Port Lympne Wild Animal Park Something is coming...
- Thread starter hemsley
- Start date
Jordan-Jaguar97
Well-Known Member
I Think they might have some new species of bear maybe a Brown Bear?
Regards Jordan.
Regards Jordan.
zoogiraffe
Well-Known Member
Last thing I heard it was nothing to do with a new species coming in,but a change to how the visitor can view the park as for any more details than that I cannot help!
Yes, it appears it will be changes to make it more visitor-friendly but no-one so far seems to know exactly what that will involve. The words 'Safari Park' have also been mentioned...
I don't really understand. I haven't been in nearly 6 years so I don't really know but surely it's always been pretty visitor friendly.
Both Aspinall parks always feel to me as if you're not really supposed to be there - particularly when they're quiet in winter. Treating both as a whole, there are multiple roadways crossing public pathways, exhibits hidden at the end of long pathways, non-public paths not clearly indicated, private homes within the grounds, limited visitor facilities, many exhibits sort-of-half-off-show, very wide standoffs, little indoor viewing for animals, and just a general unpolished feeling.
To a degree, this is both what gives them charm and what encourages their breeding record, and both are very good parks nonetheless. But it can be very hard sometimes to work out whether a given path or building is public access or not.
Plus, of course, I would not consider paying extra for a bus ride a visitor-friendly way to view half the area of a zoo, including the only viewing for crowd-pleasers like giraffes and zebras.
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
I managed to find the Wildcats at Port lympne, wow that was a task in the middle of January. The Mrs gave up can't say i blame her, and doubt, i'll attempt to search them out next time i go.
From what i've heard the park will be turned into a safari park.
Where the trucks will drive the visitors round stopping off at various places.
Howletts will stay as a zoo and port lympne will become a safari park, i dont think they will be seperating at all.
Stu
Where the trucks will drive the visitors round stopping off at various places.
Howletts will stay as a zoo and port lympne will become a safari park, i dont think they will be seperating at all.
Stu
Crikey - if you're right they've found a way to make it even worse! Are people in Kent really so loathe to walk anywhere as to need to be taken to the animals??
I would hope you'll be able to walk as well - otherwise there goes the quick walk back to the hyaenas at the end of the day - round you go on the bus again. Quite possibly paying extra!
Still, best to wait and see what they come up with, I suppose.
That does sound like a very possible outcome. Before the 'African Experience' was created, tractor/trailers gave visitors lifts to/from various stopping points around the park, but I've noticed that's been abandoned now in favour of the trucks which currently only go to the African area. Visitors to the main park are now left to walk the whole route, probably impossible for families with small children, buggies, disabled folk etc.
I sincerely hope pedestrian access stays in some form- access by bus or lorry only would kill it off for me- no more visits!
But if there was no pedestrian access, about half the exhibits would never be seen by people anymore, like all the Primate and small cat cages dotted around and in dead ends etcBut I agree, we have to see what they come up with..
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That PL Park would want to update the safari experience seems logical. The talk of something coming has always meant to be to do with the entire visitor experience.
However, I do not think that the part of the zoo next to the cottaged P HQ and beyond below towards the Downs with all these myriad roads and enclosures is up to a non-pedestrian experience.
Exactly, that portion of the zoo I loved the best.
However, I do not think that the part of the zoo next to the cottaged P HQ and beyond below towards the Downs with all these myriad roads and enclosures is up to a non-pedestrian experience.
Exactly, that portion of the zoo I loved the best.
That's what I meant by saying all those enclosures wouldn't be seen by visitors if it became vehicles only. I'm presuming(and hoping) they will revert to some sort of transport around the whole park for those who want/need it, but keeping the same pedestrian access for the 'keener' visitors. I'm awaiting the developments with interest....
Anyone been to Port Lympne recently who can tell us what is going on with construction on this project? Any ideas what exactly it will be?
Johnny Morris.
Well-Known Member
I was there on saturday, there is work going on near the small cat corner, the Bison enclosure, and also the Discovery Zone was closed due to work going on there. I was a little disappointed at this because we weren't told about it until after we had boarded the truck for the african experience.
There hasn't been any clear idea about what this may entail yet- we may have to wait until its revealed on their website etc.
The plan, what there is of it sounds very ambitious eventually presenting a 600 acre drive through safari, with a 100 acre walk around area, which i am guessing will be located around the mansion side of the park.
Hopefully the Asian species in the safari will get their own specified area.
Hopefully the Asian species in the safari will get their own specified area.
it seems fairly evident the 100 acre walking area will be the 'top bit' where the Tigers/Wolves are, the Mansion area, and the wooded area of pathways, perhaps right down to the Lions. All the rhino paddocks, Elephants, Bison and other open enclosures, possibly the Buffalo area too, will all be in the drive-thru 600 acres. It makes sense really as it will cut out all the longest-distance walking on the open Eastern side of the park . But it also means using the trucks in order to see a greater number of species than previously.