In the Picture: Tembe Elephant Park

Ryan Tippet, senior instructor at Bhejane Nature Training and a FGASA Level 3 guide is passionate about the Tembe Elephant Park! Below his view on this gem of KZN North. 

“Tembe Elephant Park is an altogether different experience from the others. It is an expanse of dense sub-tropical woodland, sand forest and swamp that carries a distinct wilderness feel. Entrance to the park is kept to a daily limit and a four wheel drive vehicle is essential. This means that one often gets do drive around and not have to see another soul the entire day. The reserve lies adjacent to the Mozambique border and has a hot and humid climate. The thing on most people’s minds when they arrive at Tembe is the elephants. These herds are the last naturally occurring elephants in Kwazulu natal. They are also unusually large elephants and are amongst the biggest in the world. As if this wasn’t enough, some of the older bulls are now also amongst the biggest tuskers in Africa. To see one of these immense bull elephants is a truly wonderful experience. There are currently around 250 elephants in the park and the chances of seeing them are high. You need a lot of luck, however to lay eyes on one of the giant bulls. They are usually seen alone and are often out of sight in the wilderness areas of the park. Tembe is not only notable for its elephants; it is in fact home to all of the big five. There is a healthy lion population and they are often seen. The buffalo herds tend to confine themselves to the swamps that run up the eastern flank of the reserve. They are not fond of the dense, dry woodlands and forests that span most of the reserve due to the paucity of water. There are good numbers of both black and white rhinos and Tembe is a key reserve in their continued fight for survival. The often shy black rhinos are seen regularly and they seldom fail to entertain with their quick tempers and nervous temperament. The last of the big five is the one you’re the least likely to see, the leopard. They are around but remain elusive. The dense bush in the reserve does not help in spotting them either. Since a couple of years, also Wild Dog roam free in the park. I always associate Tembe with the chance to see something different, rare or unusual. On previous visits I’ve seen Side-striped Jackal, Tonga Red Squirrel, Selous’ Mongoose, Striped Polecat and African Civet. Other mammals that are often seen include Nyala, Kudu, Giraffe, Samango Monkey, Blue Wildebeest, Water Buck and Bushbuck amongst others. Tembe’s sub-tropical bushveld is also home to several bird species close to the southern limits of their distribution. These include Retz’s Helmet Shrike, Barred Owlet, Plain-backed Sunbird, Woodward’s Batis and Bat Hawk. The birding is very rewarding and the majority of the regions ‘specials’ can be seen here. The opportunity to view game amongst patches of forest containing huge trees and colossal termite mounds, gives you an entirely different perspective of the bush, indeed one you won’t find anywhere else in South Africa.” Northern KwaZulu Natal can definitely be considered as an absolute mecca for nature guiding!

Below 10 photos from a futile attempt to catch at least some of the beauty. Click on the photo for an enlargement.

White Rhino on morning game drive

Elephant at sunset

Herd of buffalo approaching through the savanna

Parade of elephants

Elephant youngster quenching its thirst

Grumpy old fella

Beauty Queen

Isilo, said to be the biggest tusker in the Southern Hemisphere

Isilo once again

And Isilo again