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
Intrepid Zimbabwe Explorer: Victoria Falls, Hwange and Canoeing Mana Pools (Origins Collection)
From $4,250 per person Step back in time to the era of exploration with our Intrepid Zimbabwe Explorers itinerary, customized for remote adventure in some of the most pristine wilderness on Earth.
View ItineraryBig Five of Southern Africa
From $7,995 per person Southern Africa is an incredibly diverse region with varying weather, landscapes, cultures, and wildlife. This itinerary covers three major highlights of Southern Africa: The Greater Kruger National Park, Victoria Falls and the Okavango Delta.
View ItineraryEssential Diversity: River and Desert
From $14,750 per person 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.
View ItineraryMalawi Expedition: Trekking Mt. Mulanje and Liwonde Safari with optional Lake Malawi Finale (Origins Collection)
From $3,175 per person Our Malawi Expedition combines an incredible hut-to-hut alpine trekking experience, outstanding scenery, wildlife viewing in a premiere national park, and the optional finale of swimming, snorkeling and kayaking off your private island camp in Lake Malawi.
View ItineraryWonders of the Crater and Trek to Lake Natron with optional Serengeti Biologist Finale (Origins Collection)
From $3,285 per person Our Tanzania Trekking and Wonders of the Ngorongoro adventure is the very epitome of getting off the beaten track. This adventure takes you on foot through the volcanic landscapes of northern Tanzania, traveling through areas that are impossible to reach by road.
View ItineraryEssential Tanzania: Best of Wildlife and Ancient Culture (Origins Collection)
From $3,595 per person Our Essential Tanzania Adventure brings you the best when it comes to safari - outstanding wildlife viewing in the Serengeti; the awe of exploring a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Ngorongoro Crater; an authentic deep-dive into local culture and ancient history with visits to a Maasai village and the Olduvai Gorge; and top-notch guiding with your elite, naturalist guide from The Wild Source.
View ItineraryBotswana Elephant Safari
From $8,125 per person This elephant-focused safari takes you to some of the best locations in all of Africa for seeing and interacting with elephants.
View ItineraryBest of Botswana: From the Kalahari Desert to the Okavango Delta (Origins Collection)
From $3,995 per person Return to the origins of humanity as you head deep into the heart of Botswana and the world-famous Okavango Delta and Kalahari Desert. These are two of the most iconic safari destinations in all of Africa, and you'll experience the best of Botswana in just one week with this adventurous journey.
View ItineraryUltimate Uganda
From $9,775 per person 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.
View ItineraryBig Cats & The Great Migration (River Crossing Season) – Group Trip 2021
From $7,450 per person This is the opportunity of a lifetime to go on safari with The Wild Source’s unbeatable team of big cat biologist-guide, Sosy Maira, and highly talented guide and photography expert Joshua Kumbi.
View ItinerarySouth African Splendor: Cape Town and Sabi Sands Safari
From $4,890 per person Southern Africa is an incredibly diverse region with varying weather, landscapes, cultures, and wildlife.
View ItineraryCongo Discovery Safari
From $9,910 per person Experience one of Africa's least-explored wilderness areas and the world's second largest rain forest.
View ItineraryClassic Zimbabwe: Hwange and Mana Pools with Victoria Falls
From $4,290 per person This adventure-level safari features classic bush camps, thrilling walking safaris, and an excellent value.
View ItineraryZambia Walking and Waterways Safari
From $8,395 per person Zambian safaris are distinguished by the vintage expedition-style adventure delivered under the care of exceptional guides in remote wilderness areas teeming with wildlife.
View ItineraryQuintessential Tanzania: River Crossing Season
From $7,995 per person 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.
View ItineraryBotswana Desert and Delta Safari: Outstanding Value, Top Wildlife and Diverse Landscapes
From $5,200 per person This safari is customized to take advantage of the best opportunities for the green season in Botswana to observe diverse wildlife.
View ItineraryKenya Luxury For Less
From $9,995 per person This safari includes some of our favorite unique Kenyan accommodations and a huge variety of activities, all for an incredible discount- over 40% off of the high season rate.
View ItineraryUltimate East Africa: Exceptional Guiding in Northern Tanzania and the Masai Mara
From $10,350 per person This incredible itinerary features East Africa's top guides on a private safari through Tanzania and Kenya.
View ItineraryWild Origins Safari: Botswana and Zambia
From $9,525 per person Explore the highlights of Botswana's world class Okavango Delta and the wilds of Zambia's South Luangwa.
View ItineraryKenya Family “Lion King” Safari
From $9,950 per person 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."
View ItineraryWild Kenya: Big Cats and Biodiversity in the Mara
From $3,995 per person Kenya is the original safari country and still delivers the classic game viewing experience. Featuring the Masai Mara Reserve, which is quite likely the most productive wildlife viewing area in all of Africa, this is a superb location for serious game viewing and photography.
View ItineraryUltimate Predators of Botswana
From $7,650 per person This safari includes our favorite private concession areas which have proven to provide exceptional opportunities to view Botswana's iconic predator species including lion, leopard, cheetah, and wild dog.
View ItineraryBotswana Exquisite Expedition: Luxury For Less
From $11,450 per person 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.
View ItineraryElephant 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.