Chobe National Park

Republic of Botswana

May 26, 2024

Hello,

In my very limited experience, a Game Drive is certainly not a continuous stream of animal and bird sightings.  On the contrary, the day is usually a series of brief encounters.  And also, a matter of luck.  Of course, the Guide/Driver uses his knowledge of “the bush” to locate the animals.   Maybe we will see a giraffe today.  Maybe not.

Today the Main Feature is Elephants.

In the early morning, out of sight, we hear the clatter and bustle of a family.  Young and old, they crush and crunch and consume the undergrowth.  Grasses, leaves, twigs, fruit, roots and the bark of trees constitute the menu items of a hearty breakfast.

Mature elephants eat between 149 and 169 kg (330-375 lb.) of vegetation daily and drink at least 68 to 98 L (18-26 gal.) of water every day.  Every day!  Sixteen to eighteen hours is spent feeding.

Later in the morning, at another family encounter, a Drama unfolds.  Our diplomatic guide explains that like all children, a brother and sister are “playing.”  Baby sister acknowledges her brother’s superiority and retreats from “the game.”

Mama appears to disagree with the guide’s assessment.  Mama intervenes. She’s not having any of that!  With the determination of a protective mother, she separates the siblings and forcefully pushes the ill-behaved  bad boy out of his “game.”  And out of the area.  Maybe she’s thinking, “Let this wise guy try his luck with the bachelor herd.”

Mama suggests to her little girl that they stroll down to the river to bathe and cool off with other peaceful groups.   **      

Down by the riverside, dozens of pachyderms bathe and shower and snort in the water and the mud.  It’s an afternoon of merriment, romping and rollicking!

My encounter is extended.  I’m Captivated.  Enchanted.  Enthralled.

Do elephants frolic? 

The choreography is truly a Showstopper! 

 I’m thinking, “This one scene is worth the price of admission!”

Curtain call:

Apparently, there are no fences in this part of the world. So, the next morning, on the main paved road from Chobe in Botswana to the Zimbabwe border, an enormous creature emerges from the bush.  He looks me in the eye, raises his trunk and flaps his ears!

My driver explains:

“When his ears are flat against his body, the big guy is preparing to charge.”

“Flapping ears are only a warning.” 

I decide on an alternate explanation:

The big boy recognizes Mr. Jan as a fellow traveler: civil, respectful and appreciative of loyal friendship. 

The flapping ears?  A gesture of comradeship. 

The raised trunk?  A wave of goodbye.

The eye contact?

An invitation to return, preferably sometime soon.

**  African elephants respond to individual names, one of the few wild animal species known to do so, according to new research published in "Nature Ecology & Evolution."   

https://www.africanews.com/2024/06/11/new-study-finds-african-elephants-call-each-other-by-unique-names//