Wow, what an amazing achievement, Longleat is celebrating it’s 50th Anniversary this year.
It’s come along way from it’s first opening in 1966 as the first drive through safari park outside Africa. Now it boasts over 500 animals, an amazing adventure park, a beautiful stately home and grounds to visit and a variety of events through out the year.
And all this creates an amazing family day out with so much to do that you’re unlikely to squeeze it all in during one visit.
For me Longleat is all about the safari and a rather splendid stately home. If you were too ask my girls I think they would say it’s all about the safari and the adventure playground!
Longleat Safari Park
One of the things I love about Longleaf Safari is just how healthy and well cared for the animals look. There are beautiful, strong contented animals everywhere and you can see them easily from all sides of the car. It’s really quite stunning! And if the general ‘drive thru’ option doesn’t get you near enough you can pay for some special tours that take you up even closer to these wonderful animals.
Just before the Safari starts there is a pitt stop that allows you to grab a bite to eat and got to the loo called ‘The Watering Hole Cafe and African Traders’. Here you can get up close and feed the giraffes and gaze at the zebras. From this vantage point you can also size up the ‘The Monkey Drive Thru‘ in the distance and decide whether you want to subject your car to the cheeky exploits of monkey madness. Mr Dad had a get out clause for this trip as we had our roof rack on (with all our clothes from Camp Bestival) that he didn’t want to risk. He vividly remembers our last visit when Ro and Ra were still in my tummy and my eldest was coming up for one … that time we did enter ‘The Monkey Drive Thru’ and Mr Dad was not happy!
Whilst we were there we were lucky enough to catch one of the African experience performances (singing and dancing) that are happening to celebrate the 50th Anniversary.
The ‘Safari Drive Thru’ is well laid out with plenty to see from both sides of the car. When you first enter the Safari you’ll be given a map and a cd to play as you drive around narrated by ….. The cd contains information on the animals in each area with clear instructions on when to stop and start the cd as you drive around.
There are two lanes to drive in. One for continuous flow of traffic and the other that allows you to stop, watch the animals for a bit and take photo’s. You will want to take LOTS of photo’s.
Here are some of my pics
I totally recommend stopping off to feed the deer. Cups of deer food cost £1 …
and they come up really close!
During this part of the Safari you can keep your windows down which is great when it comes to taking photographs. But when you enter the BIG CAT AREA it’s windows up time (strictly enforced) and because of this I would hugely recommend you clean the inside and outside of you car windows before you enter the safari.
I missed an opportunity to capture a lovely photo of the tiger because my camera focussed on the teeny layer of dirt and grime inside the car. It’s not bad but would have been so much sharper with a clean window!
Luckily we had some screen wipes which were frantically used as we headed towards lion territory and the difference that made to how my pics turned out was enormous!
There are two prides of lions in two separate enclosures. The first enclosure houses a stunning all female cast. We were lucky enough to find head of the pride with her two besties in full ‘squad mode’ while the rest of her pride lounged to one side.
The big fella and his pride in the second enclosure were all taking it easy but that didn’t stop him/them looking magnificent.
Expect some queuing around the gorgeous male lion. He’s very popular.
The end of the safari takes you back to the main entrance car park. I would recommend going round first thing or at the end of your day to avoid too much traffic but do factor in a couple of hours especially if you’re brave enough to enter ‘Monkey Kingdom’! We did the Safari first so parked up and headed off to have a look around Longleat house …
I hadn’t realised quite how many animals you could see at Longleat and how up close you get. Looks fantastic!
This looks like such a fun day out, amazing pictures!
I’ve been to the house at Longleat but as it was in the middle of winter we didn’t see the animals. I’d love to someday though. Fantastic photographs!
Wow what an amazing looking experience it looks like going through Longleat- I would love to do it myself one day. x
Wow your photos are amazing! I haven’t been to longleat for ages, really need to go back x
Wow. This looks amazing. I love Safari Parks.
Now Longleat is on my list of places I would love to visit, it looks just amazing x
We haven’t been to a safari park for years but have very happy memories of Longleaf! Great photos!
*Longleat!* I must have mis-typed:-)
I used to love doing things like this as a kid, but I’m not so sure about these attractions now.
How amazing to be able to get that close to the animals, such a lovely experience.
I used to love going to these but I’ve never been to this one before! .
Wow your pictures look amazing, I would love to visit with the children.
I haven’t been to Longleat in what seems like forever but I remember I absolutely loved it when I went. It’s definitely somewhere I want to take my daughter xx
We love Safari parks – it’s lovely to get so close to the animals in their world x
I remember going to Longleat a couple of years ago. I wasn’t quite “kid” age but I loved it! So much history in the house! Would love to visit again!
I’ve never taken Boo to a safari park, but it’s definitely something I’d want to add to our ‘list’ for 2017…
Fabulous pictures, we have been here before and really enjoyed it, your making me want to go back! x
I love going to the zoo. We went to Twycross recently and it was lovely family day out.
Wow these photos are fantastic – What a wonderful array of beautiful animals. I’m thinking I would be pretty terrified going through the Big cat enclosure and wouldn’t need telling twice to put my window up!
I LOVE safaris! I’ve been here once when I was very young but, of course, I don’t remember anything! Must visit again 😀
I have very fond memories of visiting Longleat as a child with my family. We haven’t been with the boys yet
I’ve heard so many great reviews of Longleat – I really want to take my kids!
It must be about 25 years since I visited Longleat as they used to have a Doctor Who exhibition there. Great tip about cleaning your car windows first for good photographs.
I love Longleat and it is fairly close to us. I am planning on visiting later in the year for the festival of light
I really want to go to Longleat but it is just too far away, Love this post such lovely photos x
Longleat is definitely on my list of places I want to visit very soon. x
amazing pictures! I love Safari Parks.