Elephant Sanctuary.

Elephant Sanctuary:

Situated in the Magaliesberg Mountains, at only one hour from Johannesburg and Pretoria, The Elephant Sanctuary at Hartbeespoort Dam lies in a malaria-free area surrounded by natural indigenous bush and is home to impala, klipspringer, baboons, porcupine, caracal, leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and, of course, four magnificent African Elephants.

The Elephant Sanctuary provides a “halfway house” for young African elephants in need of a temporary home. It is the only operation in South Africa that provides for elephants in this way. The vision of the sanctuary is to release all the elephants into an environment where they can be more independent once they are older.

Tours.

8am (morning) elephant educational program
Duration: 8:00 to 9:45, approx 1.45hours.
Please note: gate opens at 7:50 and the program starts at 8:00.

10am (morning) elephant educational program
Duration: approx 2.5hours (lunch optional extra).
Please note: gate opens at 9:45, program starts at 10:00.
Pre-booked lunch: (3 course buffet)

2pm (afternoon) elephant educational program
Duration: approx 2.5hours
Please note: gate opens at 13:45, program starts at 14:00.

2pm (afternoon) elephant educational program with dinner
This tour is available on request and the rates are different from the normal 2pm afternoon tour.
Duration: approx 7 hours.
Please note, gate opens at 13.45, program starts at 14:00 and ends at 21:00.

Please note that a 100% deposit is required when booking a dinner with the 14:00 program.

Overnight elephant experience program
Duration: 16:00 to 10:00 the next morning.
Please note that a 100% deposit is required when booking the overnight elephant experience program.
This tour is available on request and the rates are different from the other tours.

Tours description.

All programs are similar but some differences will apply depending of the time of the day and the activities related to the elephants daily routine.

Guests are guided in small groups on foot through The Elephant Sanctuary.
In all programs you will have the opportunity to walk trunk-in-hand with the elephants and interact with them in the forest area.
You can see the special relationship that the elephant handlers share with their elephants and become a part of the experience.
Guides provide in-depth information and insight into African elephants, their habits and personalities.

Guests will also learn about elephants’ anatomy, have the opportunity to feed them and, by spending time with them, form a relationship and bond with the elephants.

If you are lucky and it’s a hot day, you may even see the elephants swimming.

You can enjoy a drink from the cash bar on the main deck before the tour starts.
Pre-booked lunches are served on the deck overlooking the elephant enclosure.

Elephant back ridingmtuk
This is an add-on to the programs above
Rates: R250 per child (8 -14 years) and R350 per adult.

A short educational ride that lets you experience elephants from a different perspective – a privilege historically reserved for kings!
Elephant back rides may be added on to any of the day programs or the elephant overnight experiences.

Elephant rides to be booked when paying for the program.

Please note: this is only for fit and adventurous guests and we do not take any responsibility for any injuries directly or indirectly caused by this activity. Children must be older than 8 (eight) years of age to ride.

What to wear: Flat walking shoes are recommended, a camera is of most importance to capture this once in a life time experience with the elephants.

Sun hats and sun screen recommended in the afternoon tours.
Jeans are best if you decide to go on an elephant ride.

Special educational programs are available on request for corporate events and corporate team building functions.
The guests are made fully aware of the details and information of the educational programs and have to sign an indemnity before participating in the program. The Sanctuary provides the best elephant handler team and expertise available to manage the elephant interaction to be safe and enjoyable.