At Botswana’s Mashatu Wildlife Reserve, South African photographer Greg Du Toit captured breathtaking eye-level images of elephants enjoying their water sources.
For over three years, Du Toit immersed himself in these waterholes to uniquely and intimately document these majestic animals. His close-up photographs showcase elephants interacting as they roam freely across the African plains, nurturing their young, and moving together in herds. He sought to portray the elephants’ immense size and gentle nature from an immersive perspective.
“I spent months studying the waterhole and observing the elephants’ behavior before finally deciding to climb into the water,” Du Toit shared. Using a wide-angle lens, he photographed from just two meters away, offering an unparalleled view of the elephants’ daily routines.
His photos capture tender moments between mothers and their calves as they rely on the herd’s guidance to navigate their surroundings. Du Toit described his experience as feeling almost like a part of the elephant herd, saying, “I relished the opportunity to photograph young elephants drinking and playing… By immersing myself in the herd’s waterhole, I became part of their world, allowing me to document their lives in an extraordinary way.”
Despite his expertise as a safari guide and photographer with over 20 years of experience, Du Toit acknowledged the risks involved in such close interactions with wild elephants, which can be dangerous.
However, his dedication stems from a deeper purpose—to foster love and respect for elephants and raise awareness about their conservation. Elephants continue to face severe threats from poaching and habitat loss. According to the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), African elephants have lost more than half of their natural range since 1979, primarily due to ivory poaching and trophy hunting, resulting in significant population declines. Once widespread across Africa and Asia, elephants suffered devastating losses in the 20th century, and while populations in some areas have stabilized, poaching and habitat encroachment remain critical challenges.
Du Toit hopes his images will inspire greater awareness and support for elephant conservation. “I hope this work will help foster a deeper love and appreciation for elephants and even spark a shared human conscience so that these intelligent, gentle giants can survive for future generations to see and enjoy,” he said.
