SANParks.org Forums

Getting cold feet?

Thus far it seems to be going good, you would have seen it on the forum if someone had "a bad experience" with an ellie in the Parks.

Just give them the space they want, and keep an eye out for young ones, or bulls in musht, and you should be okay.

The musth period is not in April - it is at a different time for each elephant - like most hormonal cycles in mammals. Alya000 there are not often accidents because of elephants but cars do get attacked from time to time. This happens when people ignore the warning signs! Don't push your luck and you will be fine. If you have to turn you car around and go a different way then do it. It all adds to the fun or the trip Anything can happen to anyone who is stupid enought to get out of there car - but all animals are wild and therefore dangerous not just elephants. Don't worry about things such as these too much either - I have been to the KNP approx 150 times and been charged and hassled often enough but I am still here - be cool!

The 150 times. Not the charging bit

Hi Bert
Some of us were just born lucky - I had my first visit whilst still in Mom's tummy - my folks both love the KNP so we went at least 5 times a year (and seldom went anywhere else but hey whose complaining). Wish I could still do that but now I live too far and I have to work...

But if i were you i would subtract 5 visits
You couldnt see much or hear. Doesnt count

Hello again dear forumers,
As nunu says "cars do get attacked from time to time"
I didn't found an answer about statistics of incident...but I read only today this article on SaNPark's Latest news :
Elephant Overturns Tourst Vehicle in the Kruger National Park
Date: 2006-04-11
http://www.sanparks.org/about/news/default.php?id=168

It's maybe good to check the car before

The most famous elephant overturning car story has got to be the Kanniedood dam ele. He simply enjoyed moving dirty cars through his car wash, being the Kanniedood dam itself.

A few years ago an ele overturned a jeep jockey's vehicle with a couple of tourists in it still and then trampled the trailer to "death". It walked off, cross paths with a bull buff and made short work of the bovine bullybeef.

One female tourist broke her arm in the incidence and the driver was found way later after he ran off into the veld.

What's really nice bout incidents like these is that you automatically win yourself 2 holes in your door for easy access to take your Macdonalds take aways and small change. A tusk have no problem penetrating the metal and if you are really lucky you will not end up "dumb man en-brochette" whilst listening to the midday radio Jacaranda news.

I enjoyed this post WTM
Apparently that same elephant has now opened a panel beating firm on the top end of the Kanniedood called Loxadonta's Chop Shop.

Hi Alya

What camps are you planning to stay at and have you ever been to the bush/on a safari before?

(Okay Bert I'll subtract 5 visits if it makes you feel better )

Hi nunu,

We were 3 times in Kruger, Kgalagadi last year, Addo, Hluluwe/Umfolozi and some others small parks in the ten past years.
We have planed to stay in May 2 nts Skukuza, 2 Lower Sabie Tents, 1 Satara, 2 Olifants. (Then a small stay in Tsukudu Rehab.center).
We really enjoy to drive by ourself in the park. Some fear but always desire to come back ! We love that.
Bye

Hi Alya

I always say that if elephants bother you then dont stay at Letaba and north of that. The ellies in the south seem a lot more "tame" or placid. There are also much fewer elephants down south and some of the theory is that the overcrowding of ellies in the north is what is causing some of the aggression. Therefore you should go and enjoy your stay and not be overly concerned about being chased by elephants - I think that its unlikely to happen.

Addo Ellies are definitely more docile than Kruger ellies.
I've been so close to ellies on regular occasions, that they often brush the car walking pass on there way to wherever they going. Regularly switch the car of to limit agitation to ellies and then sit DEAD still, while just enjoying the sighting. Only sound will be my camera shutter
Key here is to read their body language and BE SENSIBLE!!!
Use comon sense!!! NO HOOTER!!! give way to bulls in Musth, meaning dont try to then switch the car off. do everything SLOWLY. If you see a bull approach and you have no option, but to reverse, start reversing SLOWLY in advance.
If they are on their way to water, don't block their path. You can park right next to their path, and they will completely ignore you.
These elephants walked literally about 5-20cm from us past the nose of the car.
I saw the heard approach the road and scanned the bushes for their path on the opposite side of the road, then parked my car skew with nose close to their path, but not blocking their route. Took nearly 200 Awesome shots of the heard(about 70 elephants). The only elephant to even stop for about 10 seconds and glance at us, was when my girlfriend sneezed. Ellie realized no danger and moved on.
Be Sensible, Use Common Sense, Stay calm, Read the signs, and Respect the animal.

Hi NightOwl,
I thank you to share your experiences and all your advices full of wisdom. I will think about these during my trip in may.
First, I must train to be silent ... I'm a girl...

You have awsome and beautiful pictures
All the best in your next trip.

ps : what a chance to live so closed of SANParks, I envy you

the rules:
1) watch ellie out back window, is easier to drive fast forward (and straight)than in reverse.
2) mommies with babies, old ones, musth ones need PLENTY room to move.
3) when watching one ellie, look around more are probably going to come creeping out the bush.
....and finally, have only been charged once in the twenty odd years I have been going to the park and that one was just having fun.

Good advise Jay! May I add one rule?

When watching ellies at close range always keep your engine running (the driver of last weeks incident turned it off )