Seeing elephants in the wild, in Africa, for the first time is out of this world.
It’s a completely humbling and awe-inspiring experience to watch these magnificent creatures interact with each other and there’s a lot we can learn from them.
If you’ve ever read The Elephant Whisperer or Love, Life & Elephants, you’ll know what incredible animals they are. Elephants work together as a team and show incredible empathy, some say they’re telepathic. And the females are in charge – the way it should be! 😉
So I wanted to share with you some of the best places in Africa for an elephant safari! They’re not the only places in Africa where you can see elephants and you will see lots of other animals too, but these are the places where you are pretty much, 100% guaranteed to see elephants on safari.
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The Best Places in Africa for an Elephant Safari
Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe is without a doubt, one of the most incredible safari destinations in the world. It covers a large area and is split into 3 sections, Kasane and the riverfront area, Savuti, and Linyati.
The most accessible part of the park is the riverfront and day trips can easily be organised from Kasane, or even Livingstone, Zambia, or Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe.
From all the safaris I’ve done in Africa (and I’ve done quite a lot), Chobe is where I’ve seen the most safari ‘action’. Think multiple leopards (including one eating a dead elephant), hyenas fighting over a bay elephant carcass, lions, and quite literally, thousands of beautiful elephants (live ones).
Khwai Concession, Botswana
Firstly, it’s a stunning location and with the Khwai River running through the area, it attracts lots of animals.
What’s even better, is that most of the camping sites in the park are overlooking the water and due to the abundance of elephants, you can easily spot them from the comfort of your camping chair!
We saw lots of overlanders enjoying a beer at their campsites, watching elephants bathing in the river. Does it get any better?
Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is one of the highlights of Southern Africa.
Taking a trip deep into the Delta usually means a short flight from Maun or a canoe ride through the unique waterways to get to your campsite, on one of the islands.
This alone makes the Delta a very unique destination but add to that the tons of wildlife (including plenty of elephants), and you’ve got yourself a wild safari!
Most Okavango Delta safaris include canoe excursions that allow you to get pretty close to the wildlife and see the elephants from a different perspective than the usual driving safaris. You can also take scenic flights over the Okavango Delta too.
Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Amboseli National Park is, in my opinion, one of the most beautiful safari destinations in the whole world.
Not only is it famous for huge herds of elephants (don’t let the picture fool you, I saw lots of big herds – just, unfortunately, facing the other way) but it has Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop.
The park is a 4 hours drive from Kenya’s capital Nairobi, making it a great weekend excursion out of the city or a good place to stopover on the way to Tanzania or Mombasa.
Tsavo National Park, Kenya
I’ve never actually been on safari in Tsavo, but I have passed through it numerous times on the train.
The park lies between Amboseli National Park and Mombasa and is split into two sections, Tsavo East and Tsavo West. At 22,000 km², it’s the largest national park in Kenya.
The last time I took the train, I saw 13 herds of elephants out of the window. The park is known for its ‘red’ elephants, due to the volcanic earth, they like to bathe in!
There are over 10,000 elephants within the park, making sightings pretty common!
Liwonde National Park, Malawi
Located in the southeast of Malawi, Liwonde National Park isn’t that well-known compared to the likes of the Kruger or the Serengeti, but it is an amazing place to see elephants and one of the most tranquil parks I’ve ever visited.
I can’t wait to head back there on the Rock My Malawi Adventure in 2022 (and you can come too).
In fact, there are so many elephants that they have re-located some to other parks within Malawi.
The Shire River runs right through the park and attracts many elephants who come to bathe and drink at the river daily, making it a popular place for boat trips.
Currently, there are over 500 elephants there, so you are pretty much guaranteed a sighting. Nkhotakota National Reserve and Majete Wildlife Reserve both have strong elephant populations too.
Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park is one of the best places in Africa to see elephants. But you don’t always have to go searching for them.
One of my favourite places to see them is Okaukuejo Camp in the southern part of the park.
They have an amazing waterhole that attracts elephants and other animals every single day, especially in the late afternoon and evening. grab a beer, grab a seat and just enjoy the show!
The above photo was taken there. We were just sitting around, watching the waterhole when this whole herd rocked up. It was absolutely magical!
You can read more about Etosha National Park on my Namibia itinerary post.
Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
The proof is in the name!
There are around 700 elephants inside the park and it’s also home to the rest of the ‘Big Five’.
What’s also great about Addo, is that there is a marine section to the park just off the coast of Port Elizabeth, where you can see Southern right whales and great white sharks.
A great marketing ploy if ever there was one… you want the ‘Big Five’? We got the ‘Big Seven’ – BOOM!
Kruger National Park, South Africa
Kruger National Park or The Kruger, is one of the most well known national parks in all of Africa.
Kruger is famous for elephants, as well as lots of other animals including lions and wild dogs.
It’s also a popular place for self-drive safaris due to its accessibility and good roads. Plus, it’s pretty cheap compared to other parks in Africa.
If you are self-driving, please just follow the rules so that you don’t piss off the elephants.
Serengeti National Park, Tanzania
I’ve been to the Serengeti maybe 7, 8 maybe 9 times? And it never gets boring.
The word Serengeti means ‘endless plains’ in the Maasai language and nothing could be more true. Despite being so open and vast, it’s surprising how many elephants you see when you are there. And in big herds too.
But it’s not just elephants, you can also see many, many other animals and the wildebeest migration at certain times of the year. It’s also the place where I’ve seen the most leopards – although usually far away and up a tree (my best leopard sighting have been in Botswana and Zambia)!
Photo bt Matt Estrada on the Rock My Tanzania & Zanzibar Adventure
Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
On the way to the Serengeti, you will pass Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire has one of the highest concentrations of elephants in all of Africa, with over 4,000 of the beauties.
The park is next to Lake Manyara National Park which is also a great place to see elephants, and tree climbing lions!
You can easily visit both parks in a day or two, and they’re also a cheaper, quicker alternative to visiting the Serengeti & Ngorongoro Crater due to their proximity to Arusha and Moshi.
South Luangwa National Park, Zambia
One of my absolute favourite places in all of Africa is South Luangwa National Park in Zambia.
There’s something about this park that is super special. I’m not sure if it’s the animals, the location, or even the amazing light which seems to fill the park with warmth, and I always love spending a few days here on the Rock My Malawi, Zambia & Botswana Adventure.
Many of the camps lie next to the river which means that you can often sit and watch them in the river, but they also have a habit of wandering through camp as well!
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park is Zimbabwe’s largest, oldest, and most famous safari destination and home to around 45,000 elephants. They’re often found in ‘super herds’ of up to 350 at a time.
As well as elephants, you’ll also have the chance to see wild dogs, rhino, lions, leopards, buffalo, and giraffes. The whole gang!
It’s also a great place to visit in combination with the world wonder that is the mighty Victoria Falls.
Mana Pools National Park, Zimbabwe
Mana Pools in Zimbabwe is often said to be one of the most magical safari destinations in all of Africa, especially as it’s pretty remote.
The park is famous for its abundance of elephants as well as rare African wild dogs and big cats, such as lions and leopards.
This is one of the destinations we’ll be visiting on the yoga and safari Rock My Zambia & Zimbabwe Adventure tour taking place in August 2022.
Again, we’ll be staying by the river, close to nature, in a mobile eco-camp to ensure we leave a small ecological footprint and preserve the nature of this glorious place.
Our time here will be filled with safaris and nature walks, bush dinners, and nights under the stars, as well as yoga, breathwork, and meditation practices.
Best Places in Africa to See Elephants
Elephants, Africa’s largest land mammals, are a must-see for any wildlife enthusiast. Watching these majestic creatures roam freely in their natural habitat is a truly humbling experience. Across the continent, various destinations offer incredible opportunities to observe elephants in their natural glory. Here are the best places in Africa to see elephants:
1. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Amboseli is celebrated for its magnificent elephant herds and stunning scenery, with Mount Kilimanjaro as a dramatic backdrop.
- What to Expect: Amboseli is one of the best places to get close to free-ranging elephants, especially near its swampy areas where herds gather to graze and bathe.
- Unique Feature: The iconic view of elephants marching against the backdrop of Kilimanjaro offers unparalleled photo opportunities.
2. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park boasts the largest concentration of elephants in Africa, making it a top destination for elephant lovers.
- What to Expect: Witness large herds along the Chobe River, particularly during the dry season when water sources become scarce.
- Unique Feature: The sight of elephants swimming or playing in the river is a magical and unforgettable experience.
3. Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
Addo Elephant National Park, located in the Eastern Cape, is South Africa’s third-largest park and a sanctuary for elephants.
- What to Expect: Home to over 600 elephants, the park’s waterholes are ideal spots for observing these gentle giants.
- Unique Feature: Addo also offers a malaria-free safari experience, making it a great option for families.
4. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Often overshadowed by the Serengeti, Tarangire National Park is a hidden gem renowned for its elephant population.
- What to Expect: During the dry season, herds gather around the Tarangire River to drink, creating prime viewing opportunities.
- Unique Feature: The dramatic baobab trees scattered throughout the park add a stunning backdrop to your safari experience.
5. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Etosha National Park, with its unique salt pan landscape, provides one of the most striking environments to observe elephants.
- What to Expect: During the dry season, elephants frequently gather around the park’s waterholes, often joined by other wildlife species.
- Unique Feature: The stark contrast of white salt pans and gray elephants creates dramatic and unforgettable visuals.
6. Okavango Delta, Botswana
The Okavango Delta is a unique wetland system and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, offering unparalleled wildlife experiences.
- What to Expect: Elephants can be seen wading through the waterways, often in large groups.
- Unique Feature: The peaceful delta environment offers opportunities to see elephants from both land and water perspectives.
7. Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe’s largest reserve, is renowned for its thriving elephant population.
- What to Expect: During the dry season, large herds gather at man-made waterholes, offering excellent sightings.
- Unique Feature: With over 45,000 elephants, Hwange is one of the best places to observe these giants in vast numbers.
8. Ruaha National Park, Tanzania
Ruaha is one of Africa’s hidden gems, offering solitude and some of the largest elephant herds on the continent.
- What to Expect: During the dry season, elephants gather along the Great Ruaha River for water and grazing.
- Unique Feature: Ruaha’s untouched wilderness provides a more intimate and tranquil safari experience.
Why Visit These Destinations?
Africa’s elephants are more than just a wildlife attraction—they are a symbol of the continent’s rich biodiversity. Whether you’re exploring the savannahs of Kenya, the wetlands of Botswana, or the dramatic salt pans of Namibia, each destination offers a unique opportunity to witness the majesty of elephants in the wild.
