Tourists on a safari in Botswana had a frightening experience when an elephant charged at their canoes, causing them to capsize. The group, composed of UK and US holidaymakers, encountered the enraged animal as they were navigating through the Okavango Delta. The incident occurred when their guides brought them too close to a female elephant and her calves, triggering a dangerous response.
As the guides tried to increase the distance between the group and the animals, the male elephant swiftly approached and overturned the canoes with its trunk. The tourists, totaling four individuals, found themselves in the water infested with crocodiles while the guides fled the scene. According to reports, the elephant initially left the tourists but returned to target one of the women in the group. Fortunately, she managed to evade the elephant by submerging herself in the water, escaping its detection.
An ex-game ranger who viewed footage of the attack emphasized the group’s fortunate survival, noting that they could have easily lost their lives to the aggressive elephant. The ranger highlighted the potential danger the woman faced and credited luck for her survival. The incident underscored the risks involved in close encounters with wild animals and the need for caution during safaris.
A receptionist from one of the canoe companies confirmed that the tourists included British and American visitors. Despite the loss of expensive equipment in the incident, no serious injuries were reported, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of wild animals and the importance of vigilance in wildlife encounters.