The Elephant Camp

THIS VISIT WAS BITTER SWEET. HAVING LOST MY HUSBAND, WITH WHOM I HAD VISITED ELE CAMP SEVERAL TIMES BEFORE, IT WAS LIKE COMING HOME. THE STAFF WERE ALL AWARE OF MY LOSS AND THEY FELT IT TOO, AS OVER OUR PAST VISITS THEY HAD ALL BECOME LIKE FAMILY AND INDEED WE REFERRED TO THEM AS “OUR ZIM FAMILY”. THEY HELPED ME IN MY GRIEF, AND HUGS WERE PLENTIFUL. THEY CRIED WITH ME AS WE REMEMBERED PAST GOOD TIMES AND THEY SPOKE OF MY BELOVED NEIL AS THOUGH HE WAS STILL THERE WITH US IN PERSON, NOT JUST IN SPIRIT. THE GAME DRIVE AND ALL ACTIVITIES WITH THE RANGERS AND OTHER STAFF WERE, AS USUAL, OUTSTANDING. THE ATTENTION RECEIVED FROM EVERYONE WAS BEYOND BELIEF AND SPECIAL THANKS MUST BE GIVEN TO STAN, BEN, CHEF NICHOLAS (WHO CATERED FOR ANYTHING I ASKED EVEN THOUGH NOT ON THE MENU!), BECKY, CAROL (WHO ATE WITH ME ON MY FIRST NIGHT SO I WOULD NOT BE EATING ALONE), MOSES, AMOS, STAFF AT THE TRUST LAB FOR SPENDING TIME TALKING WITH ME AND WERE SO INTERESTED TO LEARN OF HOW THINGS WORK IN NZ. BUT FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART, AND NEIL’S, WE CANNOT SAY THANK YOU ENOUGH TO TINASHE & GLORIA AND GORGEOUS WEE ZAYNE FOR MAKING THE BOTOKA GORGE DRIVE AND DRINKS SO WONDERFUL. ZAYNE - YOU ARE A BEAUTIFUL WEE SOUL AND JUST HOLDING YOUR TINY WEE HAND AND RECEIVING HUGS AND KISSES FROM YOU WAS SO HEARTFELT. THANK YOU ALSO TO THE WILD HORIZONS MANAGEMENT - SHANE ESPECIALLY, AND CRAIG AND LISTER FOR MAKING THIS ALL POSSIBLE. WITHOUT YOUR SUGGESTION TO RETURN SO I COULD BE WITH MY ZIM FAMILY, IT WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN POSSIBLE. THANK YOU ALL FROM BOTH OF US FOREVER. PS: ANYONE WHO FINDS FAULT WITH THE ELEPHANT CAMP IS REALLY JUST PICKING NITS, BECAUSE BEFORE THIS BITTER SWEET VISIT, WE HAVE VISITED SEVERAL TIMES AND HAVE NEVER EVER HAD A BAD EXPERIENCE FROM THE STAFF. YES - BAD EXPERIENCES FROM OTHER GUESTS, BUT N E V E R FROM THE STAFF. THIS PLACE IS 150% MAGICAL. THANK YOU ALL ONCE AGAIN AND I HOPE TO SEE YOU ALL AGAIN ONE DAY IN THE FUTURE.

The service was excellent in a beautiful setting. The tents were luxuriously appointed with lots of space. Dining choices were limited, but very well prepared and delicious. The only minor complaint was the poor internet, but this did not at all detract from our wonderful stay.