A REFRESHING DRINK AT SUNSET

We headed out on our afternoon game drive and decided to go up to the North of the Phinda Private Game Reserve to look for a herd of elephants. Just past &Beyond Phinda Forest Lodge we found fresh tracks and dung which was still warm. Within minutes we had found the herd. It consisted of approximately 40 individuals and they were peacefully feeding on the edges of the Sand Forest.

A young bull inquisitively approached us from behind, testing the air with his trunk as he got nearer. We stayed with the herd all afternoon and as they got closer to the watering hole they sped up with excitement and some of the youngsters ran to the edge and started drinking. Elephants drinking at sunset are definitely one of my favorite spectacles to witness in the bush. Once they were done the matriarch swiftly moved them along to continue feeding for the night.

Posted: Phinda by Felicity Swanepoel, Date: 11 October 2010