Cobus surprised the kids and me with a trip to the Knysna Elephant Park, about an hours drive away. As with many of his surprises, he advised on wardrobe do’s an don’ts, but that was all the hints David and I got! (Lindsay was in on the surprise!)

By the time we got out past Wilderness, I was pretty sure I knew where we were going and I was excited that I had my new camera with me!

The tour begins in a paddock where elephants can sleep under shelter. The park has put in two hotel rooms at the top off the paddock, so guests can watch the elephants and sleep near them. They then have the guest climb onto covered trailers with bench seats that are pulled by a tractor. This trip, the drivers cap fell off, so I jumped off the trailer and ran back to get it for him.

After being driven out into a field, you approach a sturdy metal rail (that had recently been painted). When the trailers approach, the elephants know they are about to be fed. They line up behind the rail and guests who have purchased pails of food are able to feed the elephants. If you look closely at the elephants, you’ll see where they have been rubbing on the freshly painted rails.

Though Lindsay is our horse lover, she was a little hesitant to feed the elephants. Just as the elephant would stretch it’s trunk out to pluck the carrot (or turnip, beet, apple etc.) from her hand, she’d pull back, dropping the item. It took about four tries until she found her courage to hold the food until the elephant had it in its trunk.

David, though a little hesitant, bravely stepped forward and fed a couple of different elephants.

After feeding the elephants, we were able to walk with them across the field to where branches had been laid out for them to forage. At our guide’s discretion, we were able to interact with the elephants. Their skin, ears and tusks are incredible. Just being so close to them is a profound experience. Then are at once so peaceful, deliberate and intelligent. Spending a few minutes with them you find your place in this world. A quiet, certainty or a knowing. Those few minutes were a gift.

We capped the day with three of the most profoundly terrible lemonades known to man! LOL

[easymedia-slider-two med=”2879″]