At Tsavo Trust, we’ve spent years observing elephants across the Tsavo Conservation Area, and if there’s one truth that stands out, it’s this: no two elephant populations behave the same. While they may belong to the same species, elephants adapt their lives to fit the land they call home—shaped by the geography they inhabit, the pressures they face, and the knowledge passed down through generations.
Forest navigators: The boulevards of Central Africa
In the thick rainforests of the Congo Basin, African forest elephants create narrow, well-worn trails through dense undergrowth. Often referred to as “elephant boulevards,” these paths are not random. They’re created over generations, with elephants using the same routes repeatedly—partly because their dung deposits seeds that grow into fruit-bearing trees along these paths, and partly as these paths taken them past vital mineral deposits used to supplement their diet. In this way, elephants actively shape their own navigation corridors.
Nomads of the savannah: Migratory knowledge in Tsavo and beyond
Here in Tsavo, elephant behaviour reflects a deep connection to rainfall cycles and long-standing migration routes. Savannah elephants in this region can move hundreds of kilometres between dry- and wet-season ranges, with matriarchs leading the way. These movements aren’t random; they are the result of decades—sometimes centuries—of accumulated knowledge, stored in the minds of Tsavo’s elder elephants.
We regularly observe herds that return to specific waterholes or dry riverbeds at just the right time, year after year. In extreme droughts, we’ve seen families rely entirely on the wisdom of their matriarchs to guide them to hidden springs or seasonally ephemeral pools.
Desert specialists: The elephants of Namibia
In Namibia’s arid northwest, desert elephants show some of the most remarkable behavioural adaptations. These elephants walk over 60 kilometres between water sources and live in smaller, more mobile groups than their savannah relatives. They feed less frequently, rest during the hottest hours, and carefully manage their water use. Interestingly, these desert elephants have developed certain adaptations for desert life and tend to have relatively broader feet, longer legs and smaller bodies than other African bush elephants.
The Marula tree and musth
In the woodlands of southern Africa, bull elephants have been observed feeding heavily on marula fruits in the weeks leading up to musth. These calorie-rich fruits help bulls bulk up before entering this hormonally driven reproductive state, which can last for months and often leads them to neglect feeding altogether. The connection between marula consumption and musth preparation demonstrates a strategic use of food availability tied to complex biological processes.
The behaviour of Super Tuskers
At Tsavo Trust, we’ve had the rare opportunity to observe the behavioural patterns of Africa’s last remaining Super Tuskers—mature bull elephants whose ivory exceeds 100 lbs per tusk. As dominant bulls in their prime, Super Tuskers often act as role models within bachelor herds, guiding younger males and modelling appropriate social behaviours such as dominance displays, mating etiquette, and foraging strategies. Others choose to roam alone, travelling vast distances across the Tsavo ecosystem in search of females or food sources—a pattern typical of experienced bulls.
Each Super Tusker we monitor has a distinct personality. For instance, KM2, one of our most frequently photographed individuals, is notably calm and tolerant of nearby vehicles, making him a favourite among photographers and researchers. In contrast, RO1 is far more elusive and has been known to show defensive or aggressive behaviour when approached. As Super Tuskers age, we often observe a shift in their ranging behaviour. Older individuals may become more sedentary, staying close to reliable water sources where the vegetation is softer and easier to chew—an important consideration as their teeth wear down with age.
Elephants and humans: Bonds that last a lifetime
At Tsavo Trust, we work closely with partners like the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust, whose orphan reintegration programme provides a unique perspective on elephant memory and emotional complexity. Orphaned elephants raised by keepers form deep attachments to their human caregivers. Even years after rewilding, many return to visit their keepers—especially after giving birth, introducing their calves to the only family they’ve known.
This long-term memory and emotional attachment is a reflection of elephants’ complex social lives. In the wild, familial bonds remain strong for decades, and we regularly observe elephants mourning the loss of herd members.
Ocean explorers? Swimming Indian elephants
While not African, the behaviours of Indian elephants also show the species’ surprising range. In the Andaman Islands and parts of coastal Kerala, elephants have been documented swimming between islands—sometimes over several kilometres. While this behaviour is not fully understood, it’s believed to be a natural dispersal method, offering insight into the physical and behavioural versatility of elephants.
The differenent behaviours of Africa’s elephants
Across Africa, elephants do more than survive—they adapt, learn, teach, and transform the land around them. They carry generations of wisdom in their movements, their reactions, and their choices.
At Tsavo Trust, we are committed not just to protecting elephants, but to understanding them—honouring the cultural and environmental stories they carry, and ensuring those stories are passed down, not lost.
If we hope to conserve elephants in the decades to come, we must listen carefully—not just to their calls, but to their behaviour.