Tembe Elephant Park

Tembe was proclaimed in 1983 to protect elephants that moved back and forth across the Mozambique border. The herd that settled here retained genetics for very large tusks, and the park became known for big tuskers - bulls carrying ivory of a size that has been hunted out of most of the continent, with individuals like Isilo, the largest tusker in the southern hemisphere until his death in 2014, becoming known by name. The park covers about 300 square kilometres and has a bird list of more than 340 species. The habitat is unusual too: sand forest, a dry closed-canopy woodland on ancient dunes, found only in this corner of southern Africa and holding species that live nowhere else, including the suni, a tiny antelope. Roads inside are deep sand and 4x4 only, so most visitors are driven on guided vehicles. There is a hide at a waterhole where elephants come in close, and the park is run in partnership with the Tembe community, which owns the land.

The landscape

• The big tuskers - elephants carrying ivory of a size now rare across Africa.
• The sand forest - a closed-canopy dune woodland found only in this region.
• The suni - a tiny antelope restricted to this habitat.
• The community ownership - a park run in partnership with the Tembe people who own it.

When to go

May to September. Two days. Summer is hot and humid.

Before you go

Roads are deep sand and genuinely need 4x4 - most people take the guided drives. Big tuskers are old animals and sightings are not guaranteed. Accommodation is limited to one lodge and a camp.

Nearby

Ndumo is west; Kosi Bay and the Maputaland coast are east.

Key facts