Wildlife Sanctuary Visits in South Africa: Our 10, in Order

1.Monkeyland Guided Tour in Plettenberg Bay

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 134 reviews · from $24Our pick

Spend 45 minutes to an hour walking through Monkeyland’s 30-acre sanctuary near Plettenberg Bay. A guide such as Elano may explain the biology, habits, and rescue work behind the 550 apes, monkeys, and lemurs. Small groups of up to 16 make it easier to hear the commentary, while advance booking helps secure entry in high season.

“What a great couple of hours exploring all 3 parks. Monkeyland - our tour guide Elano was very knowledgeable, educating us on the various primates within the sanctuary. Good to see the work being done to ensure the primates live a happy and safe life. Well done to all Read more”

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2.Monkeyland, Birds of Eden, Jukani – Animal Sanctuaries

★★★★★★★★★★4.7 · 106 reviews · 1 - 3 days · from $23

Choose one or all three animal sanctuaries near Plettenberg Bay. Monkeyland offers a one-hour guided forest walk among more than 550 primates, Birds of Eden has a 1.2-kilometer self-guided aviary trail, and Jukani features a 90-minute guided walk with rescued lions, tigers, leopards, and other wildlife.

“Tour war toll. Man kann es auch einfach am Eingang kaufen. Ganz spontan. Dann hat man alle Zeit der Welt die 3 Einrichtungen zu besuchen. Man muss gar nix vorher reservieren oder kaufen. Es verfällt auch nicht”

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3.Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary Admission with Guided Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 50 reviews · from $24

Walk through Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary with a professional guide such as Xola, Elvis, Riko, or Bazil. The 90-minute tour visits rescued lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, cheetahs, pumas, and local wildlife. Groups are capped at 16, and afternoon visits may offer better animal activity.

“We booked the Boma and night tour with wildcats. Our experience was good but there were quite a few frustrations.”

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4.World of Birds & Animal Sanctuary

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 30 reviews · 1 day · from $10Best value

Spend a full day at World of Birds in Hout Bay, home to more than 400 bird species across 100 aviaries. You can see penguins, parrots, flamingos, eagles, baboons, meerkats, and reptiles, then walk through Monkey Jungle for a chance to meet Squirrel Monkeys. Aviary guides are available, and the park is wheelchair accessible.

“Beautiful bird and monkey park. Also nice for little rainy days. We enjoyed a lot and the price is more than fair!”

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5.The Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary.

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 16 reviews · 5 hours - 330 minutes · from $68

Meet elephants at close range, feed and brush them, walk beside one, and pose for photos before visiting playful monkeys. Itani Tours and Transfers provides hotel pickup, an English-speaking driver guide, transport, and water. The sanctuary fees are separate, so budget carefully before booking.

“Loved this place!! We did both the monkeys and elephants. The monkeys were everywhere! They were so friendly except when they tried to open a tour members bag and take stuff out! The elephant experience was off the charts! We literally walking with them! The guides helped to take some amazing pictures. This is a must - do activity!!”

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6.Moholoholo Rehabilitation Centre

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 11 reviews · 4 hours · from $40

Travel from a Hoedspruit retail centre to Moholoholo with an English-speaking guide. You get a close look at animals receiving care, hear the story behind each one, and learn why some can return to the wild while others need permanent sanctuary. The small group is limited to 10 people.

“I love everything about it, the detailed story about each animal 🤗”

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7.Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 4 reviews · 5 hours · from $245Top rated

Travel from Johannesburg, Sandton, Rosebank, or Pretoria to the Elephant Sanctuary near Hartbeespoortdam. In a small group of up to 13, you’ll feed and walk beside elephants, hear about their behavior and conservation, and return to your hotel with an English-speaking guide.

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8.Elephant & Monkey Santuary with Lion Park Tour

★★★★★★★★★★4.6 · 3 reviews · 10 hours · from $373

This 10-hour small-group tour takes you from Johannesburg to Lion and Safari Park for a two-hour game drive, then to the Elephant Sanctuary in Hartbeespoort for a guided elephant visit and a one-hour monkey tour. Hotel pickup, drop-off, and an English-speaking guide are included. Lunch needs confirming before you book.

“The elephant and monkey sanctuary were incredible. The monkeys were pets that people had abandoned and the sanctuary takes care of them in large treed area. The elephants are also rescues. You get to feed, walk, and touch the elephants. We really enjoyed this part of the tour. Why I didn’t give this tour 5 stars is because it includes lunch, but we never received a lunch. I am hoping the company will contact me to refund me the lunch portion of the tour price that we did not receive. The lion park was also sad and the ethics were questionable. Please do your research before going to the Lion…”

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9.Johannesburg: Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 6 hours · from $235

Travel from Johannesburg to Hartbeespoort in an air-conditioned Toyota Fortuner for a two-hour elephant education and feeding session, followed by an hour with monkeys in a forest canopy sanctuary. Transfers, entry fees, and bottled water are included. The 08:30 pickup is strict.

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10.South Africa from Joburg: Elephant Sanctuary Half Day Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · 5 hours · from $265

Spend five hours traveling from your hotel to Hartbeespoort’s Elephant Sanctuary, where professional handlers introduce you to the elephants through feeding, close contact, guided walks, and anatomy lessons. The small group is limited to 10 people, and entry tickets are paid separately at the sanctuary.

“The Ultimate Elephants Experience. It was a one on one experience with feeding the Elephants and touching ears, stomach and even feet of the elephant!" I thought I was a doctor! The elephants even give you a kiss. It is an enjoyable lifetime experience shared with all ages. It''s a guarantee Elephant enjoyment. I will definitely take any opportunity to experience it again!!”

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