Safety during wild elephant encounters on rural roads
8 Answers from travellers
STOP immediately. Turn off your engine and your headlights (if it is night). DO NOT honk your horn, flash lights, or shout. Wild elephants are easily startled and can easily crush a tuk-tuk. Keep a distance of at least 50 meters. Wait patiently for the elephant to cross the road into the jungle. If it walks toward you, put the tuk-tuk in reverse and back away slowly.
NO! Throwing food teaches them to attack vehicles looking for more food. It is highly illegal.
Never try to speed past them. They move much faster than you think.
If locals in vans or trucks stop and wait, you do the exact same thing.
If the ears are flared out and the trunk is tucked, it means they are agitated. Back up fast.
We had this happen near Yala. We just sat in silence for 20 minutes until it moved. Terrifying but amazing.
Fair TukTuk Prices
Help travelers avoid overcharging!
Be the first to report a priceYou must be logged in to post an answer.
Log In to Answer