It would not be long after my visit to Woburn Safari that I would have my second visit to a Safari Park in recent memory - and it would be no other than Longleat - most possibly the country's most popular safari park - and one that is popularised even more by frequent television appearances on 'Animal Park'. The talking box has made it known that this is the place for Brits to see their favourite furry things from the comfort of their car. And as it was - my first ever visit to Longleat, again much like Woburn, was on transit to someplace else. But unlike Woburn, where the weather was mediocre, Longleat's weather did not disappoint - it was a very sunny and standstill day.
I initially came into Longleat thinking that, like Woburn, the drive-through could feasibly done several times over should one wish. And on that front I was painfully mistaken - if you come in the afternoon anyway as I did - though unfortunately I could not find acreage for the entire drive through section of Longleat, only approximate hours spent [2 hours, about as long as was spent on my visit] and miles of road [six]. But rest assured - it is very much bigger than Longleat - and more to see as well! [note: You do not enter Longleat through the drive-in safari. Unlike Woburn, it is totally possible to park your car near the foot safari and go around that first, should you have the time.]
Longleat has made a wise decision with the first exhibit one drives into - that being the 'Bongo Pass'. And the bongos made about as much a show as I've come to expect - nowhere to be seen that is. But there were soon enough animals to be seen on view, in the 'African Village' - totally doable in car but totally possible also to walk around a fair amount.
The main attraction is that of the large paddock where giraffes, zebra, and black wildebeest are all held - and today in particular the giraffes piqued particular interest - for about the time I got there it was feeding time for the giraffes.
Not many bells or whistles are attached to this experience - but it is still very popular. Hold the branch out for the giraffe, and let the giraffe eat. And so was done.
The painted dogs nearby were easily photographed, but not up to much. Opting not to go into the African domestics area or lemur walkthrough it was swift driving from hereon out.
And that's what they call a zebra crossing!
One animal that particularly curiosed me in the drive-through was that of one particular female ostrich whose neck was twice-curved, as if it had a sort of scoliosis.
Another animal that was good to see was the Black Wildebeest, who I had never seen up to this point. This also makes it so that my photographic collection has representation for both of the wildebeest!
Vultures I think was less than intuitive. You drive past the aviary and see the vultures inside. I think if they can manufacture air-locks for carnivores it isn't too much to ask for them to do something similar for flighted birds...
Monkeys were up to usual antics, but thankfully the car I was in wasn't too damaged. But what did interest me was one animal I saw in this area - appeared to be a female blackbuck...
It was also from the monkey area that I saw one rather apparent resident of Longleat - none other than Anne herself! She appeared to be having training going on.
And later I would even get a closer view of her! I found it quite impressive she is 70 years old, or at least is believed to be. She stayed mainly in one corner all that I saw her - but I think at her age and life events she deserves all the rest she can get!
The camels and deer seemed mainly to be in particular corners of their enclosures. What I found particularly interesting with the deer is that they all seemed females; no antlered animals to be seen. I guess they are held separately during the rut?
It wasn't long until I got to one of the more characteristic sections of Longleat - the drive-in section of large carnivores.
Of most memorable experience I think were the lions.
Once they had been found, they were all seen lying around. That is, until one of the females got up to walk before laying down. And then following her - one of the males, with a handsome mane - glowing truly gloriously in the exquisite light of the forest, with a stride one could weave a mediocre poem out of - only to slump back down again and bask in the sun.
I recall in particular with some of the large carnivore areas the between-enclosure mechanic gates would sometimes take a while between opening and closing. One of the gates seemed to be even broken that day - because it was being operated manually - in that a member of staff was holding it open before shutting it again!
The wolves, who had previously been invisible at Woburn, made a good show here. They were quite active and trotting about.
And so, enjoyable as this experience was [though not totally new to me now], it was time to venture into the foot safari ....
TBC
I initially came into Longleat thinking that, like Woburn, the drive-through could feasibly done several times over should one wish. And on that front I was painfully mistaken - if you come in the afternoon anyway as I did - though unfortunately I could not find acreage for the entire drive through section of Longleat, only approximate hours spent [2 hours, about as long as was spent on my visit] and miles of road [six]. But rest assured - it is very much bigger than Longleat - and more to see as well! [note: You do not enter Longleat through the drive-in safari. Unlike Woburn, it is totally possible to park your car near the foot safari and go around that first, should you have the time.]
Longleat has made a wise decision with the first exhibit one drives into - that being the 'Bongo Pass'. And the bongos made about as much a show as I've come to expect - nowhere to be seen that is. But there were soon enough animals to be seen on view, in the 'African Village' - totally doable in car but totally possible also to walk around a fair amount.
The main attraction is that of the large paddock where giraffes, zebra, and black wildebeest are all held - and today in particular the giraffes piqued particular interest - for about the time I got there it was feeding time for the giraffes.
Not many bells or whistles are attached to this experience - but it is still very popular. Hold the branch out for the giraffe, and let the giraffe eat. And so was done.
The painted dogs nearby were easily photographed, but not up to much. Opting not to go into the African domestics area or lemur walkthrough it was swift driving from hereon out.
And that's what they call a zebra crossing!
One animal that particularly curiosed me in the drive-through was that of one particular female ostrich whose neck was twice-curved, as if it had a sort of scoliosis.
Another animal that was good to see was the Black Wildebeest, who I had never seen up to this point. This also makes it so that my photographic collection has representation for both of the wildebeest!
Vultures I think was less than intuitive. You drive past the aviary and see the vultures inside. I think if they can manufacture air-locks for carnivores it isn't too much to ask for them to do something similar for flighted birds...
Monkeys were up to usual antics, but thankfully the car I was in wasn't too damaged. But what did interest me was one animal I saw in this area - appeared to be a female blackbuck...
It was also from the monkey area that I saw one rather apparent resident of Longleat - none other than Anne herself! She appeared to be having training going on.
And later I would even get a closer view of her! I found it quite impressive she is 70 years old, or at least is believed to be. She stayed mainly in one corner all that I saw her - but I think at her age and life events she deserves all the rest she can get!
The camels and deer seemed mainly to be in particular corners of their enclosures. What I found particularly interesting with the deer is that they all seemed females; no antlered animals to be seen. I guess they are held separately during the rut?
It wasn't long until I got to one of the more characteristic sections of Longleat - the drive-in section of large carnivores.
Of most memorable experience I think were the lions.
Once they had been found, they were all seen lying around. That is, until one of the females got up to walk before laying down. And then following her - one of the males, with a handsome mane - glowing truly gloriously in the exquisite light of the forest, with a stride one could weave a mediocre poem out of - only to slump back down again and bask in the sun.
I recall in particular with some of the large carnivore areas the between-enclosure mechanic gates would sometimes take a while between opening and closing. One of the gates seemed to be even broken that day - because it was being operated manually - in that a member of staff was holding it open before shutting it again!
The wolves, who had previously been invisible at Woburn, made a good show here. They were quite active and trotting about.
And so, enjoyable as this experience was [though not totally new to me now], it was time to venture into the foot safari ....
TBC
