Southern Africa’s most successful elephant foster parents, Rory and Lindie Hensman, have done it again. Secreted, appropriately enough, in the Limpopo province, where the first elephants got their trunks, the new family consisting of patriarch Tembo and newcomers Klaserie, Letaba, Mabitshi and Limpopo, have taken occupation of a large barn situated in the sprawling bushveld of the Greattree Conservancy, in the far North of South Africa. Here the sub adult newcomers, fresh from an uncertain fate in the Kruger Park, are making a fascinating transition at the EFAF training school, to the rewarding safari lifestyle successfully pioneered in Zimbabwe by Rory Hensman, 15 years ago.
With gentle giant Tembo keeping order, the young learners are rapidly taking to their lessons with the grooms, who are assigned to their charges on a long term basis. Rory’s pioneering training methods are based on the bilateral ”Ask and Reward” system and visitors are encouraged to join in and share this empowering exercise. Walking or riding through the bush in company with these tuskers is an unforgettable experience. Visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic basket, to share with Tembo for lunch, and to view a demonstration of his awesome swimming prowess in one of the conservancy dams. For those who wish to spend the night feeding and caring for the Ellies in their barn, this can be done by special arrangement, and will contrast with a couple of nights of unadulterated luxury in the famous Coach House Hotel, in nearby Tzaneen.
Rory Hensman* describing how cold it is, while Tembo gets a back rub!
Jenny dismounts from Tembo's knee under Rory's supervision
