Tusker Elephants: Your chance to witness the giants of Amboseli
Imagine standing in silence on the golden plains of Kenya’s Amboseli National Park. The first light of dawn glows behind Mount Kilimanjaro, and in the distance, a lone figure moves slowly. Instantly you know that this animal is large, powerful, majestic.
You raise your camera as he approaches. An elephant, massive, weathered, ancient-looking. But not just any elephant. A tusker elephant – one of Africa’s last true giants.
With fewer than 30 tusker elephants left in the wild today, witnessing one up close is one of the most moving and unforgettable wildlife experiences you can have, and photographing one is an extraordinary privilege.
In September 2025, you could be there photographing tusker elephants while on safari with me and my small group in Amboseli.
Related: Amboseli National Park, Kenya: An Exciting New Photo Safari Tour
What Is a Tusker Elephant?
Tusker elephants are African elephants (usually older bulls) with extraordinarily long tusks. These are often so long that they often scrape the ground.
Sadly, these magnificent males are incredibly rare due to decades of poaching and habitat loss.
Facts about tusker elephants:
Their tusks can weigh over 100 pounds (45 kg) each.
Amboseli tuskers are typically over 40 years old, having survived the threats that kill many elephants before reaching maturity.
Only an estimated 20–30 true tuskers remain in the wild today.
Amboseli National Park is one of the only places left on Earth where tusker elephants are regularly seen and photographed.
These animals are living relics of a wilder Africa and a symbol of strength and survival.
Why Amboseli is the ultimate destination to see tusker elephants
Amboseli is known as "The Land of Giants" for good reason. Its wide, open landscapes, seasonal marshes, and the striking backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro make it an ideal stage to observe and photograph elephants, including some of Africa’s last great tuskers and biggest tuskers in the world.
Here’s why Amboseli stands out:
It’s home to large tusker elephants like Craig, Tolstoy, and formerly Tim — legendary tuskers who have been closely studied and protected.
Thanks to decades of research by the Amboseli Trust for Elephants, the big tusker population here is not only thriving but also incredibly well understood, increasing chances of meaningful sightings.
The unobstructed terrain allows for breathtaking compositions, perfect for photographers who dream of capturing the scale and majesty of these giants.
A small-group safari designed for photographing the tuskers
The Amboseli photo tour I am leading in Amboseli in September 2025s is more than just a safari trip. It will be an intimate photographic experience led by award-winning wildlife photographers and experienced safari guides.
What makes this safari unique?
Small group size ensures personal guidance and space at sightings.
Expert wildlife photography tuition on light, composition, and technique throughout the trip.
Access to both Amboseli National Park and the Elephant Gardens Conservancy—a private reserve with just one camp and exclusive access to big bull elephants, often including tuskers.
Unlike crowded national parks where sightings are shared by multiple vehicles, this tour allows you to spend quiet, uninterrupted time with these gentle giants, capturing their presence with purpose and respect.
Tusker sightings are getting rarer
Tuskers are disappearing. Many have fallen victim to ivory poaching. Opportunities to see one, let alone photograph one, in the wild are growing fewer each year.
This 2025 photo safari offers one of the last best chances to experience these icons of Africa in the right way: ethically, intimately, and artistically. And with only a few places remaining, this could be your once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Book your place to see tusker elephants this September
If a trip to Amboseli and sightings of tusker elephants are on your bucket list, this is your chance. You’ll return with unforgettable images, get to travel and learn from respected wildlife photographers and be part of a safari that values and supports conservation and ethical tourism.
Get in touch ASAP to secure one of the final places on this unforgettable photographic journey to Amboseli.
David
