The United Kingdom also boasts of several safari parks where one can experience what it's like to go on an African adventure.
The Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park is located on the grounds of the Blair Drummond house in Scotland and sits on 120 acres. Animals like antelopes, camels, bison, elephants, lions, and chimps roam the grounds freely. A unique form of soliciting financial support is its adoption program where visitors can adopt any animal they want and the adoption proceeds are used for the upkeep of the chosen species. Visitors drive through several animal reserves and walk through the petting farm. Aside from the animals, the park also offers sea lion and falconry displays.
Knowsley Safari Park is a wildlife reserve found in the town of Prescot in North England. The park is maintained by the estate of Lord Derby. It offers drive-through safari where one can look at lions, monkeys, baboons, camels and elephants roaming free. There are also amusement park and picnic areas catered to the whole family. It is also a popular bird watching site and the park also organizes fungus forays for interested visitors. The park also expresses its commitment for wildlife conservation.
The West Midland Safari and Leisure Park opened in 1973 and is located in Worcestershire, England. This 100-acre land features several exotic animals like white lions, hippopotamus, African wild dog, white rhinos, and white tigers. Recent additions are leopards and cape buffalos. Aside from the game reserves, the park also features amusement rides and the Discovery Trail where different animals are exhibited.
Woburn Safari Park is located at the grounds of the Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire. It was opened in 1970 by the 13th Duke of Bedford and features animals like rhinos, giraffes, zebras, elephants, lions, tigers, monkeys, among others. The safari drive provides opportunities for visitors to view these animals roaming around in the open field. Their primate reserve contains three different species of monkeys. There are also walk-through areas where visitors can meet wallabies, goats, squirrels, ponies, and free ranging marmosets. The park is also committed to conservation, with the opening of its African Ungulate Conservation Centre. It has also had success with its endangered species breeding programs, most notably with the Rotschild giraffe. Other attractions include the elephant encounter, sea lion display, and Birds of Prey demonstrations.
Longleat Safari Park features the East African Reserve where visitors can experience being near giraffes, zebras, llamas, and camels. Other reserves feature lions, cattle, rhinos, and tigers. Nearby is the Gorilla Island where visitors get close to this huge animal in its simulated natural habitat. Set upon the grounds of the Longleat House, this safari park is located in Wiltshire, England. Opened in 1966, it pioneered a novel idea of bringing African animals into British soil for public viewing. Other attractions include Adventure Castle, Blue Peter Maze, Butterfly Garden, Longleat Railway, Motion Simulator, and much more, all catered to the total enjoyment of each family member. Total number of animals calling this park home has reached 500, with plans of building enclosure for several Amur tigers, its newest animal addition.
