Whether you’re on a family holiday, honeymoon, photographic safari or just travelling solo, an elephant safari is always a worthwhile experience. The gentle giants of Africa enhance every trip to the continent and are always highly enjoyed sightings amongst both locals and tourists alike. But where are the best places to see elephants in Africa you ask? We’re happy to tell you…
1. The Okavango Delta in Botswana
The famous Okavango Delta – one of Africa’s largest inland deltas – is home to a sizeable population of African elephants due to the year round presence of plant life and water. Visitors are able to choose between a traditional mokoro trip, a walking safari, a sundowner boat cruise or an elephant back safari for how best they’d like to experience the beautiful creatures.
2. Chobe National Park in Botswana
Located in the North of Botswana the Chobe National Park lies along the Chobe River, bordering Namibia. Boasting one of the richest wildlife populations in Africa, the park is particularly well known for it’s impressive herds of African Elephant. The Chobe river supports the largest concentration of African Elephants in Africa and it is not uncommon to see herds in excess of 100 elephants.
3. Addo Elephant Park in South Africa
Just outside Port Elizabeth lies Addo Elephant Park – the crown jewel of South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Running alongside the Sundays River, the thick bushveld is home to some 350 African Elephants who thrive on the citrus trees that are prominent in the area. Established in 1931 as a means of conserving the species, the park has gone from strength to strength.
4.Kruger National Park in South Africa
Arguably the most famous park in the world, The Kruger National Park enjoys an abundance of fauna and flora. Elephants, and other members of the Big Five, roam the park freely all year round. You’re very likely to witness a herd or three at this South African landmark. Many of the safari lodges that we like to use in the Kruger area are family friendly and perfect for first time close up viewing of the animals.
5.Amboseli National Park in Kenya
The Amboseli National Park in the second most visited park in Kenya after the Masai Mara. Popular with wildlife photographers for the famous backdrop of elephants walking in front of a snowcapped Mount Kilimanjaro.
6. Tarangire National Park in Tanzania
While not as famous as it’s neighbours – the Serengeti or the Ngorongoro Crater – the Tarangire National Park makes a wonderful spot to stop en route. Famous for it’s massive baobab trees, the park sustains large populations of African elephant. During the dry season, all the animals make their way to the only source of water -the Tarangire river – so the chances of spotting some great game are really high.
7. Damaraland in Namibia
One doesn’t come across big herds in these hot and sandy desert regions, but the elephants of Namibia are special in that they have smaller bodies and longer legs and have adapted to the harsh environment and can travel vast distances between water sources. They inhabit the north western parts of Namibia , notably Kaokoland and Damaraland.
