5 destinations to celebrate world elephant day

Elephants may have faced their fair share of challenges but thanks to widespread conservation efforts, many elephant populations are now stable and growing. In an effort to increase awareness on the importance of preserving and protecting world’s elephants August 12th has been dubbed World Elephant day.

The official event may only take place once a year, but at these destinations, elephant preservation and protection efforts are a daily occurrence.

Bardiya National Park, Nepal

While elephants were once a rare sighting in Nepal, wild Asian elephants are returning to the country’s national parks in growing numbers thanks to large-scale conservation efforts to protect them.

One of the best areas to spot these wild elephants are in Bardia National Park, also known as Bardiya National Park. The largest national park and wilderness area in the country’s Terai region, Bardiya became a protected area in 1988 and since then has seen the elephant population grow from two to upwards of 80.

Just 300 metres from the entrance to the park is Bardia Jungle Cottage. Built in the traditional Tharu style, guests have access to a patio and seating area as well as a garden and barbecue facilities.

Borneo, Malaysia

Spend some time around the Kinabatangan River in Borneo and you’re likely to see some of the island’s most famous residents: elephants.

Smaller than their African counterparts, Borneo elephants tend to gather on the river’s banks, the best way to see them is by booking a guided river tour.

Nestled along the bank of the Kinabatangan River, the Borneo Natural Sukau Bilit Resort offers comfortable rooms accented with wooden decor made by local artisans. If you’re lucky, you may even be able to catch a glimpse of these tiny elephants at the resort itself.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Located in northern Botswana, Chobe National Park is known for its large herds of African elephants. In fact, the park has an estimated population of 50,000 elephants – one of the largest in Africa.

While elephants can be seen throughout the park, the best place to spot them is in the Serondela area in the far north end of the park. Here you can spot large gatherings around the Chobe Riverfront, especially during the dry months of April until October.

Situated inside of Chobe National Park, Ghoha Hills Savuti features luxury tented rooms with a private viewing deck as well as an on-site bar and spa.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

One of Africa’s largest and most well-known game reserves, Kruger National Park sits along the southeastern border of South Africa. Throughout the year, visitors can drive through the reserve and see African elephants in their natural environment.

There’s also the chance to participate in one of the park’s elephant interaction opportunities, including elephant brushing or elephant-led walking tours. You can even spend the day as an elephant caretaker, giving you hands-on experience with these gentle giants.

Just a short drive from the park, guests can experience the natural wonders of the bushveld with all the conveniences of 21st century living at Kruger Adventure Lodge.

Kaudulla National Park, Sri Lanka

Along the elephant corridor between Minneriya National Park and Wasgomuwa National Park in Sri Lanka is the lesser known Kaudulla National Park. As it’s not as popular as the nearby Minneriya, there will be significantly fewer crowds making it feel like it’s just you and the elephants.

The park has its own dry season during which herds gather at the Kaudulla Reservoir, making it an ideal destination for elephant enthusiasts and during September and October, in particular, the reservoir is truly bustling.

Less than an hour’s drive from Kaudulla National Park, car hire is available directly at Thidas Arana. They also have bikes for hire if you’re interested in exploring the area around the property.