Knowsley Safari Park Is it worth a visit?

[LeeMac13]

Hi, im thinking of visiting the safari park but havnt been in years, as im usually a visitor to Chester Zoo. Just wondered if it is worth a visit also are all of the animals outside or are some inside or behind hotwire? Also is there any tips for taking pictures avoided the glare of the car window?

 

[Paulkarli08]

If I where you, I would leave it till the Spring, as the more delicate species like the Scimator Horned Oryx, Sitatunga will not be on view due to the weather, and the Rhino's and Elephants are not let outside when it is cold or icy. The majority of the animals are huddled up in their shelters, and don't generally photograph as well as they would in the spring.

 

[ZooMania]

^Agreed. A spring visit would be better but on the whole the Park is my personal favourite of the 5 safari parks in the UK, and has a pretty nice aray of species, partially down to a few connections with Chester I believe...

 

[redstarsmith]

Made my second visit in 3 years after a previous absence of over twenty years when we used to make visits multiple times per year. I was once again really impressed by my visit. I can't compare this to other Safari parks as I haven't been to any others. The animals are active and seem to have relativiely spacious paddocks. Interesting collection with the added game of guess the species because of the absence of Signage and my refusal to pay for the guide.

I really, really, really wish that I hadn't taken the car into the Baboon's. I swore that I wouldn't but the excitement of having Babons all over my glass roof got the better of me. A repair bill of at least £130 and rising makes me feel foolish at best. Setting aside the repair bill the experience of being up close to the baboon's is exciting. Was also surprised to see Anoke cattle in with them but didn't pay them attention because of the monkey tearing my car apart.

The drive is publicised at around 5 miles and you can go around at a leisurely pace although on a busy day you may have to wait to see a prized animal or even pass several parked cars. Of course you can go around as many times as time will allow.

The foot safari was really good and we particularly liked the raptor collection. I did miss the former reptile collection and would hope that they can develop this particular area in the future.

Knowsley is a no-fuss wildlife collection and the annual pass would be as big a no-brainier as observing the Baboon's from the outside of their enclosure.

 

[Pertinax]

I really, really, really wish that I hadn't taken the car into the Baboon's. I swore that I wouldn't but the excitement of having Babons all over my glass roof got the better of me. A repair bill of at least £130 and rising makes me feel foolish at best.

I've very pleased I avoided going in there then, on both my visits in the last couple of years.

How does it compare with other Safari Parks? IMO better than Longleat and comparable with West Midlands though the range of species you will see- particularly the specialities, varies in each one of course. Haven't been to Woburn for many years now. In both cases I deliberately planned my visits to Knowsley for when it was very quiet and was able to drive around an almost empty park several times at my leisure- these places are not good on busy days at peak season though, as I found to my cost at West Midlands a couple of years ago.

 

[NigeW]

I've very pleased I avoided going in there then, on both my visits in the last couple of years.

redstarsmith's experience is not a rare one - I visit Knowsley reasonably regularly and I see destruction in the baboon enclosure every single time. The last time I went inside with the baboons was towards the end of my time with a company car, being about to change jobs - last chance!. A great experience but being into my cars there is no way, absolutely no way, I'd take my own car through there now. I did get away with it that last time, at least, the worst I got was the car pooed on. Straight through the car wash on the way home And there is a car friendly bypass where you still get a good look at the little vandals.

As for how Knowsley compares to other drive-throughs - I can't really comment as its ages since I've been to another. But it is a serious collection very well presented. You don't get the impression its simply there as a commercial tourist attraction as I have done from other parks. Some rarities there too.