DESTINATION / SOUTH AFRICA Thula Thula unfurls around us – an undulating patchwork of greens, khakis, yellows and rusty dirt, dotted with the abstract lumps of distant elephants. There’s nothing abstract about the four on the road ahead, though. They’re mere steps away – and almost still, barring their heavy-lashed blinks, as they peer into the Landcruiser. And while this roadblock should be intimidating – after all, they’re about three metres tall – I feel a sense of calm connection to these peaceful behemoths. As I put down my camera to savour the moment, the largest fellow steps forward; watching our elephant specialist safari guide, Andrew Murgatroyd, he wraps his trunk around the bullbar. “Gobisa, it’s great to see you! Gobiiiiisa,” Andrew says from the driver’s seat, smiling broadly. “He’s…