TRAVELElephantsAdd TopicBest places to see elephants in the wildBeautiful scenery surrounds you in Kenya. In southwest Kenya, you can view elephants in the shadow of Mount Kilimanjaro, which sits near the border of Kenya and Tanzania.Martin Harvey, World Wildlife FundAccording to Jim Sano, World Wildlife Fund’s VP for Travel, Tourism and Conservation, before booking a trip, ask the travel operator if they have a conservation travel program. If they do not openly describe their program, it’s likely that conservation is not a priority. Finding a tour operator or safari lodge with a conservation-based program might be extra work and expense, but it ensures you’re contributing to companies that care about wildlife, the surrounding communities and land.Greg Armfield, World Wildlife FundLook for elephant travel experiences that let the elephants freely roam. If a program keeps its elephants in enclosures, it’s likely they’re being mistreated. If you’re traveling in Kenya, consider David Sheldrick’s Wildlife Trust.Greg Armfield, World Wildlife FundConservation and animal welfare go hand-in-hand at responsible wildlife sanctuaries. When looking for a place to see elephants and other wildlife, ask questions to make sure the animals are cared for diligently. This helps ensure you are not unknowingly contributing to a business where animals are treated poorly or best conservation practices are ignored. Check out Abu Camp, a shining example of a well-managed wilderness safari, in northern Botswana’s Okavango Delta.Martin Harvey, World Wildlife FundBotswana houses the highest population of elephants in Africa at over 130,000. Most of Botswana’s elephants are found in the north, near the Chobe River and the Okavango Delta.Martin Harvey, World Wildlife FundLooking for more than elephants? You’ll find an array of other wildlife in Botswana like giraffes, zebras and hippos. In fact, one-sixth of the country’s territory is dedicated to permanent, well-managed wildlife sanctuaries.Martin Harvey, World Wildlife FundNearly half of Zambia is preserved by protected parks and reserves, which is good news for the country’s elephants. However when traveling in Zambia or anywhere else in Africa, avoid breeding centers. Establishments may claim they breed wildlife to reintroduce into the wild, but often they are using tourism as an additional revenue stream for their own financial gain with no benefit to wildlife conservation.Roger Leguen, World Wildlife FundTens of thousands of elephants die every year at the hands of criminals. Be careful about what travel “souvenirs” you buy. It is nearly always illegal to bring home ivory products purchased overseas -- and they may have come from an elephant killed for its tusks. You should learn the right questions to ask before purchasing any wildlife product.John E. Newby, World Wildlife FundWhen you encounter elephants in the wild, blend into their world. Elephants are known as gentle giants, but never forget that they’re wild animals. Unexpected interactions, like attempts to feed or taunt them, can cause them to behave unexpectedly.Martin Harvey, World Wildlife FundTanzania offers a rich diversity of landscapes. From savannas, wetlands, and forests to Africa’s highest peak, Mount Kilimanjaro, the country’s pristine landscapes are a beautiful backdrop to see elephants and other wildlife.Michael Poliza, World Wildlife FundTanzania is also home to one of the largest wilderness protected areas left in Africa - Selous Game Reserve. Located in southern Tanzania, Selous Game Reserve is a UNESCO World Heritage site.Tom Pilston, Panos PicturesYou can find about 53,000 elephants in Tanzania, and around 15,000 live in Selous Game Reserve. Once home to one of the greatest concentrations of African elephants on the continent, the reserve in recent years has been ground zero for elephant poaching in East Africa. In just 40 years, 90% of the elephants that lived here have been killed for their ivory.Alamy Stock PhotoIn India, Asian elephants carry religious and cultural significance. Elephants are iconic here, but they remain threatened. Both African and Asian elephants face threats from poaching, habitat loss and human-elephant conflict. India’s dense population coupled with shrinking elephant habitat has forced humans and elephants into frequent contact. Sadly, human-elephant conflict can sometimes end in the elephant’s death.Christy Williams, World Wildlife FundUse well-established tour operators to book elephant excursions. According to WWF’s Jim Sano, small, local operators or even local villagers may encourage visits to “animal parks” – these so-called parks often don’t follow best conservation and animal welfare practices.Martin Harvey, World Wildlife FundFewer than 50,000 elephants remain in Asia. You can find at least 26,000 of them throughout India’s forests and grasslands. That is, if you can find them. Grasslands, like those found in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park, can grow up to ten feet tall, sometimes hiding the smaller pachyderms from view.Ola Jennersten, World Wildlife FundNamibia is the wildlife conservation success story on the African continent. Despite a poaching epidemic throughout the country, wildlife populations are thriving here. The government places a strong emphasis on conservation, and tourism is a key part of that success. In partnership with Natural Habitat Adventures, World Wildlife Fund (WWF) offers safari trips to Namibia and throughout Africa.Will Burrard-Lucas, World Wildlife FundNamibia’s 200 million acres of ocean shores, woodland savannas, lush floodplains and picturesque deserts provide a pristine home for elephants and other native wildlife. The government’s commitment to conservation has led to communal conservancies -- communal areas that give locals the opportunity to manage their own natural resources, including wildlife. These conservancies – as well as governments, nonprofit organizations and other entities – have restored wildlife populations throughout the country’s diverse landscapes.Will Burrard-Lucas, World Wildlife FundAbout 470,000 African elephants roam the continent. Around 13,000 live in Namibia.Will Burrard-Lucas, World Wildlife FundNamibia’s elephants have unique characteristics that help them survive the arid climate. These "desert-adapted" elephants can go for days without drinking water by surviving on moisture obtained from the vegetation they eat and have bigger feet for more effective movement through sand.Will Burrard-Lucas, World Wildlife FundAt the start of the 20th century, Thailand had nearly 300,000 wild elephants. Because of the country’s rapidly growing population and land clearing for agriculture, fewer than 3,200 wild elephants live there now.Luke Duggleby, World Wildlife FundYou’ll still find the largest wild populations in Kuiburi and Khao Yai National Parks and the Thung Yai and Huai Kha Wildlife Sanctuaries, along the border of Burma. At conservation-focused Green Hills Elephant Camp in Burma, you can feed and wash Asian elephants, but won’t see any circus tricks or rides given.Anton Vorauer, World Wildlife FundElephants play an important role in keeping Thailand’s forests alive and thriving. Because elephants spend most of their time eating and roaming, germinating seeds are often spread through their waste, helping to maintain the integrity of forest and grassland habitats.Luke Duggleby, World Wildlife FundYou’ll notice a steadfast commitment to conservation in Nepal. Around 23% of the country is dedicated to national parks, wildlife reserves and conservation areas for the country’s many different kinds of flora and fauna, including elephants, tigers, rhinos and Gangetic dolphins. In the Terai Arc Landscape of western Nepal and eastern India, WWF and its partners have restored biological corridors so that elephants can access their migratory routes without disturbing human habitations. The long-term goal is to reconnect 12 protected areas and encourage community-based action to mitigate human-elephant conflict.Simon De Trey-White, World Wildlife FundIn Nepal, communities play a key role in conservation. About one-third of the country’s forests are managed by local communities, which has helped to save forests and wildlife, and reduce poverty.Jeff Foott, World Wildlife FundResponsible tourism can benefit local communities in enormous ways. Look for tour operators that leave a large portion of traveler money in-country. This financially benefits local villages and fosters a sense of stewardship among locals for their immediate surroundings.Drew Crandall, , World Wildlife FundFeatured Weekly Ad