South Lakes Safari Zoo – review
To celebrate Steve’s 40th birthday we had a family trip to South Lakes Safari Zoo so thought I’d share an honest review.
As we live a few hours away from South Lakes Safari zoo we decided to have a weekend away to celebrate and properly enjoy the visit with a three-year-old in tow.
We booked our package through the zoo which included a two night stay at a cottage at Brockholes Farm which I’ll share a review of in an upcoming blog post.
The package included the cottage stay, entrance to the zoo, two animal encounters and a walking feeding tour, early entry, discount at the gift shop and food offers too.
About South Lakes Safari Zoo
South Lakes Safari Zoo is home to more than 1,000 of the rarest and most endangered animals in unique natural environments which enable you to get as close as physically possible to experience the amazing creatures with which we share our planet.
Wander amongst kangaroos, wallabies, and emus.
Be amazed as free-flying macaws soar overhead.
Participate in animal feeding experiences or be a zookeeper for a day.
Our visit to South Lakes Safari Zoo
We stayed at River View Cottage from Friday through to Sunday morning and our trip to the zoo was for Saturday but we could have returned on the Sunday if we wanted to.
The zoo was about an hour’s drive away from the cottage but we knew that and we’re up early with Elsie anyway.
We arrived shortly before 9am to a large free car park which already had a few cars in it.
So we applied sun cream and checked we had everything in the bag before making our way to the entrance.
Thanks to our booking we had early bird entry and managed to skip the queues which were already forming.
After a short wait we were given a map and directions and we were in!
We decided to head to the toilets and get our bearings first with a quick explore.
Our Giraffe Encounter was booked in for 11:30am at the Africa House followed by our Rhino Encounter in the same place.
There’s a really large play area as you first enter the zoo as well as plenty of areas to sit down.
We were really blessed with beautiful weather and the sun was shining throughout our visit and it was really hot.
Elsie had a play in the park before we headed over to the Africa House.
We had some paperwork to fill in and then we went to meet the female giraffes first.
This was my first feeding encounter and it was brilliant.
It was just us three, the keeper and the giraffes.
We were shown how to hold the carrot slices in our hands so the giraffes could use their long tongues to pick it up and eat it.
Elsie was really brave and even managed to feed them herself.
We spent quite a while feeding the female giraffes before we walked over to the male giraffe enclosure.
It’s quite a walk especially for little ones in blazing midday sunshine so we ended up carrying Elsie most of the way round.
For the male giraffes, we fed them special tree branches which they really enjoyed.
There were fewer people watching us this time though and Elsie really enjoyed it.
We also got to ask lots of questions and learn much more about giraffes while feeing them.
Giraffes suitably fed we made our way back to the Africa House to meet the rhinos.
They are absolutely massive and we were lucky enough to see some toddler rhinos too who were very playful which Elsie enjoyed.
Again we had plenty of time with them and opportunity to ask questions and learn more about these amazing animals.
After our feeding encounter we thoroughly washed our hands and decided to head straight for lunch.
So we made our way to the restaurant and I’m glad we had as the queue was already pretty large!
After picking up a lunch bag for Elsie and placing our hot food order, Steve decided to wait in the queue for our food and Elsie and I went to find a table so she could start tucking into her lunch.
Elsie’s lunch came in a reusable animal-themed bag which I now use for my lunch when I go into the office!
She had a carton of juice, a banana, some crisps and a ham sandwich. I’d also bought some snacks with us too.
Steve plumped for chicken goujons and chips and I had the chicken wrap with chips which was really tasty and filling.
We all enjoyed lunch in the shade of the restaurant which had plenty of tables.
Lunch devoured and toilets visited, it was time for our big cat, giant otter, arctic wolf exciting hand feed experience so we headed to the meat prep kitchen ahead of our 2pm slot to meet our tour keeper.
It was such a hot day and we waited quite a while before our tour started.
This time there were quite a few people and Elsie was probably a little overwhelmed. I’d say this kind of experience is better for older children or those in a pram!
We made our way to the arctic wolf enclosure and Elsie was really restless and desperate for an ice lolly.
So we left Steve to carry on this encounter tour without us while I went in search for an ice lolly and some shade for us.
With a push up lolly purchased Elsie enjoyed some shade and a cold treat while watching the monkeys messing about in their enclosure.
Once she’d finished we met up with Steve and the others just in time to feed the penguins.
We were given a plastic glove and some small fish to feed them with and we took turns to go in with the penguins by your group – so all three of us went in together.
Steve helped Elsie and accidentally touched the fish with his non-gloved hand – gross!
We all enjoyed feeding the penguins and made sure we thoroughly washed our hands afterwards!
With the others heading to the giraffes we broke off from the group and enjoyed walking round and seeing the different animals in their enclosures including monkeys, big cats and smaller animals too.
After another stint of playing in the park we decided to seek out some shade a sit down and an ice lolly for us all and we spotted a bear sleeping in a cave.
And then we decided to see some of the smaller animals and birds and feed them.
With tired feet we decided it was time to head back to the cottage.
We bought a giraffe for Elsie from the big gift shop and were thankful for our discount card thanks to our cottage stay which saved us some money.
My overall thoughts on South Lakes Safari Zoo
We really got our steps in and enjoyed our visit to South Lakes Safari Zoo and ‘d definitely recommend it.
The food wasn’t too badly priced neither were the ice lollies. There were lots of options to choose from including hot and cold food.
There’s plenty of places to sit down throughout the zoo and some in shaded areas which is needed on hot sunny days.
The animals appear to be well looked after and happy and the keepers are all really friendly and full of knowledge.
There’s lots for all the family to see and do and I think the admission prices are fair.
I know some people from the North East do the trip in a day but for us we were really glad to have stayed over and break the journey up.
I’d recommend you wear comfy shoes, bring plenty to drink with you and enjoy a full day out.
South Lakes Safari Zoo opening hours 2023
January – March : 10:30am – 4pm
April – October : 10am – 5pm
November/December: 11am – 3pm
South Lakes Safari Zoo admission prices 2023
Adults: £19.99
Children 3-15 years: £16.99
Under 3’s: free of charge
Where is South Lakes Safari Zoo?
Safari Zoo, Melton Terrace, Lindal-in-Furness, Ulverston, Cumbria, LA12 0LU
For Sat Nav directions please ONLY use postcode LA12 0LU
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Post lockdown visit to Beamish Museum
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