When Giants Walk Together, A Heartfelt Family Encounter in iMfolozi

A Matriarch’s World

Elephant herds are led by the oldest and often wisest female, the matriarch. Her knowledge, gained through decades of experience, is the compass by which the herd navigates life. She remembers the location of waterholes in times of drought, the safest paths through dangerous terrain, and the subtle cues of changing seasons.

Under her watchful eye, the younger females, her daughters, nieces, and sisters take on the roles of protectors and nurturers. Every calf born into the herd is a shared responsibility. When one stumbles, several trunks reach out to steady it; when one cries, others respond in deep, rumbling calls that can be felt as much as heard.

The Language of Giants

Elephants are some of the most emotionally intelligent creatures on Earth. They communicate through an intricate system of vocalisations, body language, and even seismic vibrations transmitted through the ground. A rumble can travel kilometres, a silent reassurance that family is near.

When danger approaches, a change in tone or posture is all it takes for the herd to tighten formation — calves pushed to the centre, adults flanking the group, ears fanned and trunks raised. What we witnessed that day was not chaos but choreography, a symphony of instinct and care.

Meals, Memories, and Migrations

An elephant’s day revolves around food and lots of it. Each adult can consume up to 150 kilograms of vegetation daily, grazing on grasses, stripping bark, and shaking fruit from trees. Their foraging habits play a vital ecological role, they open pathways for other animals, disperse seeds through their dung, and shape the very landscape of Africa’s savannah and forests.

But what truly sets elephants apart is their memory. The saying “an elephant never forgets” holds remarkable truth. Herds have been observed returning to the gravesites of lost members, gently touching the bones with their trunks in gestures that seem to express mourning. It’s this deep sense of connection — to each other and to their environment — that makes elephants so profoundly moving to encounter.

A Glimpse Into Their World

Watching that herd cross the iMfolozi road, mothers guiding calves with tender nudges, older siblings helping the littlest ones over uneven ground, was more than a wildlife sighting. It was a glimpse into a society built on empathy, leadership, and unity.

There was no rush, no fear, only trust. The matriarch paused midway, scanning the horizon, listening to sounds only she could interpret. When all were safely across, she gave a final low rumble, a cue, perhaps, that the family could move on and as they moved on everyone was brought in line of their passage.

As the last elephant’s tail disappeared into the bush, a sense of awe lingered in the air — the kind that reminds us that in their world, family means everything.

The Gentle Lesson

In a time when the modern world often moves too fast, elephants invite us to slow down and look closer — to value kinship, protect the vulnerable, and move forward together. They are living testaments to the power of memory, emotion, and unity.

We feel incredibly privileged to have witnessed this special moment in the wild. You can relive the sighting by watching the video on our Instagram page: @lidiko_lodge.