In a distressing incident at Zambia’s Kafue National Park, an 80-year-old American tourist was killed when a five-ton bull elephant charged a safari vehicle, causing it to overturn. The attack occurred during a morning game drive on Saturday, March 30, leaving the tourist community and local authorities in shock.
The safari, operated by Wilderness Safaris, was hosting six guests and a guide on a routine game drive through the park. Witnesses and video footage recount the terrifying moments leading up to the attack. For half a mile the elephant had been matching the vehicle’s speed of approximately 25 miles per hour before the confrontation caused the vehicle to flip.
The critical moment occurred when the driver, in a desperate attempt to evade the elephant, encountered the park’s dense terrain and thick vegetation, which obstructed their path and forced the vehicle to stop. The elephant hooked its tusks under the vehicle and flipped it over.
Confirming the incident, Chief Executive Officer Keith Vincent said that, “Our guides are all extremely well trained and experienced but sadly the terrain and vegetation was such that the guide’s route became blocked. He could not move the vehicle out of harm’s way quickly enough” adding that the Kafue National Park management immediately assisted.
The identity of the deceased tourist has not been released to the public. She was part of a group, all believed to be Americans, staying at the Lufupa River Camp, a destination known for its premium safari experiences. Situated within Kafue National Park, the oldest and second-largest safari park in the world, the camp charges around $450 per person per night.
Emergency services, including a park management-dispatched helicopter, swiftly responded to the scene. The critically injured tourist was airlifted to a South African hospital, where she later died from her injuries. Four other tourists in the vehicle sustained minor injuries, were treated at a local clinic, and received trauma counseling.
The incident has prompted an investigation by authorities, including the Department of National Parks & Wildlife and local police. Wilderness Safaris has expressed its full cooperation with the investigation and extended its deepest sympathies to the victim’s family. Efforts are underway to repatriate her remains to the US, with support from Zambian authorities and the US Embassy in Lusaka.
This tragic event has sparked discussions on safari forums and among conservationists regarding the inherent risks of wildlife tours and the strategies employed to safeguard tourists and animals alike. Despite rigorous safety measures and training, it underscores the unpredictable interactions with wild animals in their natural habitats.
Spanning over 8,500 square miles, Kafue National Park is a vital conservation area for the African Big Five: lions, leopards, elephants, buffaloes, and rhinoceroses. Wilderness Safaris, a pioneer in conservation and hospitality, manages over six million acres across eight African countries dedicated to preserving these iconic wilderness areas.
Ten days before, another elephant incident took place during a different safari within South Africa’s Pilanesberg National Park, but there were no recorded injuries.
This incident sheds light on the dangers humans and wildlife face as their paths cross in the world’s remaining wild spaces. It also emphasizes the ongoing commitment of conservation groups and safari operators to ensure guest safety while fostering an appreciation for Africa’s natural beauty and heritage.
