Africa Alive! Africa Alive
- Thread starter Kifaru Bwana
- Start date
Moorhunhe
Well-Known Member
We visited here on 25/09/2025 for the first time, as part of our zoo-trip in Norfolk. 4 Nights at Caister-On-Sea, 4 animal parks to visit.
Our first time here, and we had a free visit thanks to our Chester passes.
First impressions upon seeing the map "looks quite big". But when walking around, it didn't feel quite as big.
Anyway ... we started off by going to the right side and really just go straight to the Fossa, by walking past some parrots/owls.
The male Fossa was walking around, and the Serval was sitting on his platform.
We hung around the area because we wanted to hear the Fossa talk. So had a look at the Meerkats & Yellow Mongoose who were playing in their little ballpit.
We headed back to the Fossa where a very cheerful keeper was going to start the talk. He ended up talking more about Lemurs and Madagascar in the end then the Fossa though, but he was certainly enthusiastic in what he was doing.
We headed over to the little house with the Aardvarks, who had a blue light (not seen that before), and in true Aardvark fashion sleeping on their backs (that's how we usually see them anywhere, lol).
I would have loved to have spotted the Aye-Aye but no suck luck (also not later in the day).
We did spot the latest Drill baby for a minute!
Their King Colobus had also only been there for a few weeks? There was a sign explaining, but I can't remember.
Both Bat-Eared Foxes were walking around looking very relaxed, looks like the newest arrival is doing just fine.
The Genet was asleep, and we thought we'd head over to the Lemur walk, as we saw it would be open from 12-1pm, but we didn't read it very well passing by the first time while going to the Fossa, it's upon request. As it's so quiet, the walkthrough isn't always open, you'd need to request it, so a keeper can come and keep an eye out.
The next slot would be 2-3pm and we decided we'd come back later and maybe have a look.
We then headed over to the other side of the park, and saw the Somali Wild Ass foal.
I haven't been super active here the past few months, and hadn't really read up on anything so didn't realize until now actually the male Lion had only just past away a few weeks ago. We were wondering if it was just a female.
Very nice enclosure with a nice look-out.
We walked around the "plains of Africa" all the way around to where the Blesbok and Nile Lechwe are, and came upon a crossing to either go back to the start or go to the left where all the Lemur islands are.
Got super lucky, as all the Lemurs (apart from the Red-Bellied ones) were out and about.
Loved these islands as it looked like you could always try and spot them (unlike at Chester *cries*).
We walked back to the start and had something to eat at the main restaurant.
Loaded fries with pulled pork, cheese, crispy onions sounded really good! And it was really good! And the price was really good too for what you got and it was yummy! Definitely a change from some other zoo's where the food is mediocre and the price is too much.
We decided to do a 2nd loop of the entire bit on the right, and this time the Lemur walkthrough was open. We saw all the animals again (apart from the Aye-Aye) and listened to the Painted Dogs talk.
I felt exhausted after, and while I sat down for a bit, the boyfriend went back to the Lion and also went to the Waders Lake bit. And then it was time to go.
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this place, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. If that makes sense ... Maybe different animals, or more animals in the space they have. I don't know ...
Our first time here, and we had a free visit thanks to our Chester passes.
First impressions upon seeing the map "looks quite big". But when walking around, it didn't feel quite as big.
Anyway ... we started off by going to the right side and really just go straight to the Fossa, by walking past some parrots/owls.
The male Fossa was walking around, and the Serval was sitting on his platform.
We hung around the area because we wanted to hear the Fossa talk. So had a look at the Meerkats & Yellow Mongoose who were playing in their little ballpit.
We headed back to the Fossa where a very cheerful keeper was going to start the talk. He ended up talking more about Lemurs and Madagascar in the end then the Fossa though, but he was certainly enthusiastic in what he was doing.
We headed over to the little house with the Aardvarks, who had a blue light (not seen that before), and in true Aardvark fashion sleeping on their backs (that's how we usually see them anywhere, lol).
I would have loved to have spotted the Aye-Aye but no suck luck (also not later in the day).
We did spot the latest Drill baby for a minute!
Their King Colobus had also only been there for a few weeks? There was a sign explaining, but I can't remember.
Both Bat-Eared Foxes were walking around looking very relaxed, looks like the newest arrival is doing just fine.
The Genet was asleep, and we thought we'd head over to the Lemur walk, as we saw it would be open from 12-1pm, but we didn't read it very well passing by the first time while going to the Fossa, it's upon request. As it's so quiet, the walkthrough isn't always open, you'd need to request it, so a keeper can come and keep an eye out.
The next slot would be 2-3pm and we decided we'd come back later and maybe have a look.
We then headed over to the other side of the park, and saw the Somali Wild Ass foal.
I haven't been super active here the past few months, and hadn't really read up on anything so didn't realize until now actually the male Lion had only just past away a few weeks ago. We were wondering if it was just a female.
Very nice enclosure with a nice look-out.
We walked around the "plains of Africa" all the way around to where the Blesbok and Nile Lechwe are, and came upon a crossing to either go back to the start or go to the left where all the Lemur islands are.
Got super lucky, as all the Lemurs (apart from the Red-Bellied ones) were out and about.
Loved these islands as it looked like you could always try and spot them (unlike at Chester *cries*).
We walked back to the start and had something to eat at the main restaurant.
Loaded fries with pulled pork, cheese, crispy onions sounded really good! And it was really good! And the price was really good too for what you got and it was yummy! Definitely a change from some other zoo's where the food is mediocre and the price is too much.
We decided to do a 2nd loop of the entire bit on the right, and this time the Lemur walkthrough was open. We saw all the animals again (apart from the Aye-Aye) and listened to the Painted Dogs talk.
I felt exhausted after, and while I sat down for a bit, the boyfriend went back to the Lion and also went to the Waders Lake bit. And then it was time to go.
I'm not sure what I was expecting from this place, but it wasn't what I thought it would be. If that makes sense ... Maybe different animals, or more animals in the space they have. I don't know ...
Thanks for your reviews, really enjoyed reading them.
I'm only 45 minutes away from Africa Alive, and I love going when I just want a 2-3 hour trip out. It's a nice chill zoo, with a lot of open space.
But I think it does suffer a bit at the moment from under using the paddocks at the bottom. It's a long walk for a lot of empty space. It used to hold Red Lechwe, Nile Lechwe, Nyala, Sitatunga, Ankole Cattle. There also used to be a farmyard with goats, and a large pride of lion, so I can see why you feel a bit meeeh
Interesting that AA doesn't feel that big as like you say, the map leads you into a false sense that it is.
I think there are plans for a new pride of lions however their 1 remaining lioness is around 16yrs ish and I believe she was born there. Due to this I would have thought they will just await her to live out her days and then bring a new pride in.
How much unused space is available at AA? Could their be an opportunity to expand & bring in any new species or can they only work with what they have?
Obviously a herd of African elephants would be an ideal addition(clearly never going to happen) but is there space for say Black Rhino or Common Hippo?
I think there are plans for a new pride of lions however their 1 remaining lioness is around 16yrs ish and I believe she was born there. Due to this I would have thought they will just await her to live out her days and then bring a new pride in.
How much unused space is available at AA? Could their be an opportunity to expand & bring in any new species or can they only work with what they have?
Obviously a herd of African elephants would be an ideal addition(clearly never going to happen) but is there space for say Black Rhino or Common Hippo?
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Moorhunhe
Well-Known Member
That's what I said to my boyfriend, it's a bit of a walk, but there's not much to see, which then makes that walk feel a bit longer than it should I think.
Haliaeetus
Well-Known Member
Birth of 1 Nile Lechwe, the first to be born there in nearly 2 decades.
Africa Alive Reserve on Instagram: "We’re thrilled to announce the birth of a Nile lechwe calf here at Africa Alive! Born on 16th September, this special youngster is the first Nile lechwe to be born at the park in nearly two decades!
So far, the calf has been keeping well hidden, spending most of its time tucked safely away in the undergrowth - but keepers are delighted to report that both mum and little one are doing well. Native to the wetlands of South Sudan, Nile lechwe are a vulnerable species and every birth is an important step in helping to secure their future. : @bensonlewis231 @BIAZA #newbirth #nilelechwe"
Africa Alive Reserve on Instagram: "We’re thrilled to announce the birth of a Nile lechwe calf here at Africa Alive! Born on 16th September, this special youngster is the first Nile lechwe to be born at the park in nearly two decades!
So far, the calf has been keeping well hidden, spending most of its time tucked safely away in the undergrowth - but keepers are delighted to report that both mum and little one are doing well. Native to the wetlands of South Sudan, Nile lechwe are a vulnerable species and every birth is an important step in helping to secure their future. : @bensonlewis231 @BIAZA #newbirth #nilelechwe"
Copied off Facebook
We’re thrilled to announce the birth of a Nile lechwe calf here at Africa Alive!
Born on 16th September, this special youngster is the first Nile lechwe to be born at the park in nearly two decades!
So far, the calf has been keeping well hidden, spending most of its time tucked safely away in the undergrowth - but keepers are delighted to report that both mum and little one are doing well.
Native to the wetlands of South Sudan, Nile lechwe are a vulnerable species and every birth is an important step in helping to secure their future.
: Volunteer Lewis
BIAZA
We’re thrilled to announce the birth of a Nile lechwe calf here at Africa Alive!
Born on 16th September, this special youngster is the first Nile lechwe to be born at the park in nearly two decades!
So far, the calf has been keeping well hidden, spending most of its time tucked safely away in the undergrowth - but keepers are delighted to report that both mum and little one are doing well.
Native to the wetlands of South Sudan, Nile lechwe are a vulnerable species and every birth is an important step in helping to secure their future.
: Volunteer Lewis
BIAZA
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Brilliant! Let's hope they're able to import some more!The Facebook version
We’re thrilled to announce the birth of a Nile lechwe calf here at Africa Alive!
Born on 16th September, this special youngster is the first Nile lechwe to be born at the park in nearly two decades!
So far, the calf has been keeping well hidden, spending most of its time tucked safely away in the undergrowth - but keepers are delighted to report that both mum and little one are doing well.
Native to the wetlands of South Sudan, Nile lechwe are a vulnerable species and every birth is an important step in helping to secure their future.
: Volunteer Lewis
BIAZA
Loads in France. I was at CERZA two weeks ago, they have a decent herd.
Indeed. Watatunga did the commendable thing of sending AA their remaining female... hopefully other zoos will take inspiration from this success story.
I don't know, sorry. But Watatunga do regularly take on the odds and ends of surplus animals from collections, so it wouldn't surprise me if she had arrived there as a singleton in the first place.
Marwell sent there last pair there .