Regina, Nomsa and Khanya spent a day at the Addo Elephant National Park during Parks Week and got to see elephantsa and other wildlife, for the first time.
South Africa (01 October 2023) – The SANParks Parks Week was created to get more South Africans into the national parks to celebrate wildlife and heritage. During the 2023 Parks Week, three women got the chance to see elephants in real life, for the first time! This is their heartwarming story.
The week grants free access to most of the 21 national parks for day visitors, especially people from the local communities. Regina, Nomsa and Khanya got the chance to visit the Addo Elephant National Park.
Heather Tyson took the three ladies to the park as none of them had ever seen a wild elephant. Regina, who is 65 years old, has worked with Heather’s family for the past 45 years. When she retired, her niece Nomsa took over the position. Nomsa’s daughter Khanya, who is in grade 11, wants to work in tourism and the trip to the national park was equally as enjoyable for her. The three women loved the day.
Heather shared that as a Wild Card holder, she often gets to visit the park on shopping days. She is an avid outdoors lover, spending her time watching wildlife, hiking and camping. She has spent almost every holiday in a game reserve.
Getting to share this gift with Regina, Nomsa and Khanya has been a highlight. Heather shared that Regina was so excited, she woke up at 1 am to prepare for the day out.
Heather shared their experience but she felt its an opportunity that many more can experience and thanks to Parks Week, it is attainable.
“For the past 3 years I have been wanting to take my staff to Addo and eventually this year in spite of being very busy at work I downed tools and headed to Addo!
We entered at Matyholweni Gate as it opened at 07h00 a.m. (Our plan was to wake at 04h30 and leave by 05h45 – when I picked the staff up… Regina had been up since 01h00 a.m. – too excited to sleep) Khanya was the photographer with her mother’s cell phone. She snapped every animal and bird that we came across several times.
They saw Elephant, Zebras, Red Hartebees, Kudu, Jackal, Herons, etc so by the time we stopped for lunch (a braai at Jack’s Picnic Spot) her phone was exhausted. I took over and tried to snap whatever for them while charging her phone in the car.
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They loved and appreciated everything they saw. We travelled right through the Park from South to Main camp restaurant and shop and exited from Main Gate. The weather could not have been better. There were elephants at every waterhole!!! The feeling of excitement was so rewarding.
Reginas comment was that when she saw elephants on the TV she would think that these were very far away and was amazed to see them so close to home. We had some close encounters with elephants at Hapoor and on the road. They never showed signs of fear just excitement and amazement.
I would like to encourage others to take one day off in your life to share an experience like this with your staff or someone who has never had the opportunity.
It was so rewarding and such a pleasure to experience their joy and excitement.”
This story is the perfect example of why Parks Week is so important for South Africans. It gives everyone a chance to get involved at national parks and see the beauty of our wild spaces.
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