The Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary.

If you want wildlife contact that feels personal, this Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary setup is hard to beat. The day mixes a scenic Johannesburg-area drive with hands-on time where you can feed and brush elephants and then get close enough to interact with monkeys.

I especially like the structure of the experience. You do the elephant activity first, with time for feeding, brushing, and photos, then you switch to the monkey session where the action is constant and playful. Another thing I like: the small-group feel and the included pickup across popular Johannesburg areas.

One consideration before you book, the price you pay up front does not cover the sanctuary entry fees. You’ll pay those separately on-site, so check your budget for both elephant and monkey activities (or just one).

Key highlights at a glance

• Walk up close to elephants, with feeding, brushing, and guided picture time
• Touch and brush elephant skin, not just watch from a distance
• Monkey close-range interaction, including the chance for them to sit on your shoulders
• Photo support from your guide, so you’re not stuck trying to pose solo
• Small group and hotel pickup from multiple Johannesburg and airport areas
• Scenic drive through the Magaliesburg mountain ranges and past Hartbeespoort Dam

A half-day drive with Johannesburg pickup and Magaliesburg scenery

This tour starts with pickup from a wide set of points around Johannesburg, including areas like Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch, Houghton, Kempton Park, and the O.R. Tambo area. If you’re staying in the city, it’s designed to pick you up from convenient locations and then drop you back at the end at your hotel or another chosen spot.

The drive itself is part of the payoff. You’ll pass through both affluent neighborhoods and townships depending on your pickup area, then you’ll see the Magaliesburg mountain ranges and go by Hartbeespoort Dam. There’s also an optional coffee stop along the way, which is a nice buffer if you’re starting the day hungry or if you want a quick break before you get hands-on with the animals.

The route matters because it sets expectations. This isn’t a drive-through safari. You’re going somewhere that expects you to follow handler instructions, keep belongings secure, and show up ready to be close to animals.

Elephant time: feeding, brushing, and walking in front of the animals

When the elephants time starts, the focus is simple: interaction, not observation. You’ll get a chance to feed the elephants, then you’ll move into brushing. Brushing is the moment that most people remember, because it turns elephants from distant giants into living, textured animals with a thick, real skin you can feel.

From there, you’ll enjoy walking closer. The experience is described as being able to walk in front of one of the Big Five animals, and for many visitors that’s the emotional center of the day. It’s a rare feeling, standing in their space with a guide and handlers managing the pace and safety.

Photos are built into the experience too. Your guide will help you pose and capture good pictures and video alongside the elephants. That’s important because close-up wildlife time is fast. If you wait until the last minute to think about photos, you’ll often miss the best moments.

Practical note: the elephant portion asks you to comply with handler directions at all times. You’re not just walking around freely. You’ll be following cues for where to stand, when to move, and how to behave in close proximity.

Big Five style proximity: why the walking part matters

Lots of wildlife experiences show animals up close. This one goes a step further by emphasizing walking closer rather than just standing at a fence. That changes how the day feels.

When you’re walking in the animals’ proximity, you tend to notice details you miss from afar. The elephants’ calm body language, their pace, and the way their attention shifts as the handlers guide the group all become part of your experience. It also helps you understand that elephants are not props. They respond to what’s happening around them, including people moving carefully in a coordinated way.

The other value of the proximity is how it helps with your understanding. The day includes time that you can connect with through the guide’s explanations, including context about the animals and the environment you’re in. Even if you already know a bit about elephants, brushing and feeding makes the facts stick.

Monkey interaction rules: close-range play, shoulder sits, and photo chances

After elephants, you switch to the monkey tour, and this is where the pace changes. Monkeys are described as funny, sometimes friendly, and sometimes mischievous. The key point is that you’ll be seeing them from very close range and spending time playing with them.

There’s a specific kind of contact you should be prepared for. The soft touch of the monkeys is part of the experience, and they can sit on your shoulders and rub your neck. If you like animals and you’re comfortable staying still enough for them to interact, this is the section that can feel surprisingly intimate.

It’s also the section where you need to be most careful with your belongings. The instructions are clear: keep sunglasses, wallets, and hats safe. Handbags and backpacks should be zipped up, since monkeys can get curious and can try to open items. It’s not about being paranoid, it’s about keeping your stuff secure so you can enjoy the interaction without interruptions.

Photo-wise, this part can be excellent. Monkeys can sometimes pose for pictures, which is why it helps to have your camera ready and your phone charged.

The guide and small-group feel: Thabelo Thathani, picture help, and Q&A

This experience is run with a driver guide and transport included, and it’s listed as having small-group availability. A small group matters because elephant and monkey sessions are hands-on. Fewer people usually means smoother movement, better timing, and more manageable safety.

You may also find a big difference between tours when it comes to photo support. The elephant and monkey activities both include time for posing and capturing videos and pictures, and the guide is part of that success. One guide name that has been specifically noted for politeness and for accompanying guests from the meeting point at the hotel is Thabelo Thathani. Even if you don’t get the same guide, that emphasis on guidance is part of what makes the day work.

On the way back, you’ll also get more information about South Africa, including history and culture, plus a chance to ask questions. That is a smart add-on. Wildlife time gives you emotion, and the explanation gives you context.

Timing, duration, and what a 5-hour day feels like

The scheduled duration is 5 hours, listed as 330 minutes. That sounds like a clean half-day, but remember it includes both the drive and the sanctuary time.

The day moves in a sequence:

1. Pickup and city-area departure
2. Scenic drive with possible coffee stop
3. Elephant activity including feeding, brushing, and close walking with picture time
4. Monkey activity with close-range interaction and lots of movement
5. Return drive with cultural Q&A and drop-off

Because the tour is timed, you’ll want to show up prepared. Wear closed-toe shoes, bring sunscreen, and pack your essentials the night before. If you’re missing something simple like a charged smartphone or hand sanitizer, it can waste minutes you really want for elephant and monkey moments.

Cost and value: what $68 includes and what you pay separately

Here’s the part you should calculate before you fall in love with the idea.

The tour price is listed at $68 per person and it includes:

• Driver guide
• Transport
• One bottle of water per guest

Not included are the sanctuary entry fees and personal expenses like:

• Elephant and monkey sanctuary entry fees (paid directly)
• Food, snacks, and drinks

The entry fees are listed as:

• For both elephant and monkey activities: R1,795 per person
• Elephant activity only: R1,595 per person
• Monkey activity only: R550 per person

Value comes from how the day is built. If you’re looking for hands-on contact and guided proximity, you’re paying for interaction plus transport plus a guide who helps you with posing. If you only want casual animal viewing, the separate entry fees might feel like extra spend. But if your goal is real contact, it often feels like money well used because the “doing” is the main event.

If you’re trying to budget, decide early whether you want both activities or just one. That choice can make your final cost fit your trip better.

What to bring for comfort and safety

The packing list is practical, and you’ll feel it once you’re in the interaction zones.

Bring:

• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes
• Warm clothing (even if the day starts mild)
• Sunglasses and sunscreen
• A sun hat
• A camera and a charged smartphone
• Personal medication
• Hand sanitizer or tissues
• Passport, and a passport copy is accepted
• Credit card (useful since you pay sanctuary entry fees directly and can use a card)

Also note the rules about bags. The information states bags are not allowed, and it also says hand bags and back packs must be zipped up. I’d treat that as a sign to travel light. Keep only essentials, use zippers, and don’t bring anything you’d be upset to lose or have opened.

For your clothes, wear something you don’t mind getting a little animal-dust on. This is not a museum visit. You’re touching, brushing, and standing very close.

Who this is best for, and who should skip it

This is best for you if:

• You want hands-on wildlife time, not just photos from afar
• You’re comfortable following safety instructions closely
• You enjoy photography and want help getting good shots
• You like animal interaction that can be energetic, especially in the monkey session

It may not be a fit if:

• You need wheelchair accessibility, since the tour is not suitable for wheelchair users
• You’re uncomfortable with close-range monkey behavior, including the possibility of shoulder contact
• You don’t want to deal with separate on-site entry fees

If you’re traveling with kids, keep expectations realistic. The experience is interactive and very close. You’ll want to make sure everyone can follow directions and keep belongings secure.

Should you book this Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary tour?

Book it if your top priority is up-close elephant contact and you’re excited to brush, feed, and walk near them, then add the monkey session for fun, silly, and very close interaction. The included pickup and transport also make it easier than trying to handle logistics on your own.

Skip or rethink it if you want a low-effort wildlife day, or if separate sanctuary entry fees would be a dealbreaker. Also consider your comfort level with monkeys getting curious about items, and bring exactly what you need and nothing more.

If you do book, plan for success: arrive prepared with closed-toe shoes, secure your hat and wallet, keep bags zipped, and keep your phone and camera ready. That way you get the moments the day is really designed for, brushing elephants, then monkey time up close.

FAQ

How long is the Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary experience?

The duration is listed as 5 hours (330 minutes). You should check availability for starting times.

What is included in the price?

The package includes a driver guide, transport, and one bottle of water per guest.

Are the sanctuary entry fees included?

No. Entry fees for the elephant and monkey sanctuary activities are not included and are paid directly. The listed prices are R1,795 for both, R1,595 for elephants only, and R550 for monkeys only.

Where does pickup happen?

Pickup is included with many Johannesburg-area options, including Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch, Houghton, Kempton Park, and the O.R. Tambo area. You select from the available pickup locations at booking.

Does the tour skip the ticket line?

Yes, it lists skip the ticket line.

What happens at the end of the tour?

You are dropped off at your hotel or another place of your choice.

What should I bring?

Bring comfortable closed-toe shoes, warm clothing, sunglasses, sunscreen, a sun hat, a camera, a charged smartphone, hand sanitizer or tissues, and a passport (a copy is accepted). Medication and a credit card are also listed as helpful.

Is this tour suitable for wheelchair users?

No, it is not suitable for wheelchair users.

Are alcohol and drugs allowed?

No. Alcohol and drugs are not allowed, and alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle.