Elephant
Elephant
For many, elephants are a must-see animal during safari. These social giants are fascinating to observe, whether enjoying the playful calves in a matriarchal herd or the charismatic bachelors as they practice their sparring technique. They are protective, sensitive, intelligent creatures that never cease to entertain. Fortunately, elephants are common in most major safari areas so typically seeing elephants is not a difficult task. However, concentrations vary greatly seasonally and throughout their range. If one is seeking to observe large numbers of elephants — in the hundreds or thousands — it is best to plan accordingly with season and location.
Elephant Itineraries
African Explorer Safari
Adventure to Botswana's iconic Okavango Delta for an incredible wildlife safari. Experience a classic adventure tented camp, guided by Diesel, your legendary local guide, in an area famed for wild dogs (along with large populations of big cats, antelope, and much more). Enjoy visiting the majestic Victoria Falls on the Zambia side en-route to Kenya. Continue on to Kenya and to the Masai Mara, which is quite likely the most productive wildlife viewing area in all of Africa. Enaidura Camp is in a superb location for serious game viewing and photography. The area is unrivaled for sightings of big cats and the Great Migration, and has a great variety and quantity of species.
Botswana: Ready For Action
This remarkable itinerary features locations that represent the best opportunities of Botswana's dry season excitement. The dry season of Botswana is as good as it gets to see large quantities of animals in exclusive wilderness areas. Of special note the rare African wild dog typically is denning with puppies visible from mid-July to the end of August, then September through November remains outstanding as packs with puppies are traveling small distances with a drive to hunt to feed the quickly growing pups.
Into the Botswana Wild with Victoria Falls
Experience the best of Northern Botswana in the Okavango Delta, Kwando Concession and Chobe River, plus the majestic "smoke that thunders" in Victoria Falls.
Essential Diversity: River and Desert
This safari is designed for the safari connoisseur seeking rarity, exclusivity and luxury along with the full diversity of wildlife. The itinerary includes private guiding and vehicle at both safari camps, offering the ultimate in flexibility and maximizing the opportunities to see wildlife you want to see, while maintaining supreme comfort and luxury.
Ultimate Uganda
This safari has been custom designed to provide an in-depth adventure in Uganda featuring some of the most intimate and immersive experiences on the continent – primate trekking.
South African Splendor: Cape Town and Sabi Sands Safari
Southern Africa is an incredibly diverse region with varying weather, landscapes, cultures, and wildlife.
Deserts of Namibia
Experience magnificent and vast landscapes and desert-adapted wildlife of Namibia in a personal way.
Congo Discovery Safari
Experience one of Africa's least-explored wilderness areas and the world's second largest rain forest.
Classic Zimbabwe: Hwange and Mana Pools with Victoria Falls
This adventure-level safari features classic bush camps, thrilling walking safaris, and an excellent value.
Zambia Walking and Waterways Safari
Zambian safaris are distinguished by the vintage expedition-style adventure delivered under the care of exceptional guides in remote wilderness areas teeming with wildlife.
Quintessential Tanzania: River Crossing Season
With the Great Migration of nearly 2 million animals in the area, the Northern Serengeti is the stage for one of nature's most famed events - the dramatic migration crossings of the Mara River.
Botswana Desert and Delta Safari: Outstanding Value, Top Wildlife and Diverse Landscapes
This safari is customized to take advantage of the best opportunities for the green season in Botswana to observe diverse wildlife.
Kenya Luxury Safari
This safari includes some of our favorite unique Kenyan accommodations and a huge variety of activities during one of the best kept secret seasons.
Ultimate East Africa: Exceptional Guiding in Northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara
This incredible itinerary features East Africa's top guides on a private safari through Tanzania and Kenya.
Kenya Family “Lion King” Safari
Kenya is the original safari country and still delivers the classic game viewing experience. This family safari is inspired by Disney's 2019 remake of its classic animated film, "The Lion King."
Botswana Exquisite Expedition: Luxury for Less
Explore the great variety of habitats and species Botswana offers. You will likely see between 30 and 35 different mammal species along with a spectacular array of birds and other wildlife.
Elephant Videos






Best Places to See Elephants on Safari

Northern Botswana is currently home to an estimated 150,000 elephants, about 30% of the total population. Chobe National Park and private areas in the Linyanti/Selinda concessions are particularly good in the dry season, while the Okavango is good year round. Viewing by boat on the Chobe Riverfront is a fantastic way to observe elephants at the water’s edge and snorkeling in the river.
A completely different best place for elephants is to visit desert-adapted elephants in Damaraland, Namibia. Here the elephants allow a very close approach of game drive vehicles, allowing you to see how delicately they live off of their fragile environment.
Something Extra
The Elephant Experience with Grey Matters in Botswana is available to guests at Baines and Stanley’s Camps. Here you will spend hours in the company of two orphaned elephants, learning about their behaviors and walking with their trunk over your shoulder as you move as a herd might. You will also touch their ears, the bottom of their feet, learn their vocalizations and a host of other things during your intimate time with these soulful animals.
While not all elephant interactions are as intimate or as ethically-operated, there are a few other opportunities that contribute to good quality conservation programs and allow visitors to unobtrusively observe the elephants while contributing to the conservation efforts. These include the Wild Horizons Elephant Sanctuary & Orphanage, Reteti Elephant Sanctuary, and the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust.