How Elephants Communicate

I am far from an expert on elephant communication, but I have spent many hours over many years observing them in the wild with my groups, with friends, and on my own. There’s a quiet conversation happening in the African wilderness, one that we can’t always hear but of course, the elephants understand perfectly. These intelligent giants have one of the most complex communication systems. From deep, rumbling infrasound, to subtle gestures, taps and touches, elephants are constantly communicating with each other. Their ability to express joy, sorrow, stress, and reassurance is nothing short of amazing to us, but totally normal to them. But to truly appreciate their secret language, you need to witness it in the wild.

I Once Communicated With An Elephant

Many years ago, I was in Kenya with my friend Terry. We were on a reconnaissance trip for a group. One drizzly morning towards the end of our time exploring the area, we had nearly finished packing up our overnight kit when a huge bull elephant emerged from the trees. I was immediately mesmerized by him quietly walking towards us, and in no time at all, he was just a few metres away. My instincts told me to stay still. He was lumbering towards me slowly, not stressed at all, and I was clearly no threat. So I remained kneeling down by our cooler box.

This was one of the biggest elephants I had ever seen, and he stopped barely three feet in front of me. His enormous trunk reached out in front of his huge crossed tusks, slowly sniffing my chest, neck, and head. As I looked up at him towering above me, I felt an absolute sense of calm. Glancing down at his huge trunk, I noticed an old healed deep wound from a snare which had very nearly severed the trunk completely. There was another mark on one of his tusks, a circular scar etched there from another snare which must have been attached for many years.

As I gazed up his broad trunk, I looked him squarely in the eye, he lifted the tip of his trunk and gently tapped my head a few times before turning away. I inhaled and exhaled deeply, knowing that I had shared a moment of communication with a wild animal that I could never expected, and one I would never forget.

Before he walked back into the bush, he took my bag out of the back of the truck, and opened it. One foot on the front to secure it, and another to tear it open. In reality I think that this big old bull was probably on his last set of teeth, and looking for something easy to eat when he smelt our camp, me, and my bag. However, in my wishful thinking, I like to believe he wanted to communicate with me. After all, he didn't have to come up to me, sniff me, or tap me on the head. He could have just gone straight to my bag and taken whatever he wanted.

Since then I have looked to see how much elephants communicate by tapping each other gently like this. I have only seen it a few times, but an expert told me that it is quite normal and that they gently tap or caress family members, especially calves, to comfort them, and reassure them.

Elephants don’t just trumpet loudly when excited or distressed, their communication is far more intricate.

Infrasound: The Messages We Can’t Hear

Elephants produce deep, low frequency rumbles that humans cannot hear. These infrasound can travel around 6 miles, allowing herds to stay connected across vast distances. Experts believe these calls are used to warn others of danger, coordinate movements, or even locate mates. If you’ve ever seen elephants suddenly react to something invisible, they might be responding to a distant rumbling message carried underground, or through the air.

Listening Through Their Feet

One of the most astonishing facts about elephants is their ability to detect vibrations through the ground. They use the sensitive pads on their feet and trunks to pick up seismic signals, helping them hear approaching herds, storms, or even distant threats. This ability makes them one of the most intuitive animals in the wild.

Body Language and Touch

Elephants also express themselves through physical gestures. A raised trunk can signal curiosity or greeting, while an extended ear flap might be a sign of aggression. Touch is particularly important within families, calves often rub against their mothers for comfort, and adult elephants wrap trunks around each other as a sign of affection, or tap each other for reassurance.

Emotional Expression

Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of elephant communication is their emotional depth. They mourn their dead, console distressed family members, and even celebrate reunions. Watching a mother gently guide her calf with her trunk, keep that baby carefully between her legs, or watch a herd huddle together in support is an unforgettable experience.

Experience Elephant Conversations in the Wild

Reading about the language of elephants is one thing, experiencing it in Africa is something else entirely. There’s no better way to understand these animals than by seeing them in their natural habitat, surrounded by the raw beauty of the wilderness.

At Africa Wild Trails, we take you on unforgettable adventures to witness elephants in their world. Whether it’s in Botswana, Namibia, Zambia or South Africa, you’ll have the chance to watch these giants interact, communicate, and live freely.

Our trips, safaris, and field studies are not just about sightseeing, they’re about understanding, conserving, and connecting with nature on a deeper level. When you travel with us, you’ll learn from expert guides, track elephants, and contribute to responsible tourism that helps protect these incredible creatures for future generations.

Join Us on an Elephant Adventure

Join Africa Wild Trails for a journey to observe elephants in the wild, email Angus on angus@africawildtrails.com or visit www.africawildtrails.com to start planning your adventure.

Angus