The 15 Best Elephant Safaris

1.National Park & Optional Elephants & Giraffe Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 874 reviews · from $80Our pick

Start before sunrise with a four-hour Nairobi National Park safari, then visit the Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Giraffe Centre, and Kobe Beads Factory if selected. Guides such as John, George, Junior, and Anthony are praised for sharp animal spotting, smooth driving, and helpful timing.

“Initially, I was unsure about booking this trip, but it turned out to be one of the best experiences. I received the necessary information from the tour provider the evening before the tour, though I did have to follow up on WhatsApp to get the details. That said, we were fortunate to have an excellent guide and driver. There were only two couples in the vehicle (including us), which made the experience more comfortable and personalized. The driver was also kind enough to drop me at a different location upon request. During the safari, we spotted many lions, rhinos, and almost every possible wildlife species present in Nairobi National Park.…”

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2.Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 872 reviews · 9 hours · from $186

Spend nine hours in Addo Elephant National Park in a small group of up to 10, riding in an air-conditioned 4x4 with a window seat for every passenger. Guides such as Freddy, John, Sidwell, and King Elvis lead game drives, serve lunch, and help spot elephants, lions, rhinos, buffalo, and smaller wildlife.

“Our Driver, guide was absolutely excellent, he made a very memorable day and experience, would highly recommend Sidwell and tour.”

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3.Khao Lak: Khao Sok Bamboo Rafting and Elephant Bathing Trip

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 719 reviews · 7 hours · from $79

Travel from Khao Lak to Khao Sok for a small-group day with elephant feeding and bathing, bamboo rafting, a Thai lunch, bamboo coffee by a limestone cave, Takuapa market, and Phanthurat Temple. English-speaking guides such as Nine, Ran, Danni, and K are known for friendly help and photos.

“Our day started at a morning food market. A great insight into local lives. Then on to the elephant camp. Being in a small group, each ‘family’ unit was allocated an elephant (& trainer) to bathe. This was an amazing experience on its own. Following the elephants baths, we were provided with drinks & snacks before moving on to Monkey Temple. Only a short stop here before moving on. A gentle punt along the river on a traditional bamboo raft. Our ‘driver’ pointing out wildlife and beautiful scenery along the way. A stop for tea or coffee, made using bamboo over a fire to heat the water near some caves…”

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4.Udawalawe National Park: Elephant Safari with Expert Guide

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 641 reviews · 4 - 10 hours · from $30

Explore Udawalawe National Park by private 4x4 Jeep with guides such as Gimhana, Udith, Jayashan, or Gayan. Choose a 4-hour safari or extend to 10 hours for lunch and water. Expect elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, jackals, birds, and a guide who can help you avoid crowded routes.

“We had an excellent time with our guide Gimhana. Compared to another safari we did in Wilpattu, our experience was so much more relaxed. We did the four hour safari and Gimhana was excellent at pointing out different animal species, and getting into good positions for photos while being respectful of the animals’ space. We found him very considerate; making sure we were ready to move on from a stop before going etc. We also saw lots and lots of elephants, which all seemed very happy to get close up to the jeep!”

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5.From Sigiriya: Minneriya National Park Elephant Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 365 reviews · 4 hours · from $33

Travel from Sigiriya, Habarana, or Dambulla in a safari jeep with an English-speaking guide such as Shan, Janith, Prasad, or Thilina. Spend four hours seeking elephant herds, buffalo, deer, monkeys, crocodiles, reptiles, and birds. Your guide may switch parks when the herds move.

“saw loads of elephants. our guide went to great lengths to make sure we had a great experience. thank you”

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6.Nairobi National Park, Elephant Orphanage and Giraffe Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 365 reviews · 6 hours · from $40

Spend a wildlife-packed day with guides such as Jonathan, Henry, Harrison, or Kevin, combining Nairobi National Park, the Sheldrick elephant orphanage, Kazuri Beads, lunch, and the Giraffe Centre. Expect excellent animal spotting, hotel pickup, and extra entrance fees.

“This is one of the best experiences ever and our tour guide made sure of that. To going through the national park, visiting the elephants, giraffe centre and hearing all about the history and facts was just amazing. I cannot recommend this enough. Thank you!!”

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7.Private Jeep Safari at Minneriya National Park to Visit Elephants

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 338 reviews · from $36Top rated

Travel by private jeep from Sigiriya with a local driver-guide such as Bhashi, Pradeep, or Kamal. Depending on weather and elephant movements, you may visit Minneriya, Kaudulla, or Hurulu Eco-Park. Expect three to four hours of wildlife viewing, with elephants, birds, deer, buffalo, and more.

“Our guide was great! Very friendly and knowledgeable about the animals. He was also flexible with pick up and drop off being two different places.”

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8.Khao Sok: Elephant Rescue Center with Lunch & Bamboo Rafting

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 306 reviews · 8 hours · from $84

From Khao Lak, you’ll feed and bathe rescued elephants, prepare papaya salad, enjoy a southern Thai lunch, and float down the Sok River on a bamboo raft. Guides such as Didi, Otto, and Winnie are praised for thoughtful care, clear explanations, and great photo help.

“What an incredible experience being with the elephants. Loved the feeding, mud bathing and washing of our majestic elephant in the beautiful Khao Sok National Park. There are many elephant sanctuaries but chose this one for its ethical approach towards their elephants. Also enjoyed the relaxing bamboo rafting, a visit to a Buddhist Temple, viewpoint and lovely authentic lunch. Our guide, Didi went above and beyond in looking after us and her knowledge was incredible.”

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9.Addo Elephant National Park All Inclusive Full-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 256 reviews · from $147

From Port Elizabeth, you’ll spend about nine hours exploring Addo in an air-conditioned vehicle with a professional guide such as John, Sidwell, Wanele, or Elvis. Expect close elephant sightings, possible lions and buffalo, lunch, hotel pickup, and a malaria-free park. Big cats are never guaranteed.

“All communications prior to tour were very good, prompt and clear. We were travelling on a cruise ship and found out the night before the tour that our ship was going to arrive in Port Elizabeth later than scheduled. We let them know and they Read more”

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10.Phuket: Elephant Nature Reserve Entry Ticket and Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 223 reviews · from $37

Meet an English-speaking guide at Phuket Elephant Nature Reserve, learn each elephant’s story, prepare food, and watch the animals eat and roam freely. The 1.5-hour visit includes feeding and jungle observation, but no riding, bathing, or touching.

“Amazing tour and great to see one of very few ethical elephant sanctuaries in Phuket. We learned about the unethical practices of places where you bathe elephants or ride them and it was heartbreaking, so glad this place is rescuing them and still providing a great tourist experience. We did the 1.5 hour tour and it was perfect, we got to see several elephants, take up close pics with them, make their food and feed them. It was so cool to see the elephants in a calm and positive environment, and feel like our money was making a difference at the sanctuary. Would highly recommend this tour over any others…”

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11.Addo Elephant Full Day Safari with a Traditional South African Braai (BBQ) Lunch

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 218 reviews · from $172

Travel from Port Elizabeth or Colchester to Addo Elephant National Park for a small-group safari of up to nine people. Guide Steve, Siya, Eddie, or another local guide leads morning and afternoon drives, with elephant sightings, wildlife tracking, tea, snacks, drinks, and a South African braai included.

“We had a lovely day and saw over 100 elephants, lots of kudu, warthogs, zebra and baboons. Our guide Siya was very knowledgeable and good at spotting creatures large and small (dung beetles)! We really enjoyed it. The lunchtime braai was so delicious also which was a big bonus.”

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12.Port Elizabeth: Addo Elephant Park All-Inclusive Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 199 reviews · 8 hours · from $176

Travel from Port Elizabeth to Addo Elephant National Park in a comfortable air-conditioned vehicle, then spend six hours on guided game drives. Guides such as Gary, Nina, Emmanuel, and Xolisa are praised for sharp animal spotting and engaging explanations. Lunch, park entry, and hotel or port pickup are included.

“The pick up and drive to and from the park made the day so much easier. Nina was a fantastic guide, who was so enthusiastic and friendly. She was happy to talk about all the animals and areas of the park, and was full of knowledge. She was also a willing photographer, who made sure everyone was able to see the everything from any angle required. We met up with another group, led by Elvis, for a beautiful lunch in the middle of the park with wine and drinks covered by the tour cost. The afternoon saw us go through the north of the park and the second look out…”

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13.Udawalawe: National Park Safari & Elephant Transit Home Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.9 · 183 reviews · 4 hours · from $21Best value

Join an English-speaking guide such as Pathum, Koshala, Mahesh, or Prasad for a four-hour Udawalawe safari. Ride a 4x4 jeep, look for elephants, crocodiles, buffalo, deer, birds, and possibly a leopard, then visit Elephant Transit Home during feeding hours. Park and transit-home fees are extra.

“The Safari with Koshala was really great! We saw two baby elephants and a lot of younger elephants. Koshala drove to the spots that were not so crowded, and it was a really good experience. Thank you very much for the great tour. I would definitely recommend this tour with Koshala.”

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14.Garden Route and Addo Elephant Park 6-Day Safari

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 175 reviews · 6 days · from $852

Travel from Cape Town through Hermanus, Cape Agulhas, Oudtshoorn, Wilderness, Knysna, Tsitsikamma, Addo, and Mossel Bay. Your English-speaking guide handles the driving while you canoe, hike, taste wine, visit an ostrich farm, and search for elephants, lions, rhinos, and buffalo.

“rochelle is the best guide ! thank her for such an amazing tour !”

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15.Port Elizabeth: Addo Elephant Park Shore Excursion with BBQ

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 141 reviews · from $164

Meet your guide beside your cruise ship in Gqeberha and ride 35 minutes to malaria-free Addo Elephant National Park. A small group of up to 14 explores the park by enclosed vehicle, breaks for a fire-cooked braai, then returns to the harbour in time for sailing.

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