With family visiting, we are tourists in our own backyard again. Yesterday, African Lion Safari was our day trip.
Situated about an hour west of Toronto, the park is possibly the best cross-generational attraction in the area.
You can drive around the safari zone in your vehicle at your own pace. Repeat tours are no extra charge. There are also tour buses if you want the guided experience.
As well as the safari, there are several excellent activities including a falconry / birds of prey flying demonstration, a trained elephant show, guided boat and rail tours, as well as the usual kids’ essentials, such as a water park and climbing frames.
The safari and frequent demonstrations were excellent. Ouside the safari zone, distances between attractions are easily walkable, even in yesterday’s blistering heat. Line-ups were minimal.
A fine day was had by all. For a party of six (five at adult rate), a full day’s entertainment was under $200.
Here are a few of the day’s quirkier shots.
The welcome mat:
Rhino through tinted glass:
This ostrich vets all vehicles:
Thoroughly:
The lions do their usual thing:
But the giraffes were more active:
The elephants know a trick or two:
Slam trunk?
Feeding frenzies take place at random intervals:
This bald eagle looks impressive:
A baboon family goes about its day:
And we enjoyed going about ours.
African Lion Safari: Strong candidate for best day out in the Toronto area.
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Technorati: african lion safari, toronto tourism, slam trunk, falconry display, canadian safari
Great photos! We had a place like this in Atlanta when I was a kid, and the day we went was thrilling!
The elephant trick is crazy !
I’ve heard of the place, I should check it out one day. But I’m traumatized since seeing Jurassic Park a few years ago 😆
Looks like fun! Is it a vehicle that can drive right up to animals, or do you have to stay on a track or something?
We used to have one just outer Sydney (also by the same name) and the animals could come up to your car. Can the animals come up to your car there & if so how do you stop them from damaging it????
Beth: I’m not usually much of a zoo person, but this was an excellent day out. 🙂
Zhu: The elephants were a definite high point. Making elephants perform tricks has its ethical questions, but the animals look very well cared for and they did stress the positive aspects of the training. Also, I think the whole experience raises appreciation for wildlife, so good thing overall!
Erin: You can drive your own vehicle on a meandering track. Animals are free to roam, although most stay in their particular territory. Rangers are parked close to the more dangerous animals, so in case people decide to feed them or similar.
There is an alternative route to avoid the baboons if drivers fear for their windshield wipers!
Maddi: Most animals stay away from the vehicles. The mad ostrich was the exception, fruitlessly pecking away at every door handle in sight.
The baboons like to sit on car roofs, but they were too hot and sleepy to move when we were there.
There are guided buses for people worried about their cars’ being set upon!
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