Safari....

For a day trip out, I went to Longleat Safari Park and adventure Park in Wiltshire. So I'm going to write a review similar to the one I wrote on ZSL London Zoo a couple of weeks back. 

Longleat is owned by the 7th Marquess of Bath and has over 900 acres including the big Longleat estate house. It was the first safari park that opened outside of Africa and the first one in the UK, opened to the public in 1966.   

It has many attractions which include the House, the safari park, many children's rides, the big maze and animal adventure with jungle kingdom (which have the immersive exhibits and are outside the safari park, still in the estate though but just by the house). Animal adventure and Jungle kingdom have lots of small animals such as meerkats, porcupines and tamarins, also including rabbits, goats, butterfly's and the chance to interact with reptiles and amphibians. This is a great way to include the public, educating them in different ways, learning about the species that are on display. Mainly for small children but adults can learn and interact too!

Longleat House (taken by author at Longleat)

Animal adventure signage (Taken by author at Longleat)

Recently the park has opened penguin island and stingray bay which I think is a great interactive exhibit, as you can (at certain times) walk with the penguins. The penguin island enclosure walk through gives public the chance to learn about and interact with these animals where they wouldn't get the chance to in the wild.

Penguin walk-through
(Taken by  author at Longleat) 

Penguin island signage
 (Taken by author at Longleat)

Penguin island enclosure 
(Taken by author at Longleat)

Penguin walk-through exhibit 
(Taken by author at Longleat)

The safari park however I feel is much better, purely because the animals have much more space to roam free (even if they are still enclosed). The safari park gives the public the opportunity to get closer with these larger animals which they may not have the chance to get when at a zoo.

Park signage (Taken by author at Longleat)

Once through the toll booths on the safari, there is the African village where the public can stop and have a break before starting the safari. There is a shop, cafe, toilets (oh and also the Giraffes and the walk through lemur exhibit). At certain times the public can feed the giraffes (which us a great interactive way to get the public involved with learning about this species). Then back into the car, and on the safari again. With the zebras, rhinos, tapirs, elephant, tigers, lions, cheetahs and wolves. The safari also has a monkey enclosure where cars can drive through- you can bypass if wanted (but from my past experience, I do not suggest going into this enclosure and I do suggest by passing, purely because the monkeys will damage your car and it may cost you money to replace items, so if you decide to go into this enclosure- obviously totally up to you whether you decide but if you do- please be aware you may come out with a damaged car!!).  

All these enclosures on the safari have a double gate system (where cars  go through one gate and then wait inside an enclosed area, at the other gate until the one behind is fully closed and secure and then the front one opens). This double gate system is great and effective, because it keeps the public safe from any dangerous animals and also keeps the animals inside their enclosures away from any other species.  

Double gate system
(Taken by author at Longleat)

The safari park has many precaution signs all around to warn the public about safety which is a good way of ensuring both the public and the animals are at less risk of any problems occurring. The safari park also have jeeps and tractors in every enclosure with qualified staff, rangers and keepers watching the animals and public to ensure all safety is at high and no problems occur, if anything does happen then the longleat vehicles are at a short distance to assist and resolve the problem. I recommend listening to the CD that the toll booth admissions team gave you, as it allows you to listen and learn about the species you are seeing.

Warning sign
(Taken by author at Longleat)

Longleat Jeep
(Taken by author at Longleat)

Warning sign (Taken by author at Longleat)

Warning sign (Taken by author at Longleat)

Where the house, the animal adventure and the jungle kingdom is situated; there are many rides, cafe and a shop for souvenirs, which are great for everyone providing a variety of choice in foods, drinks and souvenirs! There is also places around to sit outside and inside for picnics and/or foods from the cafe!
  
So overall this safari park, is great for all the family as it includes lots of attractions for children, adults and the older generations. This safari park and adventure park has grown so much in the last few years, and is continuing like many other parks and zoos, continuing to grow and improve! 

I recommend trying to go around all the enclosures (including the safari) as you will then get the chance to interact and learn about the different species that are around the world you may not get a chance to see!