For a safari lodge it’s tourism gold dust to have regular visits from non-violent wildlife to give guests a feeling of being up close and personal with nature.
But for one luxury South African resort, Etali Safari Lodge, which offers game drives and walks to see the continent’s Big Five, one of the animals is often ticked off the list before leaving the hotel.
One African elephant has take a particular liking to resort’s pool and deck area – so much so staff have nicknamed the elephant Troublesome.


This elephant has taken such a liking to the Etali Safari Lodge’s pools he has been nicknamed Troublesome

The cheeky African elephant has subverted the resort’s efforts to keep him from emptying their pools

Troublesome isn’t shy of the resort staff and has no problem spraying them with water from his trunk
Troublesome is a regular visitor to Etali in the Madikwe Game Reserve and has become a regular visitor to the splash pools there over the past four years, much to guests’ amusement.
Video footage shows the cheeky African elephant wandering into the complex as if he owns the joint – he certainly knows his way around – before seeking refreshment from the splash pools.
Troublesome likes to dip his trunk into the pools for a drink, but also enjoys having some fun with the humans and has no problem spraying them with water – or maybe he’s reminding them who’s boss.
While sundowners on the deck overlooking a herd of local elephants is a regular feature for Etali guests, having an elephant joining them for a drink isn’t part of the plan.

Troublesome has been a regular visitor to Etali in the Madikwe Game Reserve for the past four years

A guest watches on as Troublesome wanders around the deck and pool area as if he owns the joint
Safety concerns and the fact he is emptying out the pools with his antics have led resort staff to take action and try to keep their four-legged friend out of the grounds, but it appears Troublesome is living up to his name and keeps out-witting them.
Etali Safari Lodge’s manager Kristoff Potgieter said efforts to deter him have fallen on deaf ears.
‘After our previous incidents with Troublesome and the other elephants around the lodge, we have tried to deter them from emptying out the splash pools,’ he said.

The more conventional interaction with the elephants (centre) is with a sundowner on the deck by the pool

The splash pool at the luxury safari resort is regularly emptied out by the visiting elephant

Troublesome has thwarted attempts to deter him because he likes the clear water offers by the resort
‘However Troublesome is no ordinary elephant, he wandered around the pathways of the lodge looking for his gap, and keeping our staff and guests on their toes!
‘Finally he figured out that he could make it to the edge of our main pool at the edge of the main lodge wooden deck.
‘He just cannot resist the cool, clear water of our pool.’

When Etali boasts it offers ‘guests a unique and personal African bush experience wherein nature, relaxation and luxury combine to form an unforgettable memory’, they’re not kidding.