Woburn Safari Park in Bedfordshire UK
Road Safari Offers Close-ups & Photo Moments with Dangerous Animals
Jun 13, 2009 Lynette S.K. Webster
Woburn Safari Park is bursting with so many activities to do and animals to see, that one article can hardly do it justice. Visitors would be pleased to find that their Where to Go and What to Do pocket guide, plus The Spotter's Guide (both come with main Guide book) are invaluable in helping them make choices on how to pack a whole lot of fun, into one satisfying day.
Road Safari: Hoofstock
The best way to kick off the morning is to explore the Road Safari while in the car. The extensive Road Safari means that each circuit takes about an hour. One can already spot Bisons and Vietnamese Sika Deer nearing the Safari entrance. Once inside, car visitors will encounter hoofstock like Ankole Cattle with its magnificent horns (so heavy they weigh its head down), sleepy Southern White Rhinos, Elands, striking Zebras and graceful Giraffes. It is generally safe for visitors to wind down the windows here – most of these animals are harmless herbivores.
Navajo Trail & Kingdom of Carnivores
Visitors are then warned to keep their windows up as they enter the Navajo Trail. Dangerous but magnificent animals like Wolves and North American Black Bears bound along the hillocks. At the time of this writing, a Wolf was seen snarling at a cub Bear over meat (though the Black Bear has a largely plant diet)! Even more splendid are the African Lions in the Kingdom of Carnivores. Male and female Lions recline on the hillside, happy to have photos taken, but visitors must keep their windows wound up! Amur Siberian Tigers follow, ambling in the woods enjoying their space, thanks to Tiger Balm’s sponsorship. These creatures have superb night vision and feed on wild game and deer.
African Forest
Monkeys are next, in their natural habitat: the African Forest. Watch out – tailless Barbary Macaques could climb on cars! These Macaques and long-legged Patas Monkeys are sociable and hang out in groups. Still visitors should keep windows up, and not feed Road Safari animals. To feed the animals, one must head to the Foot Safari afterwards.
The brilliant Road Safari ends with Asian Elephants, and more herbivores like Addax and rather furry Bactrian Camels! But the day is not over. After parking at Wild World Leisure Area, visitors should book a Safari Lorry Trip immediately, for an even closer look at the Road Safari animals!
Safari Lorry Trip
The Safari Lorry Trip is an option that is worthwhile. The trip goes every hour, and the 2 to 4pm slots go quickly (there is also a 1pm slot on Bank Holidays). Visitors pay £3.50 to be at close range with the Road Safari animals – an absolute bargain!
A guide takes a minimum group of eight people into the hoofstock area, on a lorry. While watching Southern White Rhinos up close, the guide explains their predicament: a young, aggressive male Rhino was moved away from these very old Rhinos. Plus great animal facts like: innocent-looking Dwarf Forest Buffalo can topple a vehicle, and is therefore one of the most dangerous animals in the Safari. But nothing compares with parking among Rothschild’s Giraffes. These elegant beasts would nose their way into the lorry to be friendly. All cameras, at the ready!
What is Next after Road Safari?
With the morning dedicated to the Road Safari and an afternoon slot booked for the Safari Lorry Trip, the rest of the afternoon can be meandered away in the Foot Safari. The Foot Safari is just as quirky, and includes delightful interactions with a wholly different set of animals!
Ankole Cattle with its Heavy Horns
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Close-up of African Lion through Car Windows
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Wolf Confronts N. American Black Bear Cub - 26 May
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Older Southern White Rhinos Love a Nap
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Friendly Rothschild's Giraffe - Safari Lorry Trip
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