Best place for elephants?

If you would like to post, you'll need to register. Note that if you have a BCG store account, you'll need a new, separate account here (we keep the two sites separate for security purposes).

NorthernFocus

NorthernFocus

Well-known member
Supporting Member
Marketplace
Member's gallery
I've never had any real burning desire to go on a photo safari in Africa, India, or anywhere abroad for that matter. I'm fairly content shooting what North America has to offer (though I do bring a long lens when we travel if there's good potential for wildlife). But my wife absolutely adores elephants and hates to seen them in zoos, etc. Since we're not getting any younger I figure we better go see the real deal while we can. I had just started looking for ideas when covid showed up and put a stop to travel. So now things are opening back up I'd be interested in any advice on best places to go see the critters. She doesn't have any strong preference for Asian/African type. As long as they have a trunk and those soulful eyes. Seeing them in group/family settings and of course little ones would be optimal. In addition to seeing them in the wild we wouldn't mind visiting rehab centers etc as long as the animals are not being exploited. Thanks in advance for any input.
 
Member's gallery
In India you will be able to witness/photograph Asiatic elephants. I'd recommend 2 places for that, the first preference would be Jim Corbett National park. The best time to visit this place is sometime between May to July and you will find hundreds and hundreds of them is the vast grasslands. The second option is down south at Nagarhole national park ( Kabini). You will find some beautiful tuskers here as well but not nearly as many as you find at Corbett. Corbett and Kabini are two different types of forests with unique landscapes. Also, both these are predominantly tiger reserves and if you are lucky you will be able to spot Tigers, leopards, sloth bears, jackals, wild dogs and other mammals and loads of birds too.
 
Member's gallery
Botswana! Where ever you go, I would highly recommend a photo safari.....if only because you can be in an uncrowded vehicle, and spend a lot of time observing the wildlife. Our own Steve Perry leads photo tours to Botswana!

FWIW, I've been to South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Kenya. You can see elephants everywhere, but they tend to be more concentrated in Botswana. Check out my galleries for an idea of each location.
 
Member's gallery
I have zero experience of Asia. For African Savanna elephants, Loxodonta africana certainly Botswana for guided or Kruger if self drive, or even better you can afford exclusive Private camps (SabiSabi etc).
By far the ultimate wilderness experiences are Mana Pools, Middle Zambezi in Zimbabwe, because one can walk as well as drive. Check out Camp Mana - Steve Bolnick is a highly experienced and respected Pro Guide

South Luangwa (E Zambia) is equally unique for real Africa - several highly regarded camps, some established back in the 1960s by the late Norman Carr. As with Zimbabwe, Zambians excel at hospitality. Both are English speaking

Forest Elephants - Loxodonta cyclotis - Gabon, the clearings in Ivindo is where one will also see herds of Forest elephants, as well as Lowland Gorillas, many primates and Bongo etc. There is also Loango National Park and Pongara, which is probably the only place where one can photograph Forest elephants and Hippos on sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. There are places in DR Congo and Congo Brazzaville, but both countries are not for the faint hearted (I've done 3 stints of fieldwork in DR Congo!)

Uganda is more accessible - english speaking and people are welcoming and friendly. Kibale Forest National Park and Bwindi Impenetrable Forest National Park. This also puts one close to Queen Elizabeth Park for savanna biodiversity, including Savanna Elephant
 
Member's gallery
Butlerkid said:
Botswana! Where ever you go, I would highly recommend a photo safari.....if only because you can be in an uncrowded vehicle, and spend a lot of time observing the wildlife. Our own Steve Perry leads photo tours to Botswana!

FWIW, I've been to South Africa, Tanzania, Botswana and Kenya. You can see elephants everywhere, but they tend to be more concentrated in Botswana. Check out my galleries for an idea of each location.
Click to expand...
agree. Been there on my own and on a tour. As I understand it, may be totally wrong, Botswana has 5% of the land in Africa and 20% of the elephants. Chobe river is a great place to photograph them at water edge from a boat.
 
Member's gallery
I 100% concur with the general idea here of seeing them in Africa and I've also seen them in Asia. An African safari is a magical experience. I've done Namibia (we saw "regular" elephants and also desert adapted elephants) and South Africa (sabi sands) where we were chased by a big male and also had time in a open vehicle totally surrounded by 15+. I'm heading to Botswana in August and based on this thread I guess I'm gonna see some elephants!

Because you can see elephants in so many places it may also be worth considering if there's any secondary species you'd love to see that may impact your decision or if the type of safari that different countries do would sway you. Some countries have more enclosed vehicles, some more open. Some countries or regions are more known for walking safaris in addition to the game drives. Some places (Kenya and Tanzania) will have the classic open safari vistas that we're used to from tv shows. As long as you do your research and pick well then you're bound to have a good time.

We did a rehab sanctuary in Thailand whilst on a cultural trip and whilst it was a very interesting experience and we got to be close to the elephants, it was also difficult. They show videos of how the elephants are treated and why they need rehab and that video made a lot of people get very emotional. If I wanted to enjoy the natural wonder aspect of Elephants it would not be that way.
 
Member's gallery
A retired co-worker of mine is married to a pro (Randy Hanna) who guides photo tours. They are in Iceland now but, when in Africa they go to Amboseli in Kenya. The photos she posts are stunning and the elephants are huge tuskers. Don't know about price or who else guides there. I will never be able to make that trip but wish I could.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
I remember back in 1981 when we did a self-drive safari in Botswana we visited Moremi, Savuti, Chobe. Chobe probably had the most elephants. We actually got tired of seeing elephants day after day. A physician and his 8-year old son travelled around with us in their own vehicle. One day the father said to his little son, "look Peter, there's an elephant!". The boy replied with "yeah...... and then all excited, BUT DADDY, THERE'S A KUDU!!!!" So Chobe for sure.

You will a also see plenty of elephants in the Kruger National Park in South Africa, as well as all the private game reserves that border the Kruger. We had great safaris in Thornybush on the western side of Kruger in 2016 and 2019. Plenty of elephants. I believe you will also see many elephants in Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater in Tanzania, as well as parks in Kenya.
 
Member's gallery
Yeah. Like every one said Africa is the place to see Elephants & the African elephants are bigger than the Asiatic ones.
How ever one will forget every thing else when one sees a Tiger up close & India is the land of the Tigers. Of course one can also get to see the Elephants, Lions, one Horned Rhino , Byson ( Indian version of it) , Leopards ,Bears etc.
India also has a Elephant god known as Ganesha & is part of Indian folk lore & culture .Your wife will be enthralled to see the manner Ganesha being worshipped in India . Many temples in India do have a domesticated resident Elephant too
Do visit this site government site https://www.junglelodges.com/ to get details pf wild life safaris in Karnataka (a state rich in wild life in India with Bangalore being its state capital with an International airport) where one can see Tigers & Elephants(one can do online booking with out going through tour operators since it is run by the government of Karnataka itself)
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
JAS said:
A retired co-worker of mine is married to a pro (Randy Hanna) who guides photo tours. They are in Iceland now but, when in Africa they go to Amboseli in Kenya. The photos she posts are stunning and the elephants are huge tuskers. Don't know about price or who else guides there. I will never be able to make that trip but wish I could.
Click to expand...

I was just searching the internet today for guided tours in the Amboseli NP area today! I would love to get some elephant images with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, so beautiful with the wonderful elephants! I did find that the price range is great as are the tours offered but many are filled.
 
Member's gallery
Hi Dan,
I have at one time or another toured most of the parks in and around South Africa ,as well as Kenya ,Tanzania ,Namibia and Botswana,
All of the recognised guided tour companies provide very good safari package options where one can see and photograph a whole variety of African wildlife; especially Elephants.
All of the above responses make reference to some of the more popular venues,
Suggest that you select a few possible options which you are keen on, and, certainly if those are in South Africa I and other BCG members can provide more detailed information in this regard.
Gavin
 
Member's gallery
NorthernFocus said:
I've never had any real burning desire to go on a photo safari in Africa, India, or anywhere abroad for that matter. I'm fairly content shooting what North America has to offer (though I do bring a long lens when we travel if there's good potential for wildlife). But my wife absolutely adores elephants and hates to seen them in zoos, etc. Since we're not getting any younger I figure we better go see the real deal while we can. I had just started looking for ideas when covid showed up and put a stop to travel. So now things are opening back up I'd be interested in any advice on best places to go see the critters. She doesn't have any strong preference for Asian/African type. As long as they have a trunk and those soulful eyes. Seeing them in group/family settings and of course little ones would be optimal. In addition to seeing them in the wild we wouldn't mind visiting rehab centers etc as long as the animals are not being exploited. Thanks in advance for any input.
Click to expand...
I have been fortunate to spend a good deal of time over the past 30 years, travelling around Africa. Elephants have been a great pleasure and passion for me. Most years I take a few days out, just to photograph Elephants. I agree with much of the recommended locations, Botswana / Namibia Chobe River is a great spot for Elephants and other wildlife. It may also be a good destination for anyone who has not been to Africa before.
There is one specialised location that is probably the best place in the world to photograph Elephants, at close range and interesting angles. This is Mashatu in southern Botswana but accessed through South Africa via Port Drift. Mashatu is a great all round reserve but has a fantastic sunken hide (Matabole) to photograph Elephants and other animals and birds, at very close distances. I have added a few pictures below. This hide allows unique angles, which I personally enjoy. Wherever you chose, Elephants are great value to spend time with and enjoy.
48470629961_1e23305080_c.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
30935626297_9f5228a243_c.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
45150484224_053cc44829_c.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
45150485464_05fae6b614_c.jpg
You can only see EXIF info for this image if you are logged in.
 
Last edited:
Member's gallery
ingweDave said:
I have been fortunate to spend a good deal of time over the past 30 years, travelling around Africa. Elephants have been a great pleasure and passion for me. Most years I take a few days out, just to photograph Elephants. I agree with much of the recommended locations, Botswana / Namibia Chobe River is a great spot for Elephants and other wildlife. It may also be a good destination for anyone who has not been to Africa before.
There is one specialised location that is probably the best place in the world to photograph Elephants, at close range and interesting angles. This is Mashatu in southern Botswana but accessed through South Africa via Port Drift. Mashatu is a great all round reserve but has a fantastic sunken hide (Matabole) to photograph Elephants and other animals and birds, at very close distances. I have added a few pictures below. This hide allows unique angles, which I personally enjoy. Wherever you chose, Elephants are great value to spend time with and enjoy.View attachment 33566View attachment 33567View attachment 33568View attachment 33569
Click to expand...
Great place to photograph
 
Member's gallery
Viathelens said:
I was just searching the internet today for guided tours in the Amboseli NP area today! I would love to get some elephant images with Mount Kilimanjaro in the background, so beautiful with the wonderful elephants! I did find that the price range is great as are the tours offered but many are filled.
Click to expand...
Hi,

I live in Kenya and have regularly visited Amboseli NP where they have been conducting elephant research for 50yrs. Message direct if you need any recommendations/advice. Regards John
 
Member's gallery
Guys and gals ,I,m off to Botswana myself in a few weeks ,taking my d500 and my z6ii, lenses I,m considering taking are pf 500 & 300 + 1.4 tc ,nikon80 400 ,the 80 400 is the lens I may have to sacrifice,due to weight restrictions, also taking a tamron 70 210 f4 and a 24 70 f4 ,any thoughts from you safari veterans
 
Member's gallery
Webbie said:
Guys and gals ,I,m off to Botswana myself in a few weeks ,taking my d500 and my z6ii, lenses I,m considering taking are pf 500 & 300 + 1.4 tc ,nikon80 400 ,the 80 400 is the lens I may have to sacrifice,due to weight restrictions, also taking a tamron 70 210 f4 and a 24 70 f4 ,any thoughts from you safari veterans
Click to expand...
It is best to not be changing lenses a lot. I've been to Africa 3 times. Since I shoot full -frame: My 80-400 AF-S stays glued to my D850. My long lens (600mm f4) stays on my D5, with or without the 1.4 tele. The 70-200, 300PF and 500 PF stay home. On my first trip I took the 24-70. Way too heavy for the one or two times I used it. On my next trip my cell phone will capture images of the lodge, room and general landscapes..........or I'll let hubby cover all that with his video camcorder! LOL! YMMV shooting DX.....
 
Member's gallery
Thanks for your input ,I do love the IQ and the virsitality of my 80 400 ,but compared to my 500 pf & 300 pf its huge, I realise changing lenses in situ is a bit of a no no, so it will be kept to a minimum ,also thinking of taking a small lumix 24 400 bridge camera for general shots
 
Member's gallery
Webbie said:
Guys and gals ,I,m off to Botswana myself in a few weeks ,taking my d500 and my z6ii, lenses I,m considering taking are pf 500 & 300 + 1.4 tc ,nikon80 400 ,the 80 400 is the lens I may have to sacrifice,due to weight restrictions, also taking a tamron 70 210 f4 and a 24 70 f4 ,any thoughts from you safari veterans
Click to expand...
I did two safaris in South Africa, in 2016 and 2019.
In both cases I had two DX cameras. I had the 200-500mm lens on one and the 70-200mm on the other. Each lens was responsible for about 40-45% of images taken. The last 10% were shot with the 16-80mm. Those were the three lenses I took with me both times.

I now use the Z6II, so if I had to do it over I'd prefer a longer lens than 500mm, even if only to extend it with a 1.4X teleconverter. So in your case I'd go for the 500mm PF, the 1.4X teleconverter, the 70-210 Tamron and the 24-70mm. If you had to leave a lens at home due to weight limitations I'd leave the 24-70mm.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top