"Except For Me": Safari Guide Explains Why Guests Must Stay Quiet When Elephants Approach Vehicles
- A safari guide explained why she asks guests to remain quiet when large elephants approach safari vehicles
- Responding to a viewer question, Louise shared how guides rely on reading body language from wildlife, explaining that movement from passengers in the vehicle can sometimes trigger reactions from nearby animals
- Louise said safari guiding involves constant communication between guides and wildlife, using tone, positioning, and experience to create safer encounters
- Briefly News spoke to safari guide Louise Pavid, who explained how guides read elephant behaviour and why guests are often instructed to remain silent and calm during close encounters
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A safari moment that looked calm on camera has opened up an important conversation about wildlife safety and how guides communicate with animals in the bush.
Source: TikTok
A video posted by safari guide Louise Pavid on 23 May 2026 explained why guides often ask guests to remain silent when animals come close, even while the guide continues speaking. The explanation came after viewers questioned why Louise instructed tourists to keep quiet during an elephant encounter while she herself continued talking. The moment involved a large bull elephant approaching the safari vehicle, with Louise using a calm and controlled voice while monitoring the animal’s behaviour.
According to Louise, human voices carry meaning in the wild. Although elephants do not understand language the same way people do, they are highly responsive to tone, movement and overall energy. She explained that safari guides use their voices intentionally, with a calm tone helping communicate that there is no threat or danger.
She added that years of experience in the bush teach guides how to observe animal body language. Subtle shifts such as ear movement, posture, pacing or changes in attention can indicate how comfortable an animal feels. During the encounter, movement from guests seated in the back of the vehicle appeared to draw reactions from the elephant.
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Why a safari guide is only allowed to speak
That is why safari guides often ask visitors to sit still and avoid sudden movement when wildlife comes close. Unexpected sounds or movement can change an animal’s behaviour quickly, especially with large species such as elephants that are intelligent, highly aware of their surroundings and capable of reacting unpredictably.
Louise Pavid explained that guiding is not simply about showing guests animals. It involves constant communication and observation. Guides monitor behaviour, adjust their own actions and create conditions that allow both people and wildlife to remain safe during encounters.
Her calm approach during the elephant interaction helped maintain control of the situation while allowing guests to enjoy the sighting safely. Rather than the words themselves, she said it was the controlled and reassuring tone that mattered most.
Louise told Briefly News that elephants communicate clearly through body language if people know what to look for.
“Elephants are wonderful animals, they are highly expressive and their body language communication is probably the most obvious of all animals if you know what to look for. If an elephant is calm and relaxed you will observe gentle flapping of the ears, relaxed neck and shoulders and a relaxed tail swishing from side to side. Many people think ear flapping is aggression, but elephants flap their ears to cool their internal body temperature.”
Louise said curious elephants, especially younger ones and bull elephants, may approach safari vehicles peacefully.
“They will often approach the vehicle, extend their trunks towards the vehicle to sniff us, feed near us or simply stand nearby watching what we get up to. If an elephant approaches in a calm and gentle manner there is no need to become nervous.”
She stressed that ethical safari guiding means allowing animals to decide how close they want to come.
“Professional and ethical guiding means you respect the animal’s personal space and comfort zones. The animal will dictate how comfortable they are with you and at what distance. If an elephant holds its head up with a stiff neck and shoulders, ears standing straight out, and tail held erect at a 90-degree angle, that is a clear signal the elephant is stressed or uncomfortable.”
She added that guests play a major role in keeping encounters safe.
“In situations where a large bull elephant is very close to the car, we instruct guests to keep their voices down, remain silent, sit still and avoid sudden movements. Animals interpret sudden movements as threatening behaviour. In an absolute worst-case scenario, a large bull elephant may attempt to push or flip the vehicle over should guests become panicked, raise their voices or make sudden movements.”
She said guides constantly assess both the animal and the guests during encounters.
“I always try to talk through a sighting with my guests so they understand what is happening and know they are safe. If my guests see that I am calm and relaxed, they will know the situation is under control.”
Louis also paid tribute to her wildlife tracker, Thabo, saying trackers are an essential part of safari safety and guest experiences.
“The tracker should always be listened to. They often have years more experience than guides do, and we work together as a team to give guests the best experience possible.”
Source: TikTok
Watch the TikTok video below:
The internet thanked the guide for wisdom
M1 wrote:
“Can’t believe someone posted a question like this. Thanks for being so kind to explain it to someone that does not know 👌”
Motswana Warrior wrote:
“I come from a royal family and one of our strengths is our ability to communicate directly with elephant bulls using our minds.”
Phillip Wessels Ingwenya wrote:
“Explained like a true professional guide should react. Well done Louise 👏”
dramaqueen_072 wrote:
“I think you handled this internet troll very professionally”
King wrote:
“I like everything about you.”
SafferCA wrote:
“Appropriately articulated without emotion given that the comment reads like rage bait.”
Heidi wrote:
“Beautiful response to a rude comment.”
Shiyak'lenga wrote:
“I could have answered this question for ma’am. It’s one of the simplest questions I’ve ever seen.”
CODM PestControllSA wrote:
“I think a lot of people underestimate the intelligence of elephants and mostly, the knowledge of rangers/guides.”
Shani wrote:
“There is a difference between a trained person talking and a guest who doesn’t know what’s what. I always did the same and kept talking purely to keep the guest calm while monitoring the animals.”
Walker in Chief wrote:
“Makes a lot of sense, understood.”
3 Other Briefly News stories related to elephants
- A festival in India turned tragic after an elephant broke free from its restraints and fatally attacked a man, with disturbing footage showing the chaos that unfolded in just moments.
- A baby elephant melted hearts after responding affectionately to a ranger at an elephant sanctuary.
- A viral post about Hermanus' origins in the Western Cape has drawn attention to a story linking Dutch teacher Hermanus Pieters and elephant trails to the founding of the town.
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Source: Briefly News
