In the Company of Elephants
For
centuries man has been fascinated with elephants and recognised their
intelligence. In more recent times,
our interest in elephant emotions, behaviour and their social structure has made
us realise that elephants has many characteristics in common with man.
Sporting Wilderness has the
unique opportunity to use Iain and Oria Douglas-Hamilton’s,
“Elephant Camp” in Samburu National Reserve in Kenya, while
benefiting from the extensive knowledge of their
“Save the Elephant Research Centre” and Elephant Watch guides. Iain
and Oria Douglas-Hamilton carried out ground- breaking research on elephant
social behaviour in Manyara National Park, Tanzania in the 1960’s and since
that time have dedicated themselves to continent wide surveys of elephant
populations and saving the African elephant
Our Elephant Safaris
through Samburu National Reserve start at Lake Naivasha.
The lake lies in the Rift
Valley, which splits the earth’s surface from Jordan in the Middle East to
Mozambique in southeast Africa. Lake Naivasha’s environmental importance
received world recognition, when its wetlands, mammals and incredible 475
species of birds became Kenya’s second Ramsar Site. The lake is surrounded by many game sanctuaries, which offer
some of the country’s finest horseback safaris, as well guided walking in
scenic locations. Notable mammals
the lake supports are hippo, buffalo, colobus monkey, plains game and leopard.
Sporting
Wilderness has the exclusive use of Ol Ngalau Lodge on the lakeshore and its
specialised lake boats for the exploration of this unique wetland eco-system.
Near Lake Nakuru, the
tumbling Malewa River offers opportunities for exploration of the river by raft
and canoe, animals regularly seen are buffalo, zebra, impala, eland, waterbuck,
reedbuck and leopard.
Lake Nakuru National Park
(188 sq km) surrounds a soda Rift Valley lake that is renowned for its huge
flocks of millions of greater and lesser flamingo that fringe its shores pink at
certain times of the year and was described as “the world’s greatest
ornithological spectacle” by Roger Tory Peterson, the great American
ornithologist. The park is not only famous for its bird life, but also as a
rhino sanctuary and home of the rare Rothschild’s giraffe.
Notable mammals are buffalo, lion, waterbuck, giraffe, plains game and
leopard. In recent years, leopards
have been frequently observed during day.
Samburu is a semi-arid
wilderness of rugged beauty bisected by the Ewaso Nyiro River, which attracts
varied animal species to its palm fringed banks. Major species include gerenuk,
oryx, reticulated giraffe, crocodile, lion, cheetah, leopard and lots of
elephant. The reserve offers
shelter for up to 750 elephants, of which there are 66 known family units and
approximately 100 bulls.
Wild African elephants have
always inspired passion and wonder not only as the giants of the animal kingdom,
but also because they are highly intelligent social animals, with family
structures and behaviour we humans can relate to. Many scientists are convinced
they have many emotions we can empathise with like grief. The
Douglas-Hamilton’s research is currently bringing in new scientific data about
where elephants wonder and how we as humans can offer them a better future.
With the expertise of the Elephant Watch guides from the “Save the
Elephant Research Centre” you can enter the world of Samburu’s elephants,
where you will meet some of the great matriarchs and their families, follow the
known bulls and closely observe their relationships and behaviour.
The exclusive Elephant Camp is perched on the sloping sand banks of the Ewaso Nyiro River beneath ancient Kigelia trees and acacia Elatiors. It is home to some of the largest bulls in Samburu who can often be spotted resting under acacia trees or picking up pods. The camp has been specially designed for comfort and coolness with wide breezy desert style tents and bathrooms.
© Sporting Wilderness 2001