The Elephant Sanctuary, Hazyview: Hours, Address, The Elephant Sanctuary Reviews: 4.5/5
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.
Suggested duration
1-2 hours
Features animals
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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
465 reviews
Excellent
289
Very good
109
Average
30
Poor
18
Terrible
19
Nix N
Boksburg, South Africa26 contributions
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.
MonRSA
2 contributions
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.
Almari V
16 contributions
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.
Meshelliam
Columbus, OH16 contributions
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.
martinuksa
Johannesburg, South Africa382 contributions
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.
hudsoncrider
253 contributions
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.
Experience260152
1 contribution
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.
cbf786
Johannesburg, South Africa2 contributions
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.
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.
Nthabiseng
1 contribution
Family
The experience was outstanding, Only to be scammed to pay for the video which we never received. We have sent emails, called and requested for refund, not still no success.
Written 31 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Good day Siyengn
Thank you for your review.
I do apologize that your video was not send on time but I do recall from the notifications that you successfully downloaded the video of your experience on the 4th of January 2021.
Thank you.
Written 13 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
AdNauseum
Toronto, Canada25 contributions
The pride and joy of a trip to South Africa.
Yes, folks, this place was my most wonderful experience while in South Africa.
We were the only two people at the time. It was like a private tour. It was UNREAL. I asked before (not sure where on tripadvisor) about places like this and of course the answer given is we would be supporting cruelty to animals in favor of entertainment. That is pure BS! I watched these 2 magnificent elephants carefully. They showed no signs of abuse at all. They showed contentment. Life is NOT PERFECT. Life isn't intended to be perfect.
When I stood in front of these magnificent elephants I was in AWE! They could kill me in an instant, considering I was hugging the trunk and kissing him. But instead he ended up kissing me after removing my U.S. Air Force cap!
There is nothing like it. And the people that work there, were fantastic! Treated me very nice and were just so good to be with.
The 'classroom' session will teach you a lot about elephants and I think its so worth while. You will learn a fair amount about elephants in a relatively short time.
Really, I can't tell you in this just how wonderful the ENTIRE experience was. Would we go back to the same place for the same experience, ABSOLUTELY!
And don't listen to people that say the sanctuary is bad for elephants. You will see for yourself, if you go, those elephants and NOT unhappy.
Yes, folks, this place was my most wonderful experience while in South Africa.
We were the only two people at the time. It was like a private tour. It was UNREAL. I asked before (not sure where on tripadvisor) about places like this and of course the answer given is we would be supporting cruelty to animals in favor of entertainment. That is pure BS! I watched these 2 magnificent elephants carefully. They showed no signs of abuse at all. They showed contentment. Life is NOT PERFECT. Life isn't intended to be perfect.
When I stood in front of these magnificent elephants I was in AWE! They could kill me in an instant, considering I was hugging the trunk and kissing him. But instead he ended up kissing me after removing my U.S. Air Force cap!
There is nothing like it. And the people that work there, were fantastic! Treated me very nice and were just so good to be with.
The 'classroom' session will teach you a lot about elephants and I think its so worth while. You will learn a fair amount about elephants in a relatively short time.
Really, I can't tell you in this just how wonderful the ENTIRE experience was. Would we go back to the same place for the same experience, ABSOLUTELY!
And don't listen to people that say the sanctuary is bad for elephants. You will see for yourself, if you go, those elephants and NOT unhappy.
Written 31 December 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
Good day AdNauseum
Thank you for your great rating and wonderful review.
We are very gladly you had such a wonderful experience and satisfied with our facility.
I will pass your compliments on to the rest of the team.
Thank you again and hope to see you in the future again.
Kind regards
Written 13 January 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Betina F
Ponta Grossa, PR81 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, NY3 contributions
Why do you allow people to ride these elephants -- isnt that discouraged among elephants that are being rehabilitated?
VSunshineYum
Sandton, South Africa112 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, France16 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
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) aha Casa do Sol
- (1.21 km) Ashbourne Country Escape
- (1.26 km) Idle & Wild
- (2.20 km) Laughing Waters Guest House
- (1.94 km) Summerfields Rose Retreat & Spa
- 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 Restaurant and Cocktail Lounge
- (5.27 km) Pioneer's Grill