Watch the Sighting:
When Shannon and Byron Melville planned a safari trip to Hluhluwe-iMfolozi Park for their family visiting from the UK, they expected to showcase Africa’s majestic wildlife—not the unpredictable actions of a fellow human! The bush always has surprises in store, and this moment proved unforgettable.
The family was making their way out of the park on the last day of their trip when something very unexpected happened.
Turning a Corner into Chaos
As the family drove down the road, a small white Toyota zipped past their vehicle, rounding a corner out of sight. Moments later, the Melvilles made their way around the same corner and couldn’t believe what they saw!
A giant bull elephant was strolling down the road, heading right towards the Toyota which had now pulled over onto the side of the road — a wise decision to give the animal some space.
As the elephant approached the vehicle, the Melville family held their breath. They hoped the elephant would leave the car alone, but what happened next, left them in stitches!
When Fear Takes the Wheel
All of a sudden, the passenger door flew open, and a man bolted from the vehicle and into the bush as if his life depended on it! “The vehicle was filled with shock, and shortly after, bursts of laughter broke out. At this point, we could not believe our eyes.”
As the man ran further into the bush, the Melvilles weren’t the only ones confused by the situation. The elephant, just as startled as the humans, paused in apparent confusion.
The man’s decision to flee the safety of his vehicle seemed to be driven entirely by panic. The Melvilles joked that for all he knew, he could have been running straight toward lions in the bush!
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An Unforgettable Tale
Finally, the elephant decided to continue on its way down the road. The Melvilles laughed as they finally regained sight of the man booking it back to his vehicle.
The encounter ended with the vehicle driving off casually as if nothing had happened. Perhaps this man’s bold move saved not only his life but his vehicle as well!
While it may have been an unconventional sighting on safari, the Melvilles will certainly take this unique memory with them for the rest of their lives!
Road Rules: Giving Elephants the Right of Way
Like all wild animals, elephants can have unpredictable behaviour. As soon as you spot an elephant on the road, it is best to observe the following rules:
- Always approach slowly and with caution.
- Observe elephants as quietly as possible, avoiding sudden movements and loud noises.
- Leave at least 100m of distance, with room to easily drive away from the sighting if need be.
- Always give elephants, the right of way while on the road, and retreat slowly if the elephant shows any signs of agitation (ear flapping, trunk swinging).