Where To See Elephants In Kenya
Kenya has always been one of the top safari destinations in Africa. It has it all: wonderful people and culture, stunning scenery, good accessibility, and incredible wildlife. In many of the national parks and reserves you have a great chance of seeing the ‘Big 5’ in one game drive.
With diminishing numbers, elephants are one of the most sought after mammals to see on safari. While some areas can get busy in high season, we have hand-picked some of the best areas and camps to see these beautiful creatures, while keeping you off the beaten track.
Amboseli National Park
In the south east of Kenya is Amboseli National Park. With Mount Kilimanjaro as a back drop it doesn’t get much more beautiful than this. The dry plains of Amboseli are fed by the glacial melt waters of Kilimanjaro, which provides a much needed life source.
This national park is close to both Nairobi and the coast making travel logistics easy. Elephants here are plentiful and easily spotted on the open plains. It is great fun to watch them bathe in the waterholes.
Tortilis Camp is a lovely base in Amboseli. It is located on a small hill in a private concession with great views over the plains and towards Mt Kilimanjaro.
Game drive vehicle from Tortilis Camp, Amboseli, Kenya
The Chyulu Hills
To the east of Amboseli are the Chyulu Hills, extraordinary volcanic peaks covered in a beautiful evergreen forest which forms a great harbour for wildlife.
But as the lava is fairly recent and doesn’t hold water, game descends to the plains of both Amboseli and Tsavo National Parks during the day. The elephants here are well known for congregating in large breeding herds and for having impressively large tusks.
Large tusks on an elephant in the Chyulus
Campi ya Kanzi is in the heart of the Chyulu Hills and acts as a fantastic refuge for guests to escape the open plains and explore the beautiful forests.
View from Campi ya Kanzi area, Chyulu Hills, Kenya
Samburu National Park
Samburu National Park has been hitting the headlines as it featured in This Wild Life on the BBC with Saba Douglas-Hamilton running the camp with her young family. Elephants are in big breeding herds here and are well habituated to vehicles.
With the headquarters for Save the Elephants in the park researchers are with elephants most of the day, and they have become familiar with vehicles. As a result, guests can experience an amazing encounter with these impressive animals which tend to be found in big breeding herds here.
Elephant Watch Camp is a wonderful camp to base yourself while in Samburu. When the acacia trees fruit after the rain you don’t even need to leave your room to spot elephant as they wander through camp picking the fallen fruit.
Elephant Watch Camp game drive
Laikipia Plateau
To the south of Samburu is the Laikipia Plateau. This vast wilderness is framed by Mount Kenya and is a wonderful haven for wildlife. Laikipia now has some of the most diverse populations of large mammals in the country, co-existing with the human population in a wonderful celebration of African diversity.
Guests on a walking safari, Sosian, Laikipia
Sosian is set in the heart of Laikipia on its own private ranch. It’s home to the rarer species of wildlife such as Jackson’s hartebeest, Grevy’s zebra and reticulated giraffe.
Elephants are an integral part of the landscape. You can’t go far before coming across a family herd, evenings here are well spent watching ‘Bush TV’.
Bush TV at Sosian, Laikipia
Any questions?
If you’ve got this far and not found an answer to a question you have that we should have included, please ask in the comments section below, or pop us an email. We’ll be sure to reply and may amend the article to include our answer.
What next?
We would be delighted to help you plan a holiday, or answer any questions if you’re at an earlier stage. Our team of experts have travelled widely throughout Africa. They can offer expert advice on every type of safari from family and beach holidays to riding and primate safaris. If you would like to talk to someone who has been there and done it, please just send us an email or give us a call.
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Hi! I am interested and have been interested for years in taking a trip to Africa. I considered mission trips and other types of trips and I am ready to actually make a move. I was wondering if you had any pointers in the direction to take. I am in love with elephants and it has been an absolute dream of mine to travel to Kenya and possibly find out more about the areas and what i can do to help while there.
Dear Kayla, your enquiry has been passed on to a sales expert who will be in touch, Best regards Renate