A couple of weeks ago we took Lucas to Knowsley Safari Park*. The safari park is an impressive 5 mile wild animal safari drive as well as a walk round park like you would expect of a zoo. It is currently home to over 750 fascinating animals.
I really couldn’t have picked a worse day to go, it was pouring down to the point that we couldn’t see out of the windscreen driving there on the motorway. However, we didn’t let this dampen our spirits and were excited to see the animals up close.
As you enter the drive, there are 3 paying kiosks to minimise the wait of entering. You follow the drive round and can either turn left to the car park to walk around or continue straight to go into the safari drive. There are also some toilets that you can park next to if you need to use them before going into the safari part. We went round the safari first, my favourite part of the drive is seeing the lions walking so close to the car in their enclosure and couldn’t wait to see Lucas’ reaction. Unfortunately, due to some changes in the lion group they weren’t in their normal enclosure as they needed to be monitored closely. We still saw them but it wasn’t the same experience as I have previously had, I will check before we go next whether they have been reintroduced.
Due to the rain a lot of the animals were hiding, the deer were out in full force, nothing put them off! When we did spot the animals though, it was amazing, seeing them mixing together in a natural type habitat without any bars. We spotted a couple of Zebra, Rhinos with babies, Buffalo, Tigers and Camels. We didn’t go into the monkey enclosure as we were booked onto the Baboon Bus at 12. The safari drive took us about 40 minutes but would have taken longer if it wasn’t for the rain and if the lions had been out.
The weather cheered up and we parked up and had a bit of our picnic before getting on the Baboon Bus. The bus takes you around the full safari, not just through the monkey enclosure. The bus driver introduced himself and said he wasn’t a tour guide but would tell us anything he could. Turns out he knew pretty much everything there was to know, he was very knowledgeable and friendly throughout the journey, pointing out the animals and telling us about them.
Once we drove into the monkey enclosure they were jumping all over the bus, swinging from rope that hung from the bus. Lucas found it highly amusing, touching the window where the monkeys were. We spent about 20 minutes in the monkey enclosure and probably just under an hour and half on the bus.
Once the bus pulled back into the park we had a walk around looking at the other animals. There are some more lions in the park, we also saw sea lions, tortoises, meerkats, birds of prey, elephants and my favourites, the giraffes. There is a bat cave but we decided not to venture in their until Lucas is a little older. There are also fairground rides and a train that you can go on, we will definitely go on the train next time we visit.
We had a fab day out and even with the rain at the beginning it didn’t spoil it. There is plenty to see and do whatever the weather x
Fashion and Style Police says
We visited the Safari Park in Milton Keynes some months ago. It was a lovely experience.
StressedMum says
I haven’t been to a safari park for years, looks like you had a great time. I remember when I was younger we went to one and got stuck in a traffic jam in the tiger enclosure, I was fine until one started looking in the window I hid on the floor lol x
Rhian Westbury says
I love safari parks but have never been to this one! Looks really good x
Rachel says
I went here some years ago and it is such a fantastic day out, not sure they had that many animals back them though x
Claire says
My nephews would love to this safari park, they are obsessed with lions!
Lynette says
Looks like a fun day out, I haven’t been to a Safari park for years but only because I don’t drive!
John Milnes says
This is a place I really want to go myself. I know my daughter would love to visit this place too.
Thanks for Sharing
John M.
Ana De- Jesus says
Oh no, sorry to hear about the bad weather but glad you got to see a wide variety of animals on your safari adventure!
Hannah says
Wow – I can’t believe it is 5 miles, thats amazing!
Liz Mays says
What a fun little wildlife adventure. They have so many amazing animals! Rhinos are my fave!
Sarah Bailey says
Such a shame the weather wasn’t as good as you hoped, it looks like you had an amazing time however! x
Leanne says
Despite living fairly near to Longleat I’ve never visited. Im partial to the odd safari park. Looks like you had a nice time.
Nadine-Johanna Stewart says
Since I am little I wanted to go to a Safari Park. I am so jealous. Looks like you had a fantastic time.
WhatLauraLoves says
We went to Knowsley last year and absolutely LOVED it. Although the monkey pulled the ariel topper off my car! xxx
Northern Crumble says
Even with the UK weather living up to it’s traditional expectations it looks like you got some great shots of the animals
Melanie Edjourian says
I really want to take my little ones there it looks great.
Elizabeth says
My goodness wow, what a fab place! That sodden ostrich did make me laugh though, lol!
Tanya Brannan says
It looks like you had a lovely time, even with the weather! We always loved taking our children to the zoo, and even now it is a favourite place of ours to visit x
Jessica says
Great that the weather somehow went good with your trip. Visiting Safari Park is one of the best explorations for kids. 🙂
indreamworld says
I love visiting zoos with my two small children, have never ventured into a safari park yet though but have heard great things about Knowsley Safari Park.
It looks like a great day out.
The Baboon Bus, though! OMG haha. Have you seen the On The Buses holiday film where they’re driving in the safari park and there’s chimps getting on and driving it and a lion prowling in at the back?!
I’d be too scared of this happening (even though I know it couldn’t!) I’d be papping myself lol!
Olivia Thristan says
Aaaahhh I love the safari park but I haven’t been in years, I think the nearest one to me is Birmingham. I love Zebra pics, they’re my fave 🙂 x
Jenni says
Haha I haven’t seen that but want to now x
Ruth whyte says
I love animals… I really do there is a safari park quite near where I stay in Scotland and it’s superb. I don’t fully agree Org the animals being locked up but I know they are treated well and they are happy. It’s a a amazing experience for kids to. Just shame about the weather but glad you didn’t let it dampen your day. Thank you for sharing xx
Angela Bethea says
I’ve always wanted to go to a safari park and I know someday we will. Everything looks beautiful and I am sure it will be and amzing experience too.
Stephen says
I have never been to a Safari Park and Knowsley sounds amazing, all those fantastic creatures in one place!
Holistic Health Hack ~ Rachael Phillips says
Bright side of the weather is at least you were inside the car 😉 I’d love to go on a safari looks good
Vicky Reddaway says
LOVE Knowsley! 🙂