the evening.

The baby elephants, Bulelo, Malaika, Jabari and Keisha are bottle-fed on baby milk formula with added vitamins and minerals on demand throughout the day and the night. They each have to have a minder that stays with them constantly.

Our elephant minders are some of Africa’s most qualified keepers and they keep a watchful eye on the herd.

Sally Meaning Princess
Sally was born during 1989 and was saved from culling in the Kruger National Park in 1994. She is the oldest female elephant and has taken over the role of Matriarch. Sally is gentle but stern and is always concerned with the well-being of the herd.

Harry Meaning “Protector of the home”
Harry was also born during 1989 and arrived at the park with Sally in 1994. He is the dominant bull elephant. Standing almost 2.5meters and weighing in at a hefty 4 tons he really gives new meaning to the term “gentle giant” He is the biggest and tallest elephant in the herd. He is also very sympathetic and tender towards the baby elephants, which is somewhat unusual for a bull elephant.

Thambile Meaning “soft natured”
Thambile was born during 1993 and arrived on the farm on the 11th February 2002 rescued from a cull .She was on the whole a very calm and reserved elephant but ever since Thandi was born she has become an extremely protective aunty.

Nandi Meaning “a sweet thing” it is also Shaka Zulu’s mother’s name.
Nandi was born during 1993. She is the mother of Thandi the first calf born at the Park. Her temperament is similar to that of Shaka Zulu’s mother – she was known to be a strong-willed lady. Nandi came to us at the age of 7 on 11th February 2002 with Thambile. She has become an exceptionally good mother, considering she has not had the help and assistance of older more experienced cows.

Thandi Meaning “love”
She is the first calf born at the Park and is our pride and joy. She was born on 16 October 2003. In the first month or two of her life she kept close to her mother’s side but now she is a show- off and is often quite bossy pushing and shoving the other little ones around. Thandi suckles from her mother in addition to chewing on little bits of grass and twigs.

Shaka
Named after the great Zulu warrior “Shaka Zulu”
Shaka was born in June 2001 and came to the park on the 18th January 2004. He was saved from a culling operation on a private game reserve in the Mpumalanga area. When he arrived at the Park he was appreciably unimpressed with his new family. He was very hostile towards us all in the beginning but before long warmed to his new family and realised they would love and care for him.

Bulelo Meaning “thank you”
This elephant was born in January 2003 He arrived at the Park on the 18th January 2004 with Shaka, Malaika and Jabari. He has a very calm and reticent nature although he loves the care and attention of his minders. Nothing beats a good roll in the mud and a sand bath.

Malaika Meaning “angel”
Malaika was born in October 2003. She arrived at the Park on the 18th of January 2004 with Shaka, Bulelo and Jabari. She has made friends with Thandi and the two of them get up to all kinds of mischief together. Her mischievous nature coupled with her irresistible charm leaves everyone who meets her enchanted.

Jabari Meaning “brave”
Jabari was born in November 2003. He came to the Park with his cousins, Shaka, Bulelo and Malaika on the 18th of January 2004. He has long soft hair especially on his chin and tummy. He is the friendliest of the baby elephants, very gentle and very sensitive. Harry is his favorite friend.

Keisha Meaning “favourite”
This tiny elephant is the youngest of the herd born in December 2003. She came to the Park on the 18th of January 2004. She is very quiet little ellie and tends to be a loner. The holes in her ears were caused by the other elephants in her herd pushing her away as she tryed to suckle from them.