The Elephant Sanctuary Hartbeespoort
The Elephant Sanctuary of Hartbeespoort Dam is the perfect place to get up close to Africa’s most magnificent animal.
The Sanctuary is surrounded by natural indigenous bush and is home to Impala, Klipspringer, Baboons, Porcupine, Caracal, Leopard, a host of other small mammals, 350 bird species and, of course, five magnificent African Elephants.
The Elephant Sanctuary is a “half-way house” for several young African Elephants that have been kept in captivity and so cannot look after themselves in the wild. The sanctuary provides a reserve area for them where they can still roam like wild elephants, but at the same time be taken care of until they have adjusted enough to be released. These young friendly elephants are tame, gentle and used to a great deal of interaction with humans. Visitors to the sanctuary can walk with the elephants or even ride them, and these interactions fund the sanctuary.
Getting there
From Johannesburg: Take the Brits R512 to Hartbeespoort Dam. Cross the Hartbeespoort dam over the open bridge and turn right at the T-junction. At the four-way stop at the Craft Market turn left and travel 2.5km to The Elephant Sanctuary on the left.
From Pretoria: Follow route to Hartbeespoort Dam. Travel through tunnel. At the four-way stop at the Craft Market, continue 2.5km to the entrance.
Traveling to the Garden Route? Remember to pay us a visit at our sister sanctuary in Plettenberg Bay.