Few experiences rival the thrill of encountering elephants in the wild. These majestic giants, symbols of strength and wisdom, are among Africa’s most iconic animals. Whether you’re watching a family herd, or a big bull, Africa offers unparalleled opportunities to spend time observing these intelligent and sensitive animals. This article explores some of the best places to see elephants on safari.
Amboseli and Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Amboseli National Park, with its stunning views of Mount Kilimanjaro, is one of the best places to see elephants in Africa. The park is home to large herds, often seen roaming the open plains or cooling off in the wetlands. Nearby, the Chyulu Hills offer a more exclusive experience. Ol Donyo Lodge provides an intimate setting for elephant encounters because they have a special log pile hide. From the hide you can see ‘super tuskers’ like One Ton, who visit the waterhole below the lodge. These giant elephants can be observed at very close quarters from the hide.
Samburu, Kenya
Samburu National Reserve in northern Kenya is a hotspot for elephant enthusiasts. The reserve’s arid landscape and Ewaso Nyiro river provide a unique backdrop. Save the Elephants is headquarterd here, and because of this presence in the reserve, the elephants of Samburu are among the most studied in the world. Guides at Elephant Watch Camp can identify all the resident elephants and tell you about their family history. For those keen to support community-driven conservation, the nearby Reteti Elephant Sanctuary provides a chance to learn about the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephant calves in the wider region. A visit to the sanctuary is a fantastic experience.
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Mana Pools, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is renowned for its elephant sightings. It’s the massive bull elephants who steal the show as they forage for seeds pods, balancing on their hind legs to reach into the trees. The park’s floodplains, shaded by winterthorn, provide an atmospheric setting for your safari. You can experience Mana’s mighty elephants in a variety of ways: on game drives, on foot and also from canoes.
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park is a hot spot for elephants with as many as 45,000 in the park during the dry season. The park has no natural water source of its own like a river or lake, so pumped and maintained boreholes are a lifeline for wildlife. Sitting at a borehole and watching vast herds of elephants come to drink is very special. At Somalisa Camp you don’t even need to leave camp, as the elephants love to drink from the elephant pool. Both Somalisa and Somalisa Expeditions also offer a log pile hide experience too.
Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Ruaha is a hidden gem in Southern Tanzania – a fantastic place to see elephants. Everything about Ruaha is big including the baobab trees. Ruaha receives fewer visitors then parks further north and offers a real wilderness experience. Camps tend to be small and unfenced and so it is not uncommon to have elephants for company. Look out for them when you take a bucket shower! During the dry season, you’ll see them digging in the sandy riverbeds for water. This is a fascinating behaviour that showcases the elephants’ intelligence and adaptability. Find a spot in the shade and listen to the rumbles as the elephants quench their thirst.
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
The Tarangire landscape, like Ruaha, is punctuated by large baobabs. The Tarangire River attracts huge herds of elephants during the dry season from June to October and makes a fantastic addition to a Northern Circuit safari. Only a couple of hours drive away from Kilimanjaro/Arusha (where most people arrive), it’s the perfect first stop before reaching the Ngorongoro Conservation Area and the Serengeti beyond that.
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe is synonymous with elephants. The park hosts one of Africa’s highest concentrations and the Chobe River offers an incredible vantage point particularly during the dry season – you may even see elephants swimming.
Linyanti, Botswana
For a more exclusive experience, the Linyanti region of Botswana is an excellent choice. This remote area, characterised by lush wetlands and woodlands, is home to significant elephant populations attracted by the channels of the Linyanti and Kwando rivers. Camps are small and high quality, perfect for those seeking a quieter connection with nature.
Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Malawi’s Liwonde National Park is emerging as a prime elephant destination, thanks to successful conservation efforts. The park’s floodplains and rivers are home to Malawi’s largest population of elephants. Between 2016 and 2017 350 elephants were moved from Liwonde to help re-establish Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve.
South Luangwa, Zambia
The Luangwa Valley (North and South Luangwa) is famed for its walking safaris, offering a special way to encounter elephants who form large herds, especially during the dry season, along the Luangwa River. A week-long wildife and walking trip gives you the best opportunity for a full experience.
Damaraland, Namibia
Namibia’s Damaraland is the place to see desert-adapted elephants – adapted to survive in some of the harshest conditions on Earth. These elephants are slightly smaller than their savanna counterparts and have unique behaviours suited to the arid environment. Tracking them across the rugged terrain is a thrilling adventure although in a vast landscape, they can be elusive! Wilderness Damaraland Camp is widely considered one of the best places to see them.
Greater Kruger and beyond… South Africa
While South Africa may not boast the largest elephant populations, the Greater Kruger area (national park and connected conservancies) provide excellent opportunities to see elephants along with many other species. Further south Addo is renowned for its elephants while South Africa’s infrastructure and non-malarial reserves make it an accessible option for families and first-time safari-goers.
Best Places to see Elephants? Plan Your Safari With Us
Africa offers a wealth of opportunities to see elephants. Whether you’re drawn to the vast herds of Chobe, the desert-adapted elephants of Namibia, or intimate encounters in Samburu, each destination offers something slightly different. Remember to choose operators and lodges that prioritise sustainable and ethical wildlife tourism, ensuring that your visit contributes to the conservation of these incredible animals.
Image: Wilderness Damaraland Camp, Namibia
