“We watched the elephant herds drinking from the small splash pool at nThambo Tree Camp and I realised we were part of something significant. In this moment I realised that Africa had stolen a place in my heart. There is nothing more rewarding than watching a friendly herd of jumbo socialising and interacting adjacent to where humans are doing exactly the same thing! A delicate divide between the human and animal world. So different, yet so similar.” – Carolynne Higgins
Sometimes you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your lodge to enjoy an epic big five sighting. nThambo Tree Camp in the Kruger’s Klaserie Private Nature Reserve is no stranger to “from the lodge sightings”. The camp is open, which means large predators and other wildlife can roam freely throughout. The resident elephant herds seem to love the fresh, crisp water of nThambo’s splash pool. From time to time, they are caught soaking up water with their trunks. And guess what? The elephants were seen drinking from the pool just less than a week ago.
Here’s what happened.
While guests were quietly enjoying a traditional South African lunch in the open dining area, they noticed a herd of elephants in the distance. The dining area at nThambo comprises wooden decking and unsurpassed views of the Klaserie. It’s an idyllic spot for lunch. Clearly the elephant herds wanted a slice of what guests were enjoying, so they slowly ambled over to the lodge.
What happened next was incredible. The herd decided to drink from the splash pool in front of the lodge and created quite an animated spectacle for guests. A huge bull decided to join in the fun and came from behind the boma area of the lodge. He casually sauntered across the path and approached the herd in a rather excited, but bolshy manner!
Watch how the bull pushes the calf out of the way – clearly there is a social hierarchy at play here! If you look closely at the video you’ll notice a new born calf stretching over the rim of the pool to slurp up water with its clumsy trunk. In the background you’ll see another herd approaching the swimming pool. With so many herds wanting a slice of the action, we think that the nThambo maintenance crew will be spending the next few days filling up the pool.
When Brett took this video, the temperatures in the Klaserie had reached a searing and uncomfortable 37 degrees celsius. Although the rainy Summer season is approaching, nThambo hasn’t seen much rain. It’s still quite dry, which means the herds need to find readily available water sources to replenish their thirst and find respite from the heat. And let’s face it, the pool at nThambo Tree Camp is a perennial, reliable source of fresh water. Even elephants need to quench their insatiable thirst and they have the ability to drink up to 100 litres of water per day!
The breakfast table and lounge is well-positioned to take advantage of wildlife strolling past. While you’re digesting your food or latest novel, take the time to cast your eye across to the pool – you never know what you might see.
And you thought it was only humans who spend hours drinking, wallowing and socialising at the poolside…
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