Most elephant safaris begin at waterholes or along game tracks where bulls leave spoor. Professional hunters and trackers follow fresh tracks on foot until they locate the herd; unlike many species, elephants are rarely hunted from vehicles. Tracking may take hours across savannahs, mopane forest or semi‑arid bush, and hunters must be ready for close encounters with animals that can weigh several tonnes. The prime season is the dry period from May–October when vegetation is sparse and elephants concentrate around water sources. During this time visibility is better, spoor is fresher and hunters can approach quietly for a clear shot.

Elephant hunting is legal in several southern‑African countries and is tightly regulated. Hunters must secure permits and abide by quotas set by wildlife authorities to ensure sustainable use. Fees and licence revenues fund anti‑poaching operations, habitat management and community projects. By removing only older, non‑breeding bulls, hunting helps balance elephant populations with available habitat while discouraging illegal poaching. This regulated approach allows countries such as Namibia, Zimbabwe and Botswana to maintain robust elephant populations and protect large tracts of wilderness.