Duchess Sophie's elephant moment on the Zambezi during Zambia visit

The Duchess of Edinburgh watched elephants gather on the Zambezi River and said it was the first time she had seen more than one at once.

The moment came on the third day of her visit to Zambia, spent on the banks of the Zambezi learning how rangers, dogs and local teams are tackling poaching. The Duchess is in the Republic of Zambia from Monday 14 September to Friday 19 September, according to the Royal Family website.

She took a boat safari on the river, which divides Zambia and Zimbabwe, to see elephants in their natural habitat. She told those with her that she had missed an earlier safari taken several years ago by her husband, Prince Edward, and their son James, Earl of Wessex. This was her catch-up.

It delivered. From the water she also spotted hippos, watched a herd of buffalo and filmed lionesses with cubs. She filmed them herself.

The safari followed a flight in a 12-seater light aircraft to visit Conservation Lower Zambezi, a non-profit that works to protect wildlife and habitats on Zambia’s southern border. There the Duchess met specialist detection dogs trained to sniff out weapons and wildlife products. She also met members of a women-only ranger unit who removed more than 200 snares in 2025, as reported by HELLO!, the only publication travelling with the Duchess.

The six-day visit also includes an Education Reception given by the British High Commissioner to the Republic of Zambia at the Residence. The palace published a news item titled ‘The Duchess of Edinburgh in Zambia’ on 16 September 2026.

What makes this stand out is the simplicity of it. No palace pageantry. Just a boat, a camera phone and a first.