We had some excellent sightings of African Elephants in the uMkhuze Game Reserve section of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park when we toured the reserve earlier in November.
There were some adorable babies in this big breeding herd – at least 50 individuals strong – that crossed the road in front of us in a hurry past the eThaleni Picnic Spot.
Elephant bulls are always a thrill to encounter.
We were trapped behind this big Elephant bull in musth – a period of heightened reproductive urges accompanied by aggressive behaviour – while heading back to camp on our first evening at uMkhuze. Luckily he gave way just in time for us to make the gate closing time of 19h00.
Remember that DeWetsWild will gladly assist you with reservations and guided tours of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park if you’d like to visit this wonderful place as well.
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Amazing pictures!
Thank you very much!
Sjoe, so baie olifante bymekaar! Dit was lekker om te kyk hoe hulle oor die pad gestap het – daai pragtige kleintjies 💌. En ek sal maar versigtig wees vir daardie ou groot bulle!
Dit bly vir my my gunsteling dier om te sien. Altyd fassinerende gedrag wat mens laat besef hoe intelligent hulle eintlik is.
Looks like he might have ripped up a few trees along the road to make his point if if weren’t perfectly clear. It looked difficult to see them in the dark. I imagine you have to drive quite slowly after dark.
You are right, Tracy. Seeing those enormous grey bodies in the headlights of the car is not always easy, especially when driving on dusty roads. Thankfully we drive slow in game reserves – 25-30km/h only – because going any faster really detracts from the experience.
And no one would want to get hurt! 🙂
So pleased to see. In our last 10 or so visits to Mkhuze in the 2yrs before lockdown, we saw ONE ele (with a wound on one foot – looked like ?snare damage). Lovely video.
This is also the best elephant viewing we’ve ever had at uMkhuze GR. Perhaps they’ve become more relaxed around vehicles during and after the pandemic. Our encounters on earlier visits always involved a lot of mock charges and posturing and they were certainly more relaxed now.
Elephants are fascinating creatures, yet we cannot be complacent in their presence. What lovely encounters, except for being stuck behind one on your way back to camp: I do not like being late, although the elephant makes a good excuse 🙂
The whole time we were stuck behind him I was thinking that at least I have a video to prove why we’re late! Thankfully I didn’t need it in the end.
oOo…Helephants 🙂
My favourite animal without a shadow of a doubt, Gavin. Especially the grumpy big bulls with their swaggering attitude.
Het gou nog ekstra gaan lees oor die musth van olifante. Weer ‘n paar ekstra dinge geleer oor hul “reproduksie” voortplanting maniere. Met sulke groot diere is dit nie snaaks dat hul 12 tot 18 weke in seisoen kan wees nie. Die bul lyk nog maar ‘n chicken as mens dit so kan noem. As die natuur roep moet mens en dier maar uit hul pad bly.
Mens moet regtig nie met n bul in musth skoor soek nie, Ineke. Dis maar altyd beter om hulle te laat voor loop!
Glo goed. Renosters is ook maar gevaarlik as hul in seisoen is.
Those baby elephants are certainly uber cute!
And their moms are uber protective of them!