Dec 10, 2008: Mango Express

SPUCK · 12-10-2008, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. When they returned one year and found the luxury accommodation in the way, they simply walked through reception. The animals came in two-by-two: Hotel staff and visitors have gotten used to the elephants' impromptu strolls through reception

Now the family group, headed by matriarch Wonky Tusk, return every November to gorge on mangoes - up to four times a day. Andy Hogg, 44, director at the Bushcamp Company that runs the Lodge, has lived in South Luangwa National Park since 1982. In all his years of dealing with wild animals he has never seen such intimate interaction between man and beast. "This is the only place in the world where elephants freely get so close to humans," says the 44-year-old. "The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees. When they are ripe they come through and they stand about for four to six weeks coming back each day or second day to eat the mangoes."

In the 5,000 square mile national park, the Mfuwe Lodge consists of seven camps and the base camp where the elephants come through.

Cleanup in reception, STAT!

Aliantha · 12-10-2008, 05:03 AM

Awesome. Imagine being there and seeing that!

ZenGum · 12-10-2008, 07:32 AM

That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season.

"Waiter, there's a fly in my soup!"
"You think you got problems, mister?"

spudcon · 12-10-2008, 08:09 AM

After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys.

sweetwater · 12-10-2008, 08:38 AM

Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens.
...
The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees.

Gotta love humans and their perspectives on things. As for me, if the elephants claim the trees, then they are their trees. I'm not going to stand in their way.

Coign · 12-10-2008, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudcon

After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys.

Naw, he was just checking into a room since he was already there.

Shawnee123 · 12-10-2008, 09:52 AM

That is great. Why are elephants so darn cool?

dar512 · 12-10-2008, 10:10 AM

They've got nothin' to prove.

Shawnee123 · 12-10-2008, 10:18 AM

True, so true.

"I think I could turn and live with the elephants
They are so placid and self-contain'd"

With apologies to Whitman

ukamikanasi · 12-10-2008, 10:29 AM

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

Pie · 12-10-2008, 10:39 AM

It's quite common in the tropics to have structures with minimal or no walls, just roofs and support structures.

xoxoxoBruce · 12-10-2008, 11:11 AM

More pictures here. http://www.africatravelguide.com/art...uwe-lodge.html

I didn't know the elephants would take the stairs.

Shawnee123 · 12-10-2008, 11:12 AM

Uh, how many elephants do you think could fit into the elevator? No doy!

Leokins · 12-10-2008, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukamikanasi

Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

I bet they redecorated after the first few appearances of cartoon style, elephant shaped holes in the walls.

Shawnee123 · 12-10-2008, 03:03 PM

lol @ leokins

Welcome!

12-10-2008, 05:03 AM	#2
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	Awesome. Imagine being there and seeing that! __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

12-10-2008, 07:32 AM	#3
ZenGum Doctor Wtf Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Badelaide, Baustralia Posts: 12,861	That is so amazingly cool. I want to buy that elephant a martini. I bet they charge extra during mango season. "Waiter, there's a fly in my soup!" "You think you got problems, mister?" __________________ Shut up and hug. MoreThanPretty, Nov 5, 2008. Just because I'm nominally polite, does not make me a pussy. Sundae Girl.

12-10-2008, 08:09 AM	#4
spudcon Beware of potatoes Join Date: May 2007 Location: Upstate NY, USA Posts: 2,078	After seeing the third picture, I think I know how I lost my keys. __________________ "I believe that being despised by the despicable is as good as being admired by the admirable."

12-10-2008, 08:38 AM	#5
sweetwater lives inside a Mobius strip Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 1,120	Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happens to have been built next to a mango tree that one family of pachyderms have always visited when the fruit ripens. ... The elephants start coming through base camp in late November of each year to eat the mangoes from our trees. Gotta love humans and their perspectives on things. As for me, if the elephants claim the trees, then they are their trees. I'm not going to stand in their way. __________________ I knew I shoulda taken that left turn at Albuquerque! - Bugs Bunny

12-10-2008, 09:52 AM	#7
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	That is great. Why are elephants so darn cool? __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-10-2008, 10:10 AM	#8
dar512 dar512 is now Pete Zicato Join Date: May 2003 Location: Chicago suburb Posts: 4,968	They've got nothin' to prove. __________________ "Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain." -- Friedrich Schiller

12-10-2008, 10:18 AM	#9
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	True, so true. "I think I could turn and live with the elephants They are so placid and self-contain'd" With apologies to Whitman __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-10-2008, 10:29 AM	#10
ukamikanasi Complex Simpleton Join Date: May 2003 Location: Pacific Northwest Posts: 18	Is it typical for places like this to have huge open doorways there? It just seems rather convenient, makes me wonder if there's more to the story.

12-10-2008, 10:39 AM	#11
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	It's quite common in the tropics to have structures with minimal or no walls, just roofs and support structures. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

12-10-2008, 11:11 AM	#12
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	More pictures here. http://www.africatravelguide.com/art...uwe-lodge.html I didn't know the elephants would take the stairs. __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

12-10-2008, 11:12 AM	#13
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	Uh, how many elephants do you think could fit into the elevator? No doy! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

12-10-2008, 03:03 PM	#15
Shawnee123 Why, you're a regular Alfred E Einstein, ain't ya? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 21,206	lol @ leokins Welcome! __________________ A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones who need the advice. --Bill Cosby

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