Overview

The Tembe Elephant Park is situated in north eastern KwaZulu Natal along the border with Mozambique.

Experience Details

Tembe is an extremely diverse park which offers some of the best game viewing and birdwatching in South Africa. Home to all of the Big 5 and so many smaller interesting creatures, the Tembe Elephant Park is one of the best parks in South Africa to see elephants, buffalo, rhino, lions, and if you are lucky, leopard.

As well as the famous Big 5, the Tembe Elephant Park also has giraffe, zebra, Blue wildebeest, Kudu, Waterbuck, Nyala, Impala, Bushbuck and red Duiker and many smaller mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles.

Only 20 vehicles are allowed into the Tembe Elephant Park on any day, ensuring a peaceful visit to this virtually pristine piece of African wilderness. Most of the roads on Tembe are sandy tracks and the park is accessible by 4x4 vehicles only, which makes a visit to Tembe a 4x4 adventure as well as a game viewing and wilderness experience.

The Tembe Elephant Park is one of the least commercialized Parks in South Africa, with one small exclusive lodge in the south.

The Tembe Elephant Park is situated on an area which was submerged by the ocean until only 25 000 to 40 000 years ago, which is the reason that Tembe and the surrounding areas are very sandy. The sandy soils, high rainfall and high water table result in a landscape consisting of wetlands, rare Sand forest, savanna and open grassland.. These different habitats are home to different animals and birds, resulting in a huge diversity of life forms, from the giant elephants to the tiny Red Duiker.

There are also two game and bird viewing hides at Tembe, both situated at waterholes where animals and birds, large and small can be viewed when they come down to the water to drink, cool off, and wallow in the mud. The two hides at Tembe are ideal places to spend time at during the hotter parts of the day when the elephants and other animals come to the water to cool off and quench their thirst. The hides are also shady and cool, offering shelter from the searing heat in the summer months. Both hides have clean toilet facilities

At the Mahlasela hide, the is a permanent web cam which is live 24/7 allowing you to experience some of what Tembe has to offer from wherever you are in the world - LIVE. Access to the Africam web cam is free with a very simple, immediate registration process.

Quick Booking Reminder

Tembe works best when your logistics are locked in (vehicle type, entry timing, and the right mix of hides and game drives). If you have fixed dates, send them early — especially for peak seasons and South African school holidays.

Practical Information

Why Book With Extreme Nature Tours & Travel cc

• Local knowledge: We are based in St Lucia – South Africa and know the northern KZN / Maputaland region well.
• Experience: Practical planning that matches your dates, budget, and vehicle realities.
• Personal service: Fast answers, clear guidance, and itinerary help.
• Safety first: Advice that fits real road and track conditions.

Build a stronger itinerary with related pages: Hluhluwe-iMfolozi safaris, iSimangaliso safaris, St Lucia turtle tours (seasonal), swim with dolphins, and Maputaland beach options like Bhanga Nek.

Book a Tembe Elephant Park Visit

For more info and details, contact Extreme Nature Tours. We are based in St Lucia South Africa and run tours and safaris to areas which include the Tembe Elephant Park and surrounds, including the turtle nesting beaches at Bhanga Nek and the beautiful beaches of Maputaland and southern Mozambique. Our trips also include swimming with wild dolphins in the warm waters of the Indian Ocean.

We also arrange accommodation at Tembe and everywhere else in Southern Africa.

Prefer St Lucia first? Start here: St Lucia activities | St Lucia safaris | St Lucia accommodation