The Elephant Sanctuary
The Elephant Sanctuary
4.5
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
7:30 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Elephant Sanctuary close to the Kruger National Park. Home to two orphaned African elephant bulls, Kasper and Kitso. Host four fully guided elephant interaction programs per day and some programs that can be added to them. Focus on a more personal and private elephant experience with smaller groups of guests. Perfect stop over when visiting the Kruger National Park or Lowveld.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
467 reviews
Excellent
291
Very good
109
Average
30
Poor
18
Terrible
19
Love2travelhere
San Diego, CA102 contributions
Sep 2023 • Family
Don't miss this up-close encounter with elephants. They are so intelligent. We visited twice. The head keeper said Tambo showed that he recognized us by our scent on the second visit. They know the names of their keepers and can execute 90+ commands! They are rescued elephants living in a huge sanctuary and cared for by skilled keepers.
Written 18 September 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kassy K
Killarney, Australia22 contributions
Aug 2022
OH, do not miss out on this in Hazyview.. I have been twice in 3 years coming from Australia, and made it mandatory to see big Tembo the huge Elephant again...Had an amazing Elephant experience.. The Guide that gives the talk is very knowledgable about all facets, you can touch the elephant and have photos taken , just an amazing experience to get up close and personal with these amazing animals. The Elephant handlers love these Elephants who are treated extremely well. Excellent visit, loved every minute.. Kids would just love this experience as well..
Written 30 August 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Nix N
Boksburg, South Africa26 contributions
Dec 2021 • Family
The Elephant Sanctuary reminds you that elephants are magnificent animals and should not be taken for granted. The guide was well versed and knew alot of elephant facts that was shared with the group. Elephants remain tranquil giants and it was an amazing experience for young and old.
Written 26 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
MonRSA
2 contributions
Dec 2021 • Couples
Interacting with elephants and all the guides was excellent lost of info amazing day will always remember this moment
Written 22 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Almari V
16 contributions
Oct 2021
TK was an excellent guide, his knowledge was very good. What an amazing experience with the elephants
Written 12 October 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Meshelliam
Columbus, OH17 contributions
Sep 2021 • Friends
Magical experience! The staff, atmosphere, and elephants were exceptional! If you love animals and want to connect with these gentle giants this is a must do! 🐘🐘
Written 23 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
martinuksa
Johannesburg, South Africa385 contributions
Sep 2021 • Couples
Excellent and knowledgeable staff offering a safe and exciting interaction with 2 bull elephants. Emphasis is on minimizing stress for the animals and both bulls (rescue animals) were in fantastic condition.
Well worth a visit.
Well worth a visit.
Written 18 September 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
hudsoncrider
257 contributions
Aug 2021
It was incredible getting to stand next to the largest land animal on earth! We went to The Elephant Sanctuary in Hazyview where they have rescued 11 elephants from around South Africa. Our guide started by teaching us about elephants, their habits, and their anatomy. Next, it was time to start feeding them! We got to feed two bull elephants. I knew elephants were big, but standing next to them made me realize just how gigantic they are! Although they are big, the two elephants that we fed were gentle giants. They loved having their trunks filled with food and even let us feel their thick skin and trunk. Our guides were incredible. They were very patient and also really took care of the elephants. It was an amazing experience that gave us so much more appreciation for these gentle giants!
Written 22 August 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Experience260152
1 contribution
Dec 2020
In March 2020 we booked and paid in full for our family of 5 to go to the Elephant Sanctuary in December 2020 as part of a South African holiday. Due to Covid restrictions we were unable to travel and cancelled our booking in November. We were told that we qualified for a full refund, and to please send our bank details, which we did. Despite chasing this up via email in December and April, we have received no refund. I have since emailed twice, filled in the form on their website and tried phoning them, but they have gone completely silent and not answering anything. In good faith we paid in full at the time of our booking. Big mistake!!
Written 25 June 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
cbf786
Johannesburg, South Africa2 contributions
Mar 2021
walking with the elephants
peaceful tranquility
service was great
elephants look awesome and healthy
our kind off scene
peaceful tranquility
service was great
elephants look awesome and healthy
our kind off scene
Written 21 March 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Good day cbf786
Thank you for your wonderful review and great rating.
We are happy you had a great time with us.
Looking forward to your next visit.
Written 22 April 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Bernardo N
Maputo, Mozambique
Boa noite
Como é que funciona isso eu quero jogar ou responder perguntas para ganhar dinheiro
Betina F
Ponta Grossa, PR83 contributions
Absurdo um " santuário " deixar as pessoas MONTAREM nos elefantes. Absurdo as pessoas não se informarem sobre isso . Evolução por favor . Parem de maltratar os animais .Existem no mundo poucos santuários , onde NINGUÉM sobe nos elefantes , pois eles sofrem qdo montados .
Explorer58106890336
Greater Johannesburg, South Africa
Couldn't agree more! People have no idea about what an elephant has to go through to be ridden. The absolute cruelty and horror... They BEAT them into submission. They torture and kill the baby elephant's spirit just so that a stupid human idiot can pay to ride it. How utterly cruel and greedy.
MGRL411
New York City, NY4 contributions
Why do you allow people to ride these elephants -- isnt that discouraged among elephants that are being rehabilitated?
VSunshineYum
Sandton, South Africa128 contributions
Isnt it funny how every elephant at a commercial "sanctuary" is an orphan...?
Please do not support any facility that offers animal interaction as this practice is inherently in conflict with animal welfare imperatives - true sanctuaries do not allow human imprinting on animals and actually do release them into the wild (and sadly, it is verified that the majority of the elephants performing at the top 5 elephant "sanctuaries" in South Africa are victims of kidnapping and welfare/elephant cruelty criminal cases (including current Knysna Elephant Park prosecution). Check out the WAP responsible tourism handbook and FairTrade Tourism Guidlelines for a safe and cruelty-free vacation!
Natalie B
8 contributions
bonjour. je me pose des questions sur les traitements faits a ces elephants pour garantir le spectacle. avez vous pu constater qu ils sont bien traites ? je dois m y rendre en juin et suis contre l exploitation des animaux par l jomme et ma fille encore plus ☺merci. natalie
Amandine D
Saint-Georges-de-Reneins, France21 contributions
Bonjour,
vous pouvez être rassuré c'est des animaux qui sont très bien traités. Ce sont des animaux qui étaient malade ou braconnés et qu'ils ont sauvés.
Profitez bien de votre voyage
Deegaug
Satellite Beach, FL
Where do they get the elephants? Are they rescues?
SanctuaryManagerHazy
Hazyview, South Africa
Dear Deegaug,
All the elephants at 3 Sanctuaries have been removed from the wild by a third party, the ellies eventually ended up with us.
The older male at the Hazyview Elephant Sanctuary was removed from the Kruger National Park during the culling in the early 90's. Himself and 2 other males were sold to a German couple who hand reared them in Namibia. Kasper, was left by himself, after the one was shot and one electrocuted itself. Kasper, became a 'problem' and the owners applied for a hunting licence. Luckily the Elephant Sanctuary group heard and intervened.
Kitso, out younger male's family was put down and himself and a few other young ellies were headed to zoo's and circuses outside the country. Again, the Sanctuary group stepped in.
Should you have any further questions, we'd be happy to assist.
Regards, the Sanctuary team
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Claim your listingTHE ELEPHANT SANCTUARY: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)
Frequently Asked Questions about The Elephant Sanctuary
- The Elephant Sanctuary is open:
- Sun - Sat 07:30 - 17:00
- Hotels near The Elephant Sanctuary:
- (0.35 km) ANEW Resort Hazyview Kruger Park
- (1.21 km) Ashbourne Country Escape
- (1.26 km) Idle & Wild
- (1.94 km) Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
- (2.20 km) Laughing Waters Guest House
- Restaurants near The Elephant Sanctuary:
- (0.35 km) Shiloh Coffee
- (1.48 km) Tanks Bush Pub
- (2.01 km) The River Café
- (4.89 km) Kuka Café
- (5.27 km) Pioneer's Grill