African elephants are the largest land mammals on earth. Bulls reach a height of over 3 m and weigh up to 6 tons. The tusks weigh around 60 kg. Elephant cows are approximately 2.50 m tall and weigh 3000 – 3500 kg. The ears of the elephants reach a height of 2 m and a width of 1.5 m. The skin of the giant animals is 3 cm thick. It requires adequate care, which is done in mud baths.

“There is no 100% certainty that we see elephants on every safari, but the chances are very good, as our rangers often know where to find them.”

Elephants hear and smell great, but eyesight is pretty poor. Their food consists of herbs and bushes, leaves and branches, roots and tree barks. Fruit is a delicacy for elephants. The elephants need about 300 kg of food a day, which is why they spend about two thirds of their life eating. The great need for food means that the habitat for other animal species is becoming smaller and smaller. In addition, the elephants, which travel long distances during their migration, cannot be stopped by fences and barriers. You just tear it down.

The bulls form small herds of around 10 animals or they live as loners. When bulls become reproductive, they look for a suitable female. After 22 months of gestation, the elephant cow gives birth to a calf. The elephants communicate via infrasound. This produces very deep tones that are not audible to the human ear. The elephants have a life expectancy of around 60 years. Her death is determined by the condition of the teeth. Elephant teeth grow back throughout their lives. You have 6 teeth per half of the jaw. As soon as these are used up, the life of an elephant also ends.