When heading out on safari, many travellers anticipate up-close and personal encounters with the King of the Jungle. But watching the mighty elephant in his natural surrounding is just as thrilling, especially for those who consider this friendly giant the true King of Beasts. As the largest and one of the most undefeated, yet gentle of the Big 5 – wildlife and safari enthusiasts have this majestic animal right on top of their must-see list. You can look forward to seeing elephants in most parks and reserves in Africa, but some places are definitely better than others. We have put together a list of our top 8 places to discover and interact with elephants in a natural way:
- The Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta sees year-round vegetation and water making it the perfect destination to see elephants at any given time. There are so many different safari options that lets you experience these beautiful creatures, from game drives to mokoro boat trips.
- Kruger National Park, South Africa
A world-renowned park for its sheer size, the Kruger has wildlife roaming freely in large numbers, including the elephant. The Kruger is perfect for family safaris and first time visitors wanting to view elephants up-close.
- Chobe National Park, Botswana
You can’t visit Chobe National Park without seeing a single elephant. With the largest elephant population in Africa, guests can watch the elephants going about their routines all day long – from drinking at the water’s edge, to bathing and swimming across the river.
- Elephant Camp, Zimbabwe
The Elephant Camp offers you the humbling and inspirational chance to feed, touch and interact with elephants.
- South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
South Luangwa National Park one of Zambia’s hidden gems with an abundance of elephants. The best time to visit is, July to November, when elephants congregate the dwindling bodies of water.
- Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
If you’re on your way to the Serengetior the Ngorongoro Crater, stop at the Tarangire National Park during the dry season when its large population of African elephant make their way to the Tarangire River.
- Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia
Most accommodations along the Zambezi River overlook the high concentration of elephant that congregate around the meandering bends. Relax in your room perched among the trees and watch the elephants drink and play.
- Mombo Camp, Okavango Delta, Botswana
Mombo Camp is nicknamed “The Place of Plenty”, suggesting the large herds of wild elephants that can be encountered at close range.
We would love to hear from you where you have seen the mighty elephant and which was your favourite experience.