Longleat Safari & Adventure Park Longleat Safari Park 2024

[cerperal]

Difficult to say seeing as I have never visited, but surely Safaripark Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands and Reserve Africaine de Sigean in France are considerably better, or perhaps even Parco Natura Viva in Italy, as well as of course San Diego Zoo Safari Park, although despite the name that might be an unfair stretch of the definition of the word.

Personally, I don't even think that Longleat is near being the best safari park in the UK, as the drive-through area at Woburn puts Longleat's to shame in terms of the quality of exhibitry, selection of species and charm of the grounds, although I do admit that its walk-around zone is somewhat pitiful and doesn't hold a candle to the koalas of Longleat, as well as a noticeable lack of recent developments while Longleat, as you mention, has been improving rapidly. As such I do suspect that this is something of a biassed and unpopular take.

It's quite hard for me to gauge as someone who hasn't visited any of those collections, but I do think where Longleat lacks the flashiness of certain other collections it makes up for in what I shall refer to as the Whipsnade patented technique of "field, with animals". In that the simplest exhibits (a field) when combined with interesting inhabitants (some animals) make for superb experiences. I've lost count of the number of times I've been to Longleat but I think you're pretty much guaranteed to not just see everything* but also see interesting behaviour on each visit. I'm sure that applies to safari parks on the continent and further afield as well but I don't think the general simplicity of Longleat is of detriment. Plus I think there is a good argument to be made that Longleat features some certainly UK-best exhibits - Bongo Pass (when it had bongos in it), both Lion paddocks, certainly the Cheetah paddock and honestly probably the main giraffe/zebra/wildebeest/ostrich paddock as well.

I can't speak for Woburn as I haven't visited, but I do struggle to see how the combination of Wiltshire hills and Georgian architecture can have less charm than it. Longleat's walking safari (or, as everyone called it until whenever they started pushing that, the zoo section) certainly has come on massively in recent years. The Australia section is probably the best example but the crocodiles and otters are also a big draw (and dare I say an upgrade over the ill-fated penguins), but then there's also the fact Longleat has the boat safari as well which is easily the best pinniped exhibit in Europe and some brilliant viewing for the colobus and gorillas.

It'd be interesting to know what future plans for the park are, because clearly there's no plans to slow down development. The turnaround of announcement to viewing for the dogs is what, 3 months? so who knows what else they have in store. I think it was similar timing for the hyenas. As a business Longleat nowadays has something most zoos lack which is effectively endless funds and I'm glad they've put it to use on developments (and hopefully some new hippos). But I do think currently it's probably the best in the country and certainly up there internationally. It's helped by how well known it is, granted.

*Except Anne. I have seen her behind exactly once in maybe 15 visits. I'm not complaining, I think if anything it gives more points to Longleat for focusing so hard on actually caring for her.

 

[Kalaw]

It's quite hard for me to gauge as someone who hasn't visited any of those collections, but I do think where Longleat lacks the flashiness of certain other collections it makes up for in what I shall refer to as the Whipsnade patented technique of "field, with animals". In that the simplest exhibits (a field) when combined with interesting inhabitants (some animals) make for superb experiences. I've lost count of the number of times I've been to Longleat but I think you're pretty much guaranteed to not just see everything* but also see interesting behaviour on each visit. I'm sure that applies to safari parks on the continent and further afield as well but I don't think the general simplicity of Longleat is of detriment. Plus I think there is a good argument to be made that Longleat features some certainly UK-best exhibits - Bongo Pass (when it had bongos in it), both Lion paddocks, certainly the Cheetah paddock and honestly probably the main giraffe/zebra/wildebeest/ostrich paddock as well.

I can't speak for Woburn as I haven't visited, but I do struggle to see how the combination of Wiltshire hills and Georgian architecture can have less charm than it. Longleat's walking safari (or, as everyone called it until whenever they started pushing that, the zoo section) certainly has come on massively in recent years. The Australia section is probably the best example but the crocodiles and otters are also a big draw (and dare I say an upgrade over the ill-fated penguins), but then there's also the fact Longleat has the boat safari as well which is easily the best pinniped exhibit in Europe and some brilliant viewing for the colobus and gorillas.

It'd be interesting to know what future plans for the park are, because clearly there's no plans to slow down development. The turnaround of announcement to viewing for the dogs is what, 3 months? so who knows what else they have in store. I think it was similar timing for the hyenas. As a business Longleat nowadays has something most zoos lack which is effectively endless funds and I'm glad they've put it to use on developments (and hopefully some new hippos). But I do think currently it's probably the best in the country and certainly up there internationally. It's helped by how well known it is, granted.

*Except Anne. I have seen her behind exactly once in maybe 15 visits. I'm not complaining, I think if anything it gives more points to Longleat for focusing so hard on actually caring for her.

I mostly agree with that very well-phrased argument, although I will dispute whether the sea lion enclosure is the best in Europe due to the apparent lack of indoor areas for colder weather, and although I could be mistaken I do recall reading somewhere that freshwater can damage their skin, which makes one question why Longleat has been keeping them in a freshwater lake for so many years (but I will let others confirm whether or not there are indeed issues as I allude to). As an aside, “brilliant viewing for colobus and gorillas” is a questionable way of describing what may be the worst viewing opportunity for primates offered by any zoo that I have been to, as you briefly pass by them from quite some distance with no indoor viewing or anything of the sort.

Longleat does indeed have some excellent exhibits, but it also has plenty of poor ones (although as does any zoo, of course). The majority of enclosures in ‘Jungle Kingdom’ are exceptionally poor, and although I may be exaggerating it’s small size due to my poor memory, since they were separated from the ‘Big Game Park’ and moved to their own enclosure elsewhere Longleat probably has the worst white rhino enclosure in the country both in terms of viewing and space for the animals. For a zoo of Longleat’s size there is no excuse, and there are several instances where I look at enclosures that, while not bad, are not great either, and believe that a zoo with the area and budget of Longleat should be doing so much better, for example the gorillas. This criticism is by no means exclusive to Longleat, and can be aimed at just about any British safari park and many other large zoos - ironically, most animals barring carnivores and primates get much more space in smaller zoos.

As for your queries about the charm of Woburn, it comes from its natural elements with a gorgeous woodland setting which Longleat doesn’t have, with some lovely wildlife to be found throughout it. ‘Field with animals’ is, as you say, great, but I would take a woodland with lions, tigers, bears and wolves over it any day. The Georgian architecture at Longleat is indeed lovely but of course it is limited to one small corner of the zoo and doesn’t really do much for the overall ambience of the place, but of course measuring zoos by character is about as subjective as it comes, so I shall refrain from discussing this further.

I do agree that Longleat is excellent, and as admitted in my above post my declaration that Woburn is better was biased, but it does have plenty of issues and in general I think that all British safari parks are undershooting their potential.

 

[cerperal]

I mostly agree with that very well-phrased argument, although I will dispute whether the sea lion enclosure is the best in Europe due to the apparent lack of indoor areas for colder weather, and although I could be mistaken I do recall reading somewhere that freshwater can damage their skin, which makes one question why Longleat has been keeping them in a freshwater lake for so many years (but I will let others confirm whether or not there are indeed issues as I allude to). As an aside, “brilliant viewing for colobus and gorillas” is a questionable way of describing what may be the worst viewing opportunity for primates offered by any zoo that I have been to, as you briefly pass by them from quite some distance with no indoor viewing or anything of the sort.

Longleat does indeed have some excellent exhibits, but it also has plenty of poor ones (although as does any zoo, of course). The majority of enclosures in ‘Jungle Kingdom’ are exceptionally poor, and although I may be exaggerating it’s small size due to my poor memory, since they were separated from the ‘Big Game Park’ and moved to their own enclosure elsewhere Longleat probably has the worst white rhino enclosure in the country both in terms of viewing and space for the animals. For a zoo of Longleat’s size there is no excuse, and there are several instances where I look at enclosures that, while not bad, are not great either, and believe that a zoo with the area and budget of Longleat should be doing so much better, for example the gorillas. This criticism is by no means exclusive to Longleat, and can be aimed at just about any British safari park and many other large zoos - ironically, most animals barring carnivores and primates get much more space in smaller zoos.

As for your queries about the charm of Woburn, it comes from its natural elements with a gorgeous woodland setting which Longleat doesn’t have, with some lovely wildlife to be found throughout it. ‘Field with animals’ is, as you say, great, but I would take a woodland with lions, tigers, bears and wolves over it any day. The Georgian architecture at Longleat is indeed lovely but of course it is limited to one small corner of the zoo and doesn’t really do much for the overall ambience of the place, but of course measuring zoos by character is about as subjective as it comes, so I shall refrain from discussing this further.

I do agree that Longleat is excellent, and as admitted in my above post my declaration that Woburn is better was biased, but it does have plenty of issues and in general I think that all British safari parks are undershooting their potential.

Can't say I disagree with anything you've said. Must admit I've never heard about the freshwater problems with sea lions before, so I shall be off googling that now - I don't think that the lack of indoor area is a particularly big problem, given as a species they inhabit regions far colder than Wiltshire in the wild. I think my comments about the primates may be a case of recency bias - the colobus have always been out and very active for me in all weather, as have the gorillas. I think the boat experience also plays a part.

I was tempted to mention the rhinos. My god is that an awful enclosure, and the fact they're still in there boggles me a bit especially when everyone seems to have different reasons for why (is it TB? Northern White breeding? General grumpiness?). The older sections of the zoo section, as you mention Jungle Kingdom especially, are incredibly out of date. An upgrade from the literal cages they had less than a decade ago, but still some of the worst around. Ultimately at some point I think the only option will be to close for an extended period over the winter and bulldoze the old sections and completely redesign it, as the current layout does not allow for expansion. The giant anteater is particularly pitifully small. Longleat certainly has the land to expand. I think like most larger zoos/safari parks in the country the discussion on Longleat's current state and future is definitely an interesting one, and as much as I like the approach of dropping in a new exhibit every year as a surprise it would be interesting to see if there's a more long-term plan.

 

[Cat-Man]

Thanks all for the interesting comments above.

Does anybody have a photo of the new rhino enclosures?

 

[Kalaw]

Thanks all for the interesting comments above.

Does anybody have a photo of the new rhino enclosures?

These photos from the gallery by @MagpieGoose and @Jedd Cullinan do the best job at showing it:

From the outside, although it is of course not visible to the public, it looks like they have a lot of indoor space, and the presence of two yards does help in terms of separation options, but it is simply far too small for four rhinos and the smaller sandy yard is atrocious for any group size.

I believe this is also the enclosure that Anne the elephant inhabited prior to the construction of 'Anne's Haven' elsewhere in the zoo.

 

[cerperal]

I believe this is also the enclosure that Anne the elephant inhabited prior to the construction of 'Anne's Haven' elsewhere in the zoo.

Correct, during construction of her current house she was housed in there which means there's a few images of the indoor space available online. I'm not entirely sure what it was used for before that, given the rhinos would have been in the Big Game Park. I'd guess their overnight area? I do hope they return to the main drive thru. I miss them fighting the tractors.

As an aside - can anyone fill me in on where the elephants were previously housed?

 

[Panthera1981]

As an aside - can anyone fill me in on where the elephants were previously housed?

I can’t remember the housing, though from loose recollections I remember the group had a very basic paddock where the pelican/flamingo aviaries now are. I could be wrong, though (very!) old episodes of Lion Country/Animal Park should help.

Hopefully African elephants will return to Longleat in the future. Though I understand the reasons for their departure, there’s no doubt the park now have the ability to produce a sustainable attraction. It’s a pity they couldn’t rescue Howlett’s group.

 

[Cat-Man]

These photos from the gallery by @MagpieGoose and @Jedd Cullinan do the best job at showing it:

From the outside, although it is of course not visible to the public, it looks like they have a lot of indoor space, and the presence of two yards does help in terms of separation options, but it is simply far too small for four rhinos and the smaller sandy yard is atrocious for any group size.

I believe this is also the enclosure that Anne the elephant inhabited prior to the construction of 'Anne's Haven' elsewhere in the zoo.

Thanks for providing these. Was there a reason given for removing them from the big game reserve?

 

[Tankyboi]

The 6 painted dogs arrived from Port Lympne

 

[cerperal]

The 6 painted dogs arrived from Port Lympne

Glad to know they're taking the rewilding of Wiltshire seriously

 

[Laboratory 7]

Glad to know they're taking the rewilding of Wiltshire seriously

Well at least they are trying again after the rewilding of Kent didn't end so well,so why not try a different location.

 

[Dr. Loxodonta]

Thanks all for the interesting comments above.

Does anybody have a photo of the new rhino enclosures?

I have just uploaded some of mine from December, delisted these images mainly focusing on the Rhinoceros:

Southern White Rhinoceros Bull

• Dr. Loxodonta
• 10 Mar 2024

(Ceratotherium simum simum)

Southern White Rhinoceros Bull

• Dr. Loxodonta
• 10 Mar 2024

(Ceratotherium simum simum)

Southern White Rhinoceros Bull

• Dr. Loxodonta
• 10 Mar 2024

(Ceratotherium simum simum)

Hopefully this helps.

 

[Dr. Loxodonta]

Thanks for providing these. Was there a reason given for removing them from the big game reserve?

These animals were removed due to TB I believe and housed at their current enclosure.

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

Only one more week to go until everyone gets to see African Wild Dogs. Regarding enrichment for them as the other day I spoke to one of the keepers at West Midland Safari Park and I was told that they do attend to rip cardboard apart for their meat

 

[Jedd Cullinan]

Well here's a video of the new African Wild Dogs in their new home at Longleat

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=939925507542038

 

[Kifaru Bwana]

Can't say I disagree with anything you've said. Must admit I've never heard about the freshwater problems with sea lions before, so I shall be off googling that now - I don't think that the lack of indoor area is a particularly big problem, given as a species they inhabit regions far colder than Wiltshire in the wild. I think my comments about the primates may be a case of recency bias - the colobus have always been out and very active for me in all weather, as have the gorillas. I think the boat experience also plays a part.

I was tempted to mention the rhinos. My god is that an awful enclosure, and the fact they're still in there boggles me a bit especially when everyone seems to have different reasons for why (is it TB? Northern White breeding? General grumpiness?). The older sections of the zoo section, as you mention Jungle Kingdom especially, are incredibly out of date. An upgrade from the literal cages they had less than a decade ago, but still some of the worst around. Ultimately at some point I think the only option will be to close for an extended period over the winter and bulldoze the old sections and completely redesign it, as the current layout does not allow for expansion. The giant anteater is particularly pitifully small. Longleat certainly has the land to expand. I think like most larger zoos/safari parks in the country the discussion on Longleat's current state and future is definitely an interesting one, and as much as I like the approach of dropping in a new exhibit every year as a surprise it would be interesting to see if there's a more long-term plan.

True it would be far better to have salt water basins for animal welfare and well-being.

What is happening with their white rhino herd (I see they have a dedicated new exhibit)?

 

[Springbok]

Visited yesterday, here are some things to note:

Saw the African dogs, the enclosure is huge spanning from the former pygmy goat area to the tortoise room.

The former conservation centre in the African village is now indoor viewing for the dogs.

The tortoise house is now being used for the dogs to go somewhere if they don't want to be seen.

Ferrets now inhabit the former rabbit enclosure @ family farmyard

The new predators exhibition in the longhouse is quite the spectacle, with a focus on animal adaptations. However there are three terrariums for Giant Asian mantis, Asian forest scorpion and Guatemalan tiger rump tarantula.

 

[Embu]

3:0 Cheetah have arrived, although I'm guessing they've been here a while

Meet the new boys on the block: Themba, Ajani and Lunis
As Keeper Kayleigh explains, these handsome chaps have joined Rachel and Xena in Cheetah Territory in the hopes of having cubs to help secure the survival of their species.

 

[Dr. Loxodonta]

3:0 Cheetah have arrived, although I'm guessing they've been here a while

Meet the new boys on the block: Themba, Ajani and Lunis
As Keeper Kayleigh explains, these handsome chaps have joined Rachel and Xena in Cheetah Territory in the hopes of having cubs to help secure the survival of their species.

Hopefully I can see them on my visit!

 

[cerperal]

Hopefully I can see them on my visit!

Longleat's the only place I've never struggled to see Cheetahs (along with Bristol in fairness). If they aren't active in the main paddock, the shelters in the others face the road so you're pretty much guaranteed to see them.

I still remember the cubs bounding across the road all those years ago - so hopefully these new males will help to repeat that