One of the first books I read when I landed in South Africa and joined a book club was
The Elephant Whisperer.
Written by Sir Lawrence Anthony, the book tells the story of the introduction of some wild elephants into Thula Thula Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal. It touched a nerve with me as it has with many others around the world. It is still a best-seller in Africa. The book made Thula Thula into a desired safari destination and its famous elephants into household names.
Nana. Frankie. ET. Mabula. Nandie. Mandla. Ilynga. Marula. Frankie and ET were even featured on
a recent BBC special about animals in love.
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| tented camp |
When my sister made her plans to come visit South Africa, I thought Thula Thula would be the perfect place to go with her on safari. Small and personal, with four of the Big Five. (It is not big enough for lions but we would have other opportunities to see lions in Hluhluwe iMfolozi and iSimangaliso Wetland Parks, two Big Five game parks also in KZN. Besides I planned for us to
walk with lions before heading out on safari.)
So I sent her the book for Christmas in order for her to become familiar with the story and the elephants. (Yes I did give her homework for Christmas!) It is almost required reading for a visit to Thula Thula. Everyone whom we spoke to during our stay - be they British, American, or Bulgarian - had read
The Elephant Whisperer. Except Vince. He said he sometimes felt like he had stumbled into a Harry Potter convention without reading the books!
Unfortunately, Sir Lawrence passed away in 2012 and we were not be able to meet him during our stay at Thula Thula. But we did get to meet his widow, Francoise, who is carrying on his work and legacy. She even signed my sister's book!
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| Merry Christmas! |
Luckily the real reasons we came to Thula Thula were still there. We saw all 27 of the elephants we had read about several times during our four day stay.
The newest member of Nana's brood. Natal ... born this past Christmas season!
My sister really got into the rhythm of being a bush-bound girl at Thula Thula. Walking safaris in the morning, breakfast and luncheon out on the veranda, afternoon tea in the lodge, dinner in the boma and her favorite ritual ... sundowners on the evening game drives.
Cheers to fellow Explorers Club member Sir Lawrence!
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| tea in the Lodge |
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| welcome torches outside the boma |
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| the boma fire |
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| braai coals made from the boma fire wood |
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| boma dinner |
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| sundowners at Thula Thula |
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