Game drives are a thrilling experience, but sometimes you can find yourself in a tight spot. At that moment, you have two choices: panic or sit tight and enjoy the experience.
Carla Ford submitted this tense footage to Latest Sightings. She filmed it near Markowane Dam, in South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park.
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Setting the scene
Carla told Latest Sightings that she and her companions were crossing a bridge near the dam when they saw a herd of elephants approaching. Sensibly, they decided to back up to give the elephants the right of way.
As they did so, they were startled to see that another herd of elephants was approaching from behind them. Consequently, they found themselves stuck between the two herds with no escape route available.
As such, they had no choice but to sit tight and hope for the best. Accordingly, Carla told everyone to stay quiet, letting the elephants decide how the situation would unfold.
Used to vehicles
At this point, it is worth mentioning that the elephants of Pilanesberg are well habituated to vehicles. Even so, all wildlife can be unpredictable, especially if suddenly frightened.
Moments later, the herd approaching from behind was just metres from her vehicle. At this distance, one truly appreciates just how big elephants are.
Eye to eye
Thankfully, the elephants were very relaxed as they passed the vehicle. Nevertheless, the occupants were careful not to do anything that might alarm them.
When viewing elephants, there are a number of visual clues that help determine their mood. For instance, ears gently flapping suggest a calm animal, whereas flared ears and a streaming secretion on the cheek indicate agitation.
Elephants in 4K
With limited space to pass, soon the view from every window offered an up-close view of the herd. Made up of all age groups, the elephants seemed more intent on getting to the dam than on concerning themselves with Carla’s vehicle.
In no time, most of the herd had passed.
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Not over yet
However, it was too soon to breathe a sigh of relief as, no sooner had they passed than the other herd approached from in front. Consequently, the two herds came face-to-face on the road ahead.
Initially, neither herd wanted to give way. For the most part, elephants are tolerant of one another, but given her existing apprehension, Carla tensed up once again.
Too soon to move
Subsequently, the two herds settled things with a few trumpets and a little pushing and shoving. However, it was still too soon to move, for by now another elephant was feeding right next to the vehicle.
This time around, though, it was the elephants that felt out of place. Their herd was moving on, and they needed to catch up.
Instead of panicking, though, the young bull carefully reversed past them, all the while watching for any sudden movements.
Moments later, he’d completed the manoeuvre and turned to follow his family. With a collective sigh of relief, Carla and her companions were now free to continue with their safari.