Few wildlife experiences can match seeing an African elephant in the wild. Whether it’s a family gathering at a waterhole, a lone bull crossing the savannah or an entire herd moving quietly through the bush, these encounters often become the defining moments of an African adventure.
And you don’t necessarily need to plan a traditional safari holiday to experience them. An African cruise can take you from spectacular coastlines and cosmopolitan cities to ports that act as gateways to some of the continent’s greatest wildlife reserves.
With World Elephant Day celebrated on 12 August, we explore some of the best places to see elephants in Africa, and the cruises that can take you there.
Please note: where we refer to safari shore excursions from your cruise, these are typically optional experiences available at an additional cost and can be added to your holiday.
Addo Elephant National Park, South Africa
As the name suggests, elephants are the stars of the show at Addo Elephant National Park. Located close to Gqeberha on South Africa’s Eastern Cape, the park is renowned for its elephant population, alongside lions, buffalo, rhinos and an impressive variety of other wildlife.
Gqeberha is also a cruise port, making it possible to combine days at sea with an optional safari experience ashore.
Cruise inspiration: Namibian & South African Coastlines
Sailing from Walvis Bay along the coast of South Africa, this voyage combines Namibia’s dramatic desert landscapes with Cape Town and several South African ports. In Gqeberha, guests have the opportunity to head inland to Addo National Park in search of elephants, rhinos, buffalo and more.
View the Namibian & South African Coastlines cruise with PONANT
Cruise inspiration: Mahé to Cape Town
Beginning among the tropical islands of the Seychelles, this voyage journeys towards South Africa with calls at Richards Bay and Gqeberha. From Gqeberha, Addo and other nearby reserves offer the opportunity to add a safari experience before continuing towards Cape Town.
View the Mahé to Cape Town cruise with Silversea
Chobe National Park, Botswana
For elephants in serious numbers, Chobe National Park is hard to beat. Huge herds gather around the Chobe River, particularly during the dry season, creating spectacular opportunities to watch elephants drinking, bathing and interacting along the riverbanks.
A boat safari offers a completely different perspective, allowing you to experience the wildlife from the water.
Cruise inspiration: Wildlife & the Falls
This extraordinary cruise-and-land adventure places wildlife at its heart. Spend four nights aboard the Zambezi Queen and explore Chobe National Park by both boat and open-top 4×4, looking out for elephants, giraffes, zebras and buffalo. The journey also includes Victoria Falls before continuing to Greater Kruger for further game drives.
View the Wildlife & the Falls itinerary with Amawaterways
Kruger National Park, South Africa
One of Africa’s legendary safari destinations, Kruger National Park offers superb opportunities to encounter elephants as part of a classic Big Five safari.
From enormous bulls wandering through the bush to family herds protecting playful calves, elephant sightings here can be wonderfully varied. Combine them with the chance to see lions, leopards, rhinos and buffalo for an unforgettable introduction to Africa’s wildlife.
The Wildlife & the Falls journey continues from Chobe and Victoria Falls to a five-star lodge in the Greater Kruger area, with twice-daily game drives forming part of the safari experience.
Discover Wildlife & the Falls with Amawaterways
KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
The wild landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal offer another exciting opportunity to search for elephants. Richards Bay acts as a gateway to Zululand and the region’s wildlife reserves, where elephants share their habitat with giraffes, zebras, lions and a wealth of other species.
Cruise inspiration: The Rhythm of Africa
Journey from the Seychelles through Madagascar and Mozambique before reaching South Africa. With two days at Richards Bay, there is an opportunity to add a wildlife experience and discover the untamed landscapes of KwaZulu-Natal before sailing onwards to Durban, Gqeberha and Cape Town.
View The Rhythm of Africa cruise with Hapag-Lloyd Cruises
The Mahé to Cape Town sailing also calls at Richards Bay, offering another chance to combine an Indian Ocean cruise with the wildlife of South Africa.
View the Mahé to Cape Town cruise with Silversea
Experience Africa’s giants for yourself
Photographs can capture their scale, but nothing quite prepares you for seeing an elephant in the wild. The slow flap of enormous ears, the deep rumble of a herd communicating and the sight of calves following closely behind their mothers are experiences that stay with you.
A cruise adds another dimension to the adventure. Sail between Africa’s spectacular coastal destinations, then head ashore to discover reserves and national parks where some of the continent’s most remarkable wildlife awaits.
From Addo and KwaZulu-Natal to Chobe and Greater Kruger, there are incredible opportunities to make an elephant encounter part of a much bigger African journey.
Why book with Cruise Routes?
At Cruise Routes, we believe cruising is designed for exploration.
The opportunity for real discovery is the golden thread connecting every journey we recommend. From extraordinary wildlife and spectacular landscapes to meaningful encounters with the places you visit, our carefully selected expedition cruises are chosen to help you experience destinations more deeply – not simply pass through them.
Whether you’re considering Africa as your first expedition cruise or planning a journey that continues across the Indian Ocean, our Cruise Consultants are here to help you find the right voyage for you.
Speak to a Cruise Consultant about your Africa cruise on 0203 924 8888 or enquire here.
