Gecko Travel and Tours, Plettenberg Bay

We booked the tour because we wanted to see as many animals as possible on our trip. Our guide, Nathan, picked us up at our hotel in Knysna and after the trip to Plettenberg Bay we started our tour at the Tenikwa Wildlife Rehabilitation and Awareness Centre - finally various big cats, especially. Cheetahs and leopards, which are often hard to find in the wild, see up close - and yet it is not a "zoo", but just a rehabilitation centre! After that, the cute, playful monkeys in Monkeyland had a hard time impressing us, but the huge terrain in which various rescued monkeys, almost from all over the world, move completely freely - and we in the middle of it! - was then also impressive, as well as Birds of Eden, the next stop right next to it - in such a huge facility you really don't have to have any pity for the animals, apart from the fact that they are mostly rescued animals (from bad keeping, from abandoned zoos, etc). But after a lunch at the Bramon Wine Estate (excellent!) came the highlight for us - The Crags Elephant Sanctuary! Here elephants, which could no longer survive in nature because e.g. the trunk is mutilated by a poacher's trap, are kept on very large terrain and three ladies are tame and peaceful enough to hold their trunk with their hand , can go for a walk! Then the handlers (who you can see their love for "their" elephants, here only treats with treats!) also explain interesting facts and you can pet them, brush them, hug them,... a great experience that you certainly can't have anywhere so quickly! For us it was a "once in a lifetime" experience!! Our guide, Nathan, has told us a lot of interesting things about the region in which he grew up and today's life in South Africa. It was an all-round successful day and we are very happy that we came across this offer!