[imagesource: Twitter / Edward The Guide]

I was fortunate enough to spend some time in the Kruger National Park this winter, and during my time there I learned a few critical lessons.

A) It is not a good idea to be outside of your car, even if it is just sitting on the door outside of the window. It’s also illegal in much of the park.

B) Elephants can be easily flustered depending on the make-up of a herd. Our car was charged after driving past an elephant trying to chew on some roadside leaves.

A recent situation at the park’s Paul Kruger Gate might be the warning a few people need.

IOL reported on a video first shared by Edward The Guide showing a couple of tourists fleeing from a herd of elephants on the move:

Sure, the two tourists further out in the veld managed to get away fine, but this encounter could have ended badly.

Twitter users were not at all impressed:

They are so careless. If you have seen how those beasts can crush the human body to a pulp you never even want to get into the reserve. Those things are so fast if they had really wanted those 2 would be dead

— Daniel C (@EngDanielC) September 20, 2021

Many were also wondering why people were out of their cars in the first place, but Edward cleared that up:

Guys,in Kruger there are areas where one can get out of the car but at your own risk!this happened at the near reception,where you can get out of the car! pic.twitter.com/ap1eXZP8dd

— EdwardTheGuide (@EdwardthembaSa) September 21, 2021

Even in areas of the park where you can alight from your vehicle, it’s best to exercise caution and common sense.

[source:iol]