AERU1357

Not only the Elephants were great, but also the other people I met during my time here. So thanks to the other Volunteers from all over the world, which who I went Ziplining in Tsitsikama, Surfing at the Beach, Clubbing in Spotlight (which is definitely better than Flashback!), on a horseback Safari, to Monkeyland, to Jukani, to Knysna… I also loved our braais, even more with the guides.

I volunteered at Knysna Elephant Park in 2013 for 6 weeks and my husband for 2 weeks. And even before we left, we knew that we really wanted to come back. Because spending quality time with these beautiful giants, being so close to them, observing them and helping the AERU team with their research is just perfect, I really cannot put into words what it means for me to be here again.

Words are hardly enough to describe what has been the best experience of my life so far. Discovering South Africa and finally meeting my favourite animal was mind-blowing. It makes you feel small and humble towards those amazing creatures. I will always remember the two herds. Shungu is adorable, impatient, so cheeky and seems to love playing the fool especially when the tractor comes! That’s why he’s my favourite.

Whilst working as part of the AERU team I have taken part in lots of activities, such as; cleaning up the Orchard and the Camp, making Enrichments for the ellie’s, getting creative with Dung Paper and Stuffed Ellie’s and doing the ‘Keisha Project’. However my favourite parts by far were field activities. Herd Activity, Nearest Neighbour and Activity on a specific elephant gave me not just the opportunity to observe the elephants in a research capacity.

The aeru team have been outstanding from start to finish and they really do make you feel part of the family. Without people like them being able to volunteer would be impossible. The guides that work alongside these elephants everyday are incredible, they put so much work and effort into the job they do and they love these elephants as much as we do. They make me feel so welcome every day and always have me laughing way too much. The other volunteers I have met here have been the most awesome people in world we were thrown together and became such close friend within a matter of days. I honestly will never forget all the amazing memories we made together each day.

My time as an AERU volunteer has been insightful to say the least, who would have thought I could have fallen in love with so many things in such a short space of time! I have never been a morning person and yet here I get up with little difficulty. Catching a tractor into a field to monitor and walk alongside elephants on a daily basis soon became second nature – I mean could you get any more surreal?

There is so much compassion and understanding between the heard and their guides, and yet so much we just don’t know when it comes to their inner thoughts and mysterious methods of communication. I loved to watch the guides with the elephants, to see how they interacted and the immense level of respect and love they have for one another…