"When you plan your holiday via the internet, you never know what you are going to get. What a wonderful and elegant suprise. The rooms were pure elegance with white percale linen and surprise after wonderful surprise. Then the open "double volume" lounge area! What a wonderful privelege to be part of the elephants 24 out of 24! No earplugs needed! When in Rome... But of course, the most wonderful experience of our trip was to be "touch and hug" close to the most lovable, elegant and family orientated animals ever. A true lifetime experience. Thank you to every member of the team and a special thanks to Simon who spoiled us with his gourmet burgers!!" Lance, Dalene & Sabrina Bailey, Underberg, KZN
“Never thought elephants would be so soft!” Basti, Spain
“Once again we would like to say THANK YOU for the wonderful stay we had at your place. THANK YOU for your hospitality. You and your elephants made our holidays to Africa a special one, with a special experience. Knysna Elephant Park belongs now to one of the highlights of our trips we made to SA. ................
We are looking forward to visit you and our friends Harry, Sally, Shungu, Thambile, Keisha, Namib, Tosha, Thandi, Shaka and Nandi again. Ngiyabonga kakulu!” February 2008. Petra Kruschina and Ulrich Bungert, Germany
“What an amazing place and amazingly dedicated people. We visited Knysna Elephant Park during our holiday to Cape Town and the Western Cape in October 2007. The Park is dedicated to the protection of this wonderful creature. Having had an already fantastic time we found the Elephant Park to be the highlight of our holiday.
We had booked to spend the night sleeping with elephants in their luxury Elephant Lodge and what an experience this was, the lodge is simply gorgeous, all you would want from African accommodation, beautifully decorated and furnished in African fabrics and furniture with obviously an elephant theme. The lounge area overlooks the elephants' boma where they sleep, oh my goodness what a lovely sight when you come out of your rooms, most of which open onto the balcony lounge area and your first sight in the morning is the elephants. Of course they have noises all of their own and these go on throughout the night, so if you don’t want to hear them (but why go if you don't?) take some ear plugs.
We were advised by the reception staff to upgrade from an elephant safari walk to an elephant back safari and we are so glad we did as it was a wonderful experience, we rode Harry a 21 year old, he was huge and very patient. There were 7 in our party of 2 families and we had 3 elephants between us and it felt very personal and special.
Our guide was very friendly and knowledgeable about the elephants, the sanctuary and showed great dedication to the protection of these gentle giants. We also spent time with one of the conservationists who helps run and support the cause, he took us on a walk with the elephants and let us play with Shungu the new baby elephant who is simply adorable.
I could go on and on but I don’t want to spoil your surprises if you visit the elephant park, it is so much better than you can imagine from the website, which we found on Google.
Be aware it does take around 6 hours to get there from Cape Town as we did come across roadworks but your journey along this route is stunning.” March 2008. As posted on www.tripadvisor.com
“Recently I was invited to breakfast at the Knysna Elephant Park. My Tuesday mornings will never be the same again! Breakfast was simple and well presented … Sitting outside made sense … The smells of the earth, the increasing heat of the day, animal noises, the unobtrusive waitrons, made for a perfect setting … The finest moments were spent feeding the elephants and I had the good fortune of getting up real close and personal to one in particular. Many a photograph was taken and I can imagine that many a souvenir was bought on return to the shop inside the complex. The store itself is very well stocked and reasonably priced. The staff are friendly and efficient to say the least. But I digress …. Feeding an elephant is like trying to fill a well. There is so much to fill and they are quite cheeky about getting as much as possible from the bucket. We had lots of laughs and that is most probably the wonder of animals. They don’t speak, they just react!” August 2008. As published in the local rag, What’s New in Plett
“One of the most exciting experiences! Makes me love Africa even more.” Kerry Devlin, US. “… In store: a walk around the park and a close-up into the ellies’ natural habitat. Our expert and guide, who knows each by name, would firstly pre-empt their moves, and then explain the psychology behind it. But the most intriguing part of our park-meander: when Harry decided to mount! The mating process, an act usually never witnessed and therefore unique in its rarity, was phenomenal; and needless to say, took a due amount of time.
The proceedings: Harry sniffed around the female’s enclosure, was finally allowed inside, and then came ‘the chase’. With Harry charging ‘full tilt’, and ready for action, it was needless to say, "no conservative sight!" The cameras clicked furiously!
Then, when the deed was done, the rest of the herd came rushing in, trumpeting in unison as if thoroughly indignant at the whole proceeding. While encircling the couple, the other females in the group then proceeded to herd the solitary baby away from the whole ordeal; an enforced age-restriction it seemed. What were we doing? Standing enthralled, mouths open at what appeared to be a most uncomfortable unfolding of events. Viewing one-another’s photos later, we could only grimace… However, we agreed in unison that our elephant experience had been most enjoyable, and although in the middle of a game-park; luxurious indeed. With five-star rooms, food and service; the Knysna Elephant Park has some mammoth holiday fun on offer.” July 2008. Extracts from www.blogs.24.com
“Enthralled at the beauty of these majestic animals.” Lukan family, Germany
“Thank you so much for allowing us the opportunity to stay at the Knysna Elephant Park and experience your majestic ellies. We learnt so much and really enjoyed our special visit with you.
We are definitely going to be including an ellie tour on our website and will be recommending your wedding venue to prospective couples. We would also like to compliment you on your well-trained, friendly staff. Everyone we came into contact with was friendly and efficient.” July 2008. Martin and Linda from Martin’s Tours and Transfers
“Wonderfully friendly and extremely knowledgeable staff. Had a fantastic time.” Kirsty Ainsworth, UK
“Just felt I had to let you know just what a wonderful visit we had to the Knysna Elephant Park recently. We run a small B&B here in Sedgefield & regularly promote your Elephant Park to our visitors & must add, receive fabulous feedback from our guests. (We remember well the excitement of the arrival of young Harry & Sally way back in the 1990's & have followed your Park's progress with keen interest over the years.)
So, when our own children & grandchildren came out from overseas to visit us last month, we decided that a visit to the Elephant Park was a must. We then went one further & decided that, as we only see one another every few years, that this would be an ideal opportunity to celebrate "all" our Birthdays & so we booked for your Elephant Rides (a huge treat indeed!)
Wow, was it ever a success! We all just loved every second of the experience right from beginning the booking with Clara, who was most efficient & so helpful & pleasant in every possible way, to the guides & especially Laurence - but all who were involved with the tour, we found to be well spoken, well informed, took great pride in their jobs, were more than helpful & just a joy to be with. The tour starting with the short video show, to the handling & sleeping quarters of the ellies, to the feeding & interacting with them, the touching of the young baby, the professional photographer & video guys, to the actual rides, was an experience never to be missed. I can honestly say we came away "proud to be South Africans"! It was fabulous & all so professionally handled & organised. "Thank-You" to all who work so hard to provide this excellent facility - you are doing a fantastic job & for us, it was just a magical experience which will stay with us.” May 2008. Anne & Keith Werner of Linga Longa B&B, Sedgefield
“Had the best time of our lives! I will never forget it.” Oosthuizen family, South Africa
“In November, when we have been in Joburg, we found by chance a flyer of the Knysna Elephant Park, and we thought, it would be something new for us to see. And, after we were there, we are very thankful for this chance. We planed to stay two nights and started with an inquiry by email which was, responded immediately and the booking was done without any problems.
When we arrived at the park, we were awaited and warmly welcomed by friendly staff, and after all the admin stuff was cleared they guided us to our room. All the rooms have access to an open Lounge whose fittings are in African style and very comfortable. The Lounge is open to the boma, so you have a perfect view to the elephants, their noise and smell. You can stay there the whole night and don’t worry, it won’t be boring. The elephants eat, play, sleep, and snore... all night long. And when they wake up in the morning you can watch them being excited going out to the park's
land.
Our room's size was bigger than what we have experienced throughout our trips. There was a writing table, fridge and even the possibility to make coffee or tea (complimentary). And there was also space for a comfortable sofa. Our bathroom was with a shower but there are also rooms with whirlpool available. Equipped with lotion, shower gel, and many fluffy towels we were very satisfied with that. But, the rooms were not that much important to us, we wanted to see, smell, hear and feel (being touched by an elephant) the elephants. The Manager personally welcomed us and invited us to several walks to and with the elephants and left us in care of the very well educated and competent guides. So you could talk to them and learned a lot about elephants while watching them and taking breathtaking photos. It was fantastic how easy it was to come close to the elephants (skin to skin, face to face), but also getting aware how sensible they are, and not to forget the size, that let you being realize what small creature you are. The experience that the elephants came to you, you talk to them, you gave them some grass, to feel how calm they are .... it is not possible to explain, it is an experience you have to do on your own. Even the behaviour among the herd itself is amazing, the playing youngsters Shaka and Keisha, Harry the calm bull who doesn’t care what the chief Sally (a cow) wants, Shungu the one year old baby who is happy when chasing the guinea fowls away and proudly waves his ears and trunk. We couldn’t get enough from that.
The restaurant in the parks is open for daily visitors till 17:30hrs, but by appointment with the manager or cook (Matthew) it is possible for the guests who stay at the park to have dinner at the restaurant. The restaurant is arranged in as easy but comfortable way, but don’t worry about that, ´cause the cook Matthew is a very creative and loves to experiment, which doesn’t let a question open. Whatever is needed, he will find a solution in a way, that you will never forget and wonder what is possible. We felt very comfortable and attended personally during our stay. We learned a lot and had quiet a lot of fun. And the understanding of great sense of the park and the work they are doing let us spontaneously stay one more night. One more day which was worth each cent we spent, we still dream of this experience till today. Everybody who thinks, that an elephant is just a big animal should come to the Knysna Elephant Park to learn and realize that they are as sensible as tall. Being touched by an elephant lets you think different, and for us it is clear, we have to come back.” April 7, 2008. As posted on www.tripadvisor.com
“It was the highlight of our honeymoon! Very interesting. Thanks for the great work.” The Vassens, Netherlands
“We arrived unannounced at dusk one evening in January well after closing time, and making for the only light we could see found Clarah who was very welcoming and helpful. She sorted out a room and settled us in straight away so that we could make the most of the rest of the evening which we spent first in awed silence watching the Eles as they prepared to bed down for the evening, then driving into Plett (which isn't far) to grab a bite to eat at the Dolphin (excellent food) before driving safely back (in the dark) and settling into the lounge again to watch the Eles preparing to sleep - that is when little Shungu would allow them to!
Early next morning after watching the Eles and their handlers file out we were taken by Greg and given an extremely interesting talk whilst watching the Eles drink at the dam, then it was off to watch the Eles and handlers at their morning "lesson" before a welcome breakfast in the Restaurant.
By this time we had decided to stay another night and I had resolved to help "muck out" the next morning - something I haven't done for about 12 years.
We just took the standard Elephant experience which was extremely good value and had no real time limit; we found it a very memorable experience as did everybody else in the party.
Next morning I got my wish and got to "muck out", my wife Carol had to take some photos 'cos she couldn’t believe that I was actually enjoying a bit of hard work - usually I have to be nagged for a fortnight before I'll even look at a shovel or even a power drill!! I had a great time with the handlers - I've never found a friendlier bunch of guys in all the times we've been to Africa, and come to that I've never seen such contented Eles especially taking into account the traumas that some had suffered in their earlier lives.
That second night at Knysna whilst Carol was doing whatever women do with hairdryers and stuff, I stood on the balcony watching over my new Ele friends and I can honestly say that I've never felt so at peace.
I have just two regrets over our stay at Knysna, one is that we should have stayed longer, and the second is that we never got to meet Lisette and thank her for the invaluable work the she and her dedicated team have undertaken.” March 2008. As posted on www.tripadvisor.com
“Just magical! My girlfriend and I stayed at the Lodge for one night and bitterly regret not staying longer. The experience with the elephants was just wonderful, the service was superb, the food lovely, the lodgings stunning and the people just so friendly and helpful. I am not one for gushing and being sentimental but we truly had a great time. Just visiting the park is rewarding but I urge you to stay there and have an elephant walk too. You then get to feed the babies, see the adults train and get to marvel at just how intelligent and beautiful these creatures are. If you stay in one of the boma lodges, it is noisy as you sleep within 30ft of the elephants themselves but you will be transfixed by them. The accommodation and food in their own right are worth the stay but then you'd be missing the joy of being with the ellies.” December 2008. Posted on www.tripadvisor.com
“Once in a lifetime experience!” Burke Family, UK
“I really enjoyed this visit. It was the first time I was close to elephants and they were adorable. They drive you to a safe area where you have the opportunity to feed, touch and take pictures of the elephants. They provided you with a big bucket full of veggies, it was really fun to feel your hand sucked by their trunks. They offer the option of rides and walks with the elephants but unfortunately we did not have enough time for this. They were very well organised and I really loved the mutual displays of affection between the elephants and the caretakers. Elephants are amazing animals and it was a real spiritual experience.” October 2008. Posted on www.cosmotourist.com
“The real thing!” Juanita Loots, South Africa |
