Advertisement
Adventures with Elephants

Adventures with Elephants

Adventures with Elephants
5
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Located on a beautiful wildlife reserve just an hour and a half's drive from Pretoria and adjacent to the Zebula Golf Estate & Spa, Adventures with Elephants invites you into the elephant’s world for an unrivaled hands-on educational interaction that introduces you to our gentle giants! Learn from the team’s in-depth knowledge and share in their passion for this special herd of elephants. Join us for this unique and extraordinary experience that will leave you humbled and moved. Please contact us for information on our educational interactions, additional activities such as Bathing & Nature walks with elephants, elephant game viewing experience, romance in the bush, photography, filming and other tailor-made activities.
Duration: 1-2 hours
Does not meet animal welfare guidelines
Tripadvisor does not provide bookings for this experience because it does not meet our animal welfare guidelines.
Suggest edits to improve what we show.
Improve this listing
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.

Top ways to experience Adventures with Elephants and nearby attractions

The area
Address
Reach out directly
See what travellers are saying
  • carin2024
    Pretoria, South Africa1 contribution
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Swimming with an elephant
    We booked an Elephant SPA experience for my daughter and 2 friends for her 16th birthday. According to her it was the highlight of her year. All her friends absolutely loved it as well. How privileged we are to have this experience and rehabilitation centre in South Africa. The staff was friendly and professional.
    Thank you for this wonderful review and we are delighted to hear that your daughter had such a wonderful time. Thank you for choosing to share the special day with us! Kind regards The AWE Team
    Written 14 February 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited January 2024
    Travelled with family
    Written 24 January 2024
  • Brett D
    10 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Amazing Experience at Adventures With Elephants.
    Ok so this was an amazing place and very informative Staff. The Elephant naturally stole the show, showing their keen sense of smell and memory. To be able to get close to these great creatures is beyond words. I will be taking away great Great GREAT memories from this and all my Adventures on Safari in South Africa. Keep up the great work Guys.
    Thank you so much! We are delighted to hear that you loved your time here with these beautiful animals and of course South Africa. We hope to see you again one day. Kind regards The AWE Team
    Written 14 February 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited February 2024
    Travelled solo
    Written 1 February 2024
  • Blue Heeler
    Brisbane, Australia777 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Terrific time
    I was part of a team that brought 14 people to experience elephants close hand. Congrats to Sean and his team for providing a wonderful experience and being so good-natured. His handlers are certainly up to the task and were very pleasant to deal with. While my guests enjoyed the encounter and a walk with the elephants, my wife and I enjoyed chatting to Sean and gaining insights about conservation in South africa. I cannot understand one negative review that suggests these were circus trained elephants. I have experienced rescued elephants several times in Southeast Asia including Thailand and Malaysia and although they are all different species, one can only marvel at the intelligence of these wonderful creatures. One can also get a good close look at other animals such as ostrich, wildebeest and nyala. Sean and his crew are doing a great job and a visit to this property is highly recommended.
    Thank you so much for this review and we greatly appreciate your honest, raw feedback. Thank you so much for visiting us and we do hope to see you again in the future. Kind regards The AWE team
    Written 2 July 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited June 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 2 July 2024
  • carol r
    9 contributions
    5.0 of 5 bubbles
    Wonderful Experience.
    Great experience. We were in a small group of 5 for the Educational hour and it was really lovely, especially as we had some time to sit on the terrace overlooking the beautiful waterhole and surroundings beforehand. I was a little concerned that it could be 'circus' like , with the animals having been taught 'tricks', but it just managed to stay within the boundaries. The only downside is the cost of transport to get there. 350 Rand per person, payable in cash only, for a relatively short return trip to our Lodge.
    Thank you so much for your review, we really appreciate your comments and feedback and that you had a wonderful time. I am sorry re the cost of transport, please note that this is an external company and not part of Adventures with Elephants. However, to comment for them, I think that the cost they charge needs to reflect the taxi driving out from Bela Bela town to your lodge and then back to town again (well over an hour round trip of driving). As we are so located so remotely, we sadly do not have any taxi services locally to us and as such a Bela Bela service is used. I hope this helps a little and thank you again. Kind regards The AWE Team
    Written 8 December 2024
    This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
    Visited October 2024
    Travelled with friends
    Written 6 November 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Popular mentions

5.0
5.0 of 5 bubbles550 reviews
Excellent
495
Very good
45
Average
7
Poor
1
Terrible
2

kayakhiker60
9 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020
Our family had the opportunity for a ZOOM experience with elephants. What a great experience in this time when we are so distanced. Sean was very good at accommodating questions and showing elephants in their own world. I would love to be able to personally go in the future. Thank you.
Written 18 July 2020
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.
Hello & thank you so much for this lovely review! We are delighted that we could bring the elephants to you & look forward to hosting you in person in the not too distant future (we hope!) Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 20 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Sandrelle
Utah157 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Nov 2022 • Solo
Right from the start you can tell these elephants are cared for and loved like family. There is a beautiful mutual trust between the elephants and their caretakers. Adventures with Elephants mission is conservation through education, as elephant populations have been on the decline due to poaching and loss of habitat. You will leave with a new found love of these gentle giants and tell everyone you meet how incredible they are. It’s a soul-filling experience that I will never forget! Sign up for the elephant bath, and Chavo will swing you around in the water! One of the coolest and most unique experiences ever!
Written 22 November 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.
We are delighted that you loved every moment here with these wonderful animals and walked away with more knowledge about conservation. Thank you so much for visiting us! Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 2 December 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Penelope breen
3 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jan 2023 • Couples
Wonderful once in a lifetime experience! Beautiful well looked after elephants, that have an amazing bond with their handlers/trainers. Can highly recommend a visit and a swim with these amazing animals! David is such an enthusiastic and knowledgeable host introducing everyone to each animal individually, with their background stories, quirks, and loads of general info on elephants. We went and swam with them, it was incredible! Please put this on your bucket list!
Written 23 January 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.
Thank you so much for this wonderful review :) We really appreciate it and delighted that you had such a wonderful experience with us. We hope to see you again! Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 20 March 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

matsatsi27
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Family
This was the time of my life; learning about the great elephant, coming so close to them made me realize how vulnerable yet sweet they are. I’m definitely going to recommend this place. Wonderful experience with great ambiance
Written 6 May 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.
Thank you so much for this lovely review! We are so pleased that you just loved your time here and will recommend us in the future. Thank you for your support. Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 8 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Penny H
Australia2 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2022
I had a beautiful interactive experience with these magnificent animals. Whilst I loved the interactive time, it was just amazing to be quite and wander through the bush with them and observe them in their natural environment. The guides are great, funny and incredibly knowledgeable about the elephants in their care.
Written 3 July 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.
Thank you for this lovely review. We are so happy that you loved your time with these wonderful animals and especially enjoyed the bush walk. Thank you again! Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 12 July 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Hlahlasilas
Polokwane, South Africa1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jun 2022
My wife was booked at Zebula golf estate for a work related retreat and requested me to join her. While she worked I had time to get to know the sorrounding area. That's when I got to know my new my new friends... The friendly elephants.
Written 19 June 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.
Thank you for your review and great to hear that you enjoyed spending time with these wonderful ellies! Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 20 June 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

brucegilson84
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2021 • Family
What an outstanding morning had by all and incredible amount that was learnt by the adults as well as the kids.
To see that they are also brought from nature and once done allowed back into their natural habitat.

Thankyou to all the staff and for making the experience one that we will never forget.
Written 3 May 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.
Thank you for this lovely review & we are delighted to read that you loved your time here with these wonderful elephants. Thank you for the support. Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 5 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

officeciherbst
Vereeniging, South Africa1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Feb 2021 • Family
Well presented. Toilets immaculate. Staff very friendly. Layout good. Did not realise how interesting elephants are. Interaction with the ellies was amazing and exciting. I have recommended Adventures with Elephants to friend of mine in Netherlands.
Written 15 February 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.
Thank you very much for your review and we are beyond delighted that you enjoyed your time here at Adventures with Elephants. Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 11 March 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

ShaksieBo
Johannesburg, South Africa19 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2021
I have always been fascinated by these gentle giants. Elephants are truly teachers! They have characteristics which are soulful and profound. If only mankind would learn from the animals, plants and environment which they share on planet Earth! This was a wonderful, well-organised and beautifully presented experience. The timing and length of the presentation was just right too. I enjoyed it immensely. Thank you!
Written 5 May 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.
Thank you for this beautifully written review. We are beyond delighted that you enjoyed your time here with these wonderful animals. Indeed they are the true teachers! Thank you for your support. Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 8 May 2021
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Caitlin
1 contribution
5.0 of 5 bubbles
Jul 2020 • Friends
Amazing! In times of Covid-19 the virtual zoom learning experience was incredible. Sean was informative and witty, I love that all the information was easy to understand for all ages! Although I highly suggest the in-person experiment the virtual one was well worth it! It was great to see the elephants! Good quality video and audio.

Thank you guys for all that you do! Can’t wait to return in person😊
Written 17 July 2020
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.
Hello & thank you so much! We are delighted that you enjoyed your online session & we agree, we love to show people our wonderful elephants in person, but also grateful that we can adapt during these horrible times :( We are so looking forward to hosting you again in person soon! Thank you again for all your support. Kind regards The AWE Team
Written 20 July 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Showing results 11-20 of 532
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing

ADVENTURES WITH ELEPHANTS (2025) All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

All Bela Bela HotelsBela Bela Hotel DealsLast Minute Hotels in Bela Bela
All things to do in Bela Bela
RestaurantsFlightsHoliday HomesTravel StoriesCruisesCar Hire