Donkey Kong Bananza Elephant Challenge Guide: Secrets, Strategy, and Success ~ HaploGamingChef

If you're brave enough to step into the chaotic brilliance of the Elephant Bonanza Rehearsal Hall in Donkey Kong Bananza, then prepare yourself. This isn't just another in-game challenge—it’s an epic gauntlet packed with puzzle-solving, timed platforming, enemy manipulation, and some of the most rewarding exploration in the game.

This comprehensive Elephant Bonanza walkthrough will walk you step-by-step through the entire challenge, revealing how to unlock all bananas, snag every balloon, and uncover the Elephant Bonanza instrumental music disc at the end. Whether you're a completionist, achievement hunter, or simply trying to impress the Elder Elephant, this guide has everything you need.

Prerequisites: What You Must Have Before Starting

Before you so much as breathe near the microphone that launches the Elephant Bonanza Rehearsal, you must be properly equipped and fully prepared. Without the right gear and upgrades, you’ll hit a wall fast.

✔️ Visit the Elephant Elder at Tempest Layer (SL900)

Your entry point is found by making your way deep into the Tempest Layer, specifically at the SL900 coordinate. The Elephant Elder will be your checkpoint to initiate this madness.

✔️ 500 Bananas Eaten Minimum

Yes, you read that correctly. The challenge won’t be accessible unless your trunk has downed 500 bananas. If you haven't met this dietary milestone, start munching.

✔️ Max Out the Elephant Skill Tree

You’ll want every passive and active skill in the Elephant skill tree unlocked. There are moments of tight timing and intricate strategy—if you’re missing abilities like suction throw precision or advanced mobility, you’re simply going to suffer.

✔️ Wear the Soggy Kravitai Tie

Possibly the most important gear upgrade for this entire challenge. This stylish but practical tie renders lava harmless, converting it to solid stone underfoot. It also mitigates fire rain damage. Pick it up from the Style Shop at the Planet Core (SL1601).

Launching the Elephant Bonanza Rehearsal Hall

Once equipped and ready, locate the performance microphone in the Elder’s Hall. Activate it, choose “Bonanza Rehearsal”, and brace yourself. You’re about to step into an action-puzzle labyrinth that will test every banana-fueled skill you’ve acquired.

Opening Section: Master the Basics or Get Burned

The initial stretch may seem tame, but it's a clever introduction to the physics and interaction mechanics you’ll be using throughout.

Catch and Return the Water Projectile

In the first chamber, a flying enemy launches a water-based projectile. Activate vacuum mode and absorb the projectile mid-air. Then, press ZR to launch it back at the foe. This action unlocks the first door.

Laser Door Puzzle & First Balloon

Next up: laser traps. You’ll spot your first balloon in this area. Use suction to catch and hurl projectiles at the nearby door structure. Once you do, the first balloon will appear. Collect it immediately—balloons are easy to miss, and you won’t get another chance unless you restart.

Salt, Sand, and Sly Combat

Now things heat up. Prepare for environmental manipulation and combat that mixes puzzle mechanics with precise execution.

Defeating the First Major Enemy

You’ll now encounter a larger enemy across a salt-and-sand terrain. Gather sand chunks using suction, then choose one of two tactics:

Aerial Hit: Climb the ledges and hurl a sand chunk onto its head
Lure & Drop: Tease the enemy toward a trap area and let it fall off the ledge

The successful takedown opens the big gateway to the next zone.

Tricky Platforming and Balloon #2

This section requires manipulation of enemy AI.

Trap the Enemy to Access Balloon #2

Aggro the mobile enemy and lure him into a pit. Once he’s stuck:

Gather chunks of sand
Use double jump and chunk throws to scale walls
Then jump onto the enemy’s head, using it as a springboard
Land on the high platform, smash the barrier, and grab Balloon #2

Don't forget to finish off the trapped enemy before moving on.

Banana Double Haul & Simple Tunnel Climb

After clearing the enemy zone, you’ll enter a new chamber with bananas.

Easy Bananas

Grab the obvious banana ahead
Turn right to discover the second banana, slightly hidden
Use your suction to craft a staircase or tunnel through terrain, leading you upward

Once both are collected, hop in the barrel and head deeper.

The Light Stone and Zipline Crossroads

Now you’ll work with light stone mechanics to solve a set of intertwined puzzles.

Creating Light Paths and Melting Muck

Collect light stone chunks and throw them at light switches to activate bridges
Use the light-to-salt converter to transform light chunks
Salt chunks melt harmful muck so you can pass safely via zipline

Be prepared to switch between forms and keep restocking from behind you.

Enemy Under the Balloon – Balloon #3 Strategy

Time to get clever.

Kill the Enemy Under the Balloon

Aggro the enemy beneath a hanging balloon
Throw a chunk to stun it
Jump up, bounce or strike the enemy
The balloon will lower—grab Balloon #3 and move on

Rolling Lava and the Soggy Tie Payoff

Your soggy tie shines here.

Freeze the Lava, Create Platforms

Spawn light chunks, activate lava bridges
Use roll-jump-roll combos to move fast
Kill lava enemies either by using your cooled lava path or by baiting them onto hot surfaces and blasting with chunks

Progress once the enemies are neutralized and platforms are extended.

Banana Collecting and Barrel Physics

You’ll now retrieve another set of bananas with a barrel-based puzzle.

Barrel Light Puzzle

Throw a light chunk into a barrel to activate a pinball-like mechanism
It strikes light switches in a sequence, opening access to a hidden banana
Jump into the barrel, fly up, and smash the third banana

Don't linger—move quickly once it activates.

Gold Chunks and Combat Mayhem

Here comes a deadly trifecta of enemies.

Gold-to-Light-to-Salt Chain Puzzle

Use gold chunks to blow apart spiky walls
Convert gold into light, then salt, to dissolve barriers
Enemies here are light-weak—use that to your advantage in melee

The Balloon That Needs a Weapon – Balloon #4

A trickier one.

Enemy Weapon Tactics

Defeat enemies cautiously—don’t destroy the bouncing weapon
Use the bouncy weapon on a platform
Stand on it, charge up, and bounce high to pop Balloon #4

If you lose the weapon, use the “Do Over” checkpoint function to retry just this stage.

Final Enemy Trio and Door Unlocking

You’re almost at the climax.

Use muck, light chunks, and terrain traps to defeat a trio of enemies
The last enemy can be knocked off-course using suction

Once done, collect your next banana and head toward the final sections.

The Seed Puzzle and Banana Pathway

This one’s fun and creative.

Toss a magic seed on wooden platforms
Use it to create a bridge or sprout platforms upward
Suction the seed again, aim high, and hit a hanging enemy
Use the immobilized enemy as a platform to reach the next banana

Bounce Stone, Water, and Balloon #5 Finale

Here’s where physics and creativity collide.

Turn Lava to Bouncy Platforms

Suction water chunks to cool lava
Convert stone to bounce using the harp nearby
Bounce across, but don’t miss the fifth and final balloon

Make sure to:

Cool lava on the vertical wall
Hit the harp again to make the wall collapse into a horizontal surface
Bounce up and pop the final balloon

This unlocks the Elephant Bonanza instrumental music disc.

Ice Cube and Final Banana Trio

The very last puzzle is perhaps the most satisfying.

Use Suction to Guide Ice Cubes

Turn spiky ground into lava, then cool it
Suction up chunks to make a safe path
Guide falling ice cubes into their destination
Once the puzzle completes, you unlock the final platform

Fly up using flight chunks, collect the final trio of bananas, and report to the Elephant Elder.

Challenge Complete.

Final Rewards and Closure

After you’ve gathered all five balloons, seven bananas, and completed every stage, you’ll receive the coveted:

Elephant Bonanza Music Disc
Massive Banana Bonus
Bragging Rights Forever

Frequently Asked Questions – Donkey Kong Bananza Elephant Challenge

What is the Elephant Bonanza Rehearsal Hall in Donkey Kong Bananza?
The Elephant Bonanza Rehearsal Hall is a high-level puzzle-platforming challenge where players collect bananas and balloons while using environmental mechanics like water, lava, light stone, salt, and suction.

How many bananas and balloons are in the Elephant Bonanza challenge?
There are seven bananas and five balloons hidden throughout the rehearsal hall. Collecting all five balloons unlocks the Elephant Bonanza instrumental music disc.

Where do I start the Elephant Bonanza challenge?
You begin at the Elephant Elder’s location in the Tempest Layer (SL900). You must have eaten at least 500 bananas to be eligible.

What gear do I need to survive lava and fire rain?
Equip the Soggy Kravitai tie, which you can purchase from the Style Shop at the Planet Core (SL1601). It allows you to walk on lava by turning it into stone.

What skills should I have before attempting this challenge?
It is highly recommended to have every skill unlocked in the Elephant skill tree, especially for suction throws, combat versatility, and platforming support.

What happens if I lose a key item like the bouncing weapon?
You can talk to the checkpoint statue within the level and select “Do Over” to restart from the last major section without starting over completely.

Is it possible to replay this challenge after completion?
Yes, you can return to the Rehearsal Hall via the microphone and replay it to master your run or to help friends figure out the mechanics.

What reward do I get for completing everything?
You unlock the Elephant Bonanza instrumental disc, earn a large cache of bananas, and complete one of the hardest side challenges in the game.

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