Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg

Visit the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort with Deeprift Ventours, departing from Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosebank or Pretoria. Your package includes accommodation pickup and drop-off, air-conditioned transport, sanctuary admission and a guided elephant interaction.

Spend approximately 1½–2 hours at the sanctuary learning about African elephants from its guides and caretakers. The programme includes supervised opportunities to feed, touch and walk alongside the elephants, following staff instructions throughout the visit.

Allow approximately five hours for the complete excursion, including return transfers. Choose a 06:00 or 08:00 pickup, subject to availability and confirmation of your accommodation address.

Your elephant sanctuary experience

The visit takes place at a managed sanctuary in the Hartbeespoort area. Its guided programme combines learning about elephant behaviour and anatomy with supervised interaction.

Sanctuary staff lead the elephant experience. Your Deeprift driver-guide handles the journey to and from your accommodation. Bring comfortable walking shoes and a camera, and follow the sanctuary team’s instructions when approaching or interacting with an elephant.

Transfers are usually private but may be shared, depending on bookings. If an exclusive transfer is important to you, request it before booking and obtain confirmation.

Frequently asked questions

Which elephant sanctuary will we visit?

This tour visits the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort, in the Magaliesberg area. Your booking includes transport from your agreed pickup address and admission to the sanctuary programme.

How long does the tour take?

Allow approximately five hours for the full excursion, including transfers. Time at the sanctuary is approximately 1½–2 hours. Traffic, your accommodation address and the day’s arrangements can affect the total duration.

What time is pickup?

Available pickup times are 06:00 and 08:00, subject to availability. These are accommodation pickup times. Provide your full address when booking so we can confirm your collection arrangements.

Where can you collect us?

Pickup is available from hotels, guest houses, Airbnb accommodation and private addresses in Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosebank and Pretoria. Contact us before booking if you are unsure whether your address is covered.

Can we feed, touch and walk with the elephants?

The sanctuary programme includes supervised elephant interactions. Follow the guides’ instructions about approaching, feeding, touching and walking with the animals. Activities are managed by sanctuary staff and may be adjusted on the day.

Is this a safari with wild elephants?

This is a guided visit to a managed elephant sanctuary. It focuses on education and supervised interaction. If you want to observe elephants roaming in a game reserve, ask us about a safari experience instead.

Can children join, and what do they pay?

Children are welcome with an accompanying adult. Children under four join free. Our booking calendar currently lists child tickets for ages four to thirteen and adult tickets from age fourteen.

Contact us before booking with a child under four so we can record every passenger and confirm suitable transport and child-seat arrangements.

Will our transfer be private or shared?

Transfers are usually private but may be shared, depending on bookings. Exclusive transport must be requested and confirmed. A private transfer does not automatically include a private sanctuary programme.

What does the price include?

The package includes return accommodation transfers, air-conditioned transport, a driver-guide, sanctuary admission and the guided elephant experience. Food, drinks and lunch are not included.

How much does the tour cost?

Select your date, time and all paying guests in the booking calendar to see the applicable total before confirming. Contact us about children under four or a guaranteed private transfer so we can confirm the complete arrangements.

Is the tour wheelchair or stroller accessible?

This package is not wheelchair or stroller accessible. The sanctuary experience takes place on foot. Contact us before booking to discuss walking difficulties or other mobility needs.

What should we wear and bring?

Wear flat, comfortable walking shoes and clothing suitable for an outdoor visit. Bring a hat, sunscreen, a camera and a light jacket for the early start. Keep personal belongings secure during the interaction.

Are photographs allowed?

Bring a camera or phone and follow the sanctuary guides’ instructions about when and where to take photographs. Photography must not interfere with the activity or staff directions.

Does this tour include the Monkey Sanctuary?

This package covers the elephant sanctuary experience. We also offer a separate Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary Tour . Choose that package if you want both activities, and check its inclusions and duration before booking.

Can we do this tour before a flight?

Contact us with your flight details before booking. We need to assess your pickup address, selected departure, expected return and airport arrangements. A five-hour estimate should not be treated as a guaranteed airport arrival time.

What is the cancellation policy?

You may cancel for a full refund up to 24 hours before the scheduled tour start time. Cancellations after that deadline are non-refundable. Cancellation deadlines use South African local time.

Book your elephant sanctuary tour

Choose your date, pickup time and number of paying guests in the booking calendar. Check the total before confirming.

For help, WhatsApp Deeprift Ventours on +27 82 476 4175. Include your accommodation address, preferred date, number of adults and every child’s age.