Young Elephant chasing away a lion! Captured by Journey to Africa Guest and Photographer, Alex Fine
August 12th is World Elephant Day.
Elephants are very special to me. They’re wise, social, playful, sometimes a little mischievous, and always utterly spellbinding. Every Safari I design is a chance to help guests connect with elephants in fresh, memorable ways – and each story and encounter shared with me leaves a mark on my heart.
Today, I want to do more than share facts. I want to bring you into the moments: the sights, sounds, and even late-night rumblings that define what it’s like to meet elephants in the wild. And, as always, I can’t resist weaving in stories from dear guests and the special places where these encounters unfold.
Fascinating facts about African elephants
No two Safari days are the same, but elephants make sure every day is extraordinary. They’re full of surprises – here are some that never fail to amaze me (and my guests, too!):
Did you know elephants can “speak” without a sound? Using deep rumbles and even seismic vibrations through the earth, they can send messages over distances of around six miles.
Elephants literally shape the regions they live in! Their powerful trunks dig for water, creating life-saving wells in the dry season. They also knock down trees and spread seeds in their dung, keeping the whole ecosystem humming.
Elephants grieve. They linger by the body, cover it with leaves, and seem to mourn together. Our guests Talia and James witnessed a herd gently touching the bones of a fallen matriarch.
If you watch closely, you’ll notice those trunks have two finger-like tips – way more dexterous than we imagine!
Each elephant’s tusks are as unique as fingerprints. Researchers use them to identify individuals.
Ever seen an elephant use its trunk as a snorkel while swimming across a river? Or watched them slap their giant ears to stay cool? Africa is hot, but elephants know how to beat the heat with a good mud bath and an ear-fanning session.
Not all African elephants are the same! Forest elephants, now considered a separate species, are shy, smaller, and built for dense rainforests. When you see them as I did in Republic of the the Congo, you cherish the moment. They’re rare and absolutely captivating.
Guest encounters to get you excited for your own Safari
Young Elephant up close captured by Journey to Africa guests, Gary and Karen Simmons
Captured by Journey to Africa Guests, Joshua and Terri Galvan
Safari isn’t just my story; it’s yours, too. Ken and Nan went on an epic journey across East Africa. Their tales say it all:
“We woke to an elephant eating leaves just five feet from our heads – felt his movement through the canvas! Another day we watched a line of elephants marching across the Amboseli flats towards water, so close you could hear their feet crunch on the dust.”
From sharing bush breakfasts to listening to thunderous midnight footsteps, every day was filled with elephants, laughter, and wonder.
Then there’s George – photographer, adventurer, and forever a city boy at heart. In Ngorongoro Crater, he watched an old bull elephant meander to within 12 feet of his group, calmly dust-bathing and unperturbed by their presence. Later, he arrived at a camp just as staff finished clearing up after a family of elephants had wandered straight through the kitchen tent the night before! That’s the thing about elephants: they’re always writing their own story, and if you’re lucky, you get to be a part of it.
And I’ll never forget listening to Angela’s tales, who brought her crew of energetic kids to Tanzania. The whole family still laughs about the day a sassy female elephant decided to scratch her behind on a mud pile right in front of them. And when they came across the biggest group of dung beetles their guide John had ever seen, he slammed the brakes, jumped out of the truck, and was off inspecting before anyone else could even unbuckle. A testament to the fact that there’s excitement in spotting ALL creatures on Safari – great and small.
No matter where your Safari takes you, seeing elephants – and wildlife in general – is a privilege and a reminder: true Africa is raw, surprising, and beautiful in ways words can rarely capture.
If you’re dreaming of an elephant encounter, you’re not alone. I fell in love the first time I saw a herd rumbling through the dust, and that feeling has never left me.
Ready to meet them yourself? I’d love nothing more than to help you experience the magic of being in the presence of elephants. Reach out, share your dream. Let’s plan a Safari you’ll never “recover” from (just ask Ken and Nan!).
Captured by Journey to Africa guests, Natalie and Vipul Engineer
To elephants… and to all those who adore them. Happy World Elephant Day!
