On the morning when we visited the elephant orphanage at Elephant Moments, we began our day early, waking at 5 a.m. to drive our rental car through the Kapama Game Reserve. I suppose we should have realized that a Game Reserve meant that we would be taking a self-driven safari, but we were new to it all and drove in absolutely clueless. As we drove towards the deep red sunrise, we spotted a leopard stalking its breakfast, two lions sleepily waking up by the road, and giraffes and zebras gracefully crossing our path. We practically saw more wildlife on this drive than we did during our actual safari! Had we known, we might have been on higher alert, but the surprise made it even more thrilling.
When we arrived the elephant herders went out into the fields and as the early sun rose from the sky it was a breathtaking sight to see them returning with enormous elephants by their sides.
The visit to the elephant orphanage was both enlightening and moving. Hearing the story of the herd's rescue and rehabilitation programs gave us a deep appreciation for the incredible work being done. Meeting three of the older elephants, Sebakwe, Somapani, and Jabulani, was a truly magnificent experience and watching these majestic creatures stride towards us from the bush, accompanied by their handlers, was unforgettable.
With warthogs scurrying about and monkeys leaping from the trees, we listened intently to our guide. He shared fascinating insights into the biology and physiology of the elephants, along with heartfelt stories of their journeys to the orphanage and the orphanage conservation efforts.
What made the experience even more meaningful was knowing that all proceeds from our visit go directly towards the care of the HERD Trust, supporting these wonderful animals and the dedicated team that looks after them.
Picture this: We're about to jet off to our next wild adventure when fate throws us a curveball in the form of Curtis Roberts - a walking, talking encyclopedia of African wildlife wrapped in the body of a passionate young photographer and safari guide.
I connected with Curteis on Instagram when I was back in the States, and we had been communicating. However, I didn't think we were going to be able to meet up with him. As fate would have it, I spotted his van at the Hoedspruit Mall—this funky outdoor hangout that's more 'local flavor' than 'tourist trap.'
Next thing you know, Curteis and Axel are deep in conversation about conservation, art, supporting fellow creatives, and refusing to sell out to the highest bidder. I'm telling you, these two are going places, and I suspect that they may see each other again sometime.
If you're heading to Kruger, book Curteis as your guide. Sure, he might be younger than your average safari leader, but trust me, this guy's passion for wildlife is deeper than an elephant's footprint after a rainstorm. Follow him on Instagram at Curt_is_Wild and visit his website here.
