Where to See Elephants in Africa
You should have no problem spotting elephant in most of Africa's major national parks, but some places are definitely better than others for sheer numbers. If you only visit Botswana on safari you may hard pressed to understand that elephants are dwindling in numbers at a very rapid rate. Here are the top National Parks and Conservancies where you have an excellent chance of seeing large herds of elephant, one of Africa's "Big Five". Also discover where you can interact with elephants in a relatively "natural" way, for that special one on one experience.
Located in the south of Kenya, Amboseli lies on the Tanzanian border, in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli attracts visitors primarily because of its huge herds of elephant. But the park is also home to many predators like lion, cheetah and leopard. A natural swamp, fed by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro makes it attractive for elephant to stay in this area year round. It also attracts the older males with huge tusks, that need to feed on softer grasses as their teeth wear down. This is where world renowned conservationist Cynthia Moss runs her highly regarded Amboseli Trust for Elephants. More »
The Okavango river cuts through the center of Botswana's Kalahari Desert, creating a unique inland water system that gives life to a huge variety of birds and mammals, including large herds of elephant. Most of the land based camps in the area offer excellent elephant sightings. If you want a truly special elephant experience you should head to either Abu Camp in the Jao concession, or one of the two Sanctuary camps (Baines or Stanley's) for the unparalleled "living with elephants experience". Here you will get to meet habituated elephants where you can touch, smell and physically interact with these beautiful animals while learning all about them.More »
With a population of around 7,000 elephants, in the Serengeti/Mara eco-system, the Serengeti is a good bet for elephant enthusiasts. The number of elephant has greatly increased in the past decade, but a worrying trend of increased poaching in the past two years has conservationists on edge. An easy add-on for more elephant viewing in the area is the Ngorongoro Crater, where the steep slopes into the crater offer the best mud slide fun an elephant can have!More »
The concentration of elephant around the Zambezi River is impressive and there's nowhere better to enjoy them than in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Many of the camps and lodges located on the banks of the river afford guests wonderful opportunities to see large herds of elephant at play, right from their rooms, canoes, fishing boats, and communal camp areas.
South Luangwa is also a stellar place to view elephants along the river front and in the bush.More »
There is a very healthy population of elephants in the Greater Kruger area, more than 10,000 individuals call it home. You can see elephant in the national park, as well as the private concessions bordering the National Park, they include: Sabi Sand Reserve, Manyaleti, and Timbavati. More »
Elephants are such incredible, intelligent, gentle and communicative animals, they have inspired enormous respect and trust among those who have taken care of them. There are many elephant orphans that have needed rescuing as a direct result of poaching. Some of these rescued elephants and their dedicated care-takers allow lucky guests to truly get close and personal with the elephants. It's a very special experience. Here are some I highly recommend for elephant-lovers!
Abu Camp, Botswana
Walking with Elephants - Sanctuary Baines or Stanley's, Botswana
Elephant Whispers, South Africa
Camp Jabulani, South Africa
Dame Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Kenya
1. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park in the north west region of Botswana is renowned for its very high density of elephants. On a recent visit, I literally saw hundreds of elephants in just three days. They were swimming across the Chobe River at sunset, prodding their little ones forward on a march through the dry landscape, and casually stripping bark from whatever trees they had not yet destroyed. The adjacent wildlife areas: Savute and Linyanti are also high density regions for elephant. During the dry season in particular, elephants come to visit from neighboring Zimbabwe and Namibia. Many lodges and camps in this area overlook rivers, channels or waterholes and you'll likely see elephant coming to drink or cool themselves down right from camp. I particularly enjoy Savute Safari Lodge during the dry season, where a recent dinner was accompanied by dozens of elephant just feet away.More »
2. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Located in the south of Kenya, Amboseli lies on the Tanzanian border, in the shadows of Mount Kilimanjaro. Amboseli attracts visitors primarily because of its huge herds of elephant. But the park is also home to many predators like lion, cheetah and leopard. A natural swamp, fed by the melting snows of Kilimanjaro makes it attractive for elephant to stay in this area year round. It also attracts the older males with huge tusks, that need to feed on softer grasses as their teeth wear down. This is where world renowned conservationist Cynthia Moss runs her highly regarded Amboseli Trust for Elephants. More »
3. Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango river cuts through the center of Botswana's Kalahari Desert, creating a unique inland water system that gives life to a huge variety of birds and mammals, including large herds of elephant. Most of the land based camps in the area offer excellent elephant sightings. If you want a truly special elephant experience you should head to either Abu Camp in the Jao concession, or one of the two Sanctuary camps (Baines or Stanley's) for the unparalleled "living with elephants experience". Here you will get to meet habituated elephants where you can touch, smell and physically interact with these beautiful animals while learning all about them.More »
4. Serengeti, Tanzania
With a population of around 7,000 elephants, in the Serengeti/Mara eco-system, the Serengeti is a good bet for elephant enthusiasts. The number of elephant has greatly increased in the past decade, but a worrying trend of increased poaching in the past two years has conservationists on edge. An easy add-on for more elephant viewing in the area is the Ngorongoro Crater, where the steep slopes into the crater offer the best mud slide fun an elephant can have!More »
5. Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
The concentration of elephant around the Zambezi River is impressive and there's nowhere better to enjoy them than in the Lower Zambezi National Park. Many of the camps and lodges located on the banks of the river afford guests wonderful opportunities to see large herds of elephant at play, right from their rooms, canoes, fishing boats, and communal camp areas.
South Luangwa is also a stellar place to view elephants along the river front and in the bush.More »
6. Greater Kruger Area, South Africa
There is a very healthy population of elephants in the Greater Kruger area, more than 10,000 individuals call it home. You can see elephant in the national park, as well as the private concessions bordering the National Park, they include: Sabi Sand Reserve, Manyaleti, and Timbavati. More »
7. Close Encounters with Elephants
Elephants are such incredible, intelligent, gentle and communicative animals, they have inspired enormous respect and trust among those who have taken care of them. There are many elephant orphans that have needed rescuing as a direct result of poaching. Some of these rescued elephants and their dedicated care-takers allow lucky guests to truly get close and personal with the elephants. It's a very special experience. Here are some I highly recommend for elephant-lovers!
Abu Camp, Botswana
Walking with Elephants - Sanctuary Baines or Stanley's, Botswana
Elephant Whispers, South Africa
Camp Jabulani, South Africa
Dame Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage, Kenya
More About Elephants ...
The African elephant (Loxodonta africana) is the largest mammal in the world and remarkably adaptable. Elephants live in woodlands, forests, deserts and savanna, spread across 37 countries in sub-Saharan Africa. The demand for ivory led to a dramatic decrease in elephant numbers, especially during the 1970's and 1980's. A ban on all ivory trade has helped stabilize the population to around 600,000 in the last decade. But poaching is still a major issue, especially in parts of Africa where there is political instability. Find out all about elephants by clicking the headline above, and then head to one of the destinations listed in this article see them in the wild!
Source...