When giants visit: Elephant moments at the waterhole

A familiar path to water

Image credit: Reinhold Deacon

Autumn in the Lowveld brings quieter mornings and softer light. As the bush begins to change, the elephants continue with their age-old rhythm. As smaller water sources dry up, the waterhole in front of Shumbalala Game Lodge becomes an important place for them to gather.

These visits follow a path shaped by generations of experience. The herds arrive not only to drink, but to reconnect, to cool off, and to spend time together. This is more than just a stop along the way. It’s part of their daily life, and one we’re fortunate to witness up close.

These rituals — drinking, bathing, bonding — are both instinctive and learned, deeply woven into the fabric of elephant life. Adults move with practiced grace, scooping water with their trunks and sending it cascading into their mouths. Calves move excitedly between the adults, staying close for comfort and protection, often splashing more than they drink as they figure out their way in the world.

There’s often a hum of activity. Some cool down in the water, others mud bathe or toss dust over their shoulders. You might catch a moment of affection — a trunk gently resting on another’s back, a calf leaning into its mother.

There’s always something to notice: a sound, a splash, a pause.

Memory and movement

Image credit: Reinhold Deacon

Elephants are highly intelligent animals with strong spatial memory. Matriarchs — the oldest and most experienced females — lead their herds using knowledge built over years of navigating the landscape. They remember reliable water sources, seasonal routes, and safe resting areas. The herd follows accordingly. These patterns of return show how elephants pass knowledge from one generation to the next.

From our decks

Image credit: Reinhold Deacon

One of the most cherished parts of staying at Shumbalala Game Lodge is that wildlife doesn’t only happen far away — it often unfolds right in front of you.

You’re relaxing with a glass of wine, the sun high and warm, soft sunlight spilling across the landscape. Then — a gentle change in the air. The silence stirs.

And just like that, the elephants arrive.

Nature moves at its own pace here — and you’ve got a front row seat. There’s no need to move, no need to speak. Just watch. From your private suite or the main lodge deck, you’re part of something rare: wildlife on its own terms.

Image credit: Reinhold Deacon

Guests often say these are the moments they remember most — not because they were dramatic, but because they were real.

The constant in the change

Image credit: Tania Steyn

While the landscape quietly shifts with the season, the elephants remain a steady presence. Their patterns may adjust with the availability of food and water, but their energy, curiosity, and calm never fade.

They remind us that even the largest beings in the wild are deeply in tune with their surroundings. Always adapting. Always aware.

A final word

Image credit: Reinhold Deacon

At Shumbalala Game Lodge, moments like these always make us pause — and smile. Whether it’s a herd gathered at the waterhole or a single elephant passing through, these encounters are among the most humbling and rewarding experiences we share with our guests.

As the days grow cooler and the bush continues to shift, we invite you to join us. Not just to see the elephants, but to feel what it means to be still in their presence.