When a Wild Elephant Blocked the Road in Africa
The road ahead was empty. Then it was not.
In the middle of a Wild Africa expedition, our car slowed to a halt. A massive bull elephant, completely unbothered by our presence, had decided the road was his.
Wildlife photography often demands patience, but at that moment it was all about respect. I switched off the engine. Cameras stayed ready, but no one made a sound. The elephant grazed, took a few slow steps, flapped his ears, and locked eyes with us.
Every minute felt like an hour. Then, without warning, he walked past the vehicle so close I could hear his breath. My 400mm lens suddenly felt unnecessary when I could have used a 35mm.
My brilliant wildlife guide, Lucy Mars Putter, is not only a certified guide but also a veterinary nurse. She has been with me on many trips into the wild savannas and thick bushlands. When the elephant approached, she whispered for me to stay calm, keep still, and cut the engine. I listened.
It had been raining, and because the distance was so close, photography was almost impossible. Sometimes, the magic of a moment is not in the shot, but in the privilege of witnessing it. Later that day, patience was rewarded. We watched an elephant enjoying a mud bath, and I captured close up textures of his skin, each wrinkle a story of its own.
Lucy was exceptional, and I was fortunate. Moments like these remind me that the most memorable frames are not always taken with the camera.
For anyone passionate about photographing wildlife in Africa, I highly recommend exploring with local guides who understand both the animals and the land. The right guide, like Lucy, can turn a potentially risky situation into a lifelong memory.
In wildlife photography, distance is not measured in meters or lenses, but in judgment. Knowing when not to shoot is just as important as knowing when to press the shutter. Encounters like this are reminders that the wild is not a backdrop, but a living space that demands patience, presence, and respect.
For wildlife photography expeditions, conservation documentation, or long term visual projects focused on biodiversity and nature, inquiries can be made via mail@gautamdhimal.com.
