Koalas, lions, tigers, and giraffes, oh my! We love visiting a Safari Park. Here are 5 of the best safari parks in the UK. We have visited all 5, and they do not disappoint.
We love to witness wildlife running freely and learn about them. Nothing is worse than visiting a safari park where the animals aren’t cared for and the facilities are not great. To avoid disappointment, here are 5 safari parks in the UK we highly recommend you visit.
1. Longleat Safari Park
I hope I’m not the only person who grew up racing home from school to watch Animal Park. As a child, I longed to visit Longleat Safari Park; as an adult, when I finally got the chance to go, it did not disappoint! I’ve visited it countless times since and in my opinion, it’s the best UK safari park. Here, you will explore various species of animals worldwide, including lions, tigers, wolves, koalas, porcupines and even sea lions.
First of all, it’s excellent value for money. Ticket prices change depending on the date you plan to visit. Your ticket isn’t just for the safari park; it includes a walk-through and on-foot animal attractions like Koala Creek, Jungle Cruise and Family Farmyard. Your ticket includes Main Square attractions, including Adventure Castle, Rockin’ Rhino, Jungle Cruise and the Hedge Maze. If that was not enough…Longleat grounds, gardens and special seasonal park events are also included.
They also offer VIP experiences and lovely once-in-a-lifetime opportunities designed to give you the best behind-the-scenes access and interaction with their wildlife. They are perfect if you’re celebrating something special or just a great treat for yourself.
Conservation
Longleat Safari Park supports several conservation projects based all over the world and locally. They share their expertise, raise awareness and fund vital fieldwork. In Asia, they work to support red pandas and other wildlife that share their habitat. In Australia, they work to support the southern koala and assist with bushfire recovery. They keep a wide range of species in Africa, but all are coordinated through their conservation partner, TUSK.
2. West Midland Safari Park
Have you ever fancied feeding a Giraffe? Well, you can do just that at West Midland Safari Park and many other animals. This is probably one of the most hands-on safari parks we have ever visited and certainly one of the best safari parks in the UK.
The safari will take you on an adventure through African Plains, Wild Asia, Carnivores, The Borderlands and finally, elephants. You will spot southern white rhino, giraffe, zebra, prized Ankole cattle, ellipsen waterbuck, Congo buffalo, swamp-loving red lechwe, eland, armoured Indian rhino, lions, tigers, cheetahs, African painted dogs and many more species.
This safari park is also fantastic value for money; prices are subject to change throughout the year. Admission-only tickets include the safari, Red Panda Retreat, Ice Age, Land of the Living Dinosaurs, Boj’s Giggly Park, Lorikeet Landing, the Sea Lion Show, Reptile World, Penguin Cove, African Village, Hippo Lakes, Aquarium, Creepy Crawlies, Twilight Cave, Meerkat Mayhem, Lemur Woods, daily feeds, talks and animal encounters. You can buy wristbands for the rides separately. You can book tickets here.
Conservation
West Midland Safari Park supports research projects from an annually revised internal priority projects list. They collaborate on projects initiated by external researchers from endangered species breeding programmes, other parks, national and international conservation bodies and universities.
3. Knowsley Safari Park
Fancy a trip to the UK’s longest safari drive-through? It’s at Knowsley Safari Park and is a five-mile stretch. So, rain or shine, you’ll likely get a great glimpse of the park’s wildlife. The safari drive-through is set out in different zones, and you receive a free map and stickers to mark the animals you see along the way. This is a fantastic learning exercise for kids. You’ll spot rhinos, wildebeest, forest buffalo, lions, wolves, camels, and many more species.
Day tickets also include a wander around their foot safari; here, you can enjoy sea lion displays, a tiger trail, play areas, amusement rides, and many more animals. You can also take the family on a rowing boat on Mizzy Lake or a woodland walk through their Wild Trail. There is so much for the family to do here. You can book tickets here.
Conservation
The team at Knowsley Safari Park are very passionate about conservation. They have a conservation team that develops conservation partnerships and highlights conservation programs for guests to learn about and maintain conservation goals. They raise awareness within local and global communities.
If you can’t decide between Knowsley Safari Park and West Midlands Safari Park, we have compared the two in this blog post. When choosing between the two parks, it’s essential to consider the differences that may sway your decision. For instance, Knowsley Safari Park boasts a more extensive collection of animals, while West Midland Safari Park offers a broader range of attractions and experiences. If you prefer a more hands-on experience, The West Midland Safari Park allows you to feed many animals. However, if you’re looking for a more cost-effective day out, especially with a group, Knowsley Safari Park may be the better option.
4. Woburn Safari Park
Featuring a road safari and a foot safari, Woburn Safari Park is a brilliant choice for a fun and educational day out. This expansive wild animal park is home to over 80 species of animals living in 360 acres of parkland. The road safari takes 60-90 minutes and guides you through beautiful parkland, where you can witness animals running freely.
We love that you can repeat the drive-through safari as many times as you like. Each time you go around, you will have a different experience! You will finish at the foot safari, where you can wander amongst smaller animals, watch keeper talks and explore the leisure area. You can book tickets here.
Conservation
Woburn Safari Park is on a mission to help protect the long-term future of many vulnerable animal species. They make a direct contribution to in-situ and ex-situ conservation projects. They raise funds for animal charities, educate visitors and raise awareness of conservation issues and involvement in endangered animal breeding programmes.
5. Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park
Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is home to over 300 animals; you can visit them all on foot, too. The park features raised viewing platforms, meaning you can get up close and personal with giraffes, lions, and tigers. There is a lovely pet corner for those who prefer smaller animals. On the safari, you will see rhinos, antelope, camels and the majestic lion pride, all from the comfort of your car.
When you finish your safari, there is much more to do at this park. There is a prehistoric forest for you to explore and walk among life-size dinosaurs, a sea lion show, keeper talks, chimps on their private island, a giant play fort, a pirate ship, rope swings and a sandpit; the adventure play park is a fantastic way for kids to run off their energy. You can book tickets here.
Conservation
This is one of the UK’s leading zoos, and they care for the animal’s welfare here to an exceptional standard. They collaborate with other zoos and charities to help educate people and work together to preserve some of the world’s most endangered species. They support conservation projects around the globe.
These are our top 5 picks as the best safari parks in the UK. Safari parks are a great way to please the entire family and enjoy a day out, making memories while learning about Earth’s precious animals and wildlife.
We love to make a weekend adventure and travel to try different ones. Let us know your favourite UK safari park in the comments.
