We’ve all heard the adage “an elephant never forgets.” If you’ve ever had the slightest doubt about that statement, this story is sure to turn you into a believer.

Wilderness Safari’s Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia happened to be built next to a very special mango tree. Even though there are many mango trees in the South Luangwa National Park, a group of ten elephants prefer to eat from this particular one. In fact, their migration route now goes directly through the lobby of the lodge!

Mfuwe Lodge is one of the only places in the world where wild elephants get so comfortably close to people. It’s a rare and magnificent sight, offering guests once-in-a-lifetime photo opportunities. In celebration of this event, Wilderness Safaris also has experts on hand to share their knowledge of elephant life and behavior.

The group of elephants returns every November to eat the ripened mangos (sometimes coming back up to four times a day). They are not aggressive, but guests are kept at reasonable distances to ensure their safety. Over the last ten years, there have been no incidents involving the elephants. They simply enjoy coming back to dine on the succulent yellow fruit from their favorite tree.