TCM = Trouser Changing Moment : With an Elephant in Southern Africa
I could hear his breath as he inquisitively reached his trunk toward us. That’s how close the bull elephant was to me as I sat quietly in the hide at Little Makalolo Camp.
It was the 4th day of my trip to Southern Africa with Wilderness Safaris and I was slumbering away during my siesta when I heard running feet and my friend calling “elephants, elephants!”. You see, before I went to sleep I asked her to wake me if elephants came to the watering hole just in front of our camp. I had heard elephants often came there, I had looked at pictures and I had imagined what it would be like to see elephants that close - but I didn’t really think it would happen.
I rushed out to the lounge area which is open to the plains and watering hole and saw there was in fact a small herd of elephants. I grabbed my binoculars (“binnies” or “binos” when you’re in Southern Africa) and watched the wild elephants enjoying the coolness of the fresh water.
Proof - the elephants came to Little Makalolo Camp while I was there!
But the story doesn’t end there.
After waking our expert guides from their siestas (sorry Charles and Paul) we hopped in the safari vehicle and rushed out to the log hide - a small log structure placed right beside the watering hole - and all piled out quickly and quietly.
I was a wee bit disappointed that most of the herd decided to leave shortly after we got settled in the hide. It was still interesting to observe the behaviour of the bull elephant who remained at the water after the rest left. Our guide whispered to us different facts about what his movements meant etc - fascinating stuff. But then, the elephant started walking along the waters edge and this happened.
And that’s what you call a TCM in Africa: a Trouser Changing Moment.
Want to experience this for yourself? Contact me and I can make it happen. Well, I can’t guarantee you that this exact situation will happen - but I can safely guarantee that your life will be forever changed.