Elephant turns to the front door of a safari lodge to find a drink of water

It’s the dream of many safari vacationers to get a close-up view of African wildlife.

But Garth Kew didn’t expect an elephant to appear on his doorstep.

An amateur photographer was terrified when he looked out his window at Madikwe Game Reserve in South Africa to see an elephant looking back at him.

The wildlife lover was scared for his life when the wild animal got too close to his holiday accommodation.

But he grabbed his camera and managed to snap some pictures from the safety of his room.

Moments later, he realized the curious elephant had only one round look and ventured out to take pictures of the animal enjoying the sun.

Madikwe is a ‘Big 5’ game reserve and free-roaming lions, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, and rhinos.

Since the lodge is located on the waterfront, it is a popular watering place, and Mr. Kew has even heard of elephants drinking from the resort’s outdoor showers.

Mr. Kew said: ‘The elephant was not lured or encouraged – I don’t know how that could be done.

‘It was simply ambling down to have a drink.’

After managing to capture the magical pictures, Mr. Garth saw the elephant get back into the bushes.