The afternoon began under that familiar golden light that settles over the bush in late summer. Long shadows stretched across the landscape as we set out with our guests. Our plan was clear and unhurried: to spend some time with a pack of wild dogs that had been resting not far from the Sand River. We found them exactly where we hoped we would, spread out beneath a few trees, bellies full with the occasional flick of an ear or swish of a tail. It was a calm, quiet sighting, one that invites patience and stillness. The pack barely acknowledged our presence, as they slept and occasionally shifted positions as they waited out the heat of the afternoon.

It was during this peaceful moment that the atmosphere subtly changed. A low rumble carried in from the clearing behind us. At first, distant, then it quickly deepened, and when we turned to look, the source became clear. Two elephant bulls stood facing one another in the open clearings beyond the wild dogs, their body language tense and deliberate as they circled a waterhole. A group of young mature elephant bulls are often referred to as an ‘Askari’.

The word Askari comes from Arabic, derived from ʿaskar (عسكر), meaning “soldier” or “armed guard.” In elephant society, Askari refers to the younger, subordinate bulls that form protective entourages with older, dominant males for mentorship and safety.

What had looked like mild posturing soon escalated. Dust lifted around their feet as they closed the distance, heads low, tusks angled forward. Recognising that this was more than casual interaction, we repositioned immediately, leaving the wild dogs to gain a clearer view.

The Askari relationship benefits both: the younger bulls gain valuable lessons in hierarchy, discipline, and bushcraft, while the older bulls benefit from an extra set of eyes and ears for danger.

The setting was exceptional. The clearing formed a natural amphitheatre, bordered by the bank of the Sand River, seasonal wallows, and the rise of Stwies Koppie in the distance. With the warm afternoon light illuminating the scene, it felt as though we had taken our seats at a live performance, front row, with nothing between us and the action. The interaction sat firmly between play-fighting and outright aggression. Tusks locked and foreheads pressed together, the bulls pushed and leaned into one another, stopping often to reassess. Neither was in musth, and yet the intent was clear—neither bull was prepared to back down.

The need for a dominance display becomes most visible when: Two bulls are of similar size and age, one or both bulls are approaching musth, it is peak breeding season.

Negotiating Dominance

This behaviour speaks directly to the established dominance hierarchy amongst elephant bulls. This ranking system is built over years of encounters, size, strength, and confidence. Bulls generally avoid unnecessary conflict, relying instead on this recognised structure. However, when two individuals of similar stature meet, particularly during the peak of the breeding season, these rankings are sometimes challenged.

The social understanding of dominance and rank is a system that allows bulls to establish hierarchy without constant, costly conflict.

Dominance is a concept that combines size and physical condition, age and experience, confidence and assertiveness and past interactions with other bulls.

Full-scale fights between elephant bulls carry serious risks: broken tusks, injuries, and even death. The dominance hierarchy helps minimise these costs by allowing rank to be established through assessment and restraint rather than constant aggression. Once established, rank can last for months or even years. Older, dominant bulls often command space effortlessly, with younger or subordinate bulls yielding without confrontation.

For close to an hour, the contest continued. The bulls would press together, separate slightly, then surge forward again. There was remarkable restraint in their movements—immense power, carefully moderated. It was a test not only of physical strength but of determination and experience. Although neither bull showed visible signs of musth, the timing was significant. With breeding season in full swing, both were likely approaching it. Establishing social dominance before entering musth can play an important role in future encounters, reducing the need for more dangerous confrontations once hormones surge.

Elephant bulls mounting one another is a normal but often misunderstood behaviour, and it is rarely sexual. Instead, it usually relates to social dynamics, dominance, and hormone levels.

Eventually, the momentum shifted. One bull began to give ground, step by step, while the other stood firm, posture confident and composed. There was no dramatic ending, just a quiet resolution acknowledged by both. As the bulls moved off and the dust settled back onto the earth, the clearing returned to stillness. It was one of those sightings that perfectly illustrates the complexity of elephant society, where dominance is not always asserted through violence, but negotiated through experience and restraint.

We sat in awe, completely captivated. One of my guests spotted a Wattled Lapwing moving beneath the feet of the two bulls, carefully avoiding each collision. My guest remarked, “It looks as though the bird was the referee!” It was such an apt comment as it seemed as though we were not the only ones captivated by the tussle.

The whole experience reminded me just how complex elephant society is. Elephants are incredibly intelligent creatures with intricate hierarchies and sophisticated social structures. The establishment of rank is just one piece of that puzzle, but it’s a fascinating one. As we turned back towards camp, the light fading, I felt privileged. Not everyone gets to witness these ancient rituals play out in real time. That’s a day in the African bush for you – never quite what you planned, but always exactly what you needed.

Elephant bulls will sometimes dig their tusks into the ground as a signal to opposing bulls. They are effectively communicating: willingness to escalate, determination to hold position, confidence in their strength. This can often influence the psychological side of the encounter, sometimes discouraging further pressure from the opponent.