Many of our destinations, both inside and outside Africa, share a common thread – similar species! From big cats to whale sharks, wildlife to seek and observe exists around the world. Today, we’ll look at elephants in some of the countries where we offer adventures.
Two continents on our beautiful, diverse planet are home to elephants – Africa and Asia. They are large, intelligent, charismatic mammals that travelers will travel long distances to see in their natural habitats. Most elephant behavior is learned rather than instinctual, making their family groups fascinating to watch on a safari.
Both species of elephants spend most of their waking hours eating or traveling to find water. They are ecosystem architects, dispersing seeds in their droppings while enriching the soil. Both species also communicate using sounds that travel long distances, some of which humans cannot detect.
Whatever species you most want to see, our expertise will give you the best chance to see them on your safari. Seeing elephants in the wild is a magical experience wherever they may roam.
The African elephant is the world’s largest land mammal, weighing up to 13,450 pounds. Their large ears, which they often use to cool themselves, can reach up to six feet long and four feet wide. While listed as endangered, some 400,000-plus elephants still roam across the African continent. Our safaris in Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa all offer the chance to see African elephants. Our trips to Republic of Congo offer the chance to see the rarer, critically endangered African forest elephant species. Talk with your Journey Specialist to learn more about the kind of elephant experience each country offers.
African elephants live in close family groups led by a matriarch, along with her offspring, other adult females and their calves. They travel in large herds, some reaching up to 70 elephants. African elephants build close bonds within these groups. Male elephants are typically ‘kicked out’ of the herd as they reach sexual maturity, at around 12-15 years old. They then live alone, or in loose-knit ‘bachelor herds’ with other males.
The world’s 30,000-50,000 Asian elephants are the largest land mammal on the Asian continent. The smaller of the two elephant species, they can be seen in many parks and reserves in India, Sri Lanka and other Asian countries. Our Incredible India safari gives you the opportunity to see Asian elephants in the wild, or our Journey Specialists can plan a customized safari for you to see them.
The Asian species of elephant has significantly smaller ears – one easy way to distinguish it from the African elephant. Unlike African elephants, typically only male Asian elephants develop tusks, which are also smaller than those of African elephants.
Much like their African cousins, they are highly intelligent and live in social structures, though they are less formal than African elephant family groups. Asian elephants live in groups of between five and 15 related females, which tend to be more loosely connected.
Seeing either elephant species in their natural environment is an incredibly special experience. These highly intelligent animals are fascinating to watch and stir strong feelings in travelers. Our expert Journey Specialists can help you select the parks and reserves that are best for your elephant safari.
Contact one of our Journey Specialists to start planning your customized elephant adventure! Then subscribe to our newsletter below for more travel information and inspiration.
Photos courtesy of AAC Marketing Director Beth McCabe, AAC Livingstone Club member Marvin L., AAC Journey Specialist Nell Pollak, AAC Safari Concierge Madison Noble, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Diana Garcia Hernandez, AAC Senior Journey Specialist Angie Voigt and AAC Livingstone Club member Cailey K.