Wonky and Wellie (and family) at Mfuwe Lodge (Zambia)

ORIGINAL: Mfuwe Lodge

Towards the end of the year an elephant family led by iconic matriarch "Wonky Tusk" walks through the reception of Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park to feed on the fruits of a massive Wild Mango tree that grows in the lodge grounds. Normally spending up to an hour feeding on the fruits that have fallen to the ground, they may come back several times during day to catch the next harvest.

On this particular day last December they spent 4.5 hours around the tree first hoovering up all the green fruits and pips left over by the baboons and then, maybe worn out from all the activity, simply lay down to sleep with Wonky and another female watching over them.

From October to December each year, in the grounds of Zambia's Mfuwe Lodge, the lawn around the fruiting 'Wild Mango' tree becomes the dining room for Wonky Tusk, Wellington and their whole elephant family. They even invite a few approved guests along ... having first taught them the short cut through the lodge lobby of course!

Wellie recently had his second birthday, but you can catch up on his adventures with this look back at some of his earliest visits to the lodge...and meet the rest of the "Tusk" family!