THE ABU HERD

New Baby Born on May 24th
A fanfare of trumpeting by the elephants in the riding herd and much jubilation among the staff greeted a new arrival in Elephant Back Safaris' Abu Camp in Botswana's Okavango Delta - a healthy baby bull born to Sirheni just after 6 am on May 24th. Read more>>

ABU
Abu Camp is named after our legendary lead elephant, Abu, who died in 2002. He was a truly unique elephant, with the most amazing intelligence and gentleness towards people and other elephants. He was born in 1960 and is thought to be from either East Africa, or from the Kruger Park in South Africa. As a youngster he was taken to the United States where he was used as a ride elephant at a wildlife park in Grand Prairie, Texas. He was brought back to Africa in 1988 for the filming of 'Circles in a Forest', and moved to Botswana in 1990 where he was instrumental in setting up the first elephant back safaris on the continent. He continued to lead the Abu herd throughout the following twelve years.

CATHY
The matriarch of the herd, Cathy, born in 1960, is the largest adult cow and is distinguished by her shorter left tusk. While still a youngster, Cathy was captured in Uganda from Murchison Falls National Park. She was taken to a zoo outside Toronto, Canada where she remained until she was returned to Africa for the filming of 'Circles in a Forest'. Like Abu, she came to Botswana in 1990. Due to her stable temperament and tractability, Cathy now leads the safaris.

MTHONDO MBOMVO - "Painted Penis"
A strong and stocky bull with a broad head and even splayed tusks, Mthondo was born in 1975. He has a distinct lack of pigmentation on his penis, hence his given name. Originally from Zimbabwe, he was translocated when young to the Pilanesburg Reserve in South Africa. Here he became a nuisance, knocking down tents in a hunting camp and harassing visitors in the park. He was subsequently removed and then joined the Elephant Back Safaris herd in 1993. Now quiet and dependable, Mthondo has adapted quickly to his new life.