10 Ethical and Amazing Animal Encounters along the Garden Route

I think it’s fair to say that most travellers to South Africa want to experience a wildlife encounter during their trip. Over recent years, ethical animal encounters have been at the forefront of visitors’ minds, and opinions run high regarding the acceptable level of interaction.

Gone are the days of elephant back riding and big cat petting. In their place are sanctuaries giving animals more humane treatment while still allowing visitors to have both educational and memorable encounters.

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How to Identify an Ethical Animal Sanctuary

Some essential questions to ask yourself.

Why are the animals at the sanctuary?

Learn where the animals come from, and what had happened in their previous lives. Were they were bred in captivity or removed from the wild? If the answer is yes, then you should be raising some questions. Animals arrive at sanctuaries only after they become orphans or suffer a similar tragedy.

What condition are their living areas? 

Now they are in a sanctuary are their sleeping and recreational areas similar to the spaces to which they are familiar? If caged or in confined outdoor areas this is not a good sign. Animals should have freedom identical to that in the wild, where they can hunt and exercise in a natural environment.

How is their behaviour?

How are they acting? Are they pacing? Do they seem to lack energy or enthusiasm? Assuming the animals live in a comfortable environment, they should be spritely and content with no unusual modification to their behaviour. If you are allowed to touch the animals then be extremely wary, this is not a condoned practice by the ethical wild animal code.

When will they be released?

Some will never be released as they have been bred into captivity and know no difference. The animals will, therefore, live the remainder of their lives in a sanctuary.

Others, however, will be rescued, rehabilitated and released under the guidelines for the sanctuary.

All your questions should be answered transparently regarding the release of an animal. Should you feel, they are not then you are in your right to insist on the correct and truthful information.

You are not only your voice but a voice for the animals.

Exploring the Garden Route

The top places to experience ten ethical animal encounters along the Garden Route are all run as rehabilitation sanctuaries or education centres.

The Garden Route follows the N2 highway between Mossel Bay and Storms River, with scenic stops including George, Wilderness, Knysna and Plettenberg Bay.

The majority of animal centres are close to one another so you can stay in accommodation in Plettenburg Bay or Knysna and visit a selection over a few days. You can do as I did and plan your stops along the Garden Route to coincide with the centres you wish to visit.

Read More Here About The Perfect 2-Week Garden Route Road Trip Through South Africa

Where to Stay near the Animal Sanctuaries

The Lofts Boutique Hotel in Knysna

Milkwood Manor On Sea in Plettenberg Bay

Garden Route Animal Sanctuaries

Birds of Eden, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay #1

Visit this free flight bird sanctuary located in the Crags and enjoy a self-guided walk around the site. The indigenous forest is sheltered underneath a two-hectare dome (the largest in the world) and is home to over 3,500 birds and 220 different species. As you walk around the boardwalk it will take you to different levels, some dense and some more open and this will enable you to see the birds in a natural habitat.

Birds of Eden website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Driving on the N2 Garden Route, you will see the signposts to turn off for Birds of Eden.

Monkeyland, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay #2

The world’s first free-roaming habitat for multiple species of primates. Its goal is to teach visitors about the different primates and the threats they are facing in the wild. The monkeys roam freely, and there is no feeding or petting allowed. It is home to 500 monkeys and 11 different species. Your interaction will be in the form of taking photographs and memories away with you.

Monkeyland website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Located next to Birds of Eden, a combined entry ticket will allow entry to both.

Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary, The Crags, Plettenberg Bay #3

Rescued and re-homed big cats are free to roam in natural habitats designed for their specific needs. A non-interactive walk is available, meaning you can photograph the cats but not touch them, which causes them stress and anxiety.  The sanctuary educates the visitor of the plight that these majestic animals face and by doing so, hopes to raise awareness to future generations.

Jukani Wildlife Sanctuary website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Located next to Birds of Eden and Monkeyland, a combined ticket gives entry to all three sanctuaries.

Radical Raptors, The Heath, N2 Plettenberg Bay #4

This centre focuses on the rehabilitation of injured and sick birds of prey. Educational talks and flying displays are part of a visit to the centre.

Adult raptors have few predators and may live for 20 to 30 years in the wild; however, there are many reasons, including human impact why they may require rescue. The centre aims to release raptors following rehabilitation.

Radical Raptors website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Knysna Elephant Park – located just off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay #5

Spend a morning, a day or even a sleep-over at this elephant sanctuary near Plettenburg Bay.

Read my full blog for more details – Walking and Sleeping with the Knysna Elephants in South Africa

Knysna Elephant Park website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Garden Route Wolf Sanctuary – located just off the N2 between Knysna and Plettenberg Bay #6

Established ten years ago with a group of rescued wolves from across South Africa. The park has now evolved as an awareness centre offering guided or self-navigated educational walks through the enclosures. Daily feeding interactions are available. The natural setting of the sanctuary allows you to see wolves, jackals, huskies and African wild dogs in a natural habitat.

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation – The Crags, Plettenberg Bay #7

Experience conservation wildlife tours from 1 hour to a full day at this sanctuary. Born into captivity, these big cats are non-releasable and so are cared for at this non-profit centre alongside many species of birds and other indigenous creatures. The centre takes in between 250-300 injured animals each year with the ethos of rescue, rehabilitate and release. Photography tours are available to capture images of the big cats without any up-close interaction with them.

Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Plettenburg Bay Game Reserve – Wittedrift, Plettenberg Bay #8

If you are looking for a safari, then this is one of several in the area. Stay overnight at one of the lodges on site for an even more enchanting visit. Enjoy a horse safari or game drive to see the Big 5 and witness an animal encounter that will remain in your heart forever.

Plettenburg Bay Game Reserve website for visitor information on times, pricing and directions.

Meerkat Magic – Scenic Cape Route 62, Oudtshoorn 6620 #9

A 50-minute diversion from George (N2) will take you to an area known for meerkats and also ostrich farms along Scenic Route 62.

Enjoy a sunrise or sunset tour with the meerkats and learn about the conservation project that the centre runs. Get up and close with these furry creatures and leave with a better understanding of them.

Amakhala Game Reserve – Off N2 between Port Elizabeth and Grahamstown (65km outside Port Elizabeth)#10

At the far end of the Garden Route, this game reserve highlights the type of ethical animal encounters that gives you the chance to view wildlife in natural surroundings.

I had the pleasure of spending three nights on this reserve at Quatermain’s Camp, and it was one of the most magical animal encounters I have ever had, or probably ever will.

Thank you for showing an interest in the kinds of ethical animal encounters that can be part of your travel plans.

As you are travelling along the Garden Route, it is well worth stopping to discover some of these standalone ethical animal encounters of which I particularly enjoyed the Knysna Elephant Park, Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre and Birds of Eden.

Which ones would be on your itinerary?

Read Next: Walking and Sleeping with the Knysna Elephants