Tembe Elephant Park

The biggest and most spectacular "tuskers" I have photographed in Southern Africa come from this park. It is a bit off the beaten track and on a gravel path to get there but once there you do definetly get the bush vibe.

stuning meetings with elephant herds or solitary big specimens

Last Encounter with Gentle Giants (Elephants)

To see these huge Tuskers is an awesome priveledge that few people get to see. Tembe is still far away from being touristy and one get's a magical experience in the bush with the local community that are hands on as rangers and camp staff. Loved staying in the safari tents and hearing the night sounds.
The highlight was sitting at the hides for hours watching the wildlife!
A true African bush/wilderness experience with lots of wildlife.

A real bush experience

We saw elephants with the biggest tusks of southern Africa, lots of other animals and birds. The accomodation was good in tents with private bathrooms, the food was very good and served in a thatched boma. In the evening we enjoyed the shows of local singers and dancers. The Tembe staff, working in the lodge, kitchen and guides, are all people of the original Tembe tribe, who used to live in this area. You can only visit the park by 4x4 or with guides, because of the sand roads. Because of the habitat of sand forest, woodland, grassland, and swampland Tembe is a unique park to visit.

Comfort and Country all in one package

I arrived at Tembe and was warmly greeted by the staff, many of whom I knew from a previous trip. Luggage was taken to my very comfortable tent and I had plenty of hot water to shower after my long drive. Then it was time for the late afternoon bush trip.
There were so many animals seen - antelope including suni, ellies, giraffes, lions and a rhino. And so many kinds of birds that I couldn't keep track of them all.
Then back to the camp for supper, which was taken in the open. It was atmospheric, convivial and tasty, with the special treat of a bushbaby hanging in a tree near my table begging for fruit. The bushbabies also raid the coffee station near the front desk for packets of sugar, and one little novice ended up stealing a packet with a tea bag in it instead, so I imagine he was very disappointed.
After supper the staff lit a big bonfire in a pit and chairs were placed around it so we could sit with out coffee or after-dinner drinks. There are various entertainments there, singing, dancing groups sometimes, or just quietly chatting as we wound down, getting ready for sleep.
Night in the tents is just magical, with the scent of the earth and growing things all around and the sounds of the animals as they move through the bush or hunt. Elephants sometimes come into the camp at night after everyone is tucked away to snack on the trees around the tents, and at least one nyala makes a habit of browsing through the camp during the day.
The daytime activity I liked best was getting a lunch from the kitchen and going to one of the hides and just sitting there, listening to the breeze, the birds and insects and watching the passing parade of creatures that came to drink. Watching a mom ellie trying to teach a little one how to take a mudbath properly was a hoot, and very special.
There is a small library of nature books and a few novels in case you just want to kick back and do nothing active for a while, computer access for those who must keep in touch, and plunge pool for those hot days. A leisurely, delicious breakfast eaten on the deck in the fresh morning air set me up just right for another day of wonderful discoveries.

Home to some of South Africa’s biggest tuskers

Tembe is known for its elephant population, and in this park you’re likely to see some of the biggest tuskers in South Africa. At the park’s reception area, be sure to pick up information on the well-known bulls of the area – there is a poster that shows their photographs and includes details of the length of their tusks, and their weight – as this will add interest and value to your game-viewing.
There are a few hides in the park, and you’re almost guaranteed of seeing elephants if you’re patient. Mahlasela hide is particularly good for game, and it’s not unusual to see elephants and lions here. It’s well worth packing a few snacks and drinks and arriving at the hide mid-afternoon, so that you can be sure not to miss anything during the water hole’s busiest time of day.
If you visit Tembe during the week, you’re likely to feel as though you have the entire park to yourself and you could spend an entire afternoon at a hide without seeing anyone else. Over long weekends, Tembe can be fairly busy as it’s a favourite destination for 4x4 clubs. You need to have a 4x4 vehicle to drive the roads of this park.

Absolute luxury, wonderful staff, great value

I will keep it brief,
Firstly, the staff were lovely, nothing was too much trouble and they were all very personable.
The food was incredible, the best we had during our 5 week stay in SA.
The safari trips were wonderful, the driver (patrick) was fun and insightful, clearly with a wealth of knowledge.
The price was the biggest shock however, the value for money was second to none, I am already planning another trip.
thanks so much tembe, experience of a lifetime!

live experiment

it was a live experiment to see this animals in the wild and so near bij.
het was een ervaring om deze dieren van zo dichtbij te zien, het is niet makkelijk om dit om te zetten in het engels, het maakt nog elke dag als ik er aan denk wat in mij los.

Another great stay with the Tembe Tribe.

Tembe is a favorite destination on our Birding and Wildlife safaris to KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. It's a community partnership park, where the local people derive great benefits from the lodge and park, and it's great to support these types of operations. Tembe is a great birding destination, the only place in South Africa where one can see Plain-backed Sunbird. The Sand Forest habitat holds many other special birds, including a host of species endemic to South-eastern Africa. Thus, considering that Tembe is a full-board lodge with guided activities, it provides an 'easier' alternative for birders than does Ndumo or Mkuze Game Reserves, two of the top birding destinations in the province. Plus there's the thrill of big game encounters, and Elephants in particular of course. In terms of game viewing, I think it pays to look at reserves with a 'comparative advantage' mentality, in other words seeing what a particular reserve is good for and vising it for that reason. On a 'big five' comparison Tembe doesn't compare with reserves in the Greater Kruger region such as the Sabi Sand Game Reserve. Yes, they do have Lion and Leopard (the guides seemed to suggest to us on this visit that the Wild Dog pack had broken out of the reserve recently), but if your aim is to see and photograph big cats, then the Sabi Sand / Timbavati is the way to go. If you want to have great Elephant encounters and experience the Maputaland (as the northern tip of the province is called) ecosystems and associated fauna and flora, enjoy the hospitality of the Tembe people and experience something a bit different, then Tembe Elephant Park is a great place to stay. I've always enjoyed my time there...

Very affordable good standard, tented bush lodge with some of the best elephants in Africa

Very pleasant Park and tented lodges.
Varied scenery and terrain.
Good range of animals including Lions, Wild Dog, Leopard, Nyala and some of the best Tusker Elephants in Africa.
Plenty of food of good standards.