A pilgrimage of wild elephants would walk through the reception of a safari lodge in Zambia every year to get some mangoes. The Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia is built next to a mango tree, which is visited by a family of pachyderms every time the mango fruit ripens. The elephants will be guided by their leader, Wonky Tusk, who has that intuition when the mangoes are already ripe.
"This is the very unusual and quite unique phenomenon of an annual elephant trek through the lodge's reception/lobby area. From late October every year, families of elephants visit the lodge grounds to feed on the fruit of a 'wild mango' (Cordyla africana) tree which grows in the lodge courtyard. Whilst the elephants can access this tree by a variety of routes, they often choose to take a shortcut through the actual building," said Ian Salisbury, the lodge general manager, according to the Daily Mail. "They climb the steps at the lodge entrance and trundle through the lobby, giving the lodge guests a real treat with their antics."
But it isn't just the sight of the elephants marching through the lobby of the hotel that is impressive. It also shows how mutual respect takes place between the elephants and humans, Digvia noted. The elephants are not domesticated, and they only get the fruits based on instincts.
Aside from the fruit eating, one cute sight is after the mango feast, when the animals lie down and relax just anywhere they want to! What an adorable sight to witness indeed!
Watch the video of the elephants that gatecrash through the reception of the safari lodge for some free lunch.
