Elephants live wild in forests across India, notably in the hills of the south, where they may often be sighted in the teak jungles and around the margins of tea estates lining the borders of Kerala, Karnataka and Tamil Nadu – the so-called ‘Nilgiri Biosphere’. It is estimated that the current population is somewhere between 28,000 and 32,000. Your chances of a sighting are excellent if you pick your spot carefully.

Our consultants know which reserves currently claim the highest numbers and our naturalist-guides on the ground will know how to maximize your chances. Tholpetty and Muthanga in Wayanad (northern Kerala) are both dependable options, while Nagarhole in the mountains of Karnataka offers the best all-round wilderness experience in the region.