The ultimate elephant experience

You’re spoilt for choice if you’re in Joburg this holiday, there is so much to do.

One truly unique experience that will leave your whole family mesmerised is a mere 45-minute drive from Honeydew.

Escape the city for the Highveld bush and an unmatched elephant encounter with Damara and Nzewe at Askari Game Lodge.

The two bulls were relocated from a private game reserve in Limpopo seven years ago under threat of culling, as a result of an almost 50 percent overpopulation of elephants at the reserve at the time.

The rescued elephants were placed into Elephants for Africa Forever, a licensed elephant training programme, after which they joined their new Askari family at Plumari Private Game Reserve.

The two adolescent males now live a charmed life under the close watch of their handlers and have the opportunity to educate people on the exceptional bond that can be made between these peaceful giants and humans.

The elephant experience offered by Askari is over an hour, starting with an educational presentation. This is followed by the main event where you have the opportunity to meet, touch, feed and interact with Damara and Nzewe. Being so close to such magnificent creatures is truly breath-taking. The dexterity of their trunks is impressive and they are astonishingly gentle when they easily take a piece of apple from between your lips.

The emotional experience is one-of-a-kind and a must on your bucket list.

Cost: R490 per person

Age restriction: 12 years and above

Details: www.askarilodge.co.za/elephant.php