Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
![]()
...form an orderly line please! (Image adapted). © Alex Wright, License![]()
...waiting for food?? Knysna Elephant Park. (Image adapted). © TravelingOtter, License
Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Knysna Elephant Park, located between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay in the Garden Route of South Africa, is renowned for providing a safe haven for orphaned and rescued elephants. Established in 1994, it was the first facility in South Africa to offer rescued elephants a controlled, free-range environment. Visitors to the park can enjoy close-up encounters with the elephants, including feeding and walking alongside these gentle giants. The park is dedicated to elephant conservation, education, and research, striving to enhance public awareness about these majestic creatures. It also collaborates with wildlife organizations to promote the welfare and protection of elephants in South Africa.
Knysna Elephant Park offers the following experiences:
Be touched by an elephant Tour
Tours leave on the half hour every day from 08h30 to 16h30 from the informative visitors centre and video viewing room. Guests are transported to the elephants by tractor and trailer where they will have the opportunity to touch, feed and photograph the gentle giants. Guests have a 45 - min stay (longer if you wish!)
Elephant Back Rides
A once in a lifetime opportunity to ride one of these incredible creatures. Enjoy spectacular views of the Outeniqua mountain range as you ride next to pristine Knysna forest and through indigenous Cape fynbos. This amazing experience is rounded off with refreshments at the lapa.
Elephant Walks
Experience the famous Knysna forest alongside the African elephants. Enjoy a nature walk through the fynbos at elephant pace - the guides will relate interesting and informative stories while you follow in the footsteps of these incredible creatures. Round off this spiritual experience with refreshments at the lapa.
Exclusive Sunrise/Sunset Rides and Walks
Enjoy a spectacular African sunrise or sunset with the elephants to keep you company. This private safari ensures you will have the have the elephants all to yourselves for that extra special occasion. Refreshments are enjoyed at the lapa, overlooking pristine indigenous forest.
Weddings and Functions
The functions venue is beautifully situated at the edge of pristine indigenous forest and overlooks the Outeniqua and Tsitsikamma mountain ranges. The Lapa and chapel can accommodate up to 100 guests. A vast deck and equipped kitchen complete the facilities. The resident herd of elephants will pay tribute to your function if you wish. There is nothing more wonderful than a special occasion being blessed by these gentle giants.
Location of Knysna Elephant Park:
Between Knysna (22 kilometres) and Plettenberg Bay (9 kilometres) on the N2
For more information about Knysna Elephant Park:
Website: https://knysnaelephantpark.co.za
Knysna Elephant Park is open 365 days a year, from 08:30 - 17:00.
Accommodation Near Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route
Cape Robin Self Catering Villa Plettenberg Bay
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
4.3km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteCape Robin offers luxury self catering accommodation options, nestled in indigenous vegetation - including fynbos - with beautiful views of the Robberg Peninsula, the ocean and the Tsitsikamma Mountains in the distance. Adjacent to the local golf... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Earl's View
Self Catering House, Cottage, Chalet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
4.4km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteThis exclusive luxury holiday villa with its breathtaking views offers exclusive self-catering accommodation and is ideally situated to offer privacy as well as convenience. Spacious, airy & open plan living area flowing out onto a large, sunny pool. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
River Club Villa 41
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteThe River Club Villas is a sought after complex in Plettenberg Bay. This well appointed open plan 3 bedroom all en-suite garden unit is ideal for the family getaway. Only 10 minute walk to Beacon Island beach. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Thanda Vista
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.2km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteIntimate, exclusive and private, Thanda Vista offers 5 luxury en-suite bedrooms. A guest lounge with library, music centre and desk-top computer (with free Wi-Fi broadband Internet access); a breakfast room with magnificent views of the Bay... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Cornerway House
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.4km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteBed and breakfast and self catering accommodation. There are five individually decorated bedrooms all of which have there own private entrance. All have en-suite bathrooms with fridge, tea and real coffee, TV, a safe, fans for the summer and heating... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Sunshowers Plett
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.5km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteSunshowers Plett is a modern, spacious and relaxing self-catering accommodation establishment in Plettenberg Bay. Offers seaviews from the upper penthouse. All apartments a mere 75 steps away from the Keursboom Lagoon beach. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Ocean Watch Guest House
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.5km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteOcean Watch Guest House is perfectly nestled against the coastal hillside of the beautiful Plettenberg Bay, an ideal spot to enjoy whale and dolphin watching. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Milkwood Manor on Sea
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.5km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteDirect access from the Manor to the beach, lagoon and ocean offers guests a unique location and experience. Most of the 11 en-suite bedrooms in this Georgian-styled delightful 4-star guest house have a private balcony and exquisite, uninterrupted... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Gästehaus Pinkepank
Bed & Breakfast Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.6km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RouteWe welcome you to our guesthouse, which has modern and highly equipped double rooms, in best position of Plettenberg Bay. We settled down in a quiet side street in which one is protected against the wind. Robberg Island... …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
Plett Beachfront Accommodation
Self Catering Apartment, Flatlet Accommodation in Plettenberg Bay
5.8km from Knysna Elephant Park - Plettenberg Bay, Garden RoutePlett Beachfront Accommodation offers comfortable, tastefully decorated en-suite self catering and bed and breakfast accommodation, right on Plettenberg Bay's Central Beach, the safest of the town's swimming beaches. …see more for bookings / enquiries and info.
- Plettenberg Bay Country Club - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (3.28km)
- Plettenberg Bay Airport - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (4.45km)
- Keurboomsriver Mouth - nr Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (5.59km)
- Goose Valley Golf Club - Plettenberg Bay (6.52km)
- Nelson Bay Cave - Robberg Nature Reserve, Plettenberg Bay (7.83km)
- Keurbooms River Nature Reserve - Keurboomstrand, Garden Route (9.18km)
- Robberg Nature Reserve - Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (9.72km)
- Harkerville Trail - between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay (10.13km)
- Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary - The Crags, Plettenberg Bay (13.20km)
- Arch Rock Private Reserve - Keurboomstrand (15.36km)
- Brackenburn Private Nature Reserve - The Crags (16.51km)
- Lawnwood Snake Sanctuary - nr Plettenberg Bay, Garden Route (17.52km)
- Monkeyland and Birds of Eden - The Crags, Plettenberg Bay (18.10km)
- Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation & Awareness Centre - nr Plettenberg Bay (18.78km)
- Prince Alfred's Pass - Garden Route, Western Cape (18.92km)
