Zambia elephant safaris

An elephant safari in Zambia with Wilderness offers access to some of the country’s best wildlife destinations, such as Kafue and Mosi-oa-Tunya national parks.

Itinerary
Tailor-made

Personalised safaris including Wilderness camps, partner properties, city stays, transfers, activities and experiences to suit your dates and interests.

Upliftment Employment
Award-winning

193 awards since 2020, with our safari lodges consistently voted among the top in the world, as well as recognition for our positive Impact initiatives.

Game Drive
Exclusive

With small guest numbers, we provide access to remote concessions in some of Africa’s wildest safari destinations, with the option of private vehicles and guides for additional flexibility.

Binoculars
Diverse

We operate in eight African countries, with 55+ camps promising a range of activities from boating, to walking, game drives and more, for a full immersion in nature and local culture.

The best places to see elephants on your Zambia safari 

Zambia is home to some of Africa’s most rewarding elephant safari destinations, where vast wilderness areas and low visitor numbers allow for unforgettable encounters. From the remote plains of Kafue National Park to the banks of the Zambezi River upstream from the Victoria Falls in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, these destinations provide exceptional opportunities to observe elephants by vehicle, on foot and even from the water. Zambia's intimate camps and expert guides make it one of the continent's best-kept secrets for elephant safaris.

Wilderness' guide to elephants

Kafue National Park, Zambia

Established in the 1950s, Kafue National Park is Zambia's oldest and largest national park, covering more than 22,000 square kilometres and supporting a healthy population of around 5,000 African savannah elephants. Sightings are particularly rewarding around the Busanga Plains where family herds are regularly encountered. 


Wilderness operates two seasonal camps in Kafue: Shumba and Busanga Bush Camp, both located here in the spectacular Busanga Plains. These intimate camps offer a front-row seat to one of Africa's last great wild places, where elephants share the plains with abundant plains game and predators. 


Game drives are the primary safari activity here, offering excellent opportunities to observe elephants, while seasonal guided walking safaris and boating also allow you to see elephants from a different perspective.

Discover Kafue

Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park, Zambia

Situated along the mighty Zambezi River and just upstream from the Victoria Falls, Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offers a completely different elephant safari experience. Although much smaller than Kafue, the park forms part of an important wildlife corridor and supports resident populations of African savannah elephants that are frequently encountered along the riverbanks.


Here Wilderness operates Toka Leya, which enjoys a privileged location on the banks of the Zambezi River. The camp combines easy access to the Victoria Falls with exceptional wildlife experiences, making it an ideal addition to a broader Zambia safari tour or southern African holiday.


Game drives in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park offer opportunities to encounter elephants in a diverse riverine landscape, while guided walking safaris provide a more intimate understanding of the ecosystem and its wildlife. What truly distinguishes this destination, however, are its water-based activities. River cruises and boating excursions on the Zambezi allow you to observe elephants coming down to drink, feeding along the banks or crossing channels between islands. 


Combined with visits to the Victoria Falls and the luxurious accommodation at Toka Leya, Mosi-oa-Tunya offers one of Zambia’s most accessible elephant safari experiences.

Discover Mosi-oa-Tunya

Elephant safari tours & packages in Zambia

Be inspired by these safaris in Zambia and get in touch to create a private tour tailored to your interests. Your itinerary can be elevated with a range of exclusive, privately arranged experiences, while you may even decide to book out one of our smaller safari camps for the exclusive use of your group. Speak to your Travel Designer to arrange your personalised safari.
See all journeys
Wilderness Zambia landscape woodlands with an elephant passing through

Talk to a Travel Designer

Enquire now

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see elephants in Zambia?

 

Wilderness’ Kafue safari camps are open seasonally between April and October, which is the best time to see elephants when water levels recede and reduced vegetation makes it easier to observe elephants and traverse the Busanga Plains. That said, land and water-based elephant safaris are available year round from Wilderness Toka Leya in Mosi-oa-Tunya National Park for those who would like to combine a Victoria Falls holiday with an elephant safari in surrounding Zimbabwe or Botswana. 

 

 

What type of elephant safaris can you do in Zambia?

 

In Zambia, Wilderness offers a wide variety of elephant safari experiences, each designed to bring you closer to these remarkable animals. Traditional 4x4 game drives are a constant in mornings and afternoons, with full day game drives and night drives also a possibility. You can also choose to just enjoy watching the elephants as they come to drink at a waterhole right in front of your Zambian safari lodge. Guided walking safaris and boating safaris are also available seasonally in Kafue or year round in Mosi-oa-Tunya, allowing you to leave the vehicle behind. Accompanied by some of Africa's most highly qualified guides, you can follow elephant tracks and examine spoor, giving you insight into how they survive in these vast ecosystems. 

 

 

What type of elephants do you see in Zambia?

 

Zambia is home to African savannah elephants (Loxodonta africana), the largest land mammals on Earth. These elephants are known for their impressive size, complex social structures and highly intelligent behaviour. On a safari in Zambia, you can encounter breeding herds of elephants, made up of related females and their young, as well as impressively large, solitary bulls that roam independently or in loose bachelor groups. 

 

 

Are elephant sightings guaranteed in Zambia?

 

Elephant sightings in Zambia can never be fully guaranteed, as these are free-ranging wild animals. That said, when you plan a safari to areas like Kafue National Park or the Zambezi River ecosystem, your chances of seeing elephants are highly likely, especially in the dry season. You may also decide to combine your stay in Zambia with a safari to Botswana’s Okavango Delta or Zimbabwe’s Hwange National Park to offer you some of the best opportunities for seeing elephants in the wild.