In one of last week’s blog posts, How to Get Closer to Your Favorite African Animals than Ever Before, I discussed some activities and accommodations that enable travelers to get closer to their favorite animals in Africa than ever before. Specifically, I spotlighted Giraffe Manor—a boutique property that’s perfect for giraffe lovers—and ConservAfrica and African Impact—two organizations working to conserve the cats of Africa.

Today, I spotlight some of the best activities to get up close and personal to elephants and primates:

If you love elephants . . .

Then you’ll love a visit to the David Sheldrick elephant orphanage and The Elephant Sanctuary!

In a tireless effort to help orphaned elephants find the strength to continue their journey in the wild, the David Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage works to rescue and rehabilitate baby elephants and rhinos. Each day the elephants enjoy bathing, feeding, and playing, as visitors watch in awe.

The feeding takes place at different times of the day with orphanage team members feeding the elephants a unique milk formula that David’s wife, Daphne, created to provide rhinos and elephants with nutrients they need to grow and remain healthy.

Located in Kenya’s Tsavo National Park, the elephant orphanage allows elephants to enjoy the beauty and openness of nature, while still assuring their safety before being completely released into the wild.

The Elephant Sanctuary, on the other hand, has three locations in South Africa, which include Hartbeespoort Dam, Plettenberg Bay, and Hazyview. All of these locations work to rescue and lend assistance to orphaned and injured elephants. Each of the three sanctuaries offers guests different activities to choose from that enable them to interact with the beautiful residential elephants.

The sanctuary at Plettenberg Bay, for example, offers elephant brush downs—which allow guests to lend a hand in grooming the elephants—and one-hour trunk-in-hand programs—which educate guests about elephant behavior and lifestyle, and allow guests to touch the elephants.

If you love primates . . .

Then you’ll love a gorilla trekking safari in Uganda and a visit to Monkeyland in South Africa!

Covered in lush green vegetation and thick rainforests abundant with exotic wildlife, Uganda is a nature-seeker’s sanctuary. With a variety of primates to witness, including gorilla, chimpanzee, black-and-white colobus monkey, red-tailed monkey, blue monkey, and baboon, Uganda is one of the most celebrated destinations by primate lovers.

A Golden Monkey

On a gorilla trekking safari, you’ll travel to these lush rainforests in search of the elusive gorilla. Once your party has arrived at a gorilla group, you’ll have one hour to watch and admire their movements, behavior, and unique social and eating skills.

For even more primates, visit Monkeyland in South Africa. Internationally known for their free-roaming atmosphere, Monkeyland does not cage its various primate residents; therefore they are free to move wherever they wish throughout the sanctuary. Some of the primate species that live in Monkeyland include lemurs, squirrel monkeys, howler monkeys, gibbons, and more! Visitors to Monkeyland can enjoy an interactive guided walk through the sanctuary.

Imagine standing in the bush as you watch a 12,000 lb. mammal approach you without the restraint of a fence or cage. It would be exhilarating to say the least.

At the Elephant Sanctuary in Garden Route, South Africa, this situation is a reality. At the Elephant Sanctuary, you’ll not only be able to witness these creatures up-close, you will also have the opportunity to pet, feed, and walk with them trunk-in-hand. There is also the option to ride these magnificent creatures, which is a favorite among children and adults alike.

The staff members at the Elephant Sanctuary are completely dedicated to the safety, happiness, and well-being of the elephants and are equally committed to the enjoyment and learning experience guests have with the elephants. Because of their passion for guest and elephant happiness alike, staff at the Elephant Sanctuary takes great pride in their ability to foster relationships between elephants and humans.

The Elephant Sanctuary has three different locations including Plettenberg Bay, Hartbeespoort Dam, and Hazyview. All three locations provide excellent care for young African elephants that need a temporary home. Once the elephants become more independent, The Elephant Sanctuary will release the elephant into the wild.

During your visit to the Elephant Sanctuary, you have your pick of several different activities . . .

One-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program: This program is designed for all ages and is an excellent way to learn about elephant behavior and personalities from expert guides. You will also have the opportunity to pet, feed, and walk trunk-in-hand with these delightful animals.

Elephant-back ride: This includes the one-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program with the addition of a 15 minute elephant-back ride. Because there is no saddle between you and the elephant, you are able to have direct contact with the elephant and feel its natural movements beneath you.

Early morning elephant brush downs: During this program, you have the rare opportunity to interact with the elephants as they are groomed and brushed down as well as view their daily training and stimulation program. In addition to these wonderful activities, the early morning elephant brush down program also includes the one-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program.

Afternoon sundowner elephant experience: This program is the ultimate experience for visitors to the Elephant Sanctuary. The program includes all three of the above programs: the one-hour-trunk-in-hand elephant education program, the elephant-back ride, and the elephant brush down.

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