Overview–southafrica

Tembe Elephant Park

Tembe Elephant Park hosts all the Big Five, but above all, it is a place for elephant lovers. This is one of the few places in South Africa, indeed anywhere on the continent, where you are still likely to see legendarily big tuskers.

The park’s only lodge offers relatively affordable all-inclusive packages and is owned by the local community. There is a limit to how many self-drive visitors are allowed to come into the park; only 4x4 vehicles are permitted.

Best Time to Visit

Wildlife viewing is best during the drier winter months of May to September. Foliage is abundant within the park, but as conditions become drier, it recedes, and animals cluster on the banks of available water sources. The hide located at the waterhole is particularly busy with animal activity at this time. Elephants reliably come to drink and bath in the heat of the day, between 11 am and 3 pm.

May to September –Dry Season – Winter

Wildlife viewing is at its best as foliage recedes and animals cluster at water sources
Though never very busy, it should be quieter during the low season
Rain is unusual, and skies are bright and sunny
Evening and morning game drives in open vehicles may get cold
There is a lot of dust in the air

October to April –Wet Season – Summer

Abundant greenery and lovely landscapes
Animals are being born
Birding is at its best, and the migratory birds are present
It is not prime time for animal viewing – the Dry season is better
Heat and humidity are high

Scenery

Tembe Elephant Park is a critical part of a planned Transfrontier park on KwaZulu-Natal's northern border with Mozambique and Swaziland. It protects a tract of very rare sand forest, home to many birding specials. Other habitats include thick woodland and wetlands.

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Oct

Rates

From: $204 to $1,223 pp/day

Best Time to Go

From: May to September (Dry season)

High Season

From: October to March (The camp can get a bit busy)

Size

From: 300km² / 116mi²

Wildlife & Animals

Tembe's claim to fame is its population of giant elephant with enormous tusks. Elephants are very common in the park, and the other Big Five animals are present as well. However, checking off the Big Five is not the focus here, and you will probably leave without seeing all of them.

Wildlife Highlights

Wild dog have been re-introduced to Tembe. The gracious nyala is the most common antelope here and the red duiker, a sand forest special, is common but shy. The park is also home to the largest South African population of the tiny suni antelope. It is one if the few places in the country where the pretty samango monkey is regularly seen.

Best Time for Wildlife Viewing

Tembe's best time for wildlife viewing is during the driest part of the year (June through September) and in particular from August to September. The temperatures are a bit higher in August and September, and animals gather around remaining water sources because the bush has dried out.

General Wheather

Due to its locale in the southern hemisphere, Tembe Elephant Park experiences winter and summer at opposite times to Europe and North America. The park lies in an area of summer rainfall and the Wet season months (October to April) tend to be hot and humid. Winter (May to September) is the dry time of year, and although the days are pleasantly warm, it cools off at night.

Dry Season–May to September – Winter

There is little rain during the winter, but there could be an occasional shower due to the park’s closeness to the coast. Compared to the summer months, the heat is less oppressive, and the skies are usually clear.

May – There is less rain at the end of summer and humidity is lower. Average temperatures are a rather cool 14°C/57°F in the morning and a warm 28°C/82°F in the afternoon.
June, July & August – Afternoon temperatures average 25°C/77°F, dropping to about 13°C/55°F at night. It will feel even colder on game drives with the chilly breeze experienced while riding in an open vehicle, so pack warm clothing.
September – Springtime is experienced in September. Afternoon temperatures average 27°C/81°F. Mornings are less chilly, with temperatures around 16°C/61°F. Rains begin with a few occasional thunderstorms.

Wet Season–October to April – Summer

It is wet, humid, and hot during the summer months. It seldom rains all day, but heavy thunderstorms occur regularly.

October & November – Afternoon storms are common and it sometimes rains all day. Average temperatures range from 18°C/64°F in the morning to 29°C/84°F in the afternoon.
December, January & February – This is a time of intense heat and humidity with afternoon rains most days. Although peak temperatures are often much higher, it averages 32°C/90°F in the afternoon and 19°C/66°F in the morning.
March & April – Temperatures of around 31°C/88°F are the norm. Humidity lessens with the decrease in rainfall. Mornings are still warm at around 17°C/63°F.

Prons

Excellent elephant viewing
Good wildlife viewing with the Big Five present
Good photography shelter for watching elephants drinking
Great birding in rare sand forest habitat
Reasonably priced lodging in the park
Limited number of self-drive day visitors allowed

Cons

Only 4x4 vehicles are allowed because of sandy roads
Only one accommodation option in the park

How To Get There

Tembe Elephant Park is located about 410km/255mi north of Durban, 550km southeast of Johannesburg, and 300km south of southern Kruger National Park. The drive from Durban or southern Kruger takes around 5 hours*, while from Johannesburg it takes almost 7 hours*.

There is only one camp in the park, and it offers fully inclusive packages. With a 4x4, you can drive to the lodge and leave your car for the duration of your stay. Non-4x4 vehicles can safely be left at the entrance gate. A limited number of 4x4 self-drive visitors are allowed as day visitors in the park (note that there are very few accommodation options nearby).

O.R. Tambo International Airport (JNB) in Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airport (CPT) in Cape Town are the primary points of arrival in South Africa. King Shaka International Airport (DUR) in Durban is another option. You can rent a vehicle at all airports.

*Driving times are only a rough indication. You should always consider the possibility of significant delays.

Airlines & Ticket Prices

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