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World elephant Day …… how desperate do our largest land mammals need this DAY!

Their peaceful existence is in the very fragile hands of humans. Some people might not want to hear this.. Due to loss of habitat and fragmentation, fences and management plans, blocking of historical migration routes and no financial value, their majestic presence has become a burden worldwide.

A TRIBUTE TO TWO GREAT CONSERVATION CHARACTERS AND A LAND ROVER – On the 23rd of July the Kingsley Holgate Foundation headed to the shores of Lake Jozini in Zululand for a rather special event: the ceremonial ‘planting’ of an old Land Rover Defender, which spent 30 years helping to conserve rhinos and elephants in Africa, and paying tribute to her owners, the extraordinary brother and sister team of Blythe Loutit and Digs Pascoe.

An amazing and extraordinary event took place on Monday 15 March 2021 when our Pongola Game Reserve elephants walked up to the top of the highest crest of the Ubombo Mountains spending all day in full view of the Myeni community at Mavela and Wildlife Spirit. On a clear day, from this elevated position, one can see the coastal dunes of Maputaland and the hills of Nongoma, the Heart of Zululand.

The pass they took to ascend to the mountain top is known amongst the local community as "isihlalo sendlovu" - the saddle of an elephant. This was the first time that they had walked as far as the top of the escarpment in full view of the neigbouring community.
We contemplated if this unusual event was a show of respect to the AmaZulu nation for the late King Goodwill Zwelinthini kaBhekuzulu, who passed away on Friday 13 March 2021.
"We will never know Mr Heinz, but there's a reason for this," Sakhile from Wildlife Spirit replied.

2019 heralds Safari Lodge’s 20th anniversary, and with it comes major changes.
Over the past two decades our guests, agents, operators and staff have loyally supported us turning Safari Lodge into a much loved, special destination.
However, times have changed, and with it, dramatic shifts in the tourism market. Thus, we have made a strategic decision to enter the ‘glamping’ arena and we will be refurbishing the Safari Lodge into 12 self-catering tents, which will be opened in January 2020.