When you are clueless what to do on your holiday, consider spending it amongst the nature. You will definitely not regret. Talking about nature, doesn't the idea of roaming amongst the wildest of wild animals, sound exciting? Animal Safaris are just such places.
African Lion Safari in Cambridge, Ontario, is a must visit if you hadn't had prior experience of navigating amidst a natural set up of the wild life. At this park, we can drive through the Games Reserve (the animal safari), which is approximately 9 kms, in our own vehicles. The tour takes close to 1.5hrs and if we are lucky we could get a closer view, as close as few meters away from deer, giraffes, lamas, baboons, zebras, lions, rhinos, wildebeests etc. We just have to keep the car windows closed throughout the drive, to avoid getting knocked off by those mighty animals. I am just exaggerating😆The safari guards will be patrolling in their vehicles all the time to calm down the wilder ones. But to be safe, have your vehicle doors and windows properly locked before you enter the Reserve area.
Also, ensure the vehicle you plan to ride is in good condition, without any cracks in windshields or windows, doesn't have soft tops. Because such vehicles are denied entry into the Game Reserve, considering our own safety. If you are concerned about baboons getting active, hopping and playing on your brand new vehicle, you don't have to miss out the safari fun. Leave your vehicle in parking lot and just hop into one of the Safari Tour Buses. Bus tickets are available for sale at the counters (cannot be bought online). Buses are fully air-conditioned with huge windows and are filled half the capacity, to provide us ample space, so that we can move inside freely to get the most satisfying view of the animals.
The reserve has a picturesque landscape and we will forget that we are at Canada. We will indeed feel we are at Africa!! Who wouldn't be in awe looking at the white lions playing with each other (just few feet away from us); the beautiful friendship amongst giraffes and zebras - giraffes help grabbing the feed set for them from their feed stations (kept at a height) and offer it to their zebra friends; those crazy monkeys, monkeying around in their usual fashion; the gigantic rhinos walking past our vehicles; a herd of cute deer following each other behind the zoo keeper who is throwing their afternoon feed; the ever jumping kangaroos, walking relaxed with their big feet, in their own habitat; wild bison rolling over on the ground. This year, we had the opportunity to witness such lovely moments and much more. I tried to capture few of those wonderful moments in a time-lapse video. I will leave the video's link at the end of this post. Take time to check it out. I am sure, you will like it.
Do you fancy a closer look at the animals from an open air truck, have a privately guided tour of a pride of lions and hand feed giraffes? Why not? We can experience that too with a special entry called "Wake up the wild".
The fun doesn't stop with just the safari drive. They have "Nature Boy" Scenic Railway, "African Queen" Boat cruise, Tusker (Elephant) Trail, Pets' Corner and much more. The train is a miniature replica of an 1863 C.P Huntington Steam Engine and takes us on a tour of the 16 hectare reserve that is inhabited by animals and birds native to southern Ontario. The Boat Safari is a pleasant trip, where the captain of the cruise takes us around the island and gives a tour of the primates like white-handed gibbon, ring-tailed lemur, monkeys, stork and pelicans. If the gibbons are in a good mood, we may find them playing, hopping from one tree to the other, in their joyful manner.
Elephant trail is a dedicated area that houses 10+ Asian elephants. It is such a wonderful sight to watch the cute baby elephants playing with water. There is a huge pets' corner, bird center and reptile center too. Apart from these, there are timed shows of parrots and other feathered friends; flying demonstration by preying birds (eagles, hawks, vultures, owls and falcons); reptile world with tortoises, pythons, giant lizards and crocodiles on display. The park has children play areas and a wet play area (Mimusu Bay) too, which is the other biggest attraction here. Do note, Mimusu Bay will be opened only during the summer season. So plan your trip accordingly.
The entry fee is inclusive of all these attractions, expect "Wake up the wild". African Lion safari is generally open starting May until early October, which slightly varies every year based on the weather conditions. This year it is open till the 10th of October. It is always better to check the website before planning our visit. Also note, there is a considerable difference in the ticket price purchased online and in person. Online ones come at a better price. This park also has food centers on site, serving various options. You can also bring food from outside and dine in there. Pet owners have to leave their pets at designated kennels, near the entrance.
I strongly recommend you to visit this Safari, in case you haven't already. I am certain, you will make unforgettable memories and this place becomes your to-do trip every year. One cannot resist the lure of Safari!!!
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