Updated in September 2026, this Knysna Elephant Park guide covers ticket prices, opening hours, parking, transport, accessibility and what to see.
Knysna Elephant Park is a free-range elephant sanctuary between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay, South Africa, and was the first facility in the country to care for orphaned African elephants. The resident herd numbers five elephants, described by the park as the largest domesticated matriarchal herd in the country. Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website in September 2026, when this guide was last updated.
Quick facts
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Opening hours | Open 365 days a year, daily 9am–4pm |
| Ticket prices | Meet our Herd: SA resident adult R420, child (5–14) R220; non-SA adult R510, child R315 |
| Address | Farm 428, Harkerville, off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay |
| Nearest transport/parking | Own transport required; on-site parking |
| Typical time needed | 1 hour (Meet our Herd); 45 minutes (guided Elephant Experience) |
Knysna Elephant Park opening hours
The park is open every day of the year, from 9am to 4pm, for the standard “Meet our Herd” visit.
Elephant Experience walks depart separately at 8am and 4pm by reservation only, with morning departures during winter closing slightly earlier, around 3:30pm for the standard visit. Only two Elephant Experience walks are permitted per day, so early booking is recommended.
Knysna Elephant Park ticket prices
The standard “Meet our Herd” visit costs R420 for South African resident adults (15+) and R220 for children aged 5–14; non-South African residents pay R510 for adults and R315 for children. Local groups of 10 or more pay R355 per person, and non-South African groups pay R445; pensioners and students receive a 10% discount, and children under 5 go free. No booking is required for this visit.
The premium Elephant Experience, a 45-minute guided walk among the herd, costs R975 per person for South African residents and R1,160 for non-residents; this does require advance booking, and morning departures include breakfast at Indlovu Café. An elephant snack bucket, for those who wish to feed the herd, costs R60.
Knysna Elephant Park is a privately run sanctuary and is not part of a bundled regional attraction pass.
Opening hours and ticket prices were checked on the official website and last updated in September 2026.
How to get to Knysna Elephant Park
The park sits on Farm 428, Harkerville, just off the N2 highway between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.
Driving from Knysna, follow the N2 east for about 22km, then turn onto a signposted dirt road and continue for 1.1km to the entrance. There is no public transport to the park, so a rental car, tour transfer, or taxi is required.
Parking at Knysna Elephant Park
Free on-site parking is available for visitors, next to the reception and curio shop.
The gravel access road can be uneven after rain, so ordinary vehicles should still manage it without difficulty at normal speeds.
How long to spend at Knysna Elephant Park
The standard “Meet our Herd” visit lasts about 1 hour, including a short introductory video before heading out to the field.
The premium Elephant Experience walk runs about 45 minutes, and visitors combining it with breakfast at Indlovu Café or a stop at the curio shop should allow 2 hours or more in total.
Accessibility at Knysna Elephant Park
The official website does not publish specific accessibility information for visitors with mobility needs.
As the “Meet our Herd” visit takes place on natural, sometimes uneven ground in the park’s fields, visitors with mobility needs are advised to contact the park directly on +27 (0)44 532 7732 ahead of a visit to discuss suitable arrangements.
Inside Knysna Elephant Park
Founded in 1994 by Ian and Lisette Withers on a 200-hectare farm, the park was created after the couple learned of two orphaned elephant calves, Harry and Sally, rescued from a cull in Kruger National Park.
Over the past three decades, more than 40 elephants have passed through the park, some remaining permanently and others moving on, in their bonded groups, to partner reserves including Garden Route Game Lodge, Botlierskop, Gondwana, Aquila and Inverdoorn.
On the standard “Meet our Herd” visit, a short introductory video precedes time in the field, where visitors can walk among the free-roaming herd and, if they choose, purchase a snack bucket to feed them.
The Elephant Experience offers a more active alternative: a scenic 45-minute walk alongside the herd, with views of the Outeniqua Mountains and Knysna forest, led by guides sharing “elephant tales” along the way.
The park’s environment has no fences separating visitors from the elephants, allowing the animals to move, feed and interact largely on their own terms.
Practical visitor tips
| Focus | Tip |
|---|---|
| Timing | Book the Elephant Experience well ahead, as only two walks run each day. |
| Crowds | The standard “Meet our Herd” visit runs continuously through the day, so crowding is rarely an issue. |
| Layout | The visit combines a short video with time in the open field where the herd roams. |
| Entry process | No booking is required for “Meet our Herd”; South African residents should bring ID or a driver’s licence. |
| On-site logistics | Wear comfortable, closed shoes suited to walking on natural ground. |
Frequently asked questions about Knysna Elephant Park
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is Knysna Elephant Park suitable for children? | Yes. Children aged 5–14 pay a reduced rate, and under-5s go free. |
| Do you need to book tickets in advance? | Not for the standard “Meet our Herd” visit; the Elephant Experience walk does require booking. |
| Is Knysna Elephant Park open every day? | Yes, 365 days a year, from 9am to 4pm. |
| Can you feed the elephants at Knysna Elephant Park? | Yes, using a snack bucket purchased at reception for R60. |
| Is Knysna Elephant Park fenced? | No. The park operates with no fences between visitors and the free-roaming herd. |
Things to do near Knysna Elephant Park
- Garden Route Game Lodge — a Big Five reserve and partner facility, about a 20-minute drive away.
- Harkerville Forest — indigenous forest with hiking and mountain-biking trails, close to the park.
- Noetzie Beach — a beach known for its castle-like holiday houses, about a 20-minute drive away.
- Knysna town centre and Waterfront — shops, restaurants and the Knysna Lagoon, about 25 minutes away.
- Plettenberg Bay beaches — a well-known stretch of Garden Route coastline, about 20 minutes away.
Alternative attractions
- Monkeyland & Birds of Eden, Plettenberg Bay — about 30 minutes away, free-roaming primate and bird sanctuaries.
- Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Plettenberg Bay — about 30 minutes away, focused on injured and orphaned wild animals.
- Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, Plettenberg Bay — about 30 minutes away, home to rescued big cats and other predators.
- Botlierskop Private Game Reserve — about 1 hour away, a Big Five reserve near Mossel Bay.
- Tsitsikamma National Park — about 1 hour away, known for its indigenous forest and coastal cliffs.
More South Africa travel
Other South Africa travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to riding the Flying Dutchman Funicular and visiting Dias Beach at Cape Point.
- World of Birds visitor guide: Why this Hout Bay wildlife attraction is more than just an aviary.
- Practical visitor guide to the Camps Bay Tidal Pool in Cape Town.
- Practical guide to riding the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway.
- A complete guide to visiting the Drakenstein Lion Park in Paarl.
