| Product: |
Knowsley Safari Park |
| Date: |
21/04/08 (219 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: a fun day out for all the family
Disadvantages: English weather
I recently visited the safari park after many years and I was quite impressed by what they had to offer.
**GETTING THERE***
At Junction 6 from the M62 onto the M57, then take Junction 2 and follow the Brown signs with a white elephant on them to the safari park gates.
Buses can be used but the road outside the park is quite dangerous and has to be negotiated to get to the park from the bus drop off point.
**PRICES**
Adults £12.00
Children/OAP £9.00
Pedestrians £7.00 (although why visit on foot I do not know as you are not allowed to walk around the actual animal enclosure)
Other rates..
Disabled (with one carer) £9.00
Student £9.00
Larger groups...
10 or more in a single vehicle
Adults £10.00
Children/OAP £8.00
(two adults free with 20 paying children)
Disabled (with one carer) £8.00
Season tickets are available...
Adult £27.00
Children/OAP/Disabled £9.00
There is a small amusement park near the car-park and each ride cost £1.50 per ticket, (or £1.00 for 50 or more tickets).
When you turn off the duel carriageway into the park through the gates you approach the hut like entrance area. There are several paying kiosks which in a line and you simply wait in a line of cars until it is your turn to pay.
Once through the kiosks you proceed into the park itself.
This is where you can chose whether to drive around the animal enclosure first or park in the good sized car park and wonder around the safer section of the park.
We chose to park up first and have a look around, a good choice as we were just in time for the "sea lion" show in the building past the restaurant.
The Sea lion show is on three times per day, the times are shown on the board outside, it lasts about thirty minutes and is worth watching.
There are plenty of benches inside to accommodate everyone.
Once the show starts the doors are closed.
The sea lions are well trained and obviously enjoy entertaining the crowds, with their ball balancing and flipper clapping. ~(I took the liberty of videoing the show so I can watch the elegant creatures anytime).
So I do recommend watching the sea lions in action, and your kids will love it.
Also, there are wild birds exhibitions around the back of the sea lion arena, (times vary).
To the left of the aviary there lies a climbing area for YOUR little monkeys to burn off excess energy. (All safety equipment supplied). But as I didn't go on this I can not comment on the thrill of hanging from a shoe lace fifty feet from the ground.
With an Arcade and some thrill seeking rides there is plenty to do.
**DRIVING THROUGH THE ANIMAL SECTION***
*There are a few rules stated on sign post... Close your windows as you drive through the tiger/lions enclosure and do not get out of your vehicle.*
Well, when you first drive through the gates it does not look to impressive, with a few deer and some strange looking grass eating creatures ignoring you as you drive.
A few lions and wild dogs were sleeping behind a heavily enforced metal fence, probably sleeping off a hefty meal.
It does get better as you go on, the animals are simply wondering around on the grass/muddy verge either side of the two car wide road.
There are a wide selection of animals to see as you drive along the 5 mile route.
There are deer, Bison, Buffalo, wildebeest, Zebras, Rhinos, Emus, Wallabies and many more.
You know when you are approaching the lion/tiger enclosure as the heavy fortified metal gates loom ahead. The vicious beast seem to be watching you as you slowly drive into there habitat, their eyes staring at their possible dinner in a metal box, you can actually see them licking their lips.
You can take your time driving through the animal enclosure, stopping to take in the scenery, but do be careful as some of the animals do wonder into the road.
For those who do not want their cars damaged by the monkeys there is a monkey friendly section which takes you around the outside of the enclosure, the monkeys coming right up to the fence to have a look at you as you drive past.
If you do go through the monkey enclosure then do be aware that the monkeys WILL jump on your car, trying to prise your wipers or wing mirrors off for their own collection.
At the end of the drive through there is the elephant and giraffe compound, a small parking area is available if you wish to observe them.
**OTHER FACILITIES**
Toilets, gift shop and restaurant near the amusement park.
Woodland walk
Farm animals
Miniature railway
**CONCLUSION**
For the price of entrance I feel the Knowsley safari park is well worth the visit as you can spend the whole day there.
You can drive through the animal enclosure as many times as you like for the single admission price.
I enjoyed it and my kids really loved the sea lion show and how near the wild animals seemed to be.
Summary: Fun for all at the park
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