Tourists in Botswana faced a terrifying encounter during a canoe safari when a mother elephant charged to protect her calves. The incident took place in the Okavango Delta, a wildlife area, after visitors
drifted too close to the calf. In the chaos, canoes were overturned, and a woman was briefly trapped underwater by the elephant’s trunk.
The dramatic moment was captured by fellow tourists, showing the elephant’s quick approach and protective behaviour. Despite the guides’ efforts to steer the group to safety, the massive animal managed to knock over the canoes. Once it made its point, the elephant calmly returned to her herd.
Mother Elephant Charges At Tourists
The incident occurred on September 27 in the shallow waters of the delta.
While walking away, the elephant trampled a woman trying to stand, holding her underwater for a short time, as per The Telegraph. Many personal items, including cameras and phones, were damaged.
So this happened in the shallow waters of the Okavango Delta, Botswana, on Saturday…
A former South African ranger said the woman was extremely lucky. “If the elephant had held her down longer or used its tusks, the outcome could have been fatal,” he explained as quoted by The New York Post. He added that the guides misjudged the distance they should have maintained from the protective elephant.
How it ended…https://t.co/3yBV8l7GRh
— Volcaholic
The follow-up… pic.twitter.com/rqxTe400Bd
— Gerhard Visagie 🇿🇦🇷🇼 (@GerhardVisagie1) September 29, 2025
Staying Safe Around Wildlife
Social media users stressed the importance of keeping a safe distance from wild animals, especially mothers with calves.
“The matriarch was clearing the way for the herd to get water. There were a couple of calves, so protection became heightened,” a user wrote.
Another said, “Elephants are bigger than you and will not hesitate to defend their young.”
A person added, “Do. Not. Mess. With. Elephants. They’re brilliant, amazing, intelligent, beautiful, but they can be deadly if they feel threatened.”
Elephants In Botswana
The Okavango Delta is home to roughly 1,30,000 elephants. Experts warn that these animals are unpredictable and have been responsible for hundreds of deaths across Africa each year.
Botswana, which hosts about a third of Africa’s elephant population, lifted its hunting ban in 2019 to manage population growth.
