The Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary.

You get unusually close to two very different animals here: elephants you can feed, brush, and walk beside, followed by monkeys that may sit on your shoulders and rub your neck. I like the hands-on format, and I like that the drive includes the Magaliesburg mountains and Hartbeespoort Dam rather than treating the road as dead time.

The main drawback is the price structure. The advertised $68 covers transport, a driver-guide, and water, but sanctuary admission is extra. Confirm the combined entry cost before booking, since the supplied figures list both R1,795 per person for both activities and separate prices of R1,595 for elephants plus R550 for monkeys.

Key points to know before you book

• Walk close to elephants: Feed and brush these large animals, then walk in front of one under handler instructions.
• Monkeys get very personal: They may climb onto your shoulders, touch your neck, and try to open an unsecured bag.
• The drive adds scenery: Routes pass through parts of Johannesburg and townships, with views of the Magaliesburg mountain ranges and Hartbeespoort Dam.
• Thabelo Thathani may guide your day: He is named as one particularly polite guide who accompanies the group from the hotel meeting point.
• Budget for admission separately: Your booking payment does not cover the sanctuary activities, food, snacks, or drinks.
• Pack for a close encounter: Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothes, and protect sunglasses, hats, wallets, phones, and bags.

Leaving Johannesburg for the Magaliesburg mountains

The day begins with hotel pickup in Johannesburg, Pretoria, or near O.R. Tambo International Airport. Available meeting points include Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch, Houghton Estate, Kempton Park, Pretoria, and several airport hotels. That wide pickup network is useful if you are staying in one of Johannesburg’s main hotel districts, though the exact drive time depends on your starting point.

Your driver-guide meets you with a badge and name tag, introduces the tour, and explains the plan. The guide speaks English and remains your main contact for the day. Communication before pickup is part of the service, and punctual hotel collection matters when you have a fixed sanctuary schedule.

The route may take you through affluent parts of Johannesburg and townships, depending on where you are collected. This gives you a broader look at the city than a direct highway transfer, though the route is not identical for every booking. I would treat the drive as a useful introduction to the region rather than expect a formal city tour.

As you head toward the sanctuary, look for the rolling Magaliesburg mountain ranges and Hartbeespoort Dam. These views give the five-hour outing a sense of place. There may also be an optional coffee stop, but it is not presented as a guaranteed scheduled stop, so bring water and do not count on a full meal break.

One bottle of water is included for each person. Food, snacks, and other drinks are not included. If you need regular refreshments or medication during the day, bring them with you.

Meeting the elephants at close range

The elephant session is the main reason to choose this activity. You are not simply watching from behind a fence. The program includes feeding, brushing, touching the elephants, walking close to them, and posing for photographs.

That contact changes the experience. You notice the texture of elephant skin under a brush, the scale of the animal beside you, and the care needed when standing near a member of the Big Five. The brushing is likely to be the most tactile part of the visit, while feeding gives you a simple way to interact without needing special animal knowledge.

Walking in front of one of the elephants sounds dramatic, and it is. The important point is to follow the guide and handlers at all times. Do not improvise for a better photograph, reach out when you are told not to, or move suddenly. The animals are large and powerful, so the rules are not decoration.

The session includes time for photographs and video. Guides help with pictures, which is useful because your hands may be occupied with a brush, food, or simply keeping your balance while concentrating on the animal. If photographs matter to you, have your phone charged before pickup and make sure the camera lens is clean.

The supplied feedback places especially strong emphasis on this elephant interaction. One account describes walking with four elephants, while another calls the interaction the best part of the outing. That makes the elephant activity a sensible choice even if you decide not to add the monkeys.

What the monkey visit is really like

The monkey portion has a different mood. Instead of the calm, deliberate contact of brushing an elephant, you should expect quick movement and playful curiosity. Monkeys may climb onto your shoulders, touch you, rub your neck, and occasionally pose for a photograph.

They can also be naughty. Keep sunglasses, wallets, and hats secure. Handbags and backpacks should be fully zipped, and loose objects should not be left within easy reach. A monkey trying to open a bag may be funny for a moment, but retrieving personal belongings is less amusing.

The instructions specifically warn against bags and state that alcohol and drugs are not allowed. Alcoholic drinks cannot be taken in the vehicle. Follow the handlers’ directions closely, especially when monkeys are climbing on you or moving around other people.

I would choose the monkey session if you enjoy lively animal contact and do not mind being physically approached. It may not suit you if you are nervous around climbing animals, protective of your personal space, or carrying expensive loose accessories. Children and adults should both be prepared for animals that do not pose on command.

The monkey activity also gives you a different set of photographs. An elephant picture tends to be grand and carefully arranged. A monkey may perch on your shoulder, turn away, or reach for something just as the camera comes out. Keep taking pictures, but keep your attention on the animal and the handler first.

How the five-hour schedule works

The full activity lasts about 330 minutes, or five and a half hours. That time includes pickup, the drive, the sanctuary sessions, and the return transfer, so the animal contact itself will be shorter than the total duration.

A typical flow is:

• Pickup at your selected hotel or meeting point
• Drive through Johannesburg and toward the Hartbeespoort area
• Possible coffee stop
• Elephant feeding, brushing, walking, and photographs
• Monkey interaction and photographs if you purchase that activity
• Return drive with information about South African history and culture
• Drop-off at your hotel or another chosen location

The return ride is more than a silent transfer. The guide can answer questions about South Africa and share information about local history and culture. This is a useful time to ask about places you are visiting next, though the exact conversation depends on your guide and the questions you bring.

Drop-off options broadly match the pickup network. You can be returned to Rosebank, Sandton, Melrose Arch, Houghton Estate, Kempton Park, Pretoria, O.R. Tambo, or the listed airport hotels. If you are planning an evening flight, leave a generous buffer. The stated duration is five hours, but road traffic and the distance from your hotel can affect the day.

The real cost, not just the headline price

At $68 per person, the transport and guide portion can be useful value if you are staying in Johannesburg and do not want to arrange a separate ride to the sanctuary. Pickup and drop-off remove the need to navigate an unfamiliar route, and the guide adds context during the return journey.

The key catch is the sanctuary admission. It is paid directly and is not included in the booking price. The supplied prices are:

• Both elephant and monkey activities: R1,795 per person as listed
• Elephant activity only: R1,595 per person
• Monkey activity only: R550 per person

There is a pricing inconsistency here. Adding the two individual prices produces R2,145, not R1,795. Contact the provider or sanctuary before committing to both sessions and ask which combined price applies on your date. Card payment is accepted at the sanctuary.

You also pay separately for food, snacks, and drinks. One bottle of water is included, but the package is not a full-day meal arrangement. In practical terms, compare the $68 transport cost plus the confirmed entry fee with the price of arranging a private transfer and paying for the activities yourself.

The elephant-only option may be the best value for many people. It removes the extra cost and still includes the central experience: feeding, brushing, walking close to, and photographing elephants. Add monkeys if the climbing, playful contact is a major reason you want to go.

What to wear and what to protect

Wear comfortable clothes and closed-toe shoes. You will be standing and walking during the animal sessions, and secure footwear is more sensible than sandals or loose shoes.

Bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a sun hat, but keep those items secure around the monkeys. A hat that is comfortable in the vehicle may become a tempting toy once you enter the monkey area. The same warning applies to wallets and phones.

A charged smartphone or camera is important, since photographs are a major part of the outing. Bring a credit card for the sanctuary fee, personal medication, and tissues or hand sanitizer. A passport is requested, though a copy is accepted.

Do not bring alcohol or drugs. Alcoholic drinks are not allowed in the vehicle, and the activity instructions also prohibit bags in the monkey setting. Keep your belongings zipped and follow staff directions instead of trying to manage an animal interaction your own way.

The experience is not suitable for wheelchair users. That is worth checking before payment, since the day includes transport, walking, and close animal sessions.

Who will enjoy this most

This outing suits you if you want a direct animal encounter rather than a traditional game drive. It is especially appealing if you want photographs, enjoy guided hands-on activities, and are staying in Johannesburg or Pretoria without your own transport.

Families may appreciate the variety, since elephants offer a slower, more structured experience and monkeys bring quick, comic surprises. Still, anyone accompanying children should take the safety instructions seriously. Monkeys can touch and climb, and large elephants require calm behavior.

Photographers will find plenty to work with, but this is not a controlled studio session. Animals do not always face the camera, and the best picture may come when you are ready rather than when you request it. Keep your phone secure and let the guide help with group photographs.

This is less suitable if you want a quiet wildlife observation outing, dislike close contact, or need a fully accessible activity. It is also less attractive if you only want to see animals from a distance. The point here is proximity.

Booking details that affect your plans

Pickup is included, and small groups may be available. Ask for the exact meeting time when checking availability, since starting times vary and your hotel location affects the route.

Free cancellation is available up to 24 hours in advance for a full refund. You can also reserve now and pay later for the booking portion, which helps if your Johannesburg plans are still changing. Remember that the sanctuary admission is paid directly, so confirm how cancellation affects that separate payment before finalizing.

English is the stated tour language. At pickup, identify the guide by the badge and name tag. Thabelo Thathani is one named guide associated with the experience and is described as accompanying the group from the hotel meeting point, but the guide assigned to your date may differ.

Should you book the Elephant and Monkey Sanctuary?

Book it if your priority is close contact with animals, especially elephants. The elephant session offers the strongest value within the experience, with feeding, brushing, walking, and photographs rather than a quick viewing stop.

Add the monkey visit if you like unpredictable, hands-on encounters and can protect your belongings. If you prefer calmer animal contact, choose elephants only and put the saved money toward food, another attraction, or your next South African outing.

Before paying, confirm the combined sanctuary fee, ask about your pickup time, and check that the walking requirements suit you. With those details settled, this is a memorable half-day from Johannesburg, with a practical driver-guide service and the rare chance to stand close to an elephant instead of merely spotting one in the distance.

FAQ

Is transport included?

Yes. A driver-guide and transport are included, along with one bottle of water per person.

Where can pickup take place?

Pickup is available from listed locations in Johannesburg, Pretoria, Sandton, Rosebank, Melrose Arch, Houghton Estate, Kempton Park, O.R. Tambo, and selected airport hotels.

How long does the experience last?

The stated duration is 330 minutes, or about five and a half hours.

Are sanctuary entry fees included?

No. You pay the elephant and monkey sanctuary fees directly. Card payment is accepted.

How much are the elephant and monkey activities?

The supplied prices list R1,795 per person for both, R1,595 for elephants only, and R550 for monkeys only. Confirm the combined price because the separate prices do not add up to the listed combined amount.

Can I do only the elephant activity?

Yes. The elephant activity can be purchased on its own for the stated price of R1,595 per person.

Can monkeys climb onto me?

Yes. The activity information says monkeys may sit on your shoulders, rub your neck, and touch you.

What should I bring?

Bring a passport or accepted copy, comfortable clothes, closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, sunglasses, a hat, a camera or charged smartphone, a credit card, personal medication, and hand sanitizer or tissues.

Are food and drinks included?

No. Food, snacks, and drinks are not included. One bottle of water per person is provided.

Is the activity suitable for wheelchair users?

No. The experience is listed as unsuitable for wheelchair users.