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West Midlands safari park

15 replies

CucumberTree · 21/07/2020 13:25

Going down to the safari park, had a look online for a park layout map of the driving bit but can’t find one. Friend says it’s only in the guide book but we can’t get one so wondered if they had an app we we’re missing Or anyone can take a photo of the driving layout from their guidebook??

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BraeburnMia · 21/07/2020 13:41

We went there a couple of weeks ago. Didn't bother with the guide book. Just drove around. Took 3 hours to go around the route.

CucumberTree · 21/07/2020 13:55

Thanks that’s great. I’m guessing it’s obvious where to go etc/it’s a one way system? Didn’t want to accidentally miss bits out

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AnnaSW1 · 21/07/2020 13:57

Google it and the map is right there Smile

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bardlion · 21/07/2020 14:00

Every time I've been they've given me a leaflet with a map and feeding times on, no guide book needed. The safari is one way with a handful of shortcuts to skip bits but they're clearly labeled so just don't take them! Remember you can go through the safari as many times as you like and don't strictly have to do it first- it's always very quiet towards the end of the day.

NeilTheBaby · 21/07/2020 14:00

It's just a route, you won't miss bits. There are a couple of bits where you can bypass sections but they are very clearly signed saying turn here to bypass x.
We always do the safari first thing, then go to the walk around part them go in again just before it closes, the animals tend to be out more then.

CucumberTree · 21/07/2020 14:18

Thanks, google was just coming up with the map of the fairground ride side not the safari.

That’s great that they give you a leaflet, but we can’t take anything that’s been handed to us by other people that we can’t clean currently so looking for a map before we go.

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FedUpAtHomeTroels · 21/07/2020 14:19

We went last summer, loved it. Have a great time.

Africa2go · 21/07/2020 14:27

Have you already booked? If you haven't, I would look for sonething else. It is dire, honestly the worst family day out we ever had. Not sure if they still give you a return ticket for free as you leave but we threw it away as we drove away. It was that bad.

CucumberTree · 21/07/2020 14:29

Why was that @Africa2go? Yes have already booked

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Africa2go · 21/07/2020 14:41

The "safari" route / drive through bit took about 3 hours, it wasn't particularly busy but everyone seemed to stop and block the road when an animal appeared to let it put its head inside the car & be fed (supposedly not allowed). There were only a handful of animals wandering around, some others we could see in the distance, in pens. It was just like sitting in a traffic jam for 3 hours.

The "rides" were based on tokens (unless you bought a wristband for £11 or £12 i think on top of the entry fee), each token was £3 or £4 I recall, rides were at least 2 tokens. We queued up for 1 ride for quite a while, 2 tokens per child (I have 3) and it lasted less than 60 seconds. Waited for an hour for the sealion "show" which was just dreadful.

It may have improved, i recall all the trip advisor reports (which I hadn't looked at beforehand unfortunately) were negative but its a couple of years ago so fingers crossed it's improved if you've already booked. Sorry, hope you have a better experience.

BraeburnMia · 21/07/2020 21:51

We went when it just started reopening so it was just the in car part that was open. The walk around parts and fairground were closed. There is one toilet block open and a kiosk selling burgers etc. It cost us £10 each to visit. You are not allowed to touch or feed the animals and there are signs telling you what parts to keep windows shut. There were quite a few different types of animals and young Cubs etc which our children liked seeing. People do tend to stay in one place when the animals were close by but you use two lanes so we just overtook the stationary cars to get around the route. We only went as a treat for the children as £10 each wasnt too bad for a day out. We had a picnic in the car so didn't spend anything else while out.

CoveredInBeeeees · 21/07/2020 22:11

The whole place is open now so I think the £10 has stopped.

We’ve been both pre and post-reopening and enjoyed it each time. Can’t remember the fair part costs but that seems high. Animals are well cared for and you can get plenty close (head in the car, though probably not right now) to several species. There is a lot to do/see ‘on the ground’ as well in the on-foot area.

If you don’t expect the big cats / elephants / rhino to be able to wander around your car then there’s plenty to enjoy and be in awe of.

NeilTheBaby · 23/07/2020 03:59

Op don't be put off by one bad review. We've always loved it. Like I said, do the safari at opening or closing to get the best view of the animals. A couple of years ago when the baby rhino was born he came up so close to the car trotting around I wanted to own the door and scoop him in! The camels and giraffe are often highlights of my trips too.

The walk around part isn't my favourite but there are bits loved by some, eg the dinosaur section and the bodge giggly park is lovely for little ones.

We don't bother with the rides as we go to see the animals.

Africa2go · 23/07/2020 11:58

Op don't be put off by one bad review

Sorry, I didn't want to be unduly negative (didn't realise OP had actually booked) but its not "one bad review" - have a look on trip advisor.

CucumberTree · 23/07/2020 12:23

Went yesterday thanks and it was great.
They do offer you a leaflet with I presume a map but turned that down.
People were back feeding the animals as the walked around. We definitely stopped where there were animals to see, if we kept driving would have been out pretty quickly with it seeing anything!

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