knysna elephant park / plettenberg bay
09:00 – 15:30
Restaurant
Curio Shop
Sun tan oil
Hat
Knysna Elephant Park is situated +/- 10.3 km from Mount Castleton, along South Africa’s Garden Route.
Established in 1994, the Knysna Elephant Park holds the distinction of being the pioneering facility in South Africa dedicated to the shelter and care of orphaned African elephants. Throughout the course of the past two decades, this park has played a crucial role in nurturing and raising over forty elephants. Among these majestic creatures are those that were relocated, orphaned as calves, and rescued from culling operations. While some have integrated into the resident herd, others have been transferred to various reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, based on factors such as their individual personalities, relationships with other animals, and welfare requirements.
At present, the Knysna Elephant Park is home to a herd of five elephants, making it the largest domesticated matriarchal herd in the entire country. The park’s distinctive management approach allows visitors to intimately engage with these magnificent creatures, all while adhering to the elephants’ natural behavior and preferences. The interactions facilitated are both responsible and educational, enabling guests to truly appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals. However, the park also prioritizes the elephants’ autonomy by granting them the freedom to choose their movements, food preferences, and interactions with others. By eliminating fences that could disrupt close encounters, the park creates an environment that encourages the elephants to exhibit their innate behaviors and natural instincts.

