Knowsley Safari Park 2017 Review
Reviewed by Kathryn Carr
When I thought about what a safari park had to offer, I imagined a half hour’s slow, stop and start drive, trying to spot the odd deer, rhino and tiger. In reality, Knowsley Safari Park in the North West of England is jam-packed with animals and things to do, in and out of your car. Don’t worry, you’re not about to be thrown to the lions, many of the park’s exciting attractions are separate to the UK’s longest safari. During your visit, you can drive round as many times as you like so if you’re making a day of it (and there really is plenty to do), you’ll have ample opportunity to spot over thirty species of animals and birds.
One of the things I like about the park is its commitment to animal conservation. It has a successful breeding programme, working with many different species, some of which are classified as endangered in the wild. During our drive around the safari route, it was wonderful to see zebras, camels, emus, antelopes, buffalo and ostriches in spacious surroundings. I was grateful to have received the ‘Welcome to Knowsley’ souvenir guidebook on arrival as it helped me answer my two-year-old’s frequent “What’s that Mum?” queries. “It’s a Scimitar-horned oryx. Their horns can grow this big (cue outstretched arms to approximately 5ft)”. The guide, as well as providing lots of information about the animals, includes a useful map, list of all the activities on the ‘foot safari’, the safari drive rules and how you can get even closer to the animals with their keeper experiences, birthday parties and animal adoptions.
The Safari at Knowsley opened in 1970 but it has certainly moved with the times. Unfortunately, it wasn’t until I read the leaflet enclosed in the guidebook after our visit that I realised I could have downloaded a free app onto my phone to help me find the answers to all my daughter’s questions at the touch of a button. There’s also quizzes, animal sounds and an audio guide that could really enhance your visit. I wish we’d been given a verbal heads-up on arrival but we loved our day out all the same and will know to make use of this next time round.
The Safari drive has a very lively ‘Monkey Jungle’. The park very wisely makes it clear that the baboons could damage your vehicle. In fact, some of their literature actually states, ‘Baboons will damage your car. Enter at your own risk.’ Children (and adults) will perhaps get a bit giddy about the opportunity to see baboons bouncing on bonnets. Having a monkey hitch a ride on your ride is certain to get a laugh (but the tearing off of car trim and windscreen wiper ripping that we witnessed from the safety of the car friendly route isn’t quite as funny). The viewing route whilst without the up, close and personal touch, did mean we got to see the monkeys from a safe distance and head home with our car still in one piece. Alternatively, if you really do want to get close to the monkeys but just not in your own car, you can experience the safari park by Baboon Bus, a 16 or 33 seat minibus that offers a 1-2 hour trip every weekend and everyday throughout school holidays. It isn’t included in the admission price, costing an extra £5 per person (under 3s free). To book on the Baboon Bus you must call the park on the morning you are due to visit (lines open at 8am).
Whilst we weren’t told about the app when we arrived, the friendly staff did let us know the times of the sea lion show, so we planned our first drive to arrive back at ‘base’ ready to see Arthur and Roger’s impressive routine which had them catching hoops, balancing balls and performing handstands. If shows are your thing and you’d also like to see a vulture feeding and an eagle soaring, the birds of prey display is definitely worth a watch.
You can easily spend the whole day exploring the park’s grounds, not only by car but by rail (hop aboard the lakeside train and ride through the equatorial enclosure, waving at the tapir as you pass), by boat (in summer, you can row across the beautiful lake) and by foot (visit the giraffes, meerkats and red river hogs).
One of the newest additions to the park is ‘Wolf Country‘. Our toddler loved heading out into the forest to spot the Iberian wolves through hidden peep holes. She really loves the outdoors and relishes every opportunity to jump in puddles, collect leaves and point out plants. This latest attraction was made for her. We were slightly disappointed not to make it all the way round due to the combination of our youngest’s pram and the steps on the trail. Another firm favourite of my two-year old was the indoor bat forest where you can feel the bats fly centimetres from your head, listen to their high-pitched squeaks and experience the ‘pooh-ey stink” of their natural habitat.
Overall, we had a fantastic time. It’s a great place to spend a whole day seeing some wonderful wildlife.
Rating: 4/5
The park is of course largely family friendly with reasonably priced adult and children’s meals in the onsite restaurant, baby changing facilities and outdoor adventure play areas. There were times when we wished we’d put baby in the carrier rather than the pram. Wheelchairs can go where prams aren’t allowed (sealion show, bat house) but the forest trail really isn’t viable with wheels.
If you’re heading for a day out with children, beware, there are a dozen or so amusement rides including a pirate ship, carousel and dodgems (height restrictions apply) that are not included in admission prices. Tickets for the rides can be bought at the information centre on the day of your visit for £2.00 per ride or £10.00 for a wristband which gives unlimited access to the rides for the day.
Knowsley Safari Park is open daily, 10:00 – 5:00 pm. It costs £17.50 per adult and £13.50 per child. Under 3s are free and reduced cost family tickets are available. You can also save 10% by booking online. Keep an eye on the website for special offers, for example, it’ll only cost you £15 a car if you go Monday to Friday between 4th September and 20th October 2017.
For more information or to book tickets visit www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk.
Knowsley Safari, Prescot, L34 4AN | 0151 430 9009
