Elephant Moments: Meet the Jabulani Herd
4.8
18 Ratings
Hoedspruit

Experience a 90-minute elephant watching adventure in Hoedspruit. Learn about the Jabulani Herd and their inspiring stories of rescue and survival. Contribute to their wellbeing and understand the importance of elephants in our ecosystem.

Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
Cancellation: 24 hours
Highlights
  • Elephant Moments - Be inspired, enlightened, and educated by this unforgettable and respectful chance to meet and learn more about some of the Jabulani herd elephants and their dedicated caretakers.
    This 90-minute experience is held at the Jabulani herd stables.
    The Jabulani Herd elephants you will encounter represent the rest of the herd, which…
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What's Included
  • Tea and coffee included
Additional Information

Elephant Moments is a respectful and memorable early morning experience where visitors have the chance to learn invaluable insights about elephants and get the opportunity to meet a few of these gentle giants and understand them and their immense importance as a keystone species to our ecosystem.
The Jabulani Herd has inspired many people around the…

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Location
Elephant Moments
R40
Arrive by 06:00am at the Kapama Private Reserve Main Gate on the R40 between Klaserie & Hoedspruit. Follow the Elephant Moments road signs to the elephant experience. Please note - you must be in a vehicle we do not provide the transfer from Main gate to the Elephant Moments Experience
Cancellation Policy

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.

Customer Ratings
4.8
(18 Ratings)
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Marina
Nov 7, 2025
Magical experience - I loved, I loved. The experience is charming. The staff concerned, kind and lively. The animals do not feel uncomfortable and are visibly well treated
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Ste1717
Dec 28, 2024
Elephants to touch safely! - Really a nice moment when you can touch the elephants and take beautiful photographs. The children were so happy vome us!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stephen_h
Jul 18, 2024
Fabulous experience - An absolutely fabulous experience. To get this close, feed and interact with magnificent elephants is a real pleasure and an experience of a lifetime.
Review provided by Viator
Mendigo
Jul 15, 2024
Simply indispensable! - The project developed by HERD (Hoedspruit Elephant Rehabilitation and Development) is very important and moving, and the experience provided by the initiative to visitors is fantastic, besides being very well organized. First we are welcomed with a small coffee break. Then, after a brief introduction, instead of "wrapping" all participants into a huge group of people fighting space to get information and take pictures, three teams are formed, each with a Guide and an elephant. These groups rotate, so that they all have contact with the three elephants. The activity is done without hurry and there comes the fantastic part: interacting with the animals. You feed, touch, love and even embrace the elephants. And the feeling is indescribable, of admiration, respect and even a little fear. But it's too worth it. I always found elephants exceptional creatures and, after meeting them personally, I began to admire them even more. At the end, an employee brings hot water and towel for you to clean your hands. There's a souvenir shop. Place simply indispensable!
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Jilliansreallife
Jun 18, 2024
An Education Worth Experiencing - Visiting Elephant Moments at the Kapama Game Reserve was undoubtedly a highlight for my son and me during our South African adventure. Our day began early, waking at 5 a.m. to drive our rental car to the tour. We should have realized this but we had no idea that we would be driving through a game reserve. As we drove towards the deep red sunrise, we were treated to an unexpected self-driven safari. We spotted a leopard stalking its breakfast, two lions lounging sleepily by the road, and giraffes and zebras gracefully crossing our path. We practically saw more wildlife on this drive than we did during our actual safari! Had we known, we might have been on higher alert, but the surprise made it even more thrilling. The visit to the elephant orphanage was both enlightening and moving. Hearing the story of the herd's rescue and rehabilitation programs gave us a deep appreciation for the incredible work being done. Meeting three of the older elephants, Sebakwe, Somapani, and Jabulani, was a truly magnificent experience and watching these majestic creatures stride towards us from the bush, accompanied by their handlers, was unforgettable. With warthogs scurrying about and monkeys leaping from the trees, we listened intently to our guide. He shared fascinating insights into the biology and physiology of the elephants, along with heartfelt stories of their journeys to the orphanage and the orphanage conservation efforts. What made the experience even more meaningful was knowing that all proceeds from our visit go directly towards the care of the HERD Trust, supporting these wonderful animals and the dedicated team that looks after them.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Stacy_t
Jun 16, 2024
A must do! - One of the most special moments of my life! We learned a lot about each of the elephants and got to experience each of their personalities (the three we met/fed). I will never forget it and will certainly go back for another visit.
Review provided by Viator
Adam_c
Apr 14, 2024
Amazing elephant Sanctuary! - This elephant experience was a highlight of my trip to south africa! (november 2023) -You need to arrange transportation to and from the event, I stayed in the hoedspurit wildlife estate and paid for a ride there from my hosts. I rented bicycle but you cannot bike to this event, as it is deep inside a big 5 game reserve, you have to be in vehicle to be safe. -You arrive at the gate of the reserve by 6am, and its a 9km drive to the event site from the gate on winding dirt roads. You arrive by 6:30am. -Met by staff and sign in with our phone and wifi. Hot chocolate or coffee/tea and light snacks. - There was only me (solo) and a older couple in the experience this day ( Nov 2023), so 3 of us. The guide explained some background on the HERD sanctuary and about elephants. -We moved to the wall and we met 3 different elephants, one by one. We got to hand feed them both to their trunk and throw food directly in their mouths. Feel their skin and ears, hug their trunk. Pictures. We feed them treats/food out of a bag. -The elephants are part of a herd that lives at the sanctuary, but roams freely and returns at night. Its a rare herd that adopts orphan elephants. They come to the wall on their own because of the food, they are not forced to be there to interact. They grew up with the care of humans at this sanctuary and they are smart curious animals. I highly recommend this activity, its a once in a lifetime chance to experience elephants close up and do it in a eco positive way, supporting the sanctuary.
Review provided by Viator
Venture34953518565
Jan 21, 2024
Gentle giants🐘 - It is a experience of a lifetime! Too be so close Too these giants. 🐘 would highly recommend it! Gentle giants, beautiful souls
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Seja_l
Jul 31, 2023
The best - The interaction with the elephants was the best part of my get away. Loved every moment of it! I'd recommend anyone to use this app
Review provided by Viator
S_bullock013
Jul 23, 2023
Well worth the stop! - Great experience with the kids, something they will always remember. Introduced to 3 elephants including Jabulani, being able to touch, feed, and learn about them up close. Wonderful memories.
Review provided by Tripadvisor
Check Availability
From $91
From $91
up to 15 guests
1 - Adult
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Cancellation: Free cancellation up to 24 hours before the start of your experience (local time).