This is perhaps Herzog’s best movie in a decade, combining all of the incredible visuals, storytelling, and filmmaking prowess that we expect from the legendary director. Ghost Elephants soars because Herzog is willing to step into any environment and make a film. Yet it’s his ability to decode, build tension, and control the very atmosphere that makes him second to none. With National Geographic backing the film, Herzog’s latest adventure is 2026’s first must-watch documentary.

Herzog chronicles the sizeable expedition (with a delightful number of tangents and hanging out with the interesting locals) to film and photograph the Ghost Elephants, as well as trying to get a sample of their DNA with the help of Namibian and Luchazi master trackers, and a custom made arrow-head, across the difficult landscape of steep valleys, dense forests, and peat wetlands via Toyota off-road vehicles and small motorcycles, until eventually walking dozens of miles on foot.

Conservation biologist Dr Steve Boyes and director Werner Herzog join Morning Joe to discuss the new National Geographic documentary 'Ghost Elephants'.

Gianfranco Rosi’s “Pompei: Below the Clouds” and Werner Herzog’s “Ghost Elephants” offer thrilling but troubled visions of a world in environmental flux.

The adventurous German director’s latest documentary follows an explorer searching for gargantuan elephants in southwestern Africa.