Where to see elephants in Tanzania?
Sometimes it’s not a long list of animals that make sense – it’s that single animal that triggers your senses. That you enjoy watching it walk majestically in the woodlands or along the banks of the river. Its grey coat, beautiful white tusks, and trumpet-like trunk make it worth watching. Sit tight as we describe this giant land animal in this article.
Social structure.
Elephants form what we can call “family groups” often bound by blood. A single (sometimes two) matriarchal female leads the group. She leads the herd to areas with food or water. Females stay for a very long time in the herd, but males leave as soon as they mature to either find another herd to rule or form bachelor herds.
The newborns are taken care of by the whole herd. Adults break branches for them and lead the way to the sources of water. Naturally, elephants aren’t migratory animals. However, during the dry season, they move long distances to find food and water. In rare cases, elephants are killed by lions during collaborative hunts. Their serious threat is human beings, especially poachers.
Habitat.
Elephants thrive in woodlands, forests, and riverine forests. They also live in plains (like those of the Serengeti) but preferably long grass and those with many trees. Elephants feed on trees and woods. And as they do this, they prevent thick undergrowth in forests and woodlands and help other animals to pass.
On top of that, elephants create drainage patterns that support wildlife. They dig holes near bodies of water, such as rivers and swamps. They get water from these holes, as do other animals, including buffalo, wildebeest, zebra, and giraffes.
Conservation status in Tanzania.
Tanzania continues to show its commitment to wildlife protection. And elephants are among highly protected animals because they’re more likely to be targeted by poachers for their precious tusks. There’s a thriving population of around 60,000 elephants in Tanzania. And seeing this mammal is a sure thing. Here are our top spots for watching elephants in Tanzania.
Elephants in Tarangire National Park.
Tarangire is home to over 1,000 elephants – that’s the highest concentration of elephants (which Tarangire is credited for). And during the dry season, they make long trips from other regions to the Tarangire River to quench their thirst. This movement is called the elephant migration.
Unlike in other places, where elephants form small and medium groups (that’s 20-30), you can find massive, 300-strong herds in Tarangire National Park. The best places to see them include near Silale Swamp. They often make frequent appearances during afternoons as they search for water to drink and cool their skin from the scorching sun.
Elephants in Ruaha National Park.
Another promising place to see elephants is Ruaha. This lesser-known park is said to hold the country’s largest elephant population. About 15,000 tuskers call Ruaha home. They share the ecosystem with other animals, including lions, hippos, buffalo, and giraffes. You can see an elephant herd feeding on a baobab tree, one of the giant trees common in this wonderful park.
Ruaha offers a variety of activities to do on a Tanzania safari. In the morning, you can soar above its vast wilderness and watch elephants from a colorful balloon. In the evening, you can float swiftly through the Ruaha River and spot elephants from the comfort of a boat. And at night, you can sleep under the stars as these gentle giants pass close to your camp.
Elephants of Serengeti National Park.
Serengeti hosts around 7,000 elephants. They’re perfect creatures to throw your eye at as you wait for rare sightings like a river crossing or a leopard on hunt. Serengeti mainly consists of vast plains. Elephants are usually found in woodlands and riverine forests, especially in the Seronera Valley. The most promising location for elephant sightings in the Serengeti is Lobo Valley. The region consists of groundwater forests and hills and teems with other animals, such as lions, giraffes, and buffalo. You can also see elephants in the Western Corridor.
Elephants in Katavi National Park.
Katavi is a virgin, unexplored wildlife expanse in western Tanzania. It’s a land of giant animals, such as elephants, buffalo, hippos, and giraffes. Elephants are among frequently spotted creatures in riverine forests and woodlands.
In addition to elephants, large pods of hippos and massive buffalo herds characterize the ecosystem of Katavi. Add to the thrill a myriad of safari activities that you can do in Katavi, including boat rides, night game drives, balloon safaris, and walking safaris.
Elephants in Ngorongoro Conservation Area.
Adjacent to the Serengeti, this conservation area makes a great add-on trip to the Serengeti safari. It has a healthy elephant population both inside and outside the Ngorongoro Crater. This crater is perfect for ticking the Big Five and viewing other animals.
To add a flavor to your elephant safari, visit neighboring Maasai villages. Here, you will learn new culture, dressing style and possibly new language. (Some guests claim that the Maa language of the Maasai is extremely hard to grasp).
Interested to watch large elephants in Tanzania? Book your safari today. We can craft your itinerary to suit your needs. Call our experts for advice on your Tanzania safari. Visitors who book early get ‘early bird’ discounts.
