SPECIALIST ELEPHANT SAFARI
Personally guided by Alan McSmith
3 NIGHTS / 4 DAYS
@ UMLANI BUSHCAMP / TIMBAVATI
2023 DEPARTURE DATES TBA:
*Join Alan on a unique specialist elephant safari at Umlani, Timbavati Game Reserve
* Spend 3 nights exploring the big 5 private concession
* Exclusive use of open vehicle game drive
* Tracking & walking a must!
* Discover fascinating elephant behaviour
* And how these remarkable animals are the principle ecologists of the bush
* Spend 3 nights exploring the big 5 private concession
* Exclusive use of open vehicle game drive
* Tracking & walking a must!
* Discover fascinating elephant behaviour
* And how these remarkable animals are the principle ecologists of the bush
What's it all about?
The safari, personally led and hosted by Alan McSmith is a unique special interest encounter focussing primarily on elephant behaviour and ecology, is kind of a culmination of Alan's time in Timbavati (+30 years). All activities, on foot or by vehicle are conducted on an exclusive and private basis, and we are based at one of our all time favourite camps, Umlani Bushcamp. The safaris are ideal for small groups (max 8).
For us at AMS, the more time you spend following or tuning in to elephant, the more chance you have of finding other game too… so even though it is an ‘elephant’ safari, we also actively search for other game and follow up sounds and clues. On the last trip we saw a total of 21 mammals, including a serval which is very unusual in Timbavati.
Empathetic encounters with elephants are the order of the day ... with the golden thread platforming a greater awareness of their behaviour and conservation.
The specialist elephant behaviour safari is a collaboration between ourselves, UMLANI BUSHCAMP and the well known NPO ELEPHANTS ALIVE and it's all in the name of elephant conservation and creating a greater understanding and connection with these extraordinary animals.
All game viewing activities are exclusive so we have use of a private game viewer or walk, and we make use of the Umlani facilities as a home base. As a result, we have a lot of flexibility to set times or routines accordingly. We have freedom to move over 15000 hectares on foot or by vehicle (day and night) so our office is pretty substantial. We share the concession with other lodges, Alan is aware of game sightings and movements so we tune into what is about at all times. As they are principle keystone animals, their behaviour and habits all play a major part in the movements and distribution of counties other game and birds. The pace is somewhat slower, as we spend time tracking, following, stalking, waiting or sitting with elephants … it is amazing how much information about predators or other game you can pick up like this, either through birdcall, alarm sounds, or with a dash of good old-fashioned patience! Ideally, I try to offer comprehensive elephant encounters, so on foot and by vehicle, but most are spontaneous.
A donation for each safari is made to the Elephants Alive project fund, so you will be actively supporting a reputable organisation
So, in short: the safari is about sharing fascinating elephant behaviour and their value as ecological landscapers; as well as platforming a greater awareness of their conservation requirements. It is our dream to inspire potential elephant conservationists through the experience.
As they are such dynamic sentient animals, the more you fall in love with elephants, the more you fall in love with all animals and conservation!
For us at AMS, the more time you spend following or tuning in to elephant, the more chance you have of finding other game too… so even though it is an ‘elephant’ safari, we also actively search for other game and follow up sounds and clues. On the last trip we saw a total of 21 mammals, including a serval which is very unusual in Timbavati.
Empathetic encounters with elephants are the order of the day ... with the golden thread platforming a greater awareness of their behaviour and conservation.
The specialist elephant behaviour safari is a collaboration between ourselves, UMLANI BUSHCAMP and the well known NPO ELEPHANTS ALIVE and it's all in the name of elephant conservation and creating a greater understanding and connection with these extraordinary animals.
All game viewing activities are exclusive so we have use of a private game viewer or walk, and we make use of the Umlani facilities as a home base. As a result, we have a lot of flexibility to set times or routines accordingly. We have freedom to move over 15000 hectares on foot or by vehicle (day and night) so our office is pretty substantial. We share the concession with other lodges, Alan is aware of game sightings and movements so we tune into what is about at all times. As they are principle keystone animals, their behaviour and habits all play a major part in the movements and distribution of counties other game and birds. The pace is somewhat slower, as we spend time tracking, following, stalking, waiting or sitting with elephants … it is amazing how much information about predators or other game you can pick up like this, either through birdcall, alarm sounds, or with a dash of good old-fashioned patience! Ideally, I try to offer comprehensive elephant encounters, so on foot and by vehicle, but most are spontaneous.
A donation for each safari is made to the Elephants Alive project fund, so you will be actively supporting a reputable organisation
So, in short: the safari is about sharing fascinating elephant behaviour and their value as ecological landscapers; as well as platforming a greater awareness of their conservation requirements. It is our dream to inspire potential elephant conservationists through the experience.
As they are such dynamic sentient animals, the more you fall in love with elephants, the more you fall in love with all animals and conservation!
What will we be doing?
DAY 1: |
Arrive at Umlani for lunch and check-in. After an orientation we depart on an introduction game drive ...
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DAY 2+3: |
Full days spent in search of elephants and other game by vehicle, on foot or a combination of both. Early starts are a must as we may set out on foot with the sunrise. Waterholes in the dry season are often elephant magnets so we will spend time anticipating movements and find the right positions for meaningful encounters and photographs.
More often than not, the slow pace and attention to detail provides us with clues about the whereabouts of other game. An alarm call, birdsong, or a sudden quiet in the air may be enough to alert us to leopard or lion, or even rhino. We believe by paying attention to this information, a lot of information can be absorbed ... the safari may focus on elephant, but its invariably about the sum of the parts. Due to our exclusive activities, we have great flexibility to determine our routines, returning to camp for meals and does-time. Umlani is an ideal base for this. A night in a tree house overlooking a waterhole is available (max 4 ). |
DAY 4: |
A final morning game drive/walk is available followed by breakfast on return at Umlani. The safari ends mid-morning with your departure.
Please note that we could extend the safari by arranging connections to a wide range of destinations in the area.
We are able to arrange your travel logistics to Timbavati, and take care of any ongoing arrangements to Cape Town for example, or beyond to Botswana or Victoria Falls Zimbabwe. Please CONTACT us to discover these in's and out's. |
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Cost: To be announced soon!
Fully inclusive
Maximum 8 clients
PRIVATE DEPARTURES AVAILABLE ON REQUEST
Includes accommodation, all meals, all local drinks, all game viewing activities, exclusive vehicle use,
dedicated guiding by Alan McSmith and unlimited doses of enthusiasm. Entry and levies excluded.
dedicated guiding by Alan McSmith and unlimited doses of enthusiasm. Entry and levies excluded.
