Elephant & Monkey Santuary with Lion Park Tour

The most unusual part of this day is the sheer mix of wildlife. You move from a two-hour lion-park safari to rescued elephants and abandoned pet monkeys in a single outing, with Johannesburg pickup and return included. It is a long day, but it gives you three very different animal experiences without arranging separate tours.

I like the close contact at the Elephant Sanctuary, where you can feed, walk with, and touch the elephants. I also like the monkey visit, set in a large treed area for animals that people could no longer keep. The small group, limited to 15 people, should make the English-guided visits easier to follow.

The main concern is the Lion and Safari Park. One account praised the safari but questioned the space and animal ethics, so I would research the park before paying the $373 price. Also, lunch is described differently in the tour information, so confirm exactly what is supplied.

Key points to know before booking

• Three wildlife stops in one day: You visit Lion and Safari Park, the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort, and the Monkey Sanctuary.
• A full 10-hour outing: Pickup is planned for about 8 a.m., with return to Johannesburg around 5 p.m.
• Hands-on elephant visit: The guided elephant portion includes feeding, walking with, and touching the rescued elephants.
• Monkeys with a human backstory: The sanctuary cares for monkeys that were abandoned after being kept as pets.
• Small-group transport: The group is limited to 15 people, and pickup and drop-off in Johannesburg are included.
• Check the lunch arrangement: One part of the information says lunch is included, while another says it is not. Get a clear answer before booking.

Three kinds of wildlife in one Johannesburg day

This tour is built for you if your time in Johannesburg is limited but you want more than a standard game drive. The day links three attractions in the North West area, with the guide handling the driving and timing.

The attractions are not interchangeable. The lion park is a safari-style stop, the elephant visit is a guided encounter, and the monkey sanctuary is focused on care and rehabilitation. That variety is the strength of the day, but it also means the experience can feel less like a traditional wildlife reserve and more like a series of managed animal visits.

The published price is $373 per person. That is a serious sum, so the value depends on what matters to you. You are paying for a full day, transportation from Johannesburg, a live English-speaking guide, three guided wildlife activities, and a small group capped at 15 people.

If you booked each part separately, you would also need to arrange transport between Johannesburg, the Lion and Safari Park, and Hartbeespoort. The convenience has real value, especially if you do not have a rental car. Still, I would compare the price with other private or small-group safari options before committing.

Starting from Johannesburg at about 8 a.m.

The day begins with pickup at your Johannesburg accommodation or agreed pickup point. The schedule allows roughly 1.5 hours in the van before the first major stop, though the tour description also notes that Lion and Safari Park is about 40 minutes from Sandton hotels. Exact driving time will depend on your pickup location and traffic.

That early departure matters. You have a long route ahead, and the itinerary places the lion safari first, followed by lunch, the elephant visit, the monkey tour, and the return drive. Bring water, sun protection, and a light layer for the vehicle. Drinks are not included, and the tour does not list alcoholic drinks as part of the package.

The group limit of 15 people is a useful middle ground. You are not in a large coach, but you should not expect a private guide devoted only to your party. Pickup times may also vary depending on where everyone is staying.

Two hours at Lion and Safari Park

The first main activity is a two-hour game drive at Lion and Safari Park. This is the part of the day most likely to feel like a classic safari, with time in a vehicle and a chance to see the park’s wildlife under the direction of your guide.

The safari received strong praise for being exciting, but there is an important ethical question to consider. One detailed account found the lion area concerning and felt the animals had limited space. That does not automatically tell you what your own visit will be like, but it is enough reason to research the park’s current animal-care policies before booking.

I would treat this stop as a managed wildlife attraction rather than assume it offers the same setting or standards as a large conservation reserve. If animal welfare is central to your trip, ask the operator for current details about the lion enclosures, breeding policies, and visitor contact rules.

The two-hour duration is generous enough to give the guide time to search for animals and explain what you are seeing. It also creates the day’s first time constraint. After the drive, you continue to lunch and then travel onward to Hartbeespoort, so this is not a flexible, slow-paced safari.

Lunch needs a clear answer

The schedule allows about 30 minutes for lunch at a local restaurant. That is a short stop, designed to keep the day moving rather than offer a long meal.

Here is the practical problem: the tour description says lunch is included in one place, but the included-items section says lunch and drinks are not included. One person paid for the tour and did not receive lunch, asking for the meal portion to be refunded. Because of this conflict, contact Africa Moja Tours & Safaris before booking and ask three direct questions:

• Is a meal included in the $373 price?
• If so, what type of meal is provided?
• Should you bring cash or pay separately at the restaurant?

Even if lunch is supplied, drinks are specifically listed as not included. Plan to pay for those yourself. If you have dietary needs, the available information does not confirm special meal options, so ask before the tour date.

Meeting rescued elephants in Hartbeespoort

After lunch, the van continues for about 45 minutes to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort. The guided elephant portion is listed as two hours in the highlights and three hours in the detailed schedule, so confirm the exact timing when you book. Either way, this is the central activity of the second half of the day.

The elephants are rescues, and the visit includes feeding, walking with, and touching them. That hands-on format is likely to be the most memorable part for many people, especially families and anyone who has never been close to an elephant.

I would keep your expectations clear. This is not a wild elephant sighting from a safari vehicle. It is a structured sanctuary encounter, where the animals and people meet under staff supervision. Some people may prefer the closeness and educational value, while others may feel that direct contact with wildlife is not the right model.

The supplied information also includes a caution from someone who expected a different kind of sanctuary. That is useful advice. Before booking, look up the Elephant Sanctuary’s current approach to rescue, care, breeding, visitor contact, and elephant work. The word sanctuary alone does not tell you how an operation functions.

Still, the elephant stop is highly praised for the quality of the interaction. You should have time to do more than take a quick photograph. Feeding and walking with the elephants give the visit a clear structure, while the guide explains how to approach and behave around them.

A one-hour visit with former pet monkeys

The Monkey Sanctuary follows the elephant program and lasts about one hour. The monkeys there were abandoned after being kept as pets, and the sanctuary cares for them in a large treed area.

That backstory gives this stop a different purpose from the lion park. You are not simply looking for animals in an enclosure. You are learning about the problems created when wild animals are treated as household pets, then left without a safe place to go.

The setting may also feel more natural than a small display area. The available details describe a large, tree-filled space, though they do not specify which monkey species you will see or how close you can get. Follow the guide’s instructions and do not assume that an animal accustomed to people is safe to touch.

The monkey visit earned the strongest personal praise in the available feedback. That makes sense: the combination of rescued animals, a clear conservation message, and a more open setting can give the stop emotional weight. It is also a good reason not to think of this as only a lion and elephant outing.

The long ride back to Johannesburg

Once the monkey tour finishes, the itinerary allows about 1.5 hours for the return to Johannesburg. The scheduled drop-off is around 5 p.m., although traffic and the number of pickups can affect the final arrival time.

A 10-hour day with several road sections will test your energy. I would not plan a demanding evening activity after this tour. The packed schedule is useful if you want to see a lot in one day, but it leaves little room for delays, long meals, or extra time at any one attraction.

The van transfers are part of the value. You do not need to navigate unfamiliar roads or find parking at multiple attractions. The trade-off is that you give up control over the pace and spend a fair amount of the day in transit.

Is $373 a fair price?

At $373 per person, this is not a budget outing. The price makes the most sense for you if you value hotel pickup, a small group, a live guide, and the ability to combine three attractions without arranging separate transport.

The price is harder to justify if you mainly want a traditional safari. In that case, a dedicated game-drive experience may give you more time in a reserve and less time moving between attractions. This tour is better understood as a packed wildlife sampler.

The lunch confusion also affects value. If lunch is included, the package is easier to assess. If it is not included, you will need to add the meal and drinks to the total cost. Ask for written confirmation so there are no surprises.

The free-cancellation policy allows cancellation up to 24 hours before departure for a full refund, and you can reserve now and pay later. Those terms make it easier to hold a place while you check the sanctuary and lion park policies. The tour is offered in English, with a small group of no more than 15 people.

Pregnant women are advised not to take this activity. The supplied details do not give further accessibility information, so ask the provider directly if you have mobility concerns or need specific transport arrangements.

Who should book this wildlife combination?

I would recommend this day to you if you want variety and convenience more than a slow safari. It suits first-time visitors to Johannesburg, families with older children, and anyone who wants close encounters with elephants and a meaningful monkey sanctuary visit.

It is also a practical choice if you are staying in Johannesburg and do not want to rent a car. Pickup, drop-off, and the guide remove much of the planning work.

I would hesitate if you are highly focused on animal welfare and do not want to support attractions with close-contact programs or questionable enclosure standards. Research the Lion and Safari Park and the Elephant Sanctuary first, then decide if their policies fit your values.

I would also avoid booking until the lunch issue is resolved. A 10-hour day needs reliable food planning, especially when drinks are not included.

Should you book the Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary with Lion Park Tour?

Book it if you want a full day with three distinct wildlife stops, especially the hands-on elephant visit and the rescued monkey sanctuary. The small group, Johannesburg transport, and English guide make a complicated day simple to manage.

Do not book it blindly. The $373 cost is high, lunch details are inconsistent, and the lion park deserves your own ethics check. If those points are settled to your satisfaction, this can be a memorable wildlife day. If not, choose a tour centered on a single reputable reserve and spend more time there.

FAQ

How long does the tour last?

The tour lasts about 10 hours. Pickup begins around 8 a.m., and return to your Johannesburg pickup point is planned for about 5 p.m.

Where does pickup take place?

Pickup and drop-off are provided in Johannesburg, including pickup from your establishment or accommodation.

How long is the lion safari?

The Lion and Safari Park visit includes a two-hour game drive.

How long is the elephant tour?

The highlights describe a two-hour elephant tour, while the detailed schedule lists three hours for the guided Elephant Sanctuary visit. Confirm the exact duration with the provider.

How long is the monkey sanctuary visit?

The monkey tour lasts one hour.

Is lunch included?

The information is inconsistent. One description says lunch is included, while the included-items section says lunch is not included. Confirm this with Africa Moja Tours & Safaris before booking. Drinks are not included.

Is the tour suitable for pregnant women?

No. Pregnant women are listed as unsuitable for this activity.

What language is the tour offered in?

The tour has a live English-speaking guide.