FAQs about visiting and working with the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe

Posted on 30 July 2010

The Presidential Elephants spend much of their time on the Hwange Estate. What is the Hwange Estate, and where’s it located?
The Hwange Estate is 140 square kilometres of unfenced land – comprising a mixture of state, forestry and private land – that borders the Main Camp section of Hwange National Park in Zimbabwe’s west. The closest settlement is the small rural railway township of Dete.

How hairy is an elephant’s trunk?
See first photo!

Why are they called the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe?
In 1990 President Robert Mugabe decreed that these very habituated elephants (ie those that roam the Hwange Estate) should never be sport-hunted or culled, and that they should symbolise Zimbabwe’s commitment to responsible wildlife management. Hence, as a result of this decree – and under the patronage of the President of Zimbabwe – they became known as ‘The Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe’; Zimbabwe’s flagship herd.

What is the nearest airport, and how do you get to the Hwange Estate from there?
There is actually an airport right next door to the estate (the Hwange National Park airport), however no commercial airlines are currently flying into it. (You can, though, fly in by private charter if you choose.) The nearest airport for commercial flights is Victoria Falls, which is 2 hours away by road. Various operators offer road transfers, and most lodges will arrange to collect you from this airport.

What good does a windscreen do when driving amongst the Presidential Elephants of Zimbabwe?
See second photo!

Which lodges are in the area?
There are quite a few lodges in the Hwange Main Camp area. Those who will arrange game-drives for you amongst the Presidential Elephants include:

Ivory Lodge (part of the Amalinda Collection)
Sikumi Lodge (part of the Rainbow Tourism Group)
Hwange Safari Lodge (run by African Sun)
Ganda Lodge (a Forestry lodge)

Can you self-drive on the Hwange Estate?
No private self-drive vehicles are permitted on the estate. You must book a game-drive on a registered game-drive vehicle (one that has approval to drive on this land), with a licensed guide.

How does it feel to be almost sat-on by a musth bull?…
See third photo!

Am I able to accompany your game-drive?
If you’d like me to accompany your game-drive/s, please make this clear to the lodge when you make your accommodation booking, asking that they contact me to confirm my availability. If the lodge isn’t too busy it may be possible for me to stay with you in camp. You can also send me an email, prior to your arrival, through my website – www.sharonpincott.com – by selecting the ‘contact’ tab and then filling in the form you find there. Please note that same-day requests are always difficult to accommodate.

Do all of the safari guides in the area have a good knowledge of the Presidential Elephants?
Not all guides are currently knowledgeable about the Presidential Elephants. Although this will hopefully change over time, do always make sure that your guide is well-versed, wise and watchful when driving amongst these elephants. If he’s not clued-up on who’s who within the Presidential Elephants, request an alternate guide.

How many Presidential Elephants are there?
There are currently around 450 elephants, in 17 different extended-family groups.

What looks rather like a sea urchin with fat lips?…
See fourth photo!

What makes these elephants so unique?
The Presidential Elephants are particularly habituated to people in vehicles, with many approaching to greet you. Mothers bring their babies right beside the game-drive vehicles. These elephants aren’t confined by fences; they’re not hand-raised; they’re not domesticated. They’re extremely trusting, calm – individually-known and closely monitored – wild elephants.

Is it safe to get so close to wild elephants?
So long as the person guiding you has a thorough appreciation and understanding of the behaviour of these particular elephants, it is safe. All good guides will insist that you remain seated at all times; that you don’t talk loudly; that you don’t make any sudden movements; and that you never attempt to touch or feed them. When you’re with someone who understands the family structures and relationships – both within the various families, and between the different family groups – there’s an added level of safety, and interest.

What’s the best time to do a game-drive amongst them?
Afternoon drives are always better than morning ones when looking specifically for elephants. Better still, book a half-day game-drive with lunch in the field, which allows you to also enjoy the midday to 3pm period when these elephants are often active around the pans, yet few other people are around. Note that elephant sightings are usually fewer in the wet season (November to March), although when you stumble upon them during these months they’re at their most beautiful in the green lush surrounds.

Why is there so much paint missing from the bonnet of my 4×4?…
See fifth photo!

What other animals will you see on a game-drive?
This is ‘Big 5’ country, and so you have the chance of also seeing prides of lion, large herds of buffalo, and leopard and rhino. And there’s always a chance of seeing cheetah, and occasionally wild dog. Zebra, giraffe, various types of antelope, crocodile and many smaller species are here too, together with an excellent variety of bird-life. Only occasionally do you come across a hippo on the Hwange Estate – although you will find them inside Hwange National Park.

How far away is Hwange National Park?
The Main Camp entrance to Hwange National Park is just down the road; only 20 kilometres away (a short game-drive in itself). You can self-drive inside Hwange National Park if you choose. Full-day game-drives are recommended, with a visit to Nyamandlovu platform, and then on to the Makwa pan, Kennedy veli and Ngweshla areas.

Is theft a problem?…
See sixth photo!

Why am I now involved in the tourism side of things?
As I wrote in the July 2010 issue of Getaway (a pdf of which you’ll find on the home-page of my website www.sharonpincott.com ) I’ve come to believe that the return of the tourists is crucial to the survival of Zimbabwe’s wildlife, including its flagship herd of elephants. Only if the elephants are seen to be worth as much alive as they are dead will they survive long-term. Encouraging the tourists to return – and helping to raise awareness by writing about these elephants – is now a key part of my ongoing wildlife conservation efforts.

Am I an academic researcher?
No, I’m not here for academic- and/or self-advancement. I have no interest in university degrees. Proving – without extrapolations, predictions or assumptions; something that can only be done over the course of many years of dedicated monitoring – such important statistics as age at first calf (the Hwange Estate elephants typically give birth for the first time at 12-14 years of age), and calving internals (they give birth every 3.8 years on average), is something that I do for the welfare of the elephants – dispelling prior misinformation about population dynamics – rather than doing it for academic glory. I write about my findings/observations/experiences in the popular press, which reaches a much wider audience than any scientific journal.

Where can you buy a copy of my book The Elephants and I?
It’s available online from various book-sites in the UK and the USA, and it’s also available from ‘Exclusive Books’ bookstores throughout South Africa (including the one in the Departures Lounge of the Johannesburg International Airport).

What does a long-nosed pig look like?…
See seventh photo!

What’s changed since the release of my book in April 2009?
Thankfully there’s more awareness now about the plight of the Presidential Elephants and the protection status previously afforded to them. And more people now would love to visit them. The pan/water situation on the estate has also improved. (It’s been a satisfying time.)

I’ve been with the Presidential Elephants on the Hwange Estate – without any salary and little financial assistance – for a long time. What makes me stay?
I’ve been here full-time for almost a decade, but in terms of an elephant’s life that isn’t actually very long at all. Because an elephant is so long-lived (up to 65 years) it takes many, many more years than it does if you’re working with a different (less long-lived) species, to properly understand their lives. When you form special relationships with them – and when you know that poaching/unethical sport-hunting is still prevalent in many parts of Africa – it’s difficult to turn your back and walk away.






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