Best Safari Park in the UK?

[Fallax]

Curious to hear what ZooChatters think the best safari park in the UK is as I think it could be an interesting discussion. I've added a poll to this thread to see the general consensus as well. I've left out parks that have drive through sections but are primarily "walk-around" zoos (i.e. Highland Wildlife Park).

I've only visited Knowsley when I was a lot younger, and not having a car means safari parks are not too accessible for me but I'd quite like to visit one in the near future so it would be interesting to see which is considered to be the best.

 

[Embu#2]

I can only vouch for 3 of the above(Longleat, Knowsley, WMSP) however I haven't been to Longleat for about 20 years so a lot has changed since my visit.

Knowsley isn't my favourite even though it's the longest, it's just sadly under utilised imo however I suppose each safari park needs a USP(Knowsley have the tiger habitat, WMSP have the lodges, Longleat the Koala etc)

 

[ZooNut23]

Only been to Longleat and Blair Drummond so can't vote. Of the two I've been to, Longleat is bigger and better in every way. Think some of the on foot exhibits could be improved, the Aardvark, Anteater, Binturong/Otter enclosures are tiny and the house with the sloth in is very basic. However, the lake cruise and safari drive through are both outstanding.

Blair Drummond is decent but most of it can be done on foot so it more has the feel of the sort of zoo you'd find attached to a theme park (think flamingo land). The lemur walk-through is pretty good and it's very child friendly. Could do with another "wow" species to give it an edge, for example bears which they used to have or another carnivore.

 

[Ned]

I've been to all except Blair Drummond. If I had to pick a favourite it would be Woburn if only for the black bears and the fact the monkeys have never destroyed my car. West Midlands feels a bit crass with the theme park area and people hanging out of their cars feeding animals. Knowsley has some good enclosures such as tigers, bush dogs but let's itself down with a crappy little sea lion pool and a crappy little area close to it housing display animals. Longleat is okay, but I avoid the monkeys; had windscreen wipers and trim damaged too many times.

 

[Embu#2]

I don't like the fact WMSP allow hand feeding but I do like the fact their giraffes are mixed in the safari with the zebra, rhinos etc. This is something that lets Knowsley down having their giraffe where they are, considering they can only be seen via the foot safari.

However one of WMSP downfalls is the hippo enclosure, it's tiny, unless they have access to the large lake behind them?
Knowsley do have a lot of wasted space mainly on the drive through but the biggest waste here imo is the old elephant enclosure, if they could create a new road past the old enclosure(like it used to be) it could make a brilliant drive-past exhibit for something

 

[Pertinax]

However one of WMSP downfalls is the hippo enclosure, it's tiny, unless they have access to the large lake behind them?

The Hippos do have access to the lake but the water is usually black and foetid-smelling from them using it. Its a pretty awful display IMO.

I've been to all the Safari Parks apart from Blair Drummond. I think they all have shortcomings one way or another. If I had to choose one over the others I'd say Knowsley for the attractive landscape and the Asian section(I like Asian ungulates) and the Kiang, despite the very poor road surfaces.. Similarly West Midlands, for the Asian stock including Indian rhino. But I do not like the public handfeeding from cars and traffic jams it causes or the razamatazz of the walkthrough area and the dreadful stinking Hippo lake..but the Dinosaurs are the best I've seen. Longleat- I haven't been for a long time now- the reason? I like gorillas and at Longleat the boat trip-at extra cost- is a very unsatisfactory way of seeing them- its far too brief. Longleat loses marks with me just for that fact. Woburn- no special critisisms I can think of though I always can't help thinking how much nicer such a beautiful area would have been just staying undeveloped as part of the deer park.

 

[Keelan]

Have been to all except blair drummond. I think that they all have positives and negatives and it makes it difficult to chose the best.

Knowsley has a lot of space which is amazing but the space could be utilised better. The walk round area could all do with being updated apart from the tiger enclosure. Lots of potential here.

Wmsp is a mixed bag. From all of the safaris it seems to have the most animals on the drive but the foot safari does let it down slightly. As mentioned the hippo lakes aren't ideal and the Hippos could desperately do with a new enclosure. I think that the giraffe feeding g is definitely unique but does cause a lot of issues.

Woburn is unique because of the bears on the drive which were definitely a highlight and was great to see them interact with the wolves. I think that this is the best in terms of around. The drive has a good amount of animals as so does the foot safari.

Longleat was very good but the enclosures were smaller than what they look on animal park was the main findings from when I went especially the ones in jungle kingdom. Jungle cruise was a highlight and all in all is a great place.

 

[cerperal]

Longleat- I haven't been for a long time now- the reason? I like gorillas and at Longleat the boat trip-at extra cost- is a very unsatisfactory way of seeing them- its far too brief.

Not entirely sure what you mean by this. Jungle Cruise is and always has been included in the entry fee.

 

[pipaluk]

I have never made any secret of my dislike of Longleat, though its walk around area is now the best for a UK safari park probably with its wombat, koalas , tree porcupines etc. I don't like the lake and poor gorilla viewing. The drive around area is dull and price ridiculously high!
I love Woburn's black bear/wolf drive through and wmsp is excellent with several rarities for UK safari parks including dhole, several deer species and Indian rhino .
I will vote Woburn with wmsp a close second.
Knowsleys tiger exhibit makes it a challenger to Longleat which without the walking area would be 4th for me!

 

[ZooNut23]

You get another view of the gorillas if you take the train. Ideally though it would be great to be able to observe them for longer.

I find the "monkey temple" section odd. When I went there were only red handed tamarins (although I understand there are now cotton tops). Most of the species there weren't monkeys.

 

[Pertinax]

Not entirely sure what you mean by this. Jungle Cruise is and always has been included in the entry fee.

Last time I went there was a seperate charge, I have to admit it was a long time ago now.

 

[JamesB]

Last time I went there was a seperate charge, I have to admit it was a long time ago now.

Pretty sure the train has been an up-charge in the past, can't remember the boat ever being one though. There was a time when they did 'passport' tickets where you could do everything once and then pay for a second trip.

 

[cerperal]

There was a time when they did 'passport' tickets where you could do everything once and then pay for a second trip.

Hasn't been like that for at least 20 years though. One of the big things in Longleat's advertising nowadays is that you can go round everything as much as you want. That's one of the reasons it's so good to me

 

[J C]

Last time I went there was a seperate charge, I have to admit it was a long time ago now.

I think it’s worth noteing the boat and the train are both included in the admission price for longleat, given for example Whipsnade train is £4.50 if you assume the boat to be a similar price and where to take these of the admission price and make them separate charges you would be looking at admission prices of around £30 same region as the ZSL sites and Chester. So I personal don’t have a problem with the pricing as I and would assume many visitors also have to travel to longleat and on have the time once a year so would try to do everything it has to offer on the day. If it makes the day simpler for me and there staff by making it an all inclusive ticket then so be it, I do agree though the gorillas could be better presented though I’m not to fussed being from Twycross and having our own gorillas as am sure Paignton visitors are also.

 

[Kalaw]

I have only been to two - Woburn and Longleat.

Woburn wins in terms of drive-through. American Black Bears (sharing a 5.2 hectare forest with Canadian Timber Wolf), Pere David's Deer, a woodland for Barbary Macaques and Eastern Bongo, a 19 hectare savannah with Blue Wildebeest and Congo Buffalo, and an actual herd of Asian Elephants, all make for a more memorable and stand-out experience than Longleat, where many paddocks feel almost identical, and many creatures are in adjacent exhibits, as opposed to a drive-through.

However, I do admit that Longleat has a more exciting walk-around. Woburn's is nice, with a very deep pool for Humboldt Penguins, a nice Red River Hog enclosure, and a nice selection of small primates, but with the possible exception of the Sea Lions, there is nothing that cannot be seen at most smaller UK zoos. Longleat puts it to shame with Southern Koala, Hairy-nosed Wombat, Cuban Crocodile, Giant Otter and Common Hippos.

Overall, although they both have their strengths, I definitely prefer Woburn, and would probably list it among my top ten favourite UK zoos. You visit safari parks for their drive-throughs, and Woburn offers an extremely fun and memorable such experience in a way Longleat never has done, for me.

 

[J C]

Having on been to 4 of the options I’m leaving out Blair Drummond as I haven’t visited, though it could be a contender for my fourth place as I struggle to believe it could be worse. That being Knowsley, it’s alright having all the space, but with nothing to fill it it just feels a shadow of its former self and rundown to be honest, the walk section also was uninspiring ok they have the new tiger area but to be honest I’d put that on par with Whipsnade or YWP and would personally prefer them on the drive along with the giraffes it is a safari after all. The next three are all more difficult to choose between but I’m going for WMSP the feeding I don’t have an issue with as I often have my lads with me and if it saves me a couple of hundred quid in animal experiences when they can have giraffes eating out of there hands then so be it. The range of species and number of animals also is impressive, there will always be something in view on the drive I also like not having the monkeys as I think it’s a gimmick that has had its time, possibly that’s just me. The walk also is nice with the lodges being impressive and offering alternative view of the animals in them along with the reptiles which is always nice to see. But for me the place is being dropped to third for it recent introducing of the one lap safari drive, the thinking being it would speed up the drive it didn’t when I was there the other week there was still a half hour queue at the start and finish by the giraffes which like I said I didn’t mind but would have preferred the option to do it again later in the day when it could have been less busy. Second I’m going for Woburn lovely underrated place in my opinion, going by its posts on here nothing much happens or chances there as it just nicely ticks over the drive is lovely with all the safari key spices lions, tigers, rhino, giraffes etc with the bears and wolfs also as a usp is great an lovely to see along with a good group of elephants. The walk I also found interesting lots of common species but presented well, the only let down I found was the elephant display I don’t get why they still do this for the public, I get they do it for the animals management reason but to display as they do with them all lined up is more of a circus throw back. Top spot goes to longleat but only just due the the short coming mentioned above. The drive I like for its multiple carnivore sections that is the original point of safari parks I think and I also like the cafe over looking the first section to be able to stop for a coffee and look over the section away from the crowed foot safari is unique to uk safari. The foot safari has a good variety also ok not the best enclosure but presented well enough the koala being a highlight for any collection and the pricing I’m ok with as mentioned above you get the boat, train and unlimited safari laps included which I would do there even if they where charged separately.

 

[TeaLovingDave]

, but with the possible exception of the Sea Lions, there is nothing that cannot be seen at most smaller UK zoos.

Other than a rather unusual lemur hybrid!

 

[Alwaysevergreen]

Maybe I'm fortunate, but I have been to all 5 UK Safari Parks in the last year, so I am happy to give my thoughts on each of them.

Blair Drummond - I would say, for all many have knocked it, Blair Drummond has improved markedly in recent years. Newer additions are a walkway to view the Lions and Chimps on foot, something that was introduced (for chimps) when the boat didn't run during Covid.

As far as the Safari goes, it's not the biggest, but it's split into four sections, one for Africa with Rhino, Eland and Zebra, then an Asian section with Deer and Camels. The Monkey area is optional, and finally there is the Lion exhibit, which if you arrive early, you can often see them let out to chase down carcass feeds.

As far as the Foot Safari goes, it's not bad, the Sea Lions and Penguin new exhibits are decent enough and the show for the Sea Lions is informative. Yes seeing a lone Elephant isn't always exciting but they do house Giraffe, Zebra, Rhino, Elephant, Sea Lions, Tiger and Lemurs all on the walking safari. Obviously there are other areas, the Lemur walkthrough on an island is pleasant and well planted and the boat to Chimp Island is good when it's running.

Down side to me, is the Fun Fair, but one thing I do like is the impressive Birds Of Prey selection, and the three shows a day.

At £21 it is the lowest priced Safari Park in the UK, and whilst it lacks the size and scope of Woburn and Longleat, I think it's well priced for what it is, offers good viewing, the Safari is not one that you get stuck in massive queues on, and is certainly worth a visit.

Knowsley - Probably my least favourite of all the Safari Parks. Yes it is a nice size, but I'm sure a few years ago, Tigers, Wolves, Cheetahs and Elk were all out on the Safari? Now it's a lot of hoofstock and not much else. Zones one and two is mainly antelope, deer and Camel, and the next few zones are meant to be mixed with Rhino, Zebra and Wildebeest, but I've often found this hit and miss, and rarely see the Rhino's out grazing.
The second half of the Safari feels empty, with a rather large Monkey drive through, before a Bison area, which feels like it would be better if it was more mixed like you find at Highland. Another Safari with just Lions carnivore wise feels a bit of a waste and whilst it is great space for them, it does feel rather wasted.

The walkthrough safari is one that feels small and wasted to me. I used to love it when there was Elk in the valley, an exhibit which is now just a woodland walk. The Wolves hit and miss to see in new exhibit. Granted the Tiger exhibit is impressive, but the loss of Elephants and a rather small paddock for Giraffe, makes me feel space could be better used.
The fun fair is not for me, and I feel the Sea Lion exhibit is rather small (especially the outside bit).

Aside of the Tiger exhibit, not much else impresses me and it feels like a collection on a downward spiral and at £25.00 to enter, I don't actually find it value, especially when it costs more to see the Sea Lion show etc.

West Midland Safari Park

Living close to West Midlands now (closest zoo for me), I thought I would have visited it more than I have, but it is always absolutely rammed, and in the section where the Giraffe are, it can take like an hour to get through that bit because everyone was stopping to feed the Giraffes.

I don't mind the animal feed which people can buy, and I get that this is a big attraction to visitors, but when they often ignore the don't feed Ostrich or Zebra, it can be annoying as it really isn't policed well.

I do like the drive safari at WMSP as I like the Wild Dogs, Doles, Tigers and Lions, and I think it's probably the best Carnivore drive-through species wise of all the Safari Parks, plus I think the other areas are good.

Downside to me is the foot Safari, which doesn't have a lot. The reptile house is not what it was, the Sea Lion exhibit is again small, the Hippos whilst okay viewing is small, and then whilst I love the Lemur wood, I rarely have seen any Lemurs in it.

Again it's a big fun fair, and also a dinosaur land which I get is for families and that, but it puts me off slightly.

I also think at £22-£26 it's not bad value for money, but is does strike me as if they are fully focussed on the lodges, which as a single bloke are not cost effective at all for me.

Woburn

I think Woburn is a good mix, the drive safari and the foot safari are both pleasing. My main dislike is that the Przewalski Horses and Camels and some other animals are only viewable before you enter the main zoo, so I feel like you miss out on something queueing to get in.

I like how the Rhino, Giraffe, Zebra, Eland, Forest Buffalo are all out on main Safari's and like many on here, I like the carnivore section.

I think the Foot Safari is very good. I enjoy the Elephant talk and being able to get photos of Elephants without mesh in the way and like that there is a couple of walkthroughs etc.

Whilst there is the odd ride around the place, it doesn't feel a bit in your face as mentioned on the above three, and I would say Woburn is quite a consistent Safari Park.

Downside for me is the massive wasp problem in the summer and as someone who is allergic to Wasp strings, this puts me off visiting in the summer months.

At £30 to enter it is one of the more expensive visits, but when there are extras to be charged as well, technically the all inclusive ticket at £42.99 makes it more value as it includes a meal and drink, as well as guide book, bottle of water and entry to the Sea Lion show. I think this is worth the £13 extra.

I like Woburn, and I like it's unlimited drive arounds, and for me it's one of the less busy to drive round, so you can easily drive round 2-3 times.

Longleat

Overall, Longleat is my favourite. I suppose it might be because I used to visit a lot when I was younger and then when lived in Somerset, but I like the Safari, it feels so much more naturalistic than some of the others and I feel the Safari is a good mix.

I love seeing the Bongo in the woodland, before the African Village, where I like you can get out your car and look out on to the plains, or walk down to the Warthog and see the Tapir etc.

The Monkeys and Blackbuck is a nice mix and I do enjoy the large plains paddocks with the Oryx , Ankole Cattle and Camels.

The Deer park is a nice addition where you can feed the deer, and I really like that with the Carnivores you get big exhibits for Tigers and Lions, before the Cheetah. It's a shame the Hyena is in a hard to see exhibit, and I hope at some stage they are moved into another section on the Safari, much like the way the Wild Dogs are at WMSP.

I like how it ends by the Wolves and again I enjoy that you can go around as many times as you like.

I like the fact that the rides and amenities are away from the animals, so they are easily avoided, but both Animal Adventure and Jungle Kingdom have good animals to view, and Koala Creek is a great place to get photos of all it's inhabitants.

I can easily spend a whole day at Longleat, something that aside of Woburn, I would really struggle at most of the other Safari's and I enjoy the boat ride, and often go on it once or twice.

Yes its a shame there is no other way to see the Gorillas bar the boat or train but on the whole, I find Longleat the best of the Safari Park's with the large collection it has, and a cracking drive-through and foot Safari.

Yes it can be expensive to visit, but I was a member last year when it was £100, and it came with 20% off experiences and catering and unlimited visits and members events. Which meant 3 trips easily paid for it, I didn't renew this year when it increased to £130, as I now no longer live 35 minutes drive from the park.

I think I visited something like 20 times last year, so definitely got my money's worth and I enjoy going back.

It's definitely my favourite.

1 = Longleat
2 = Woburn
3 = Blair Drummond
4 = West Midlands Safari Park
5 = Knowsley

I appreciate, my views may be different to many others.