Every wildlife enthusiast will love a chance to see elephants in the wild in their natural habitats just doing their business. These mammals are the largest living land animals; you will learn how large when you get the chance to see one in person.
Elephants can be found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, South Asia, and Southeast Asia. Depending on where you choose to visit, you will see one of the three types of elephants: the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana), the African forest elephant (L. cyclotis), and the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus).
In this article, we will look at where to see elephants in the wild. You will also learn about each of these places and what to expect.
Top 12 Places to See Elephants in the Wild
We will group them by continent so you will know where each destination is located and plan your trip.
Africa
Africa is the number one place that comes to mind when we talk about wildlife. The continent is famous for some of the largest land animals.
The African elephant is the largest land animal on Earth. So imagine a place with hundreds of them together.
1. Chobe National Park, Botswana
Chobe National Park, located in Botswana, takes the number one spot for a good reason. Botswana is known to have a higher population of elephants than any other country in Africa.
Within the park, you will find the Chobe River, one of the many great places to see large family herds as they find their way to the river for a drink or bath.
There are over 50,000 elephants in Chobe National Park. You know what this means: you get to see elephants almost at every turn.
The best time to visit Chobe National Park is during the dry season, from May to October. This is when water is scarce and animals flock around the Chobe River to have a drink.
There are different options to explore the park, from a traditional safari to opting for the Chobe River on boat safaris.
Aside from elephants, there are hundreds of other animal species found in the park, like giraffes, antelopes, rhinoceroses, warthogs, lions, hyenas and so on.
2. Amboseli National Park, Kenya
Our second spot goes to Amboseli National Park, located in Kenya. If you plan to spot elephants while still enjoying the mountain view, then this is your destination.
At Amboseli National Park, you get to see Elephants in the wild with the snowy peak of Mount Kilimanjaro in the background. The park is also famous for its large elephant herds.
In this part you will find over 1600 elephants roaming freely in their natural habitats. With the open plains, it is very easy to spot these giants from miles away.
The best time to visit Amboseli National Park is during the dry seasons from June to October and January to February.
Let us not forget that this park is home to four members of the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, and African buffalo).
If you love learning about cultures and traditions, then you should know Amboseli is also home to the Maasai people. They have lived together with wildlife for centuries; you might learn a thing or two from them.
3. Kruger National Park, South Africa
This list will not be complete without Kruger National Park, located in the provinces of Limpopo and Mpumalanga in South Africa.
Kruger is one of the oldest national parks in Africa and the most famous game reserves for tourists.
This park is packed with elephants, and they can be seen roaming around in the open.
In Kruger National Park, you will find over 31,000, which is a significant increase from 13,750 in 2011.
Aside from elephants, the best part for some travellers is seeing all the Big Five (lion, leopard, buffalo, elephant, and rhinoceros).
Imagine going on a self-drive safari with your family or a guided game drive and witnessing these giants at home in nature, truly unforgettable.
The best time to visit Kruger is during the dry winter months from May to September. This time is ideal since you can easily spot animals as they gather around water sources.
4. Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
Still in South Africa, Addo Elephant National Park is another best place to spot elephants in the wild. Although the elephant population is not as high as the top three destinations on this list, you still get to have fun, which you will find out shortly.
In Addo Elephant National Park, there are over 600 elephants, a number which has greatly grown since the last decade.
The best part, Addo is special because it’s home to the Big 7. This includes animals like the usual lion, leopard, rhino, elephant, and buffalo, plus the great white shark and the southern right whale.
So, you get to see elephants and have a chance to see other large animals and marine giants. Also be on the lookout to spot those reddish-brown coloured elephants found here.
The best time to visit Addo Elephant National Park is from May to September because the weather is more pleasant, but aside from the weather, you will have fun all year round.
Bonus: Look out for the flightless dung beetle. They are small and native to the park and some other areas of South Africa.
5. Tarangire National Park, Tanzania
Tarangire National Park, located in the Manyara Region of Tanzania, is another top destination for elephant viewing.
In this park, you will find the highest population of Elephants in Tanzania. If you also love nature, you will also be fascinated by the high density of baobab trees in the area.
If you visit Tarangire National Park during the dry season from June to October, you are sure to see herds of up to 300 elephants as they find their way to the Tarangire River for a drink. During this time, water becomes scarce, and the river becomes the only go-to source of water for miles around.
Many other wildlife found in Tarangire are zebra (large herds), wildebeest, cape buffalo, waterbuck, giraffe, lion, leopard, cheetah, and even African wild dog.
6. Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, Malawi
Malawi is one of the countries in Africa with the most wildlife. This country is home to a good population of elephants, most of which are found in Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve, the largest and oldest wildlife reserve in the country.
The park was previously affected by poaching in the last decade, but conservation efforts have restored the elephant population to more than a few thousand individuals.
Aside from housing elephants, the park is also home to other animals like baboons, leopards, lions, African wild dogs, and warthogs.
The dry season from April to October is the best time to visit Nkhotakota Wildlife Reserve. For viewing wildlife around water sources, go from June when water is scarce.
Asia
Asia is another great continent to see the Asian elephants. These species are slightly smaller but still fascinating to watch in the wild.
The Asian elephant has smaller ears than their African species and often a more rounded back.
7. Udawalawe National Park, Sri Lanka
Udawalawe National Park, located on the boundary of Sabaragamuwa and Uva Provinces in Sri Lanka, is a great place to see elephants in Asia.
You are guaranteed to see herds of elephants, which can reach up to 50 individuals, sometimes bathing and feeding near the reservoir.
There are over 400 wild elephants in Udawalawe National Park, which makes it a guaranteed destination to spot them in the wild. One of the best parts about Udawalawe is that there are fewer crowds compared to places like Yala National Park in Sri Lanka.
Udawalawe was created to provide a sanctuary for wild animals displaced by the construction of the Udawalawe Reservoir. In the park, you will find large open grasslands that make spotting elephants really easy.
Other animals found in this park are crocodiles, buffaloes, monkeys, peacocks, mongooses and many bird species.
The best time to visit Udawalawe National Park is during the dry season, from May to September. You are still sure to see elephants all year round.
Bonus: The nearby Elephant Transit Home is a good place to see orphaned baby elephants as they are cared for before being released back into the wild.
8. Periyar National Park, India
India is a great travel destination for wildlife, especially Elephants. Periyar National Park, which is located in the districts of Idukki and Pathanamthitta in India, is one of the best places to spot elephants in India.
The park is in the Western Ghats of Kerala, South India, centred around a large artificial lake. In Periyar, you can easily spot elephants by taking a boat cruise on the lake.
Periyar National Park is an elephant and tiger reserve, so you are sure of sighting both of these animals in their home in nature.
The best time to visit is during the cooler and drier months from September to April. If you are up for it, try to go on guided jungle walks since they can be more adventurous.
9. Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks, Sri Lanka
Back to Sri Lanka, another great place to see Sri Lankan elephants in the wild is Minneriya & Kaudulla National Parks.
These two parks in Sri Lanka are famous for elephant gatherings, especially during the dry season when food and water are scarce.
In Kaudulla Park alone, there are over 211 elephants, although most elephants in the region are migratory and move there in search of food.
In Minneriya Park you are sure to see a large herd of elephants gathered in the Minneriya tank where they drink and feed. Their number can reach around 150 to 200 individuals.
Both Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks are situated close to each other, so it is easy for elephants and other wildlife to migrate.
August to September are the best times to see elephants in both Minneriya and Kaudulla National Parks.
The exact location of the main congregation can shift between Minneriya and Kaudulla since it depends on water levels and food availability. During your visit, local guides should know the best spot for an unforgettable experience.
10. Kaziranga National Park, India
Kaziranga National Park, located in the state of Assam, India, is not just a haven for Indian rhinoceros but also elephants.
The tall grasslands, wetlands, and forests in the region provide a perfect home for Indian elephants to thrive.
There are over 1,940 Indian elephants in Kaziranga National Park. Elephants can be seen in groups moving across the open fields and around small water bodies in the park.
If you plan on visiting Kaziranga, you should know that mahout-guided elephant rides and Jeep or other 4WD vehicle rides are booked in advance.
The park is open from November to April. During this time, the weather is pleasant and visibility is good.
11. Kinabatangan River, Borneo, Malaysia
Kinabatangan River, located in Borneo, Malaysia, is another popular travel destination for elephant sightings.
We all know Borneo is more famous for orangutans, but the Kinabatangan River is home to a good number of Asian elephants, like the Borneo pygmy elephant. These species are smaller and often more gentle than other Asian elephants.
The best way to spot Borneo pygmy elephants is by taking a river cruise along the Kinabatangan.
The best time to visit the Kinabatangan River is during the dry season, from April to October. During this time wildlife are concentrated along the main river.
Aside from elephants, you will also get the chance to see animals like proboscis monkeys, crocodiles, Sunda clouded leopards, orangutans, rhinoceroses, and a variety of birds.
12. Elephant Nature Park, Thailand
Elephant Nature Park in Mae Taeng District of Thailand is one of the most preferred tourist destinations for wildlife, especially elephants.
There are over 100 elephants in Elephant Nature Park, and you would be surprised that local guides can identify each elephant by name.
You have the option to go on a half-day morning or afternoon trip, as well as full-day trips. For vegans, there are also options for strictly vegan diets.
Other Top Picks
There are also many other places to see elephants in the wild and in large numbers. Here are some great places that did not make the top 10:
- Sayaboury Elephant Conservation Centre, Laos
- Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe
- Katavi National Park, Tanzania
- Nagarhole National Park, India
- Chitwan National Park, Nepal
- Mandalao Elephant Sanctuary, Laos
- Nairobi National Park, Nairobi
- Garamba National Park, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Each of these places is home to a healthy population of elephants, which is ideal for a memorable trip and pictures.
Conclusion
Elephants are one of the few animals found in the African savanna and Asia. In the article, we have covered the top 12 places to see elephants in the wild and some details about these destinations and what to expect.
I recommend visiting wildlife in their natural habitat in the wild. This is not just a holiday experience but a good way to spend time with nature.
While on your trip, remember to listen to local guides and remain ethical by not feeding or touching the elephants.
FAQs
Where are the most wild elephants?
The place with the most elephants is definitely Botswana in Africa. Chobe National Park in Botswana alone has the highest population of elephants in Africa.
What is the difference between African and Asian elephants?
The best way to differentiate an African Elephant from an Asian Elephant is by their ears. African elephants have much larger ears, while Asian elephants have smaller, more rounded ears.
Hi, I’m Louis Ojibe, and I grew up around wildlife in Africa. I have always been fascinated by animals and nature across the world.
As a child, my parents used to take me to see wild animals like lions, elephants, gorillas, tortoises, and many others at our local zoo.
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