The Knysna Elephant Park (est. 1994) was the first facility in South Africa to house and care for orphaned African elephants. Over the last twenty years, the park has cared for and raised more than forty elephants. These animals include relocated animals, orphaned calves, elephants rescued from culls and ex-circus animals. Some have become part of the resident herd, others have moved onto other reserves and facilities in the Western and Eastern Cape, depending on their personalities, bonds with other animals and welfare needs.
The present KEP herd numbers ten – the largest domesticated matriarchal herd in the country. Our style of management offers guests the opportunity to get up close and personal with our elephants, on elephant terms. Responsible and educational interactions allow guests to appreciate the awe-inspiring presence of these animals, but still give the elephants the space and freedom to choose where they want to move, what they want to eat and who they want to interact with. There are no fences to spoil the close encounter and our environment encourages elephants to exhibit natural behaviours.
Wheelchair Access
- Wheelchair parking bays at the entrance to reception
- Accessible toilet
- Ramp from the information centre to the vehicles
- Ramp onto the vehicle passenger trailer for wheelchair users
Daily Elephant Tours
Daily Tours leave on the half hour every day from 09h00, with the last tour leaving at 15h00.
Afternoon Elephant Walks
Once in a lifetime opportunity to take a walk with one of these incredible creatures in nature.
Breakfast Elephant Walks
Experience an early morning walk with our elephants – Includes a breakfast picnic basket!
Sleepover with Elephants
Built within the elephant sleeping quarters, our Extraordinary Elephant Lodge offers guests the unique opportunity to spend the night with our herd of African elephants. Enjoy an ”elephant sleep-over” in unique accommodation overlooking the boma; or spend the evening relaxing in the communal lounge, watching the elephants snooze…
Do elephants lie down or stand up when they sleep? Come and see for yourself! The Park’s elephants enjoy world-class facilities: during the day they have the freedom to roam the property, but at the end of the day they come back to their boma / night camp for a pampered night’s sleep. The elephants have the freedom to choose where they sleep, inside or out (depending on weather conditions) as we do not restrict their movement to inside the boma alone. They also have access to a dam, a variety of additional food, enrichments and treats to supplement their complex dietary requirements.
The communal lounge will soon be providing surveillance visuals by live streaming, just in case you miss something exciting!
1 Review on “Knysna Elephant Park”
Our families from Warrior On Wheels Foundation were generously hosted by the Knysna Elephant Park for a visit to meet these majestic gentle giants while we were visiting Knysna recently. What an incredible experience for our three children who each have a disability and use a wheelchair to engage with these magnificent creatures. Also fantastic to see facilities in place for people with disabilities.