Elephants at Play

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Geo: -24.7435, 26.2573

This afternoon Paul and I decided to go to the hide. Our room door was open as we were getting ready, in came the Southern Ground Hornbill. He stood there and watched us. We then walked towards the door and then he turned around and walked out. He is so cheeky and friendly. He should be at the lodge next door as he is part of their breeding program. Instead he frequently flies over and scares children!

We sat in the hide for about an hour. Our first sighting was a male impala. He walked directly to the edge of the waterhole and drank. Then walked away back into the bush. In the wetland area we spotted a single giraffe, it also stayed for a little drink and then walked away.

A little while later a breeding herd of elephants appeared. They went straight to the waterhole and began drinking. Two of the adult elephants walked right in front of us in the hide and to the water's edge. Then the larger of these two elephants pushed the other into the water. Then they started playing in the water. They were both pushing each other with their trunks. They spent about ten minutes playing and cooling down in the water. We heard the constant splashing of water.

As quickly and quietly as they arrived, the herds also left. Paul and I called it a day and went back to the staff village.

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Photos

01 In our Room
Paul left the door open and in walked the Ground Hornbill- making himself at home!

02 Impala
A male impala at the edge of the waterhole.

03 Drinking
The male impala drinking water.

04 Giraffe
The giraffe walking through the wetlands.

05 Drinking
Young and adult elephants drinking water.

06 Looking at Us
The elephants looking at us as they drink.

07 Walking
An elephant walking past us with grass in its trunk.

08 Pair
Two elephants by the water.

09 Push
One elephant pushing the other into the water.

10 Still Pushing
The elephant got a big push by the larger elephant.

11 Playing
The larger elephant just wanted another elephant to play with in the water.

12 Playing
The two elephants playing by pushing each other with their trunks.

13 Fun
They are having lots of fun in the water.

14 Playing
The two elephants playing in the water.

15 Playing
The two elephants playing in the water.

16 Still Playing
The elephants are still enjoying the cool water.

17 Out
The elephants walking out of the water.

18 Starting Again
Then they started playing again.

19 Playing
The elephants play fighting.

20 Playing
The elephants play fighting.

21 Playing
The elephants play fighting.

22 Grey Heron
A Grey Heron hoping that the waterhole will be peaceful again soon.

23 Snapped
It seems like this elephant has snapped it tusks.