Two tourists got up close and personal with one of nature’s gentle giants in Botswana when a wild elephant strolled in to their campsite.
The two Spanish women were relaxing in their campsite at the Savuti Game Reserve when the fully-grown elephant came wandering in, swinging its trunk and shaking its tail as if it owned the damn place…
The tourists, however, showed great self-control and fought against the instinct to run. Elephants may look fairly friendly but they can be extremely dangerous too.
Instead, the two women stayed put, letting the great African giant walk right up to them, so close they could have reached out to touch it.
Check out the amazing scenes here:
After an exploratory moment or two from the elephant, the big guy lumbered off, back into the wild.
One of the women can be heard saying ‘My heart is beating so fast!’
And no wonder. African elephants are the largest animals that walk the Earth, they can grow to over 13 feet tall and can weigh more than 10 tonnes. Everyone would love to be mates with an elephant but if one stepped on your toe you’d know about it.
Of course, if you’re at a nature reserve you’re going to want to see as much nature as possible.
However, when you’re chilling back at your campsite, or even your hotel, you probably think you’re done for the day.
Afraid not folks, nature doesn’t take a break and definitely doesn’t care about hotel policy, so when you’re lazing by the pool, all tired and satisfied with your day’s wildlife adventures, keep your wits about you.
Because you might just be greeted by these thirsty guys:
The crazy encounter with the terrific trio was filmed at a private camp in South Africa’s Kruger National Park.
As one pair of tourists were lying by the pool, another couple were just walking up to it. Luckily, they caught the whole thing on camera as the elephants took a much-deserved drink from the water at the end of a long, tiring day looking big and beautiful for eager tourists.
The nature-spotter who filmed the video said:
We were absolutely amazed by what was happening.
The elephants did not seem bothered by the presence of the people and casually continued to drink water out of the pool.
One of the most amusing sights we have seen in a long time.
Then again, when an elephant sneaks into you kitchen and tries to steal your food, it’s fair enough to tell ’em to get their mitts off it.
An Indian elephant was caught doing just that as it snuck in to the grounds of an army base in West Bengal.
The majestic creature was looking for food, and in response to seeing the elephant, army officials can be heard blaring warning sirens to keep personnel away and driving the elephant outta there.
Pesky (but adorable) little critters.
If you have a story you want to tell send it to UNILAD via stories@unilad.co.uk
Charlie Cocksedge is a journalist and sub-editor at UNILAD. He graduated from the University of Manchester with an MA in Creative Writing, where he learnt how to write in the third person, before getting his NCTJ. His work has also appeared in such places as The Guardian, PN Review and the bin.