
Driving around elephants can be intimidating, especially the first time you come across an excited one! If this happens it usually means you came too close too quickly. The best prevention is to keep your distance, and keep your speed low to avoid startling one when you come round a bend or over a bank. That said if you do inadvertently end up facing of against an elephant there are some principles to follow.
I cover driving around elephants in my safety briefing before each expedition, which invariably raises a few nerves amongst first timers. In practice reading about or listening to advice on what to do in the instance of an elephant charge is largely academic, because once you are faced with the live situation you also have your emotions to contend with. It’s important to remind yourself to pay attention to your logic over your fear.
First off it is very rare that an elephant will come straight at you in full charge. A full charge can be identified by the elephant lowering its head, pressing its ears flat back, rolling its trunk out of harm's way and running straight at you. This is a very dangerous position to be in and if you can you should drive away as fast as possible. If you can’t, you could try revving your engine up to a loud and steady pace to match its threat - and start looking around for places to escape to like big trees or ant hills.
A full charge is very rare and will usually only occur when there is an injured animal, male in musth (periodic spike in reproductive hormones), or female protecting calves. What is more likely is you will have startled a heard by coming too close or approaching quickly. In this instance the startled animals, often the teenagers, will mock charge to make their presence known and shoo you off.
A mock charge looks very different to a full charge but can appear more intimidating, as elephants seem to have made an art of putting on this frightening spectacle. It is characterised by ear flapping, loud trumpeting, head shaking and running towards you with head held high. It is a terrifying sight especially the first time, and all your instincts will be saying run, but in most instances if you stand your ground the elephant will stop in its tracks and then walk off at an angle posturing a bit.
If on the other hand you flee once a mock charge has started, the elephant will receive a boost from this and likely pursue, sometimes turning a mock charge into a full charge. Somehow they sense a driver’s nervousness and hesitation and take this as a signal to press further. So if you can't stomach the mock charge make sure you keep a cool head and scope out your exit routes that can be driven swiftly. If you are in thick sand forget about driving away faster than the elephant can run.
On other occasions you may find yourself suddenly surrounded by a herd of elephants, usually because you have been stopped looking at something else. There is no need for concern here, if you have your engine off, keep it off, because the sudden noise of it starting will startle them. Allow them to move through at their own pace and once they are good distance away, you can start up, but don't drive on immediately as they’ll need a bit of time to get used to the new sound.
So to summarise: If you keep a safe distance you’ll have no need for evasive tactics. Approach very slowly and come to a stop every now and then to let the elephants get used to you and move on themselves. If they are not mock charging, but too close for comfort, its ok to gradually back-up a bit. Once a mock charge has started be prepared to stand your ground or get away fast. And, if you are unlucky to be confronted by a full charge, get away fast and don't plan on passing back through that route any time soon.
I joined Nick on a tour in May 2018, and can vouch for the importance of sticking to the rules when driving around elephants. We encountered lots of elephants on our trip, and whilst our heartbeats were certainly elevated, if you kept a cool head and followed the guidance, then you were fine. It was a truly memorable experience, and can't wait to go back again!