BRIT tourists were left horrified after a raging elephant protecting its baby charged their boat and nearly sank it in a crocodile-infested river.

Terrified passengers on the river safari tour were left fearing for their lives after the close encounter with the huge beast in Botswana.

The harrowing ordeal unfolded in the Okavango Delta, when the boat’s captain mockingly bantered with the behemoth mammal.

As the elephant closed the gap the guide turned around confidently and said: “When she comes close we are going to zoom forward”.

He then appeared to clap his hands while smiling and suggested that the group could let the elephant come close before speeding away.

While the mum elephant let out frightening cries, the tour guide said jokingly: “Yes, we can hear you.”

But moments later, he was heard yelling in a panic as the beast got uncomfortably close to their small vessel.

The engine reportedly cut out just as the elephant came within reach of the boat of Brit tourists.

A loud thud was heard as the elephant violently rammed into the back of the boat – momentarily throwing it into the air.

The tourists fell off their benches and dropped their cameras as the front of the boat headed straight after taking the weight of the five-ton female and its two ivory tusks.

It nearly capsized before the crew were all seen in complete shock.

The elephant was also heard roaring again during its intimidating assault.

Luckily, the flimsy craft slammed back down onto the river just seconds later.

The river is known to be infested with crocodiles and hippos.

The infuriated elephant went on to slam her tusks into the boat three more times.

In the frightening footage, one tourist can be heard shouting: “Oh no!”

Meanwhile, another fearful holidaymaker says: “Holy s**t.”

After failing to capsize the boat, the elephant appeared to turn away.

One shocked tourist said: “Was that meant to happen?”

And someone replied sternly straight after: “No.”

It is not known which company took the tourists out but reportedly nobody was injured.

The Facebook post on Wildfriends Africa has clocked up 30,000 views since it was taken in June in the Okavango Delta – reportedly one of Prince Harry’s favourite places in the world.

The charging elephant weighed five tons and stood 11ft tall.

Elephants, which are some of world’s largest mammals, kill an estimated 500 people every year in Africa.

It comes after the owner of one of South Africa’s top game reserves was horrifically trampled to death as he tried to move elephants away from tourist lodges.

Chief Executive Officer FC Conradie who co-owns the exclusive Gondwana Private Game Reserve, was suddenly charged at by the huge mammal.

The 39-year-old millionaire was reportedly mauled by a six-ton African elephant.

It is said to have attacked him with its tusks then stamped on him repeatedly.

The horror left shocked rangers unable to save him in yesterday’s 8am attack.

FC Conradie was said by staff to have a “love for elephants and nature” and would often go out to photograph them.

His wife of 10 years La-ida, 33, is said to be “inconsolable” at his passing.