World Elephant Day : best locations to see elephants in South Africa

Intelligent, with great memories. Family oriented, with the capacity to feel a deep range of emotions. Empathetic, complex and majestic looking. Everything about an elephant is grand and loveable! Which is why there is a special day dedicated to these magnificent mammals. 12th August each year is celebrated as World Elephant Day, to honour this iconic species, spread awareness about the critical threats they may face, and to support solutions that ensure survival.

Elephant populations are declining across the globe. However, in South Africa, rigorous and collaborative conservation practices in national parks and private game reserves have grown the elephant population from just 120 individuals in 1920 to over 24,000 individuals at more than 80 isolated locations in 2018. The nation is a powerful crusader for these mammals with by aggregating habitat and species conservation support from governments, policy-makers and citizens.

Read on to find five places in South Africa that travellers can view these tuskers respectfully, in their natural habitat –

Established in 1994, the Knysna Elephant Park was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last 26 years, the park has cared for and raised more than 40 such elephants, including relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. While some go onto become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs.

Responsible and educational interactions allow guests to appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals, but still give the elephants the space and freedom to choose where they want to move, what they want to eat and with who they want to interact.

The world-renowned Kruger National Park offers an elephant experience that ranks with the best in Africa. It is also South Africa's most exciting African safari destination and offers a variety of experiences such as wilderness trails, self-drive adventures and safaris. Visitors can choose from a selection of the finest luxury accommodation and lodging when at Kruger National Park. They provide the perfect setting to appreciate the African wild in ultra-comfort and luxury coupled with exceptional culinary offerings, magnificent wildlife experiences and great hospitality.

Both seasoned travellers and first time safari-goers will be enthralled with the majesty that comes with viewing a multitude of elephant calves and its herd within the African bushveld. Shamwari – a private game reserve – is a small protected area at 25,000 hectares and was established in 1990. Expanded from humble beginnings, the reserve started with the intention to help recover the wildlife concentration that existed on the Eastern Cape. Today, the game reserve contains one of the highest concentrations of wildlife on the Southern & Eastern Cape.

They say, elephants never forget. South Africa will ensure that you remember your rendezvous with these gigantic mammals for a long time too!