Jabulani is only 6 rooms decorated in the Colonial style of the wealthy with priceless antiques, skin rugs, fresh flowers everywhere and servants dressed in spiffy black Moroccan Nehru suits. We are immediately fed lunch that began with strawberries and asparagus in vinaigrette dressing, crunchy nut bread and peach tea. The chef announces each course and foodies would love it. The lodge is magnificent. It is owned by Lente Roode who is a founder of the Endangered Species Center and adopted the elephant Jabulani when he was 3 months old and left by his family in a mud hole to die. He was stuck in the mud and could not get out. The Zimbabwe ranger who found him called Lente and she adopted him. Then she had to get a trainer for him. Now she has 12 rescued elephants and 12 elephant trainers, along with 14 groomers. It is no surprise that they have to charge more than $1,000 per person per night to keep it running.

Clyde, the camp manager announces that we will have a lantern lit, night ride on the elephants tonight. I have heard that the elephants choose their riders, but Jabulani himself is mine tonight and I am thrilled. As I mount the custom made saddle, it is just the groom, Jabulani and me in the entire world. The space between earth and sky blends. First there is one star, then a hundred and finally the sky is filled with a blanket of millions of sparkling sequins in a velvet sky. Riding the elephant was so comfortable on the custom made, cushioned saddle that I did not have to hold on, so I turned my palms to the sky and God came to rest in them. The world was completely silent and even the enormous padded feet of the elephants were soundless as we traveled through the dark bush with Paul, the trainer, walking in front, scanning the bush with a battery powered vapor light for predators. Each time his light lingered on a pair of shining yellow eyes my groom would whisper, “genet, jackal, caracal” or whatever the eyes belonged to. The huge orange full moon followed us through the hushed bush. On this velvet night we are surrounded by fire, earth, air and water. It is a night for a masked ball. There must be something to this feng shui business because I feel so completely in my skin.

When I look back at the choices that made the bread crumb trail to where I am now, I am astounded, grateful and in awe of the fate that guided those many choices. I am in Africa, the place of my heart, with the man of my dreams and precious new friends who will always be in our life. This elephant back night safari is an experience that was worth the price of the entire safari and it was no meager amount!

Interested in planning a trip with Connie Ebright?

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