Knowsley Safari Park

Reviews

• A Unique Experience

  Based on the concept of a safari Knowsley Safari Park offers a drive through experience where the animals are free roaming throughout the park and you can see them through the windows of your car or coach with a walk around section at the end of the tour where you can see the big cats in enclosures and the elephants in a separate section.Over the years the park has adapted and now includes a small amusement park area with fair for children,In addition to the larger animals there is a bug house and nature walk which bring educational opportunities.The park offers special opportunities to schools and education providers.You can adopt an animals or animals at the park or via their website - a unique and unusual gift for anyone!In the old days you were charged per vehicle however due to abuse they made it pay per person - for a family of three adults and one child it cost us #48 and we were very satisfied with this. We always take a picnic lunch and purchase drinks and ice cream when we get there and felt that this was a good idea as prices were quite high for some items and would make this a more expensive and for me an unaffordable option!

  Gupneddy
  Review Date: 12/08/2008 Report review
• Knowsely Safari Park

  This is a fantastic day out for the family. We have visited Knowsley Safari Park every summer for the last three or four years, and still enjoy it! Ticket prices are reasonable for the amount of time we spend there. The traffic moves very slowly around the safari as everyone stops to admire the animals and take photographs! There are wardens stationed all over the place so believe me you WILL be reprimanded if you dare open your window an inch to get a better shot in the lion enclosure! There are some gorgeous animals including lions, tigers, rhinos, buffalo, camels, etc. Also there are quite a few emus wandering around, and they are very curious and perfectly prepared to stick their head in your open window to see if you have any food! After you have completed the safari trail, there is a fairground for the children, also a large cafe, and a gift shop with some really lovely (but expensive) items!

  Rainbowwarrior
  Review Date: 04/08/2008 Report review
• £12 to get in and £60 to fix the car

  I first went here when I was seven and have the leaflet to prove it with a nice photo of a lion on it. Bless. I had no memories of it at all other than I seemed to have the desire to go again which has stayed with me for 30 years. Last summer I went again, not knowing what to expect other than it sounds good. I could, I suppose, only be wrong.Obviously, it would be weird if I went by myself but luckily, I have several hundred children by many wives and they came with me. Kids, despite being quite grotesque and generally dirty, have their uses.To summarise, a good day out was had by all, spoiled only by some bastard monkey which snapped the windscreen wiper off. More on that in a mo.Getting there----------------Knowsley is a funny place. Sort of in Liverpool but sort of miles away. There is definite green land between it and Liverpool city centre and it lies a good 10 miles out at least.It sits near Junction 2 on the M57, an obscure local motorway close to the M62 which joins Liverpool to Leeds and beyond, crossing the mighty M6 on the way. So, all in all not a nightmare to locate.The park itself covers 200 hectares, nearly as big as Africa (ref: Wikipedia - made up facts section).The cost----------I'm sure in the old days you used to pay by car but now it's per person as followsAdults £12.00Children/O.A.P.s £9.00Family ticket (2 adults & 2 children/O.A.P.s) £37.00Pedestrians £7.00 per personI'm not sure how the pedestrian bit works and don't recall seeing any. I can only assume that you pay £7 for the honor of being eaten by a lion as you stroll leisurely through the enclosure, possibly having first been taken out by a sniper to stop you from escaping when the horrific truth hits you.Of course, passengers who hide in the boot or under seats go free. A don't remember anyone actually checking to see how many are in there with much scrutiny and you don't get out of the car when you pay to go in.In terms of value for money, this ain't cheap but it was sort of worth it. Until the baboons get you.How it works---------------Well, you drive slowly around the one-way system looking at the animals as you pass. The animals are all largely free to roam within their allocated enclosure and they get real close - even the lions. They sort of brush nonchalantly against the cars, stop and stare at you and sniff a lot. I make that sound a bit pithy but it really is good fun. The kids loved it. The ostriches come and peck the windows and the camels get ready to spit.The baboons are, well, naughty frankly. If outward shows of masturbation aren't your thing then avoid. Personally I love it. You don't have to drive through them, you can go around if you want but that's just dull. The unwary drive through, desperately willing them to jump all over your windscreen. Most people seem to be enticing them with fruit from their windows. We did too. Then one of them snapped the windscreen off didn't it. £60 to replace - took the whole arm off. All that masturbation makes you strong. There's always one who spoils it for the others. It was all ' Ah aren't they cute' and 'Look at that one' and then 'Bugger!'.Other animals include rhino's, giraffes, zebras and antelope. Some are in enclosures. Probably for a reason. Most stroll around doing their stuff - it's quite fascinatingThe other amusement park type things------------------------------------------- ---As well as the animals there is a small fairground that has a few good 'little' rides which would suit younger children. In the same area there is a sea lion show that takes place a good few times a day - it was quite enjoyable. Aren't sea lions clever? Why do they only eat fish? God they must love them. In the same building as the sealions there is an aquarium and I was imagining the fish swimming around in terror every time they hear someone open the door thinking that today they were going to be a reward for a sealion who can jump through a hoop.There is the mandatory shop selling kid-crap of an animal nature which had stuff priced for everyone's budget. There is also a large café/eateries which sold the usual. Take sandwiches - you don't mind as much when the kids chuck it to the wandering peacocks.Did the kids enjoy it?Yep. A good 4-5 hours well spent I thought. It is genuinely interesting and the animals didn't disappoint at all, getting really close and performing antics. The 4 -year old thought it was pretty magical all the way through. And so did his dad.All info (opening times etc) can be found at:http://www.knowsley.com/safari/index.htmlMay also be on other review sites..Summary: Worth it

  Dhillcrest
  Review Date: 03/08/2008 Report review