“The lodge is situated on the border of the famous Addo Elephant Park just over an hour from Port Elizabeth, but the big difference here is, you don’t just see the elephants you can actually ride them as well.”

Our Senior event Coordinator Kim has been busy this last month, not only having romantic retreats in the winelands with her boyfriend, but then traveling with Damien for a weekend away at the Elephant Back Safari Lodge, in the Eastern Cape.

The lodge is situated on the border of the famous Addo Elephant Park just over an hour from Port Elizabeth, but the big difference here is, you don’t just see the elephants you can actually ride them as well.

Says Kim “what a wonderful experience- going on a game drive in the mornings not in the normal land rover but perched on the back of an elephant (bareback I might add) with a guide. For an hour we wondered through the bush at one with nature, viewing the game and watching the sun come up, it was truly magical. Afterwards we watched the elephants bathing in the waterhole in front of the lodge and then the absolute highlight was feeding them, actually putting your hand in their mouths and feeling their tongues. Being so close to such magnificent and gentle creatures was an experience we will never forget.

The lodge itself was a great place to stay for the weekend as you feel very at one with nature. We had our own luxurious wooden suite on stilts on the hillside, with canvas sides and roof. We loved sitting on the elevated wooden deck outside, just taking in the views and the sounds of the bush. It was just so peaceful.