Tembe Elephant Park – Overview

Community-owned and provincially managed, Tembe Elephant Park was created in 1983 to protect what was then South Africa’s last viable free-ranging elephant population. Situated on KwaZulu-Natal’s border with Mozambique, it is now fully fenced and home to all the Big Five, including some of Africa’s mightiest tuskers. Other attractions include the uncrowded wilderness feel and a relatively affordable community-owned lodge.

Best Time To Go

May to September (Dry season)

High Season

October to March (Lodges can get a bit busy)

Size More info

300km² / 116mi²

Altitude More info

42-134m / 138-440ft

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Pros & Cons

• Varied wildlife includes all the Big Five
• Excellent elephant viewing, with some truly massive tuskers
• Good photographic hide for watching elephants drinking
• Great birding in rare sand forest habitat
• Two small lodges offer packages inclusive of guided game drives
• Limited number of self-drive day visitors allowed
• The land and one lodge are owned by the local Tembe community
• Only 4x4 vehicles are allowed because of sandy roads
• Only two accommodations options in the park
• A rather remote location

Wildlife

Tembe hosts all the Big Five, but is above all a place for elephant lovers. It is home to some gigantic elephant bulls with phenomenal tusks. Mahlasela Hide, overlooking a waterhole, is the best place to watch these mighty creatures come and go. Of the rest of the Big Five, buffalo and lion sightings are reasonably likely, but leopard are scarcer, as are black and white rhinos.

Scenery

Tembe protects a varied landscape of forest, grassland and wetlands. Although it is too flat to count as scenic in a conventional way, the park has a compelling tropical wilderness atmosphere. Probably the most important habitat protected within the park is sand forest, which is very rare in South Africa and home to many birding specials.

Activities

Most visitors to Tembe stay at one of its two lodges, where rates include guided morning and afternoon game drives in open 4x4 vehicles. It is also possible to go on a guided bush walk or to spend time at the stilted Mahlasela Hide. Self-drive day visitors are permitted, but numbers are strictly limited and a sturdy 4x4 vehicle is essential.

Weather & Climate

Tembe tends to be sunny and hot throughout the year. The wet summer months (October to April) are characterized by hot days, warm humid nights and frequent afternoon storms. The dry winter months (May to September) are still hot by day but less humid and cooler at night. It’s also a lot drier than summer, though the park’s proximity to South Africa’s east coast does bring occasional rain.

Best Time To Visit

Tembe’s elephants and other wildlife are most visible during the Dry season (May to September), when animals gather at the main waterhole and other permanent water sources. Conditions for game drives are also quite pleasant, with clear skies and little rainfall, unlike the Wet season (October to April), with its regular afternoon thunderstorms. The best time for bird watching is November to April, when migrants are present.

Want To Visit Tembe Elephant Park?

• Tembe Elephant Park Safaris & Tours
• Tour Operators for Tembe Elephant Park