Majestic barely does justice to the largest mammals that walk the earth or swim the oceans and seeing them in the wild is truly awe inspiring.

From the giant herds of northern Botswana to the super tuskers of Tsavo, forest elephants at Dzangha Bai, Namibian desert elephants and Amboseli matriarchs under the shadow of Kilimanjaro; it is impossible to spend time with elephants and not be effected by their intricate communication, presence and deep social connection.

The whales of the world are now protected although their ocean home remains under threat. The colder waters of Africa’s coastline however continue to provide incredible sightings; of southern right whales in the seas off Hermanus, orcas in South Africa’s False Bay and humpbacks singing and breaching in the Gulf of Guinea or off the coast of Madagascar.

Brought back from the edge of extinction, Africa’s two rhino species have become flagship animals. While finding rhinos in the wild remains tricky, there are many privately managed areas protecting them and the conservancies of the Sabi Sands and Laikipia are among the best.