This is the heart-stopping moment trail guide Alan McSmith calmly stood up to an elephant charging at him in Kruger National Park.

The footage, captured on December 1 in South Africa, shows the elephant charging twice as McSmith faces him without batting an eye, forcing the pachyderm to eventually retreat.

"The elephant encounter is an authentic example of how calm energy can influence the behaviour of wild animals," Alan McSmith told Newsflare.

"Most trail guides who have seen the video admit that they may have shot the elephant in self-defence, it was that close."

"The footage is a testament to elephant's intelligence and complex behavior and shows how humans and animals can connect on a meaningful level," he added.

"Therefore, ultimately, the video is about the elephant and not me."

Filmed in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, the elephant encounter is an authentic example of how calm energy can influence the behaviour of wild animals. Most trail guides who have seen the video admit that they may have shot the elephant in self defense, it was that close. The footage is a testament to elephant's intelligence and complex behavior and shows how humans and animals can connect on a meaningful level. Therefore, ultimately, the video is about the elephant and not me.