Leanne Plank Testimonial – Volunteer,  July 2018

When it came to booking to go South Africa I was thinking that four weeks is a really long time to be away from home, in a different country and on my own. It is very safe to say that not once did I feel as though I was on my own. The team are so welcoming and I am so thankful to have spent four weeks with some of the most amazing people from all over the world. They have made the bunkhouse feel like home.  The four weeks have absolutely flown by and I wish I could stay longer.  Not only are the people here amazing but to be able to get so up close to the elephants it is a truly unique experience, one that I will never forget. When I first arrived at the park, seeing all ten elephants was incredibly overwhelming. On the first day they all looked like big, grey, intimidating elephants but the last day they were ten beautiful, individual elephants with a personality of their own.  I soon fell in love with Thato and I had the amazing opportunity to walk with her at sunrise. This has to be one of my favourite memories of the park as well as all the interesting conversations with guides!

Not only is it incredible to get to work with the elephants nearly every day but the nature here is outstanding. Every morning the sunrises seemed to get more stunning and the stars at night were phenomenal. The stars made outside boma observations at 5:30 in the morning much more bearable. I cannot believe that my four weeks are nearly over and I don’t want to leave.  I am going to miss the park and the people especially. One or two of them are going to make it very hard for me to leave.