Looking to experience an African safari in the UK,? We have rounded up our favourite UK safari’s that all of the family will love visiting.
West Midland Safari Park, Worcestershire
As soon as you drive through the gates of West Midlands Safari Park you feel that you have been transported from Worcestershire onto the African Plains at one of the county’s leading safari parks.
West Midlands Safari Park is a great option for families not only because it has a world class safari but it also boasts a theme park and the UK’s largest animatronic dinosaur attraction.
The safari here offers visitors a chance to spot giraffe and rhino on the African plains, watch the elephants at elephant valley and see the buffalo and deer at Wild Asia.
Where: West Midland Safari Park, Spring Grove, Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF,
Web: West Midlands Safari Park
Blair Drummond Safari Park, Stirling
We really like Blair Drummond Safari Park in the stunning countryside of Stirlingshire, which is Scotland’s only drive through safari park. Home to over 350 animals, you will see rhinos, African lions, monkeys and Scotland’s only giraffe tower.
During your visit take the boat tour to explore Chimp island and watch the sea lion show which is great fun and kids will love the large adventure play park.
Where: Blair Drummond Safari & Adventure Park, By Stirling, FK9 4UR
Web: Blair Drummond Safari Park
Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire
This was the first drive-through safari park outside of Africa and its our personal favourite. Stop off first at the giraffe enclosure where you can get our of your car and get up close and feed the giraffes before the safari starts. One of our favourite parts of the safari is feeding the deer out of the car window (£1 per cup).
Other parts you will experience on your safari include tiger and lion territory, wolf wood and monkey mayhem and the camels and rhinos are fantastic. If you are lucky you might catch a glimpse of Ann the elephant if she leaves her 994m² purpose-built heated home.
After the safari see the koalas at the creek before taking the jungle cruise to see the gorillas. Kids will love the huge hedge maze, rockin rhino and the play areas in the adventure castle. Don’t forget to explore the stunning Elizabethan Longleat house and formal gardens.
Where: Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
Web: Longleat Safari Park
Manor Wildlife Park, Tenby
Whilst its neighbour Folly Farm has a wide range of animals to view at their zoo, Manor Wildlife Park is Wales only walk in safari. The park’s innovative walkthrough exhibits allow visitors to come face to face with many of it’s animals, you can come face to face with red pandas, share a bench with a lemur or sit next to the giant rabbits and gibbons
We loved our visit here and a highlight in particular for visitors is the wallaby walk where you get up close to these beautiful animals.
Where: Manor Wildlife Park St Florence Tenby Pembrokeshire SA70 8RJ
Web: Manor Wildlife Park
Knowsley Safari Park, Merseyside
If you want to experience the longest drive through safari in the UK, then head to Knowsley Safari Park. Along the 5 mile route you will see everything from lions, zebra and buffalo to meerkats and wildebeest. If you want to see the baboons and don’t want to risk your car the park offers a baboon bus which takes you on the safari. Another interesting feature of this park is their wet safari on the boating lake, where you can row around and see the wildlife on the lake.
Where: Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot, Merseyside, L34 4AN
Web: Knowsley Safari Park
Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire
There are two safaris on offer at Woburn spanning over 300 acres of beautiful Bedfordshire countryside , a road safari and a walk through safari. Start your safari at the Northern Plains home to wildebeest and camel before arriving at the Savannah Grasslands where you could see southern white rhino, zebra and antelope.
One of our favourites when on a safari is spotting the lions, tigers, wolves and bears and you can do that here in the Kingdom of Carnivores. Giraffe Junction is another favourite, home to a herd of the beautiful Rothchild’s giraffe. The foot safari provides a unique experience to see meerkats, red panda, otters, sea lions and birds of prey.
Kids will also love the play area here and for older kids and adults there is a Go Ape course on-site.
Where: Woburn Safari Park, Crawley Road, Woburn, Ridgmont, Bedford MK43 0TU
Web: Woburn Safari Park
Port Lympne Wild Animal Park, Kent
This is a unique safari experience where you can explore over 600 acres of parkland with over 700 animals and 88 species to view. You can board the safari truck to explore the park and really get close to the animals.
Here you will find the UK’s largest herd of black rhinos as well as gorillas, lions, tapirs, monkeys and many more endangered animals.
Kids will love exploring the Dinosaur Forest where they will come face to face with prehistoric life-sized creatures in the UK’s largest dinosaur forest!
You can also make your day out extra special when you book additional activities, including bespoke safaris, animal encounters and keeper for a day experiences.
Where: Port Lympne Reserve, Lympne (Nr Hythe), Kent, United Kingdom, CT21 4PD
Web: Port Lympne Wild Animal Park