Elephant Encounters at Victoria Falls: Ethical Operators & Prices

Elephant encounters near Victoria Falls have evolved significantly over the past decade, shifting from riding-focused “elephant back safaris” toward interaction and education programs that prioritise animal welfare. The two main operators near Victoria Falls — Wild Horizons Elephant Camp and Elephant Express at Jafuta Estate — now offer experiences based on walking alongside elephants, feeding and close observation, and ranger-led conservation education. This guide explains what each operator offers, exactly what you will pay, the ethical considerations involved, and which experience we recommend.

The Ethical Landscape of Elephant Tourism

There is genuine debate in the conservation community about any form of human-elephant interaction in captivity, and informed visitors should be aware of it. The key questions to ask any operator are:

1. What is the origin of each elephant? (Orphaned, rescued, or wild-captured?)
2. Are elephants free-contact (handlers can touch them at all times) or protected-contact (handlers work through barriers)?
3. Is riding offered? (Riding requires breaking natural behaviour — most ethical operators no longer offer it)
4. Are elephants confined in bomas overnight or given large roaming areas?

The Victoria Falls operators have moved meaningfully toward better standards, though this is not a black-and-white picture. We cover what each offers as of 2026.

Wild Horizons Elephant Camp

Wild Horizons operates the most established elephant program on the Zimbabwe side of Victoria Falls. Their herd of approximately 12–15 elephants was built primarily from orphaned animals — young elephants that lost their mothers to culling operations in the 1980s and 1990s Zimbabwean government control programs, as well as some rescues from subsequent drought events.

Wild Horizons has moved away from elephant back riding in recent years (following pressure from the international conservation community) and now focuses on an Elephant Encounter format:

Wild Horizons Elephant Encounter (recommended)

• Duration: Approximately 3 hours including transfers from Victoria Falls town
• Price: Approximately USD 125–155 per person (as of 2026)
• What’s included: Hotel pickup, vehicle transfer to elephant camp (approx. 20 minutes from town), ranger briefing on elephant behaviour and conservation, 45–60 minutes of direct interaction with the herd (feeding, touching, learning individual elephant names and histories), short walk alongside elephants in the bush, light refreshments

Highlights of the Wild Horizons experience:

• Elephants are walked through a large area of natural bush each day; the encounter takes place in this natural setting rather than a concrete enclosure
• Rangers explain each elephant’s history, personality, and the physical signs of emotion and communication
• Photography is unrestricted — this is one of the most popular activities for photographers and families in the Victoria Falls area

Wild Horizons Elephant Back Safari (still available)

Wild Horizons still offers elephant riding for visitors who specifically request it, at approximately USD 145–175 per person for a 45-minute ride. We recommend the Encounter over the Back Safari on welfare grounds — research consistently shows that bearing weight is physically stressful for elephants over a working lifetime.

Booking: Wild Horizons can be booked directly through their office in Victoria Falls town, through most Victoria Falls hotels, or through Shearwater Adventures (which holds a booking partnership). Advance booking of 24 hours is sufficient outside peak season; book 3–5 days ahead in July–September.

Elephant Express — Jafuta Estate

The second main operator, based at Jafuta Estate approximately 15km outside Victoria Falls. Jafuta is a private wildlife estate and the elephant program here is smaller — approximately 8–10 elephants — with a more intimate feel.

Elephant Walk Experience

• Duration: 3–3.5 hours including transfer
• Price: Approximately USD 115–145 per person
• What’s included: Transfer from Victoria Falls, ranger briefing, feeding session, guided bush walk alongside elephants (30–40 minutes), sundowner drinks at the estate viewpoint

Jafuta’s format is similar to Wild Horizons’ Encounter but with a slightly smaller herd and a more informal atmosphere. Groups are typically capped at 8–10 visitors per session, keeping the experience personal.

Jafuta also offers a Full Day Elephant Experience (approximately USD 225–275 per person) that includes a morning interaction, game drive on the estate, lunch, afternoon elephant swim in the Zambezi (seasonal), and sundowners. This is the premium version and is particularly good for families with children or dedicated wildlife photography.

Elephant Swimming Experience

Seasonal (typically February to June when the Zambezi is at flood level and temperature is suitable). Both Wild Horizons and Jafuta Estate offer elephant swimming experiences in the Zambezi River where visitors wade in alongside the elephants. These are among the most photographed experiences in Victoria Falls but availability is limited by water conditions and season. Cost adds approximately USD 40–60 on top of standard encounter pricing.

What to Wear and Bring

• Comfortable clothing (the session involves outdoor walking; neutral colours preferred but not required)
• Closed shoes or sandals that can get dusty
• Camera — this is a photography-rich experience; no specialist equipment needed
• Sunscreen and hat
• Nothing red or strongly scented (some handlers advise against strongly scented perfume around the herd)

Children are welcome at both operators. Minimum age is typically 6 years old for direct interaction. Check with your operator as policies vary.

Best Season

Elephant encounters operate year-round. The dry season (May–October) gives the best conditions — lower grass, cleaner bush walks, lower humidity. The rainy season (November–April) can see mud and afternoon showers affecting the experience, though the lush green landscape is visually attractive for photography. Operations rarely cancel due to weather.

The peak demand period is July–September when southern African school holidays overlap with the international high season for Zimbabwe tourism. Book further in advance in this window.

Getting to Elephant Encounters

Both operators offer pickup from Victoria Falls town hotels, which is included in the activity price. Independent travellers can also self-drive to the respective camps. Wild Horizons camp is approximately 20 minutes from Victoria Falls town centre; Jafuta Estate is approximately 15–20 minutes in the opposite direction.

A Note on Zambia-Side Operators

If you are based in Livingstone (Zambia), Elephant Encounters Livingstone operates a similar program on the Zambia bank of the Zambezi. Prices are comparable (USD 120–160 per person) and the operation is well-regarded. All logistics apply similarly — book through your Livingstone lodge.

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An elephant encounter at Victoria Falls is not a wilderness experience — these are habituated animals managed by professional handlers, and visitors should approach it with that context clearly in mind. Within those parameters, it is a memorable and emotionally resonant activity, particularly for families with children and for visitors with a conservation interest who want to understand the complicated realities of managing elephants outside their natural wild range.