PACHYDERMIA

Never having hunted elephant myself — at least, not intentionally — I’m hardly qualified to offer much more than some very circumspect opinions on what to do or how to do it in that regard. I will, however, offer this piece of advice: When hunting in elephant country, carry an elephant rifle. It doesn’t matter if you’re on a rats-and-mice safari chasing some arcane variety of dwarf duiker, carry an elephant rifle. Trust me.

No matter how jaded a hunter might be, your first encounter with an elephant when you are on foot and under-armed is a memorable experience. Cape buffalo, formidable as they are, do not have the sheer majesty of an elephant, and while a big maned lion in those circumstances is certainly something to be reckoned with, if you leave him alone he will usually return the courtesy.