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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Samburu, Kenya<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSamburu National Reserve in northern Kenya<\/a> is a hotspot for elephant enthusiasts. The reserve\u2019s arid landscape and Ewaso Nyiro river provide a unique backdrop. Save the Elephants<\/em> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nMana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"In](\"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/IMG_9909-1-768x1024.jpeg\")
Wake up call courtesy of Big Mac – Kanga Camp, Mana Pools<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMana Pools<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHwange National Park, Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"You](\"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_6364-1024x680.jpg\")
Taken during a visit to Somalisa Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHwange National Park<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRuaha National Park, Tanzania<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Ruaha](\"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/DSC_4912-1024x680.jpg\")
Ruaha during the grip of the dry season.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRuaha is a hidden gem in Southern Tanzania<\/a> – 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTarangire National Park, Tanzania<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChobe National Park, Botswana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nChobe is synonymous with elephants. The park hosts one of Africa\u2019s highest concentrations and the Chobe River offers an incredible vantage point particularly during the dry season – you may even see elephants swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Linyanti, Botswana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor a more exclusive experience, the Linyanti region of Botswana<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLiwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMalawi\u2019s Liwonde National Park<\/a> is emerging as a prime elephant destination, thanks to successful conservation efforts. The park\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSouth Luangwa, Zambia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe 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<\/a> trip gives you the best opportunity for a full experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDamaraland, Namibia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNamibia\u2019s Damaraland<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGreater Kruger and beyond… South Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/explorersagainstextinction.co.uk\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/webIMG_5003.jpg\")
Sabi Sand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nWake up call courtesy of Big Mac – Kanga Camp, Mana Pools<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nMana Pools<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHwange National Park, Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nTaken during a visit to Somalisa Camp<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nHwange National Park<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nRuaha National Park, Tanzania<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nRuaha during the grip of the dry season.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nRuaha is a hidden gem in Southern Tanzania<\/a> – 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nTarangire National Park, Tanzania<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nChobe National Park, Botswana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nChobe is synonymous with elephants. The park hosts one of Africa\u2019s highest concentrations and the Chobe River offers an incredible vantage point particularly during the dry season – you may even see elephants swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Linyanti, Botswana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nFor a more exclusive experience, the Linyanti region of Botswana<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nLiwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMalawi\u2019s Liwonde National Park<\/a> is emerging as a prime elephant destination, thanks to successful conservation efforts. The park\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nSouth Luangwa, Zambia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nThe 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<\/a> trip gives you the best opportunity for a full experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\nDamaraland, Namibia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNamibia\u2019s Damaraland<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nGreater Kruger and beyond… South Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nSabi Sand<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
Mana Pools<\/a>, 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\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Hwange National Park<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruaha National Park, Tanzania<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Ruaha is a hidden gem in Southern Tanzania<\/a> – 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Chobe is synonymous with elephants. The park hosts one of Africa\u2019s highest concentrations and the Chobe River offers an incredible vantage point particularly during the dry season – you may even see elephants swimming.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For a more exclusive experience, the Linyanti region of Botswana<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Malawi\u2019s Liwonde National Park<\/a> is emerging as a prime elephant destination, thanks to successful conservation efforts. The park\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 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<\/a> trip gives you the best opportunity for a full experience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Namibia\u2019s Damaraland<\/a> 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.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHwange National Park, Zimbabwe<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Chobe National Park, Botswana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Linyanti, Botswana<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Liwonde National Park and Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
South Luangwa, Zambia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Damaraland, Namibia<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Greater Kruger and beyond… South Africa<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n