The Giants of Tembe Elephant Park
18th February 2012
Recently we had the privilege to visit the Tembe Elephant Park in Zululand, South Africa, as guests of the Elephant Monitor, Leonard Muller , where we had the opportunity to observe the elephant but with the added benefit of Leonard’s knowledge of each large individual and running commentary about the idiosyncrasies and quirks of some of South Africa’s largest pachyderms.
Leonard, who is employed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife collects tons of information about the movements, behavior and a million other aspects of the elephants in Tembe and provides valuable information to researchers and Reserve management.
The Park houses in excess of 200 elephant, which Leonard photographs (for identification) regularly and he is very proud that they have recorded positive ID of more than 180 of these.
It 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.
A little-known fact about Tembe, is that more than 40 lion live on the reserve and a healthy pack of African Wild dog. These predators are also monitored and managed by staff who, like Leonard, dedicate their days to tracking, observing, recording the behavior and activities of these animals in support of researchers who apply the valuable information to their work.
To read more about Tembe and when to visit the Reserve, click on Tembe Elephant Reserve.
Click here to see a gallery of images taken in this park.
Leonard, who is employed by Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife collects tons of information about the movements, behavior and a million other aspects of the elephants in Tembe and provides valuable information to researchers and Reserve management.
The Park houses in excess of 200 elephant, which Leonard photographs (for identification) regularly and he is very proud that they have recorded positive ID of more than 180 of these.
It 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.
A little-known fact about Tembe, is that more than 40 lion live on the reserve and a healthy pack of African Wild dog. These predators are also monitored and managed by staff who, like Leonard, dedicate their days to tracking, observing, recording the behavior and activities of these animals in support of researchers who apply the valuable information to their work.
To read more about Tembe and when to visit the Reserve, click on Tembe Elephant Reserve.
Click here to see a gallery of images taken in this park.
