Witnessing Africa’s big five is usually a delightful experience, but an up-close encounter with an elephant proved too close for comfort for a Norwegian tourist.
Kristin Ruud, a 54-year-old aged care worker from Oslo, was on a hill within a sanctuary in Port Elizabeth, South Africa, when a wild elephant suddenly approached her open-topped safari vehicle. She was on vacation with her mother when the surprising event took place.
Ruud shared her concerns about the calf potentially attacking, as it came within arm’s reach at sunset.
If you don’t want to read the full story,
Jump to Watch Video
“We heard the elephants in the bushes and tried to spot them but couldn’t see them behind the trees,” she recalled. As they were about to give up, the elephant approached them unexpectedly.
Their ranger halted the vehicle to avoid disturbing the elephant, which moved around in complete silence. Ruud remarked on the animal’s size, saying, “You don’t realize how big they are until you see them up close.”
The incident occurred in April at the Kariega Game Reserve but only gained attention on social media recently. With elephant populations on the rise in South Africa, human encounters are becoming more frequent.
Ruud described the experience as the highlight of her trip and said it deepened her respect for these majestic creatures. “They are very handsome, strong, and gentle simultaneously,” she added.
Watch the video below: