The Red Elephants of Tsavo
Whatever you're meant to do, do it now. The conditions are always impossible. Doris Lessing
Homeward Bound ©kathykarn
A request from Sarah Goodman of Africa Geographic this week took me back to a magical encounter with the Red Elephants of Tsavo East National Park in Kenya.
We have a story about Tsavo, which we want to publish this week, and we would like to offer you the opportunity to feature your photograph.
This morning I received confirmation that my image has been published in AG’s story. You can read it on the Africa Geographic website and app.
The Story Behind the Shot
In 2025 I was eager to visit Tsavo, Kenya’s largest National Park. Tsavo East and Tsavo West cover 22,800 sq kms., about one third the size of Ireland. Pilipili, my long time Maasai guide and fellow elephant lover, was eager to show me Tsavo’s famous Red Elephants; red because they dust themselves with Tsavo’s iron oxide rich soil.
Because of Tsavo’s vast size, wildlife can be elusive. If you want to find animals, elephants in particular, it is important to understand animal behaviour. Elephants have habits, they retreat to the woods in the evening to keep their babies warm and move out in the open for food and water during the day. On our first morning game drive Pilipili drove to a high spot to survey the landscape for areas he thought would be attractive to elephants.
©kathykarn
After some searching, he triumphantly exclaimed “Elephants!” I didn’t see anything. With some coaching (look to 3:00 o’clock) and my big lens, I finally spotted a large elephant family tucked amongst the trees far from the road. “Don’t worry,” said Pilipili, “we will come back when they are heading home for the night. Trust me, we’ll get close.”
Pilipili noticed a narrow elephant trail crossing the road nearby. We marked the location in our minds and set off to explore where we should park for the best photo opportunity. We returned to the spot later in the afternoon and waited to see if the elephants would come. As the sun lowered towards the horizon the elephants, as if responding to an invitation, climbed up out of the valley and headed in our direction. This is one of many reasons why an experienced local guide makes all the difference.
Elephants coming our way! ©kathykarn
©kathykarn
With each passing minute the group got closer. I noticed individuals, a cow and her calf, a beautiful female with long tusks, a massive bull escorting the group from the side.
Elephant calf nursing ©kathykarn
They marched steadily towards us, calmly and silently. I could hear the swish of their legs brushing against the long grass, the call of birds alerting their advance and the occasional crunch of branches under their feet.
©kathykarn
For sure they were aware of us. There were so many! They kept on coming. As they got closer the big bull pulled in front, the beautiful long tusked mama followed right behind. They didn’t waver from their trail. This was their path and we were parked on it where it crossed the road. Standing on the seat of the Land Cruiser with my elbows bracing my camera on the roof I anxiously whispered to Pilipili. “Over to you if you think we’re in the way.” He didn’t start the engine. The elephants kept on coming.
©kathykarn
I was mesmerized. The enormous ears of the leader waved in and out with each step. I fired off continuous shots hoping to capture that perfect moment when his head doubled in size as his ears flared out like sails on a ship.
Homeward Bound ©kathykarn
We were all silent – the two leggeds and the four leggeds. For a moment we were completely enveloped by elephants as the group parted in two lines around the Land Cruiser. I swivelled on my perch, my camera following the procession. A female lifted her trunk, was that a wave? I like to think so.
I was touched by the magic of Tsavo’s Red Elephants that day. It’s a memory I treasure. It felt like a home coming, coming home to myself. Perhaps we were all homeward bound that day, I know being out in the wild does that for me.
©kathykarn
©kathykarn
Enjoy this week's story? Share Heartfelt Stories!
Please hit ❤️ button below, share your comments here and share this story with friends who would love it. Your presence and engagement makes a difference. Thank you for being a subscriber. A percentage of all sales and Substack subscriptions supports wildlife and conservation in Kenya.
