Published 25th Mar. 2024
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African elephants are arguably the most recognisable animals on the planet (in part due to their colossal size). No safari would be complete without spotting these majestic creatures, the biggest of the 'Big Five' (elephants, rhinos, buffalos, lions and leopards). When you do lay eyes upon one, they’ll likely be travelling in a herd of up to 100 females and youngsters, led by a matriarch. Elephant enthusiasts might be wondering, where are the best places to see African elephants? Scattered across a diverse range of habitats in sub-Saharan Africa, read on for our insider advice on where to look…
1. Chobe National Park, Botswana
2. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
3. Mashatu Game Reserve, Botswana
4. Etosha National Park, Namibia
Botswana
Located in the country's northwest region, Chobe has the highest concentration of elephants on the continent. Undoubtedly one of the best places to see African elephants, travel during the dry season to see huge herds of the gentle giants sticking close to the permanent water sources of the Chobe and Linyanti Rivers. Many camps and lodges overlook the water, so you’ll likely get lucky with elephant sightings over breakfast. One of the most spectacular ways to see these mammals is on a river cruise; watch with delight as elephant herds splash around in the waters, little and large members in tow.
Image by Jeremy Woodhouse/Getty Images
Tanzania
Part of Tanzania’s popular Northern Safari Circuit, Tarangire National Park boasts one of the largest elephant populations in the nation. Also known as ‘little Serengeti,’ these large land mammals thrive in the park's untamed wilderness of savannahs and swamps, dotted with ancient baobab trees. During the dry months, the meandering Tarangire River becomes the main life source for animals in the region (elephants included). At this time, the park is one of the best places to see African elephants in their hundreds as they congregate by the water. Elephants in Tarangire are known to have adapted to seasonal droughts by ‘sand-drinking’ – digging into dry riverbeds with their tusks in search of water. Clever, right? Well, it’s no secret that elephants are intelligent creatures…
Botswana
Aside from Chobe, one of the best places to see African elephants in Botswana is the Mashatu Game Reserve. Known for having the biggest elephant population on a private African game reserve, Mashatu is a hidden gem comprised of over 100,000 acres of diverse land. Mashatu’s exclusivity means you’ll encounter few vehicles while on a game drive (making for more quality wildlife sightings, too). The sparsely vegetated landscape also makes spotting our beloved elephants a piece of cake. And although you won’t find rhinos or buffalo in Mashatu, you’ve got a great chance of crossing the remaining three ‘Big Five’ off the list.
Image by Palenque/Fotolia.com
Namibia
Where are the best places to see African elephants in Namibia? Our top pick is the beautiful Etosha National Park, best known for its otherworldly arid landscape. Home to the largest salt pan on the continent, the Etosha Pan (visible even from space), the park might seem challenging for animals to live in. Yet, in Etosha, wildlife is abundant. Game sightings are pretty much guaranteed at any of the park’s waterholes, and Etosha elephants are some of the largest in Africa due to the nutrient-rich ground. Visit in the dry season to see the waterhole congregations in action or the wet season to see the dusty lands transformed into a green oasis.
Written by Hannah Whitehall | Header image by Olivier Romano
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