Didn’t I Say, “Mfuwe Elephants Dinner”
From our collection. Mother and baby stroll in the park.
OK, that dispensed with. Let’s move on.
There are many movies and books about “who” came to dinner. Now, we give you the African version with its own unique slant. The Mfuwe elephants’ mango dinner party, is proudly presented to you by Wildmoz.
Well, sure it’s been done before but we can’t always come up with the originals and I think you’ll agree, this is better than we could have done.
While we were away traveling to the interior, we came across this very neat story of wild elephants and domesticated humans. “Domesticated” was the best I had, but still one wonders?
The story of the Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia, graphically illustrates why you shouldn’t get between an African elephant and its much anticipated meal.
In South Luangwa, the Lodges’ base camp was unwittingly built on the ancient route that a group of wild Mfuwe elephants used to get to their favorite seasonal fruit!
One year, when the elephants returned, they found the lodge was in the way of their fruitful delicacy. And realizing they fit under this particular “thatch tree” and seeing the mango trees on the other side, they simply walked through the lobby to their prize. Ignoring everyone in-between.
Every November, the same family group returns, of its own accord, to gorge on the mango trees – sometimes four times a day. The Mfuwe elephants hang around the lodge for four to six weeks while the mangos last, sauntering through reception every once in a while for a mango feast.
These huge beasts are still wild animals and potentially dangerous – certainly not tame! Mfuwe lodge is the only known place where an entire wild elephant herd with babies, freely choose to get so close to humans.
This small herd of Mfuwe elephants is led to the lodge each day by their matriarch, known as Wonky Tusk, and it’s only the one same herd that come through, two-by-two. Staff and guests are used to the elephants strolling through reception, coming and going as they please.
In the ten years that these gentle giants have been visiting, there have been no incidents although visitors and staff are kept at a safe distance with bricks and walls between the Mfuwe elephants and the people.
Even though the story is ten years old, it had to be told, to indicate that time never depreciated the moment but in fact betters it. This totally natural phenomenon is a rare but magnificent experience of a wild elephant herd interacting with man.
Mfuwe elephants video.
Video Run Time: 5:46 min
Meet Our Authors: The Wildmoz team, Cari and Moz, have a lifelong passion for the Bushveld and share adventures and stories about Africa's good things. Wildmoz is Africa - the cradle of life! Travel writing about wildlife, African folklore, wildlife art, Kruger Park and wildlife safari info! Taste life as it is in Africa.