The Elephants of Tembe Elephant Reserve

Tembe is not a wildlife sanctuary that you pop over to for the weekend; you are only allowed entrance if you drive a true 4-wheel drive vehicle and within 200metres from the entrance gate you realize why. It is in sand forest and coastal sand zones and a marsh (which floods on occasion) is thrown in for good measure. Overnight stay in Tembe is only available at the Tembe Lodge, a private/community owned establishment which will surprise you with their tariffs.

Tembe is served by a network of more than 150km of sandy roads, most of which are accessible by the public and the roads are quite well signposted, while you do receive a map at the entrance gate. Add to this a foreign-sponsored webcam – which you can see by clicking on Tembe Webcam – that operates 24/7 at the Mahlasela Pan Waterhole and you can get a good impression of what Tembe is all about right here from your computer.