
Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg
Traveler rating
5.0/5
Based on 30 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg worth booking?
Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg is a 5-hour experience in Pretoria, South Africa, from $306 per person. It scores 70 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Strongly Recommended”, based on a 5/5 rating across 30 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 70 / 100
- Rating
- 5/5 (30)
- Duration
- 5 hours
- From
- $306 per person
Your friendly guide will pick you up directly from your hotel and transport you to the Elephant Sanctuary. As you look forward to seeing these majestic creatures, there is a tangible sense of anticipation in the air. You are welcomed by the sound of trumpeting elephants as you enter the sanctuary. Your tour guide takes you to an expansive area where numerous elephants are free to roam. You watch in astonishment as they interact with one another, pushing and swinging their trunks. You meet the elephant herd at the sanctuary and get to know each one's distinct character and background. You are touched by the staff's devotion to, love for, and efforts on behalf of these gentle giants. You go on a guided tour of the sanctuary, where you discover more about the origins of elephants in Africa and the difficulties they encounter in the wild. Your tour guide shares their love for these creatures, and you leave feeling motivated to do your part to contribute to their preservation.
What you get
About this experience
Your friendly guide will pick you up directly from your hotel and transport you to the Elephant Sanctuary. As you look forward to seeing these majestic creatures, there is a tangible sense of anticipation in the air. You are welcomed by the sound of trumpeting elephants as you enter the sanctuary. Your tour guide takes you to an expansive area where numerous elephants are free to roam. You watch in astonishment as they interact with one another, pushing and swinging their trunks. You meet the elephant herd at the sanctuary and get to know each one's distinct character and background. You are touched by the staff's devotion to, love for, and efforts on behalf of these gentle giants. You go on a guided tour of the sanctuary, where you discover more about the origins of elephants in Africa and the difficulties they encounter in the wild. Your tour guide shares their love for these creatures, and you leave feeling motivated to do your part to contribute to their preservation.
What's included
Included
- Hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg and surrounding areas, Sandton or Pretoria
- Driver/guide
- 2-hour elephant sanctuary tour
- Transport by air-conditioned minivan
Not included
- Food and drinks
- Lunch
What you'll see and do
Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeesport Dam
Visit the Elephant Sanctuary situated on the Northen slopes of the picturesque Magaliesburg mountains. The tour through the Elephant sanctuary takes about 2 hours. Here you will learn more from these big gentle giants. The African Elephant, much bigger than the Indian Elephant are fascinating and there is no better way to learn more from these animals than being at a world class establishment such as the sanctuary. On your tour you will view and learn more from these majestic animals and have the opportunity to take as many pictures of the elephants. Pick up will be from your hotel or guest house in Johannesburg, Sandton or Pretoria.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 13 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Deeprift Ventours
Know before you go
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
Photos






What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 30 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
7 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
The guide
4 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Organization
3 mentionsPickup, timing, and logistics are described as running smoothly.
Traveler reviews
30 verified traveler reviews for Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Great way to Experience the Elephant Sanctuary
The elephant sanctuary is well outside of Joburg so having Jason manage the pickup and logistics was a great convenience. Jason is easy to reach and very responsive. The pick up and drop off were smooth, the experience was great, and the elephants were awesome.
via Tripadvisor
This was the perfect way...
This was the perfect way to end my vacation with such close contact with these 4 beautiful elephants. Our guide was James and he was so personable, knowledgeable and friendly. I will never forget this experience!
via Viator
Highly Recommended
I would highly recommend Jason and Deeprift Ventours for any of your tours! I was transported from my hotel with ease and told significant information about Johannesburg along the drive to the incredible Elephant Sanctuary. Jason got me all checked in and then back to my hotel. He made the day so enjoyable! I would highly recommend them to anyone! Extremely professional and knowledgeable!!
Response from the operator: Dear Miriam, Thank you so much for your fantastic review and recommendation! It was an absolute pleasure taking you on your Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg. I’m delighted that you enjoyed the experience and appreciated the information I shared about Johannesburg along the way. Making sure our guests feel comfortable, safe and well looked after is always a priority at Deeprift Ventours. Thank you again for choosing us. I hope to welcome you back for another South African adventure! Kind regards, Jason Pollard Deeprift Ventours
via Tripadvisor
A fantastic day meeting these gentle giants 🐘
An excellent day meeting these wonderful gentle giants. Jason collected us from the hotel, he was super friendly and knowledgeable making our journey to the sanctuary very relaxing and fun. The tour guides were great at the sanctuary, super knowledgeable and friendly, James was a great host or the experience with these gentle giants. I would highly recommend going on this trip you won’t regret it, it’s made fantastic and beautiful memories. Thank you Jason and everyone at the sanctuary. 🇿🇦🐘
via Viator
A fantastic day out meeting these gentle giants 🐘
An excellent day meeting these wonderful gentle giants, Jason collected us from the hotel , he was super friendly and knowledgeable making our journey to the sanctuary very relaxing and fun. The tour guides were great at the sanctuary, super knowledgeable and friendly and James was a great host for the experience with these gentle giants. I highly recommended going on this trip you won’t forgot it. It’s made fantastic and beautiful memories. Thank you Jason and everyone at the sanctuary🐘.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 5 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $306 to $7,250
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 11
- Verdict
- Strongly Recommended
Who runs this experience
Operated by Deeprift Ventours, who run 12 experiences we rank across 2 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 69.0.
See everything Deeprift Ventours runsWhy this scores 70
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Pretoria.
How much does Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg cost?
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Prices start at $306 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Pretoria usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg take?
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Plan for about 5 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Pretoria is not rushed.
Is Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 70 out of 100, which we label "Strongly Recommended". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 30 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Pretoria, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 5-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg?
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Around 11 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Pretoria can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Pretoria and add a light layer if any part of the 5-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Pretoria within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Pretoria?
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On Outty we rank every Pretoria experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Soweto Cultural Walking Tour with Lunch, Guided Bicycle Tour of Soweto with Lunch, Johannesburg and Soweto tour. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Pretoria?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Pretoria?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg?
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Included: Hotel pickup and drop-off from Johannesburg and surrounding areas, Sandton or Pretoria; Driver/guide; 2-hour elephant sanctuary tour; and Transport by air-conditioned minivan. Not included: Food and drinks; and Lunch. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 692 listed pickup locations in and around Pretoria. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg if the weather is bad?
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It generally runs rain or shine, so dress for the forecast in Pretoria. Standard cancellation terms apply: free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start.
What do travelers say about Elephant Sanctuary Tour from Johannesburg?
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Across 30 reviews averaging 5.0 out of 5, recurring themes include knowledge and storytelling, the guide, organization. Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
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