African elephant

African Elephant

The most iconic of African wildlife


Information about African Elephant

An iconic species in Africa: the African elephant. While being the largest land mammal on earth, elephants are gentle and extremely intelligent creatures. The elephant's temporal lobe (the area of the brain associated with memory) is larger and denser than that of people - hence the saying 'elephants never forget'.

Interesting facts about African Elephant

At birth, elephants can already weigh about 120kg.

Elephants have around 150,000 muscle units in their trunk.

Elephants communicate in a variety of ways - including sounds like trumpet calls, body language, touch and scent.

Pictures of African Elephant

African elephant
Etosha National Park Namibia
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Manyoni Game Reserve, Elephant

Highlights where the African Elephant can be seen

Addo Elephant National Park
Addo Safari

Experience the thrill of a safari in Addo Elephant National Park, one of South Africa’s most remarkable wildlife reserves. Home to an incredible diversity of animals, the park offers the chance to observe wildlife in their natural habitat, from large herds of elephants moving gracefully across the landscape to buffalo, zebras, and antelope grazing on the open plains. Keep your eyes open for predators such as lions and hyenas, as well as smaller species that add richness to the ecosystem. Birdlife is also abundant, with a variety of species filling the air with sound and colour. Every moment on safari brings something new, as the animals go about their daily rhythms of feeding, resting, and interacting, creating an unforgettable glimpse into the wild heart of Africa.

Elephant Amakhala Game Reserve
Amakhala Safari

While staying in Amakhala, you will go on morning and evening game drives leaving from your lodge. You will be guided by informative, professional rangers through Amakhala Game Reserve in open Land Rovers. Here you can return to nature and explore the abundant wildlife, the diverse vegetation and the dramatic landscape of the Eastern Cape. On Amakhala Game Reserve's 18 000 acres the animals that you are likely to encounter are: lion, elephant, rhino, buffalo, cheetah, giraffe, zebra, wildebeest, monkeys, tortoise and plenty of antelope species.

Hippos in St Lucia Lake
Boat cruise Chobe River

Embark on a boat cruise on the Chobe River. Good chance you will see plenty of hippos, elephants, and other wildlife along the banks of this majestic river. Avid photographers love this place because it offers excellent circumstances to photograph the iconic image of a hippo showcasing its massive teeth. Will you be so lucky to catch this moment on camera?

Queen Elizabeth National Park
Boat cruise on the Kazinga channel

Located inside Queen Elizabeth NP, the Kazinga channel links lakes Edward and George. Aboard a double-deck boat, and start your journey on the water, enjoying the surrounding scenery. Haven for birds, elephants, buffalos, hippos and crocodiles, you will see plenty of wildlife! You can either decide to enjoy the view from the upper deck or, for great pictures on the animal level, to stay on the lower deck. Enjoy the ride!

Murchison Falls
Boat tour in Murchison Falls NP

Aboard a small boat, and start your journey towards the bottom of Murchison Falls. On the way, keep an eye on the shores of the peaceful Nile river, as there is a lot of action: from hippos grazing, to elephants cooling down and birds fishing. After navigating the waters for about 1h45, you reach the bottom of the falls, but can't get too close as per strong currants.

nDzuti Safari Camp Bush Walk
Bush walk in KwaZulu-Natal

A bush walk in KwaZulu-Natal offers a unique opportunity to explore the African wilderness on foot, guided by an experienced ranger. You’ll discover the region’s diverse flora and fauna up close, from towering acacia trees to animal tracks and smaller wildlife often missed on game drives. The walk is both peaceful and thrilling, allowing for a deeper connection with nature and the landscape. It’s an immersive way to experience the sights, sounds, and scents of the bush.

Bush Walk Manyara
Bush walk in Lake Manyara

You leave with your ranger for a walking safari of about 2 hours. You enjoy the scenery, the views of the lake and of course if you are lucky, the wildlife. Your guide teaches you how to recognize the different animal tracks and also the characteristic flora of the bush.

The thrill of encountering wildlife on foot is very different from that of a game drive. Here are some of the animals you may see on this walking safari: giraffes, elephants, turtles, zebras, buffalo, antelopes, hippos etc. Your ranger will take care of your safety and your French speaking guide will accompany you for translation. Enjoy !

Damaraland Namibia
Damaraland Nature Drive

Enjoy a nature drive in Damaraland. You might even be so lucky to spot the elusive and rare Desert Adapted Elephants! These elephants are slightly smaller compared to the Elephants you find in National Parks, and can cover extremely large distances. Depending on the rainy season, they can be spotted roaming the Ugab River. Sightings cannot be guaranteed, but if there is one place in Namibia to spot these impressive giants, it is here.

arusha national park
Game drive in Arusha National Park

A game drive in Arusha National Park is a journey through ever-changing landscapes. One moment you’re driving under the shadow of Mount Meru, the next you’re passing flamingo-filled lakes or spotting giraffes on open savannas. Keep your camera ready – buffalo, bushbuck, and playful colobus monkeys often make an appearance, and every turn brings a new surprise.

Chobe River Elephants
Gamedrive in Chobe

Enjoy a gamedrive in Chobe National Park! Chobe is best known for the countless elephants that live here, thanks to the fertile soil, the abundant water and the vast land. You will be amazed by the open plains, lush green swamps and flowings rivers full of wildlife.

Etosha National Park Namibia
Gamedrive in Etosha

Going on a game drive in Etosha is an experience to never forget. Vast, open plains as far as the eye can see, with in the middle a massive salt pan. This lack of vegetation and water makes it very easy to spot wildlife! Big game is often seen at the waterholes, and there is no chance you can miss the iconic outline of an elephant on the horizon.

Hwange National Park
Gamedrive in Hwange

Enjoy a game drive in Hwange: arguably one of Africa’s very best game-viewing destinations. This massive park has an impressive range of wildlife - lion, leopard, rhino, giraffe, buffalo, zebra, gemsbok, hyena, wild dog, and more. It is mirrored by the diversity of the park’s environment: the sandy southern part of the park skirts along the Kalahari Desert, while the northern grasslands are thick with granite outcrops and groves of teak and mopane trees. Hwange is home to one of the largest elephant herds in the whole continent, and it is also the largest - spanning an area of 14,600km² - and oldest national park in Zimbabwe.

Mahango National Park
Gamedrive in Mahango

Enjoy a gamedrive in the lush bushveld of Mahango Game Reserve! This park consists mainly of two parts: the bushland which is located in the west, and the "water front" which is located east along the Okavango river. Mahango is home to a lot of wildlife, so keep binoculars and camera's close by! We might be so lucky to spot a large herd of buffalo, some of the rare antelope species that live here, or even predators like lions.

murchison falls
Game drive in Murchison Falls NP

Time for a game drive in Murchison Falls National Park, the biggest national park of Uganda! The park is divided in two by the Nile river: the Southern sector is mainly covered by dense forests, so we do the game drive in the vast savanah plains in the northern sector. Here, you will have the chance to spot many giraffes, elephants, buffalos, Ugandan kobs, warthogs, as well as the mighty lions or, if you're lucky, the elusive leopard.

nDzuti Safari Camp, Maseke Game Reserve
Greater Kruger Safari

There are numerous of private concessions surrounding the Kruger National Park, which give a more private experience compared to the sometimes crowded National Park. We are especially charmed by Maseke Game Reserve, as it is situated within a vast block of wilderness, where wildlife can roam freely from the different reserves surrounding it.

Impala
Mkhuze Game Drive

A game drive in Mkhuze Game Reserve offers an immersive journey through diverse landscapes, where every turn reveals new wildlife and moments of quiet discovery. Elephants and antelope move through the bush, giraffes feed among the treetops, and the reserve’s rich habitats create constant opportunities for sightings both big and small. It is also a true paradise for birdwatching, with an impressive variety of species filling the air and the canopy — vibrant rollers, storks, hornbills, and countless smaller birds adding color and movement throughout the experience. From waterbirds gathered at pans to raptors circling overhead, the birdlife brings an extra layer of energy and detail to the safari, making every drive feel alive with sound, motion, and natural rhythm.

Crater
Ngorongoro Crater

The Ngorongoro caldera is about 20km in diameter. It is the remains of a volcano that has been inactive for over 3,000 years. Many animals live in this environment, including numerous herds of buffalo, wildebeest and zebra. Hyenas, jackals and wild dogs are also seen quite regularly. The felines (lions and leopards), present, are rarer to observe, but the numerous carcasses are witnesses of the activity of the fauna. The elephants observed are mostly old elephants that come here to retire. There are about 20 black rhinos, one of the last places where they can be seen from a distance in Tanzania.

Lake Manyara
Safari at Lake Manyara

Manyara Park is a small national park in Tanzania of 325 km2. It differs from other parks by the presence of a lake, Lake Manyara, but also by its forest type vegetation. There are some typical species such as the blue monkeys or several species of birds including the hornbill. We can see elephants, giraffes, many antelopes, buffalos, hippos, different types of monkeys, zebras etc. Lions, leopards and hyenas are present but very difficult to observe due to the vegetation.

Tarangire elephants
Safari at Tarangire National Park

Tarangire means "the river of the warthogs", this name was given by the Mbugwe tribe who used to fetch water from the river in the park. Tarangire with its 2,800km2 is relatively small compared to the Serengeti, another very well known park in the country. This makes for a pleasant safari with few roads and abundant wildlife. The characteristic landscapes of the park are swampy which allows in dry season to find the animals around the water points.

You can observe in this park all the characteristic animals of the African savannah but the stars of this park are the elephants with more than 5 200 recorded. On the flora side, one can admire many baobabs of all sizes.

Kruger & Greater Kruger 1
Safari in Kruger National Park

A day safari in the Kruger National Park begins early in the morning, when the bush is alive with movement and the light is perfect for spotting wildlife. From your open 4x4, you might see elephants gathering at a waterhole, giraffes moving gracefully across the plains, or lions resting in the shade of acacia trees. As the day unfolds, your guide helps you interpret tracks, bird calls, and subtle signs of the bush that you’d otherwise miss. Around midday, a picnic stop in the wild offers a moment to relax before heading out again in search of new encounters. By the time you return in the late afternoon, the sights and sounds of the African wilderness leave you with memories you won’t soon forget.

Zululand HluHluwe-Imfolozi
Zululand Safari

A one of a kind experience: safari in Zululand! The province of KwaZulu-Natal is known for its rolling hills, filled with bright green fever trees. In the valleys you can find rivers meandering through the rural areas. This scenery is even more spectacular within the boundaries of the game reserves, where you can spot the Big 5 while on gamedrive.

Tuli Wilderness Lion
Gamedrive in Moremi

Enjoy a game drive in Moremi: arguably one of Africa’s very best game-viewing destinations. Moremi is the only proclaimed wildlife reserve in the Okavango Delta. It has the most diverse habitat and animal populations in Botswana, and is regarded as the most beautiful in terms of landscapes as well. You can expect a stunning landscape of forests, lagoons, floodplains and islands. Game viewing is excellent year-round and resident species include lion, cheetah, leopard, elephant, African wild dog, zebra, red lechwe and many more.

Lions in serengeti
Safari in Serengeti

Serengeti means "endless plains". The park covers almost 15 000km2. It is characterized by desert savannah landscapes over several kilometers that seem endless. For this reason, the observation of the cats is particularly suitable. Many lions are present in the park, which guarantees a 100% chance to observe the king of the savannah. Some even got into the habit of climbing trees to take a nap. Leopards and cheetahs are also regularly seen. The luckiest ones will witness the scenes of a shrine.

Although the cats are the stars of the Serengeti, other animals such as jackals, hyenas, ostriches, hundreds of gazelles of various types, families of elephants and many hippos are also seen. The ponds are filled with hippos and crocodiles.

ndutu safari serengeti tanzania
Safari in the Ndutu Region

Embark on an unforgettable safari in the Ndutu region, where the vast, open plains meet the iconic acacia woodlands. Known for its incredible wildlife and breathtaking landscapes, Ndutu offers the perfect setting for a true African adventure. As you journey through this stunning area, you’ll encounter herds of wildebeest, zebras, and gazelles, while the predator action of lions, cheetahs, and hyenas adds an exciting twist. With its diverse ecosystems, Ndutu is a paradise for wildlife enthusiasts and photographers, offering incredible opportunities to witness nature up close in one of Tanzania's most magical locations

Savuti Chobe Elephant
Savuti Safari

A safari in Savuti is a true highlight for any wildlife enthusiast. Known for its raw, dramatic landscapes and intense predator action, Savuti sits in the western part of Chobe National Park and is famous for its large lion prides and frequent clashes between lions and elephants—a rare spectacle in the wild. The terrain is stark and beautiful, with open grasslands, ancient baobabs, and the mysterious Savuti Channel, which flows unpredictably and transforms the ecosystem when active. Game drives here often deliver thrilling encounters with leopard, hyena, cheetah, and wild dogs, alongside massive herds of buffalo and elephant. This is a place where nature feels untamed, and every safari drive promises a touch of unpredictability and drama.

Etosha National Park Namibia
Sundowner Drive in Onguma

Onguma Nature Reserve consists of 34 000 hectares of Namibian wilderness & is home to numerous plains game, more than 300 bird species and even 4 of the Big 5. Join one of the knowledgeable guides on a sundowner drive, and end the experience with snacks and drinks while the sun is setting over the African plains.

Okavango Pan Handle Botswana
Sunset Boat Cruise Kwando River

Enjoy a sunset boat cruise along the Kwando River! This untouched landscape is dominated by riverine forests and waterways, with an abundance of bird species.

Victoria Falls Zimbabwe
Sunset Boat Cruise Zambezi River

Enjoy the magnificent views of the Zambezi river. There is a chance to spot many types of animals in the water and along the banks. You’ll have unlimited local drinks and some tasty snacks as you watch the sunset in one of the most beautiful scenes in Africa.

Zambezi
Sunset Cruise Zambezi River

Embark on a boat cruise on the Zambezi River. Good chance you will see plenty of hippos, elephants, and other wildlife along the banks of this majestic river.

CRFF project kibale
Visit the CRFF project

The Chris Roberts Forest Foundation was started by the owners of Turaco Treetops in an effort to support the growth of the forest areas around Kibale National Park. The Foundation is working with local communities to ensure that both the people and the wildlife live in harmony. Take a walk through the newly plantations of coffee and macademia trees, and follow the pathway around the forest to learn more about the areas. If you are lucky, you might see some monkeys, or the famous great blue turaco!

Our trips to spot the African Elephant