Africa Alive (Safari Park)

We went to this place last year so we knew exactly what we were in for. It’s an excellent day out, but we had already agreed that if it was raining we would stay away as there is not enough to do indoors and the animals prefer to play in the sunshine (that’ll be the African heritage I suppose).

I’m not keen on keeping animals in captivity so I stay away from most zoos and circuses where animals are used.

I’m much less concerned about safari parks as I’m sure the animals don’t have too rough a time. What they lose in freedom they make up in not having to hunt. Contrary to what I used to think as a child I have seen enough BBC-type documentaries where lions with thorns in their paws and who can’t hunt starve to death alone in the savannah. So I reckon their lives aren’t too bad. Mind you I’m sure if they could talk they would have something to say about the weather here.

Africa Alive is well laid out, with plenty of animals in quite large enclosures. And the paths are fine for buggies too (always important). Zebras, rhinoceros aplenty (don’t know the plural), ostriches and giraffes all share a large expanse of land together and they seem to leave each other alone. Feeding time at the giraffes is well-attended and is worth a look.

There are also several exhibitions to see, repeated throughout the day. We saw a “birds of prey” show which was good fun and also a show given by a troupe of Zulus which included Zulu singing and dancing. Monty was in a difficult mood when we went, but I remember last year he loved the Zulu show.

We were going to watch the feeding of the lions but were passing the enclosure early so decided we’d go and have a quick look first. In addition to a large-ish patch of land, there is also a lion house with thick glass windows on one side so you can see the room where the lions go when they want shelter. We were lucky that as we were looking through the window I was trying to explain to Monty that this is where the lions would be sometimes. What amazed me was that in a very short time the room was filled with 4 lions, including a huge male. Monty had his face pressed up close to the window and didn’t budge an inch when the male came walking right up to the window and gave him a good stare. I was a bit nervous knowing that there was less than a foot between my son and a lion’s mouth. Thankfully there was also at least an inch of lion-proof glass in between too.

The park also has play areas for kids with assault course type obstacles, slides and swings. The main attraction for Monty was a “train ride” with a string of carriages following an engine which circumnavigates the park. It’s a great ride and Monty loved it.

So this is an attraction I would definitely recommend for a day’s outing.

Full details on the Africa Alive website

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