Reading the Signs: Navigating Elephant and Buffalo Behaviour

Introduction

I still remember the first time I found myself on foot just fifty metres from a bull elephant in Zambia’s Lower Zambezi region. It was a calm afternoon—cicadas humming, the air thick with the scent of damp earth. The elephant, however, was anything but calm. Ears flared like giant sails, trunk half-raised as though tasting my scent in the breeze. I felt a prickle of excitement mixed with a healthy dash of fear. In that moment, I realised: knowing how to read an elephant’s signals could be the difference between a breathtaking wildlife encounter and a heart-stopping incident.

At The Grown-up Travel Company,  believe these up-close views of Africa’s majestic fauna are some of the greatest privileges you can experience. But with that privilege comes a challenge—namely, understanding each animal’s “language.” Elephants, in particular, offer a sort of open book if you know how to interpret their body posture and behaviour. Let’s start by diving into how elephants communicate their comfort or discomfort, and the three stages that lead to a potential confrontation.

The Three Stages of an Elephant Confrontation

Reading Elephant Body Language from Caution to Conflict

Elephants often signal their intentions well before a genuine confrontation takes place, moving through distinct phases of warning. But it takes a keen eye (and sometimes a dose of guidance from seasoned trackers) to recognise when they transition from quietly wary to actively aggressive.

1. Stage One: Subtle Warnings
   • Ear Spreads & Head Shakes: In my experience, an elephant that starts to flap its ears wide is trying to look bigger. It’s like a polite but firm “I notice you, and I’m not entirely pleased you’re here.” They might also gently shake their head, causing loose dust to scatter—a visual nudge saying, “Keep your distance, friend.”
   • Tail Position & Trunk Movements: If the tail’s swishing lazily, it often means they’re relaxed; if it’s stiff and elevated, that’s more akin to a raised eyebrow from a cautious host. Meanwhile, a trunk swaying side to side might signal mild agitation or curiosity. I recall a matriarch in Kenya’s Ol Kinyei Conservancy who, upon spotting our group, raised her trunk, then briefly “tasted” the air to decide if we were a threat.
2. Stage Two: Escalation & Vocal Cues
   • Rumbles & Trumpets: When an elephant shifts from mild discomfort into genuine displeasure, you’ll often hear deeper, rolling rumbles in their chest or short trumpets. The deeper the rumble, the more serious the tone. Picture a neighbour politely clearing their throat escalating into a sharp cough. The message: “Your presence is no longer just mildly annoying, it’s encroaching on my space.”
   • Mock Threat Displays: Elephants may charge forward a step or two, ears fully extended, trunk swinging. It might be a feint, but it’s not to be dismissed lightly. Think of it like a sports referee blowing a warning whistle—time to step back before you earn a penalty.
3. Stage Three: The Mock (or Real) Charge
   • Spot the Differences: A mock charge often sees an elephant’s ears splaying forward in a dramatic, showy manner, trunk extended or slightly curled. If they halt short of direct contact, it’s your cue to slowly back away, respecting their boundaries. A genuine charge looks more purposeful—ears pinned back, trunk tucked in, and an unwavering rush that signals you’ve tested their patience enough.
   • One of my experiences: We surprised a bull in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. Threatened, he performed two “mock charges” in under five minutes at our vehicle. Each time, he stopped just shy of us, giving us a final chance to retreat. On the third, he didn’t stop. If not for our experienced guide coaxing everyone to move promptly, that close call could’ve become a disaster.

• Have you witnessed an elephant spread its ears wide in real life or on safari footage? Did you sense the tension that accompanied the gesture?
• How confident are you in distinguishing an elephant’s bluff from a genuine threat? The best defence is knowledge, plus staying calm and giving them room.

By understanding these stages—especially the “mock charge” that’s really a loud, rumbling ultimatum—you empower yourself to respond gracefully rather than react in panic. After all, these magnificent giants are mostly peaceful, but they do expect you to respect their space and signals. It’s the first step in forging an unforgettable bond with Africa’s wildlife—rather than stumbling into a confrontation you never intended to start.

Always remember to take your cues from your guide – he or she will know exactly what the elephant is signalling and exactly what to do next.

The Contrasting Behaviour of a Buffalo

While elephants often give a sequence of cues—from cautious flaring of ears to that final “mock charge”—buffaloes march to a different drum. Their signals can be subtler, and once you’ve caught their attention, the stakes can be surprisingly high.

1. Signs of a Brewing Storm
   • Intense Stare and Low Head: In my experience, buffaloes don’t always telegraph their agitation with theatrical displays the way elephants do. Instead, they might fix you with a silent, unwavering stare, lowering their head so the horns angle toward you. It’s a bit like meeting someone’s gaze who says nothing but means business—quiet, but undeniably intimidating.
   • Minimal ‘Warming Up’: If an elephant’s threat is the slow boil of a kettle, a buffalo’s is more like a flash of lightning. In other words, they’re less likely to give you multiple steps of warning. One minute they’re grazing, the next they may be barreling forward.
   • One of my experiences: I recall trailing a solitary “dagga boy” (an older male buffalo) in Tanzania’s Serengeti. He seemed half-asleep at first, munching lazily on reeds. Then he locked eyes with our vehicle, took a few slow steps closer…and in an instant, charged. No ear-flapping or trunk-lashing—just raw, silent aggression. If not for our quick-thinking guide, we might’ve ended up in a tangle of steel and dust.
2. Interpreting the Quiet Threat
   • Watch the Tail and Body Tension: A buffalo’s tail may flick or stay rigidly upright when it’s on alert, but they don’t typically do a “mock charge.” If they move toward you with purpose, consider it genuine.
   • Think of a buffalo as an old gunslinger in a Western film—he might tip his hat as a courtesy, but once he draws, it’s final.
   • Case Study: A small safari group in South Africa learned this the hard way. They approached a lone bull for close-up photos, expecting “some sign” if it was angry. The buffalo simply blinked twice, snorted, then charged within seconds. No flamboyance, no big display.
     • “Are we looking for the same kind of big signals from a buffalo we’d see from an elephant? Or do we read a different set of cues?”
     • The answer: buffalo signals can be far more understated, requiring you to heed smaller gestures like a muscular tension in the shoulder or an unblinking stare.
3. Navigating Buffalo Encounters
   • While an elephant might test you with repeated mini-charges or vocal warnings, buffaloes skip the niceties. If a buffalo’s posture shifts from calm to confrontational, take it seriously right away.
   • Personal Tip: At The Grown-up Travel Company, our guides often say “Don’t stare down a buffalo. Keep your posture relaxed, your voice low, and be ready to move off quietly if it shows any sign of aggression.”

In Short: If you’re expecting the same gradual build-up of energy you get from an elephant, a buffalo might catch you off guard. By understanding the difference, you’ll not only keep yourself safe but also gain a deeper respect for the nuances of African wildlife behaviour.

Conclusion

In the tapestry of African safaris, these face-to-face encounters—whether with a towering bull elephant or a lone, brooding buffalo—are more than adrenaline rushes. They’re windows into the ancient rhythms of the wilderness, a chance to see how two iconic creatures signal their boundaries and demands. By grasping the elephant’s sequence of ear flaps and mock charges, you learn when to ease back with dignity. By spotting the buffalo’s less flamboyant, more sudden aggression, you quickly realise that stillness or a slow, quiet retreat can mean the difference between admiration and peril.

Ultimately, the lesson isn’t about courting danger but about stepping into Africa’s world with humility and awareness. Both species have survived countless generations of threats—human and otherwise—and have honed their warnings accordingly. As travellers, especially those of us in our forties and beyond who appreciate a measured approach, there’s immense reward in recognising their signals. Respect isn’t just good manners out here; it’s a survival strategy that ensures your safari remains as peaceful—and awe-inspiring—as the continent itself.

So, next time you see an elephant’s ears fan out or sense that silent fix from a solitary buffalo, remember: they’re communicating. Listen well, react calmly, and you’ll come away not only with your safety intact but also with a profound respect for the intricacies of life on the savannah. After all, in my years with The Grown-up Travel Company, I’ve found the greatest journey is discovering how to harmonise with Africa.