Tuskers Galore
The Tembe Elephant Park is situated in Maputaland, KwaZulu-Natal. The 300 km² reserve comprises grassland and sand-forest ecosystems and is home to some of the largest elephants in Africa, part of the great herds that used to migrate between Mozambique and Zululand. The park was proclaimed in 1983 after regional Chief Msimba Tembe donated land to form the reserve to conserve and protect the sand forest and its ecosystems.
Tembe is home to the Big Five, a vast number of bird species and abundant antelope, including the suni, one of the smallest in Africa. The park has great ecotourism potential, and minimal commercial development in the area has allowed for a rich diversity of fauna and flora.
The park is also invested in conservation work. Wildlife ACT focuses on monitoring the lion population of Tembe, as well as the shy suni. Elephant monitoring is also of great concern and happens during a 2-week cycle. The park has a partnership with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife - the provincial park authority.