... That has an African theme
***Where Is Suffolk Wildlife Park***
Suffolk Wildlife Park is just off the A12 at Kessingland, just six miles away from the seaside town of Lowestoft and sixteen miles away from the better known town of Great Yarmouth. It is also the most easterly zoo in England, ... Read review
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Advantages: A great day out for all the family Disadvantages: Can be a bit tiring.
Every year my partner and I like to go to the zoo with our family and usually go to Suffolk Wildlife Park or Africa Alive as it is called now. This is mainly because it's the closest wildlife park to us and it's a good long day out. Not only that after a tiring day we have not got far to drive back home. If not we visit their sister park Banham Zoo which I may review after my visit later this year.
***What is Suffolk Wildlife*** ...unspoilt coastal parkland. That has an African theme
***Where Is Suffolk Wildlife Park***
Suffolk Wildlife Park is just off the A12 at Kessingland, just six miles away from the seaside town of Lowestoft and sixteen miles away from the better known town of Great Yarmouth. It is also the most easterly zoo in England, which in itself is a good cause to want to go.
***What Attractions Are There***
more
Every year my partner and I like to go to the zoo with our family and usually go to Suffolk Wildlife Park or Africa Alive as it is called now. This is mainly because it's the closest wildlife park to us and it's a good long day out. Not only that after a tiring day we have not got far to drive back home. If not we visit their sister park Banham Zoo which I may review after my visit later this year.
***What is Suffolk Wildlife***
Suffolk Wildlife Park is 100 acres of unspoilt coastal parkland. That has an African theme
***Where Is Suffolk Wildlife Park***
Suffolk Wildlife Park is just off the A12 at Kessingland, just six miles away from the seaside town of Lowestoft and sixteen miles away from the better known town of Great Yarmouth. It is also the most easterly zoo in England, which in itself is a good cause to want to go.
***What Attractions Are There***
The Plains
The Plain's, this is where animals walk freely amongst each other as they would in the wild. You would expect to see Rhinos, Giraffes, Zebra and Ostriches. This is by far the largest enclosure and can be found in the middle of the park.
Big Cat Kingdom
This is where the big Lions are housed. It is basically a round caged off enclosure that houses three female Lions and one Male Lion. The male lion is still quite a young one and has not developed it full mane as yet. The enclosure has recently had a balcony attached to it, so you can view them from above and seems to be attracting quite a crowd.
Monsoon Basin
This is situated in the boggy part situated in the far end of the park. You would be likely to see such animals as Deer, Cattle, Water Buffalo. This part of the path is very rustic and came be quite boggy in parts.
Lemur Island
I find this by far the most intriguing part of the park. It consists of a group of islands that house different sorts of Lemur, the thing that intrigues me though is the fact that the animals never climb the trees and jump over onto the land with all the treats that children have to offer.
The Kraal
The Kraal is the place to go to see some of the smaller animals, like the Otters and Meercats, Aviary's, Small Cats and the Hyenas. As well as this you wild find the Farm Yard Corner.
The Farm Yard Corner
This small Farm Yard is a place where the children can get a bit more hands on with the animals. You will be able to feed and possibly handle the animals too. Expect to find such animals as Miniature Goats, Chickens, Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and a Pot-Bellied Pig. There is also a small reptile house situated in the corner that houses a few Snakes, Spiders, Nocturnal Rodents, Bats and the Aardvarks Bedroom.
***Other Attractions***
The Discovery Centre
This is a large hut where you can find loads of animal facts and information. They also do speeches throughout the day that offer children hands on facts about some of the smaller residents at the park.
Woodland Walk
This is a short path through a small wooded area that house's the aviary's. In these you will expect to see Owls, Birds of Prey, Parrots, Ducks and Wildfowl. Play Area and Crazy Golf
This is the best bit of the park. The bit to finally wear out the all ready tired children, whilst you sit back and enjoy a nice beverage or ice cream, Before you have to enter the dreaded gift shop to get to the exit.
Gift Shop
The Gift Shop is really small and sells little pieces of memorabilia like cuddly toys, cups, plates, key rings etc. for ridiculous prices.
Free Road Train
This is the tour bus that will take you round the park, giving an informative talk about the different animals and enclosures that you may pass. The tour train is completely free, but often has a very long cue.
***Special Events for 2006***
Project Rhino - 27th May - 4th June
Lowestoft Classic Vehicle Club Charity Run - 4th June
Season Ticket Night - 24th June
The Mighty Zulu Nation - 28th, 29th and 30th July. Tickets for this will cost £28 per person or if going in groups of 10 or more tickets are £25 per person.
Postcard From Africa - 1st - 31st August
Inside Out! - 21st - 29th October
Blood, bones and guts at the park this Halloween!
***Activities and Education***
The park offers a wide range of educational activities inside and outside the zoo. These include a Curious Creature's Roadshow that will travel to you and do a performance with some of the smaller creatures found in the park. It is charged at £40 an hour and 30p per mile travelled to do the performance. They also do special days for school children and pre-school children. The prices are listed in the ***Admission Prices*** section of this review. For more information visit the website at www.africa-alive.co.uk
***Sponsorship***
You can also sponsor an animal in the park, this will help to provide food, heat and maintain enclosure, animal husbandry costs and vet fees. It will also assist ongoing conservation projects in the park. For sponsoring an animal you will receive a Certificate of adoption with a picture, the adoption period is for a period of 12 months. A free complimentary admission ticket. Your name on a certificate upon the enclosure, information on your chosen animal and periodic news updates. All this could be yours for the price of £60 for one of the larger animals and £35 for the smaller animals. They also do a Child sponsorship that will sponsor one of the smaller animals for £20. More information is available at www.africa-alive.co.uk
***Admission Prices***
Standard Admission Prices
Between 1/4/06 -21/7/06 prices are as follows Adults - £9.95 Child - £6.95 Child under 3 - Free Senior Citizen - £8.95 Special Needs Adult - £7.95 Special Needs Child - £5.95 Special Needs Carer - £5.95
Between 22/7/06 - 6/09/06 prices are as follows Adults - £10.50 Child - £7.50 Child under 3 - Free Senior Citizen - £9.50 Special Needs Adult - £8.50 Special Needs Child - £6.50 Special Needs Carer - £6.50
Group Admission Prices
Between 1/4/06 - 21/7/06 prices are as follows Adult - £6.95 Child - £5.50 Child under 3 - Free Senior Citizen - £5.95 Special Needs Adult - £5.50 Special Needs Child - £4.95 Special Needs Carer - £4.95
Between 22/7/06 - 6/9/06 prices are as follows Adult - £7.50 Child - £5.95 Child under 3 - Free Senior Citizen - £6.50 Special Needs Adult - £5.95 Special Needs Child - £5.50 Special Needs Carer - £5.50
A minimum of 12 paying persons are required. Special needs receive 1 FREE carer for every six paying persons. It must be pre-booked and paid at least 10 days in advance of visit.
School/ Pre-School & Playgroups Prices
Between 25/3/06 - 21/7/06 prices are as follows Adult - £5.95 Child (3-14 yrs) - £4.95 Child under 3 - Free Senior Citizen - £5.50 Students - £4.95 Educational Sessions - £15.00
Between 22/7/06 - 5/9/06 Adult - 6.50 Child - £5.50 Child under 3 - Free Senior Citizen - £5.95 Students - £5.50 Educational Sessions -£15.00
All school parties, nurseries and pre-schools receive 1 free adult for every 6 paying persons.
Season Tickets Prices A season ticket will entitle you to visit the park for one year during normal park opening hours (valid from the date of purchase) with the exemption of Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Invitations to special events, 10% Discount on souvenir's and gifts and save 50% entrance admission at their sister park Banham Zoo. Saver Ticket (2 Adults and 2 Children) - £89.00 Additional Child - £10 per child up to a max of 4 extra children Adults (from 15yrs) £30.00 Children (3-14 yrs) £22.50 Children under 3 - Free Senior Citizens - £26.00
***Visitors Code ***
NO NOT CLIMB ON, UNDER OR OVER SAFETY BARRIERS
DO NOT FEED THE ANIMALS UNLESS IT IS ALLOWED
DO NOT CAUSE ANY ALARM TO THE ANIMALS
CHILDREN MUST BE ACCOMPANIED BY A PAYING ADULT
NO DOGS OR PETS INCLUDING GUIDE DOGS
NO COMMERCIAL FILMING WITHOUT CONSENT
***Useful Addresses***
Africa Alive Whites Lane Kessingland Lowestoft Suffolk NR33 7TF
Tel: 01502 740291 Fax: 01502 741104
website www.africa-alive.co.uk
***Conclusion***
Although this is not the biggest and best park in the UK it certainly has a great appeal to me. They have captured the African feel really well and have made enclosures that are well suited for each animal.
The Best bits for me are the Giraffes because I am tall too. One of the younger ones is called Justin named after the lead singer Justin from the Darkness, who just so happen to come from neighbouring Lowestoft. But as well as the Giraffes I find the Lions Kingdom is a great idea and really enjoy watching them feed. And of course the little meercats, which I lean over the wall and make them jump up in the air. This just cracks me up> The train is also a good way to have an overall look at the park without tiring yourself out. The worst bits are the extortionate prices in the gift shop and the long cues for the train. The Monsoon Basin is also a bit boring because you can get a bit muddy and you can't really see the animals that well in the larger enclosures. This seems to be in the part of the park that time forgot and the train does not cover this bit due to the poor ground conditions.
There are many other things that are good about the park and I'm sure that there is something to do for everyone whatever age and whatever sex. I would advise that you get there as soon as they open if you want to see it all the animals at a leisurely pace and try and get to see as many of the feeding times and talks in to get your value for money.
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