By Dick Houston

ELEFENCE International is proud to introduce our newest Trustee to our elephant conservation foundation: Nic Polenakis.

Nic Polenakis, ELEFENCE Trustee and Owner of My Private Africa, based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Nic is one of only a handful of professional specialist guides qualified to work throughout most of Africa. His field guiding has been extensive in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Congo. He operates his own safari company My Private Africa in which he guides international guests all over the continent. National Geographic Traveler named Nic one of the best guides in Africa. He is committed to wildlife preservation and village community conservation projects in Africa as a Trustee of ELEFENCE.

Dick writes about his exciting bush experiences with Nic in Africa:
ELEFENCE International is proud to introduce our newest Trustee to our elephant conservation foundation: Nic Polenakis

Nic is one of only a handful of professional specialist guides qualified to work throughout most of Africa. His guiding has been extensive in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Zambia, Namibia, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Gabon, Kenya, Tanzania, and the Congo. He operates his own safari company My Private Africa based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. National Geographic Traveler has named Nic as one of the best guides in Africa.  

I believe there’s no such thing as coincidence. Some people’s paths are destined to cross. This was certainly true when I first met Nic years ago at a safari camp in Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe. 

I was there to initiate an Elefence conservation partnership with African Bush Camps Foundation to help fund solar-pumped waterholes for elephants, and for a local village community bordering the park.   

Nic and I hit it off immediately since we both share a passion for safari adventures, wildlife conservation — especially elephants.  

When I first arrived in Hwange, it wasn’t long before Nic took me on a walking safari into the bush. I marveled at Nic’s encyclopedic knowledge of every animal track and insect. He could identify every bird sound and what it was communicating. Quite remarkable considering there are over 420 species of birds in Hwange!   
  
One of the highlights of my bush treks with Nic was following the tracks of an old lone bull elephant which we thought was solitary. The day was to have many surprises. For safety, Nic carries a large caliber .458 Winchester. He is so good at anticipating wild animal behavior — whether elephant, lion, or Cape buffalo — that he’s never had to fire a shot!    

While following the tracks, we had not yet seen the elephant. Nic suddenly waved his hand palm down to stop. Not more than a hundred feet ahead, seen just above a clump of bushes, was the back end of the old bull! Then Nic started pointing excitedly to his left. He grinned. I gulped. There was another old bull just now emerging through the thorn brush lumbering toward his 7-ton friend! I looked around. Is there a tree to climb? 

Nic’s confidence quickly puts you at ease. There’s no macho swaggering to take needless risks. This guy knows what he’s doing. And he’s been doing it for 27 years in the bush. He reaches down to grab a handful of powdery dust to sift through his fingers to test the wind. Safe. We’re downwind. We trek on. The two bulls are now walking side by side, almost leaning into each other. Old buddies. 

Our chuka boots step into monster tracks as the bulls head for shade. It’s noon with the sun directly overhead. Insects whine around our sweat-soaked shirts. We keep our hundred-feet distance. The bulls find two tall trees to rest under. One bull leans against a thick bole of a tree, it creaks as he falls fast asleep. The other bull stands still, eyes shut, trunk hanging straight down. We move within 50 feet and stop. They look bigger. T.Rex size. My heart’s hammering. Amazingly the bulls have absolutely no idea we’re there. We’re both grinning. Feeling really alive. One with the bush.

Nic puts you in the moment.