This is the stunning moment a massive elephant reached right over the heads of tourists to rip a branch from a tree overhead.

Louis Malzer was on holiday in Mana Pools, Zimbabwe, at the end of August when he and his group were visited by a huge animal.

Remarkable footage shows the elephant stand on its hind legs while resting its front feet on an anthill five metres away from Louis.

Once at its tallest, the elephant reached with its trunk to rip a branch out of the tree, forcing Louis and his group to move to avoid any falling debris.

Louis said: “We all had a feeling of complete awe while experiencing this encounter. The memory is one that will stay with all of us forever.

“I have been this close to elephants before but that was when in a safari vehicle.

“The elephant was trying to get a branch from the tree as at that time of year there is not much food available.

“These branches have green foliage and seed pods that are very nutritious as well as the woody parts that provide the fibre or roughage that elephants need.

“After relieving himself there he continued to the anthill, which was five metres from where we were sitting and proceeded to climb it.

“Our concern was that the anthill would collapse under the elephant's weight and would come crashing down on to us.

“Amazingly the anthill took the weight of the elephant without collapsing which is a testimony to how strong the ants are able to construct their mounds.”