There are moments in the African bush that stop your heart for a beat — and this was one of them. We rounded a quiet corner in the dust-dry heat and suddenly found ourselves face-to-face with a mother elephant and her calf. Before we could even process it, she made her intentions unmistakably clear. With a burst of power, she charged toward us, kicking up clouds of sand, warning us that we were far too close to her little one.

It all happened in seconds, yet the message could not have been louder. This was her space, her moment, her right to protect her family. We kept absolutely still, giving her every ounce of distance and respect she demanded. Only when she felt safe did she guide her calf past us and disappear back into the bush, as silently as she had appeared.

As I watched the dust settle, I couldn’t help but think about how two people had been killed in this area earlier in the month. Encounters like this are a powerful reminder that we are guests here — fragile visitors in a wilderness that follows its own rules. It was an unforgettable moment of awe, humility, and deep respect for these magnificent giants.