Getting close with Elephants - My best Encounters during my Professional Field Guide Course.

Loxodonta africana - The African savannah Elephant
Have you ever spent time with wild Elephants? These Giants have the ability to squish you in a second if they wanted to, yet they display a gentleness that seems unrivalled. The combination of raw power and sensitivity is what makes these magnificent creatures so special.
My name is Matt and as a Field Guide I spend a good amount of time around wild elephants. In this video I want to show you some of my most memorable encounters with the heaviest land mammal on earth.

[@Lorijenken]

i knew they were big but that shot on the bull walking beside that Jeep really gives you perspective how giant they really are.

[@caroldennis607]

They are just so beautiful and magnificent, we need to protect them at all times. ❤❤❤❤❤❤🐘🐘🐘🐘😊

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes they are absolutely stunning 🤩

[@andynieuwenhuis7833]

​@@TheMegaMatt It'd be Interesting to know if that Big,Magnificent Tusker is Still Alive. Do They like to eat apples???

[@saralyness1031]

I am in total awe of these gorgeous animals. Thank you for being there for them & treating them with kindness and respect.❤

[@user-ld9xv9rc9r]

They are lovely animals, so gentle and pure. Love them!

[@TheMegaMatt]

They are so special! 😃

[@mchapman132]

Those are huge tusks, he’s an old fellow. He’s apparently used to people, he’s very calm.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes he is impressive with his tusks! He often comes across people in the reserve, and knows that they mean no harm to him 😃

[@TheDarkDresser]

I love elephants' eyes, because they look so gentle.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes they do 😁

[@kimberlytims]

Yes thank you for treating them with respect and kindness and love you are so awesome for that

[@GS-cg3yn]

What an honor it would be to be in the presence of elephants.

[@bevsputler5455]

Nice seeing friendly encounters 💕

[@papwithanhatchet902]

My gosh, he’s massive! What a spectacular experience for you and your companions. I love this Earth.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, it was amazing!

[@annickborys2465]

Merci pour votre vidéo! C’est formidable de comprendre le langage des animaux. Félicitations! Et encore merci de nous faire rêver!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Merci beaucoup, avec plaisir!

[@maryrodger]

How beautiful and thank you for uploading this video to share with us.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😁

[@markflores40]

Excellent video of these magnificent creatures. 😊

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, happy you like it!

[@scrubjay93]

It must be fabulous in the camps where the ellies come of their own accord out of trust that they are safe. Thank you for sharing some videos of wildlife being treated respectfully.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, happy you like it! Yes it is one of the best things to experience relaxed wild Elephants close up!

[@anandshakti1]

Brought tears to my eyes- so very magnificent and thank-you for your love of them.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you so much, happy you like the video 😊

[@yvonnemarshall6424]

Thank you so much for sharing such wonderful cloe up encounters with very special to my Heart Elephants 🐘 ❤️ When i was leaving Krugar one of the last sights was Herd of Elephants 🐘 ❤ Yvonne mullion Cornwall England 🇬🇧

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes, Elephants are awesome! 😊

[@sheilahballard1039]

loved this! Elephants are a fav of mine. Thanks for posting.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@ddp1621]

Thank you Matt! All the things you say about how to behave and things you do around elephants is so right and trui! Thank for the info hope people take it in and understand it!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, happy you like it! 😃

[@AdventureswithThomas]

Woooow Matt, amazing video! Watched it on my big TV screen... got almost scared of these big mighty animals! 😍

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you my friend 😃 Happy to hear you watched it on the big screen. Elephants don't fit on a small scrreen 😜

[@NSGca]

Majestic beings. I didn't enjoy the video, I loved this video. Never mess with mother nature! Ty❤

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😊

[@andrewthacker114]

Beautiful animals. Wonderful clip

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@kimberlytims]

That is so AWESOME. I hope that one day I will have the chance to experience the Elephants .How lucky you are. I love Elephants.❤

[@TheMegaMatt]

I hope so too, it is one of the best things to experience 😊

[@peopleslave]

Thank you so much for sharing this beautiful video. I’m so envious of your wonderful experiences, but thanks to you, I can share them!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, happy you like it! 😃

[@justdynee]

What can you possibly say? There is no words. Magnificent. Majestic. Those words are not enough. Can I say that words are not enough? If God created us in his own image. He then created this other stuff; in their own ways more amazing than us. Orcas, Elephants, Polar Bears, Black Bears, Grizzly Bears, Blue Whales, we must protect them for it is against ourselves we must protect them. I might add if there is no God, evolution or nature created perfection in so many millions of ways. To see these tuskers leaves me speechless every time.

[@lisacooper1201]

SOO COOL!!! 😎 👍🏾 THANKS FOR SHARING YOUR EXPERIENCE MATT!!!🤓.. AND THANKS FOR CARING AND RESPECTING THE MAJESTIC GENTLE GIANTS OF GOD'S CREATIONS!!!🥰😍😘🩶🐘🐘🍼🍼🤎🦣🩶💚🌳💦⛰️🌊... I'M AN AVID ELEPHANT LOVER MYSELF!!!... THIS IS AN UHH-MAZING VIDEO DUDE!!!🤓👍🏾🙋🏾🔥🙏🏾👑✝️📖🔥

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you so much 😃 happy you like it!

[@patriciasinclair9501]

This is overwhelmingly incredible. I hope someday to join you. Thank you for this.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, happy you like it! You should sign up for a field guide course 😉

[@patriciasinclair9501]

@@TheMegaMatt where do I sign up for such a course?

[@TheMegaMatt]

@@patriciasinclair9501 Can you send me a DM? I'll send you all the info. You'll find my Email here: www.youtube.com/@TheMegaMatt/about

[@GS-cg3yn]

Me, too! Count me in! 😊

[@christaniederer7125]

Amazing encounters, thanks for sharing!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thanks, happy you like it 😃

[@kaylinm]

I love elephants sooo much! I honestly would have cried😪😂. I would love to experience it! Where is this camp located?🙂

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes Elephants are awesome! These Encounters were in different EcoTraining Camps around and in the Kruger Park.

[@user-bd5hv1ee7h]

Very very nice 👍 God bless you

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@Elvira_Hancock]

You are very lucky bro.. I hope u had amazing experience with elephants

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@rolffigueiredo3786]

Truly magical. This has to be one of the best videos I’ve seen this year. Fantastic, amazing but you do have a calming voice. I’ve never been as close as that. Well done, I hope that big tusker is still around. Botswana is notorious for allowing big game hunters in and shooting these beautiful animals. You will remember this forever ❤❤❤

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😊 happy you liked the video.

[@mandandi]

Elephants in Botswana are protected by law, policies and practices. Conservation practices include an awareness for carrying capacity of the land. Therefore legal hunting is allowed. Poaching is not allowed. Even locals benefit from the animals, but they also suffer when the encounters turn ugly. Everyone has to be protected.

[@tuckingfwit]

@@mandandi Actually very little of the money from hunting gets back to the locals, most of it goes to greedy hunting tour group operators. Far more money would go back to the locals through the various categories of tourism and conservation. Elephants are endangered and if there are too many in one particular area it's because people have taken over most of the land. The excess elephants could also be translocated. There is a reason why members of the previous Botswana government opposed the reintroduction of hunting. Also it is very hard to kill elephants with one shot and many of them die an agonising death with game rangers often having to finish off the animal because foreign hunters who are poor shots (but who have a lot of money) can't kill them quickly. So spare us this bullshit, usually from hunters, or those profiting off them, who just can't admit they get pleasure from killing such an intelligent and sentient being just to make them feel more manly.

[@mandandi]

@tuckingfwit I don't agree with you. Local communities have organisations that issue hunting permits. The money thus made is used by the local organizations to benefit the local community. The previous government, as you put it, did not consult the local people who know better about the conservation of the animals in their area when deciding on certain matters. In Botswana, that is not acceptable. And so the policies that were made without consultation of the locals had to be reversed to include the views and concerns of the local communities. These were public meetings open to all. That is the primary reason why Botswana has succeeded in keeping large numbers of various animals. If the locals saw no benefit, they would be the first to hunt and kill the animals in their proximity for meat and other reasons. Basically, the locals have years of experience in animal conservation practices that all that you have written against can not undo. And it shall stay that way until they decide otherwise. It has worked so far, learn from them too, and implement it where you live if it applies for your area.

[@CDErasmus-dv7sj]

@@mandandi Trophy hunting is running out of steam - and money. It’s also running out of boast-worthy trophies and often fails to support conservation. That’s the finding of an Africa-wide report released in March 2019 by the highly respected International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

[@user-ih8lz6jp7w]

I have always been fascinated with elephants since I was a kid. They are enormous in size and are very intelligent. I think elephants a magnificent magistic creature and hopefully the hunters that kill them for their ivory tusks can be stopped.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes, Elephants are awesome!

[@Cody-zd2ye]

Lump in my throat tear in my eyes ❤❤❤

[@johndavidwolf4239]

Great encounters!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@jaik9321]

Good👍, save forests to save earth

[@jonstrah]

Amazing video with mind-blowing facts about our gentle giants! Not gonna lie, I squeezed a tear for all the memories from the bush🥲

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you soo much, happy you like it 😃 Yes there where quite a few awesome encounters with your group. Thank you again for your shots from Makuleke! Bin am Samstig leider nöd i dä Schweiz, aber wünsch dir e absolut geniali Usstellig mit dine geniale Elefante Bilder!

[@shravanrahul7394]

❤❤❤ from Gokarna. India

[@jamesnorris2153]

I seen your preview video on Tiktok and I had to see the outcome . What an awesome experience . Thank you for sharing .

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😁

[@michaelturner97311]

Who’s here from TikTok thank you for sharing 🥰

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, happy you like it! 😃

[@mariepresho3653]

Wow I love elephants

[@TheMegaMatt]

They are absolutely magnificent!

[@sammdc923]

Awsome. I ma from Sri Lanka. We also have lot of elephants

[@TheMegaMatt]

Cool, I've been lucky enough to visit Sri Lanka once and even saw some Elephants too. What a beautiful country you live in 🤩

[@paulozimek276]

Would like to see the Okavango delta one day. Was in South Africa in 1985 , my first trip overseas. Would like to see it again but hear the country has a large crime problem.

[@GoldenRakerRock]

Excellent piece! Thanks!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you so much, happy you like it 😊

[@rajasreebanerjee1727]

is there any way to predict anger and aggression? these elephants seemed so friendly!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes, knowing about animal behaviour is key. They tell you a lot with their bodylanguage. If you are able to read animal behaviour and react accordingly with respect, it usually doesn't escalate. There are many factors outside of your control, which you have to take into consideration and if necessary, retreat immediately and give space to the animal. In the end it's up to the Elephant how close he is comfortable with your presence. If you start pushing it, than it can quickly become dangerous.

[@floormoonforest8342]

I would love to have this experience too. 😍

[@wms72]

Interesting, how animals understand all languages.

[@thierrys.6654]

Excellent !

[@jeffg6900]

Huge and awesome!

[@peterschaefer2946]

WOW WOW

[@luiginaandreini8002]

Bellissimi amori meravigliosi 🙏🙏🙏😇😇😇❤️❤️❤️

[@calinewcomb2068]

You are sooooooo Awesome!!

[@ArtisDefiniition]

Beautiful.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@cindyburns7667]

Excellent video

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😊

[@777daz]

Beautiful Africa

[@PPM-fi2er]

Thank you for this video

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😊

[@FukumoneY]

Amazing

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@justdynee]

Megamatt. More Elephants please.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thanks, there is soon some more Elephant content coming up 👍

[@hannetjie4817]

Awesome😁😁

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you 😃

[@simonartley1645]

Fine looking bull and his ivories .. reassuring to see . Some close up encounters by this safari wildlife lover in Ruaha, Luangwa and Lower Zambezi including while on bush walks and their visits to the camps. Hope to get south of the Equator for an 8th encounter .. kick over some elephant dung for me and say hi to the Go away birds Viva Africana Loxodonta..from Amboseli to Zikouma..and where ever else they dwell and are protected Simon Artley Manchester UK

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you, good luck with your 8th encounter 😃

[@wingedbull1257]

Hey Matt that was Beautiful I had my encounter with bull elephant in South Africa I believe it was in 1996 I never forget that encounter for rest of my life, where was this video taken did you say Botswana?

[@TheMegaMatt]

Hi, happy you liked the video 😃 These encounters took place in different EcoTraining Venues around the Kruger Park and Botswana. Namely: Karongwe, Makuleke and close to Mashatu

[@_red1878]

I never knew elephants were THIS big

[@r.gordontrueblood3188]

There is indeed something very magical about the presence of a non-aggressive, non-threatening elephant. When you can feel their acceptance of you, it is the most privileged feeling in the world. Just let the elephant always be the one who sets the boundaries, not you.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yessss, 100%

[@Sindisile]

uBoya benyathi, undlovu🐘🐘

[@southernafricanboy4148]

Haibo

[@user-op6qy4px8i]

In my experience elephants in Botswana, Zambië and Zimbabwe Parks are more tolerant towards humans than their Kruger counterparts. Nevertheless respect and caution is essential.

[@lissibe17]

Y seguimos invadiendos sus lugares

[@peterdavis8471]

That elephant walks like a pimp

[@niekmoller6415]

Which park is this? Awesome experience mate! 🤩

[@TheMegaMatt]

Thank you! It's in different EcoTraining Camps in and around Kruger Park

[@psrrpjsr5912]

Que animal tão belo 😲😍😍 como há seres humanos Capazes de fazer mal a tão belo animal

[@JRose-zk1ni]

What is the name of these tours? I would be interested in attending one of these amazing tours!!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Hey, you can go on bushwalks in almost all game reserves in South Africa and get a taste of this experience. If you want a full immersive experience with lots of animal encounters, learning about all the aspects of a healthy ecosystem and it's ecology, than I would recommend a field guide course. Please send me a DM if you want to know more about these courses.

[@JRose-zk1ni]

@@TheMegaMatt I would LOVE to learn more. Shall I DM you on Instagram or here? I've never DM'd on KZbin...can you? LoL. If not, what is your handle on INstagram. Thank you !! 🙂

[@TheMegaMatt]

Hey whatever is easier for you. You can find my email and Insta on the info-tab of my KZbin-Channel: www.youtube.com/@TheMegaMatt/about instagram.com/themegamattt

[@sandrawilks6783]

❤what a privilege

[@TheMegaMatt]

It is indeed, thankful for it every single day 😊

[@ak13three]

Where is this at? My son has been asking for a African safari for couple years and we might make it a birthday present. He wants to see lions, but this is quite magnificent as well. Mind you we will be traveling from the USA so need some guidance.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Hi, these encounters all took place in different Game Reserves in and around the Kruger Park. The Kruger Park is a fantastic option for non guided safaris. You can self-drive and the entry- and accommodation prices are very affordable compared to other venues. You have very good chances for good Elephant and Lion Encounters with your car. Guided Bush-Walks on foot are also possible at an extra cost, but focussed more on the little things in nature. Any encounter with larger animals should be considered a bonus. If you want a real in depth experience in the african bush, learning about the ecosystem and conducting daily bush walks and game drives, please send me a direct message to my email stated in the channel info: www.youtube.com/@TheMegaMatt/about Hope this helps 😃

[@sundaramjeyaraj1524]

It's all too good as long as nothing untoward happens. One unlucky visitor will someday trip the fine line, that when things go bad.😮

[@TheMegaMatt]

It is a fine line, you are right. We have to respect these animals in their space and give them the space they need. 😊

[@donaldscheer5206]

I Would Have To Change My Underware For Sure!!

[@TheMegaMatt]

😂

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

Have you ever carried and or used handheld smoke flares as a backup deterrent?

[@TheMegaMatt]

Hmmm... no that is something I have never heard of being used in South Africa.

[@AndyFromBeaverton]

@@TheMegaMatt I watched an interview with a Canadian park ranger with an unusual amount of brown bear encounters. He said the ship flares are bright enough to force you to look away, creating a massive amount of smoke, and can be used as a weapon if the animal comes too close. He's still living without killing any bears so I guess it works. You will need to be cautious of flammable ground cover.

[@theresahart212]

❤❤❤❤❤❤

[@cynb.347]

Are those tranquilizer riffles.....i hope!

[@TheMegaMatt]

Those are actual riffles, in South Africa you have to carry them when leading paying guests on a bushwalk. The intention is of course of never ever having to use them.

[@Freptboy]

The elephant feels safe with you otherwise he would attack you right away.

[@litaramjatan1364]

Laat de ellies met RUST AUB DANK U❤🐘🌻HET IS IMMERS HUN GEBIED/ TERREIN!!

[@herbertjohnston4608]

Wow, scary.

[@girishg414]

Please xplain the reason behind the so called mysterious elephant deaths in Botswana?

[@GrumpyTinashe]

Where was this filmed Looks like Southern Africa to me

[@TheMegaMatt]

It is indeed 😎 beautiful South Africa

[@GrumpyTinashe]

@@TheMegaMatt Thanks sir. I recognised the landscape. Somewhat different from Kenya or Tanzania

[@toddmccowen8206]

they will mess you up , but their not looking for a fight .

[@TheMegaMatt]

They sure can, but they are gentle giants not looking for trouble if you respect them.

[@satishpatel5260]

Wow ELEPHANTS 🐘 🐘didn't attacking, must be scarring when ELEPHANTS 🐘🐘near, or with a bady calf ELEPHANTS,

[@vladimirnovak9820]

to je nádhera , ale já bych měl asi strach a asi bych utekl🙂....

[@TheMegaMatt]

That's also okay, as long as you don't run away 😃

[@vladimirnovak9820]

@@TheMegaMatt asi je hlavní zachovat klid a nezmatkovat 🙂 děkuji

[@emulsionadordepositroness5417]

Ojalá de verdad hagas algo por proteger especies amenazadas, y no solo salgas a pasearte. La mayoría de quienes vemos estos vídeos somos s gente que nos la partimos trabajando, casi sin descanso, sin posibilidad de ir nunca a un lugar así.

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes there are so many people here dedicating their whole life for conservation 😊

[@jeffg6900]

Please, don't pet the crocs!

[@barbaradean6424]

Lucky he is not in "mush".

[@TheMegaMatt]

Yes elephants in musth can be very tricky!

[@ramprashad29]

Hello handsome take me with you.

[@barbaradean6424]

Fancy, they have been safe and secure in their environment for 60 million years +. Greed of human beings have almost, in 200 years, wiped so many species out.. amost extinct in 200 years... think about it.

[@andrewromero5008]

STOP MURDERING ELEPHANTS!

[@gaetanovindigni8824]

The elephant will be killed if you are hurt or killed.

[@babaib3513]

Y r u all carrying guns? Y ?

[@TheMegaMatt]

In order to lead bushwalks with paying guests in South Africa you need to pass the Advanced Riffle Handling and carry a riffle. The goal is never having to use that riffle ever.

[@revivaratharaju7792]

Its not real

[@wandameyers]

A gorgeous specimen … too bad humans have to encroach on wildlife. 🥲

[@floormoonforest8342]

I would love to have this experience too. 😍