<p><b>Animal:</b> African elephant (<i>Loxodonta africana</i>)</p> <p><b>Average Life Span: </b>Up to 70 years</p> <p><b>Protection Status:</b> Vulnerable</p> <p><b> </b></p> <p>This image of an elephant herd bathing was taken near Kasane, in <a href="http://chobenationalpark.co.za/" target="_blank">Chobe National Park</a>. Chobe hosts one of Africa's largest concentrations of elephants, massive herds of which migrate seasonally between salt pans and floodplains.</p> <p><b> </b></p> <p><b>Geography:</b> The elephants shift seasonally from grasslands in the drier months (mid-April to October) to marshlands in the wetter months (November to early April). The region around the Chobe River is perhaps the best place in Botswana to spot them.</p> <p><b> </b></p> <p><b>Best Time of Year to View: </b>October is optimal for elephant viewing in the Chobe River area. Game viewing in Chobe is ideal during June and October because animals are drawn to permanent waterholes during the dry season.</p> <p><b> </b></p> <p><b>Where to Stay:</b> Situated within Chobe National Park, <a href="http://www.chobegamelodge.co.bw/" target="_blank">Chobe Game Lodge</a> is a smart choice to kick back and scan for elephants from a large terrace overlooking the Chobe River.</p> <p><b> </b></p> <p><b>Fun Facts:</b> The largest land animals on Earth, African elephants are distinguishable from Asian elephants by their large, flapping ears (which look a bit like the African continent). The elephant's trunk is a powerful tool, containing some 100,000 different muscles. Botswana hosts the largest herds of free-roaming elephants in Africa.</p>