elephant sanctuary plett

🐘 Elephant Sanctuary - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route

Your Unforgettable Wildlife Adventure!

The Elephant Sanctuary in The Crags near Plettenberg Bay on the Garden Route is a fun, family-friendly, exciting wildlife experience that lets you get up close and personal with African elephants — perfect for families, couples, romantic getaways, honeymoons, road trips, and bucket-list adventure seekers. This outdoor, all-weather activity connects you with majestic elephants through interactive tours and educational experiences in a natural setting just south of the Tsitsikamma forests.

🐘 About the Experience

The sanctuary offers guided wildlife interactions where you can:

Walk trunk-in-hand with elephants, touch and feed the gentle giants 🐾
Learn about elephant anatomy, behaviour and care
Participate in Elephant Brush-Down Experience Tours (08:00 or 15:30 daily) — brushing and interacting with elephants for about 90 minutes
Take part in half-day or full-day keeper programs where you experience “a day in the life of an elephant”, including feeding, care, Q&A and learning elephant husbandry

Tours run every day starting from 08:00 to 15:30 with booking essential due to limited group sizes.

🌿 Why Visit?

This interactive nature activity is:

Family friendly & educational- kids (4 yrs+) can join many experiences.
Romantic & memorable for couples on honeymoon walk with elephants and share incredible photos and moments.
Perfect on rainy or sunny days tours operate in all weather.
Part of wildlife experiences on the Garden Route alongside hiking, beaches, safari stops and more.

🕐 Operating Times

Guided Tours: Daily at multiple times between 08:00 – 15:30 (book ahead)
Brush-Down Experiences: 07:30 & 15:30 every day (booking essential)

📍 Location: Animal Alley, The Crags, Off the N2 near Nature’s Valley, next to Monkeyland.
📞 Contact: +27 44 534 8145
🌐 Website: https://www.plettenbergbay.elephantsanctuary.co.za/
📧 Email: (via website contact form)

⭐️ Customer Reviews Highlights (Latest from Google/TripAdvisor)

“Unforgettable family day walking hand in trunk, feeding them, and learning about their personalities. Staff were friendly & knowledgeable.”
“Amazing time on our honeymoon as Elephant Keepers for a Day. The experience of a lifetime!”
“Truly special connection with the elephants kids loved it and staff were welcoming.”
“One of the most magical wildlife experiences would recommend to anyone.”
“Great interactive experience perfect for animal lovers and up-close interaction.”

🍽️ Nearby Top Restaurants

🍴 Best Local Eats

Peppermill Cafe Plettenberg Bay – (~5 km) Rustic café with hearty meals and friendly service — great for lunch or breakfast after a wildlife outing.
The Sanctuary Restaurant – (~16 km) Stylish central restaurant offering contemporary dishes & coastal flavours, ideal for dinner.
Cafe Civara – (~16 km) Charming café with artisanal coffee and brunch in Plettenberg Bay town centre.
The Lookout – (~16 km) Ocean-view restaurant with seafood & modern dishes — perfect for sunset dinners.
Barrington's Plettenberg Bay – (~16 km) Brewpub and eatery with craft beer and relaxed vibes after adventure.

🚜 Nearby Farm Stalls & Local Stops

Natures Way Farm Stall – Fresh produce, bakes & deli goods; classic Garden Route stop near The Crags.
Thyme and Again Farmstall – Popular farm stall with jams, gifts and snacks along the N2.
Elephant Walk Farm Stall – Roadside stop for local crafts, snacks and goods en route to Plettenberg Bay.