Our top 9 places to see elephant

If you’ve ever wondered just how big an African elephant truly is, we would recommend one of Sanctuary Retreat’s two sister camps in Botswana’s Okavango Delta. From either Baines’ or Stanley’s, you will have the unique opportunity to visit the nearby Living with Elephants project. Jabu and Morula were orphaned as calves and have since been cared for by Doug and Sandy Groves, who are devoted to living with their charges. When you visit, you’ll not only walk with them, but also pet the soft underside of their trunks and learn more about Jabu and Morula’s stories. Like an elephant, this is an experience you’ll never forget.

North of the semi-arid Kalahari Desert is Chobe National Park, home to one of the densest elephant populations on the continent. It’s particularly superb in the dry season, as after months without rain waterholes disappear and animals migrate further afield in search of permanent water sources. The incredible elephant herds are no different and follow in the age-old footsteps of their ancestors toward the Chobe River. You will see them on game drives and boat safaris, losing count as you watch hundreds of these marvellous creatures play and bathe.

Immerse yourself in the life of an elephant – join the herd at Abu! The camp is situated on the western edge of the Okavango Delta and is home to a group of elephants who you will get to know during your stay. During the day, they are free to roam in their natural habitat, foraging and bathing; in the mornings and afternoons, they spend their time walking with guests and can also be found hanging around the boma at camp! You will interact with them throughout your stay and even have the option to spend a night beneath the stars, sleeping on a platform above the gently snoring herd.

One of South Africa’s most luxurious lodges, Jabulani was originally founded as a haven for orphaned elephant. The 15 resident pachyderms are now accustomed to human presence and you will be able to get to know each one of them during the length of your stay – carers know them personally and will passionately detail their many unique traits and habits as you feed them or simply watch their playful antics.

In the heart of Kenya’s northern rangelands is Africa’s first community-owned elephant orphanage. Reteti Elephant Sanctuary was founded in 2016 and is led by the local Samburu communities. They rescue orphaned and abandoned elephant calves, providing care and a home for them before releasing the youngsters back into their natural habitat. By visiting you will not only meet any calves they have in their care, but also learn about the value that locally-run wildlife conservation programmes add to the community.

Have you ever craved a certain food so badly that you would walk just about anywhere to get it? That is exactly what happens at Mfuwe Lodge in Zambia’s South Luangwa – except elephants are the ones with the cravings! A grove of wild mango trees grows behind the lodge, rich with the ripe fruit between October to mid-December. At least three generations of the same elephant family have been visiting the grove to dine on the juicy fruits, walking right through the tiled reception to get to them. Staying here and watching as the elephants make their way through the lodge is a magical and unforgettable addition to any Zambian safari.

Africa’s fourth largest river forms the dividing border between Zambia and Zimbabwe in southern Africa. Respectively on either side of this massive waterway, the Lower Zambezi and Mana Pools national parks are havens for wildlife and elephant in particular. Watch as they “dance”, standing on their hind legs to reach the uppermost leaves and as they carefully lead their young calves across the river – it’s a delightful sight to behold when they carry their trunks like snorkels above the water’s surface.

Diverse but arid landscapes of huge granite kopjes, rocky gorges and sandy expanses form Damaraland. Trekking or driving with an expert guide, you will explore this stark environment in search of desert-adapted elephant. In an incredible example of evolution, these remarkable giants have learned to survive in harmony with their harsh surroundings, digging deep into the dirt for hidden water reserves and foraging up to 70km daily to find pockets of flora to eat.

Tarangire is a land of dazzling contrast. The short wet season transforms the entire park into a sea of emerald plains dotted with sapphire lakes and waterholes. The water then disappears over the course of the dry season, concentrating once-scattered wildlife around the remaining permanent water of the Tarangire River. This is the perfect time to see immense herds of elephant gather from across the plains. Round out your Tanzanian safari by watching millions of wildebeest follow their ancient migratory routes in the Serengeti and overlooking the 20,000 animals that roam the volcanic basin of the Ngorongoro Crater.