February 15, 1997

(CNN) -- This is the wild Africa we dream about. Great herds of animals racing across tall grass savannas with a grace and energy that shakes the earth.

In the African heartland, the magnificent elephant is the one species who rules and stands out. These great beasts thunder across the ground with the force of a continent. So, imagine the thrill of riding an elephant, not just on a 2-minute circus-type jaunt, but for days while crossing the savannas and delta waters of southern Africa.

An elephant-back safari can be yours courtesy of Abu's Camp, which was established in 1990 as the dream project of elephant expert Randall Moore. Moore has collected 14 of the gentle giants from various backgrounds: some were castoffs from zoos and circuses, while others were abandoned after poaching operations. He brought them to Botswana and the Okavango Delta to encourage a new kind of tourism, appreciation for the land, and for the elephant itself.

"People over the years have always seen elephants in a threatening way. So, we're hoping to teach them not to be terribly afraid of something you really don't know or understand," Moore said. "I think anybody coming to Abu's Camp, what I would hope they leave with, is a deep, profound appreciation for elephants ... just a love for elephants."