ELEPHANT-BACK SAFARIS

An Age Old Concept: A New Adventure

Please note: Elephant safaris are NOT run on our farm.
This is an added service.

"An elephant meets you on equal terms. He makes up his own mind about individual persons. He doesn't love you unless you love him. Give him abuse and he will hand it back when his chance comes. Gain his confidence and he will be your friend for life. An elephant that trusts his handler can be led through fire, but his trust must be won first."

Peter Davies, 1955

Situated only 20 minutes from Sun City is “The Elephant Wallow”, a large thatched boma overlooking a magnificent waterhole catering for up to 72 guests under thatch.

Bush dinners and lunches can be taken with the elephants themselves providing the main attraction. A presentation will be given on the elephants, their lifestyle and history. Have a chance to interact with these gentle giants on a personal level. Afterwards, sit down and relax whilst enjoying your meal with the elephants in the background mud wallowing, swimming or just settling down to a meal themselves.

“The spirit of these Great Creatures
will Never leave you…..”

Nestled comfortably at the foothills of the ancient Pilanesberg mountains lies "The Elephant Wallow", a special place where a unique relationship between natures 'true King of the Beasts'; the African elephant and man finds their lives closely intertwined…

Guests staying in the Pilanesberg/Sun City area are invited to join Pilanesberg Elephant Back Safaris on a unique and extraordinary African adventure. Wild Horizons now offers visitors to South Africa the opportunity to join Chikwenya, Sharu, Sapi, Mana and Michael for a game viewing experience along ancient game trails with a difference, on elephant back, as though part of this special herd.

Seated comfortably on the back of these gentle giants, experience an age-old African tradition, whilst silently exploring the majestic Letsatsing Reserve and the secrets of her resident wildlife, unnoticed….

Being part of this special herd rewards visitors close sightings of Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra and various other species, oblivious to your presence aloft the elephants.

Bare witness to this mutually enriching and rewarding relationship between man and elephant in a modern day Africa with Chikwenya and her herd - Your silent & powerful ambassadors.

Scheduled elephant-back safaris run daily, promising visitors much more than just a game-viewing experience, but a closer insight into the world's largest mammal, the African Elephant.

Booking is essential for all the programs.

Flat walking shoes and sun hats are recommended and bring a camera!

Option 1 - Morning Safari

Duration: approx 3.0 hours - 08h00 to 11h00

Daily scheduled trips leave from the Welcome Centre

Morning Safari: 08.00 / Sunset Safaris: 15.30

Guests are transferred to the "Elephant Wallow" where they are met by experienced Elephant Guides, who will host them on their safari. Guests are introduced to the individual elephants and spend some time learning about the operation; thereafter the safari commences. A light breakfast and champagne is served on "The Wallow" terrace after the morning safari or sundowners and snacks after the sunset safari.

A personalized DVD is made of your safari which is viewed after the safari and made available for purchase.

A curio shop filled with 'elephant memorabilia' is available.
This elephant experience takes approximately 3 hours.

Return transfer is back to the Welcome Centre.

Flat walking shoes recommended, and bring cameras.

Interaction & 'Lunch with the elephants'

Join Chikwenya, Sharu, Mana, Sapi and Michael at their home in the Letsatsing Game Reserve, only 20 minutes from Sun City. Guests are collected from the Welcome Centre, Sun City at 12.30 and transferred to "The Elephant Wallow" where they are met by their hosts and offered a welcome drink.

Take time to touch, feed and photograph these truly amazing animals, marvel at their intelligence, diversity and majesty or simply sit back and reflect on this unusually harmonious relationship in a beautiful, secure and pristine environment.

A lite lunch menu is served on the picturesque 'Wallow' deck with the elephants themselves providing a perfect backdrop: either swimming, mud-wallowing or, simply taking a snack themselves.

This activity takes approximately 2 hours.

Return transfer is back to the Welcome Centre.

* ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI *
MAX 10 people - No under 5 years

* SUNRISE ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI *
Pick Up: 06.00 summer 1^st Sept - 30^th April
08.00 winter 1st May - 31^st August

* MID-MORNING ELEPHANT-BACK SAFARI *
Pick Up: 08.00 summer 1^st Sept - 30^th April
10.00 winter 1^st May - 31^st August

* SUNSET ELEPHANT BACK SAFARI *
Pick Up: 15.30 summer 1^st Sept - 30^th April
15.30 winter 1^st May - 31^st August

* EXCLUSIVE ELEPHANT SAFARI *
Any of the above may be booked on an exclusive basis.
Pay for 10 and walk with the entire herd yourself!

* DAILY ELEPHANT INTERACTION EXPERIENCE *
12.30: Available throughout the year.
(inclusive of transfer and a welcome drink & lite lunch)

GROUP ELEPHANT INTERACTION

The “Elephant Wallow” provides a magnificent setting for larger groups of visitors to enjoy an elephant interaction with or without meals. A large, thatched boma overlooking the waterhole caters for up to 65 guests.

Dinners and lunches can be taken on the Wallow deck with the elephants themselves providing the main attraction. A presentation is given on the individual elephants; their lifestyle and history followed by the opportunity to interact with these gentle giants on a personal level.

Afterwards, sit down and relax whilst enjoying your meal with the elephants in the background mud wallowing, swimming or settling down to a meal themselves.

Refreshments and Stand-up snack platters can be organized for larger groups of guests wishing to enjoy the ambience of the wallow and sundowners.

All transfers to the “Elephant Wallow” leave from the Welcome Centre, Gametrackers Outdoor Adventure Desk, Sun City and take approximately 20 minutes.

This activity takes approximately 1.5 hours for the interaction only, and approximately 2 – 3 hours for interaction with a meal.

• Exclusive use of the facility is offered to larger groups
• Various options are available to larger groups
• For more information contact our booking desk

This is an add-on to above programs. Please ask us about the different costing structures to suit your exact needs.

PRE-BOOK: Riding to be booked when paying for the programme

WHAT TO WEAR: Jeans are best for riding