Best Safari Parks in the UK Ranked for Families (2026 Guide)
Published: 7 Apr 2026
Looking for the best safari parks in the UK for families? This guide helps you choose quickly and easily.
Best Safari Parks in the UK include Longleat Safari Park, West Midlands Safari Park, Woburn Safari Park, Port Lympne Safari Park, Knowsley Safari Park and Blair Drummond Safari Park.
The UK has several great safari parks, from drive-through wildlife experiences to parks with walk-around animal exhibits and safari lodges. In this list, we’ve rounded up the top safari parks in the UK based on family-friendly experiences, must-see animals, and visitor highlights, so you can decide which one is worth your visit.
Whether you’re planning a day out with kids or a unique wildlife stay, this list will help you choose the right park.
Best Safari Parks in the UK for Families: Drive-Through Safaris & Overnight Lodges
Before we dive into the details, here’s a quick comparison of the best safari parks in the UK to help you choose faster.
| Park | Location | Type | Accommodation | Unique Highlight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longleat Safari Park | Wiltshire, South West | Drive-through & Walk-through | ✅ Lodges | Free-roaming lions & monkeys; Longleat Safari Lodges for overnight stay; ideal for families and first-time visitors |
| West Midlands Safari Park | Bewdley, West Midlands | Primarily Drive-through | ❌ No overnight | Adventure rides + small walk-through areas; day visits only; great for families and thrill-seekers |
| Woburn Safari Park | Bedfordshire, South East | Drive-through & Walk-through | ✅ Lodges | Close encounters with rhinos & tigers; Woburn Safari Lodges for overnight stay; perfect for families and kids |
| Port Lympne Safari Park | Kent, South East | Drive-through & Walk-through | ✅ Lodges | Safari lodges UK with luxury glamping; rare species collection; ideal for families and luxury stays |
| Knowsley Safari Park | Merseyside, North West | Drive-through & Walk-through | ❌ No overnight | Interactive animal experiences; day visits only; good for families and couples |
| Blair Drummond Safari Park | Stirling, Scotland | Drive-through & Walk-through | ❌ No overnight | Car safari + adventure park; day visits only; ideal for families visiting Scotland |
While safari parks offer drive-through adventures, traditional zoos are great for walking experiences. Check out my full list of the Largest zoos in the UK for more ideas.
Best Safari Parks in the UK (Detailed Guide)
Below, you’ll find a detailed breakdown of the top safari parks in the UK, including highlights, tips and what to expect.
1. Longleat Safari Park – Wiltshire, England
Longleat Safari Park is located in Wiltshire, near Warminster in South West England, within the Longleat Estate. It is owned by the Thynn family, the Marquesses of Bath. Since opening in 1966, this safari park has been widely regarded as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa.
The park is part of the wider Longleat Estate and offers both drive-through and walk-through wildlife experiences. The main drive-through safari allows visitors to stay in their cars while passing through large animal reserves where lions, tigers, giraffes, rhinos, wolves, and monkeys can be seen in open habitats. This drive usually takes around 1.5 to 2 hours.
Alongside the safari drive, there are walk-through areas such as Jungle Kingdom, Animal Adventure, and Koala Creek, which together feature more than 120 animal species. Additional attractions include the hedge maze, boat safari on Half Mile Lake, Longleat Railway, and seasonal events, making it a full-day destination.
A typical visit takes around 3 to 5 hours depending on how many attractions are explored. The park operates most of the year, with seasonal opening hours and some variations in winter.
Longleat is located just off the A36 between Bath and Salisbury and is easy to reach by car. Visitors must remain inside their vehicles during the drive-through safari and dogs are not allowed in animal areas for safety reasons.
2. West Midlands Safari Park – Worcestershire
West Midlands Safari Park is located in Bewdley, Worcestershire, and is one of the best-known safari parks in England. Opened in 1973, the park combines a drive-through safari with walk-through animal exhibits and family attractions, making it a popular day out for families and wildlife lovers.
Visitors can see species such as lions, giraffes, rhinos, elephants, zebras and tigers from their own cars while moving through different themed zones across the park. Depending on traffic and stopping points, the safari experience normally lasts around two hours.
Alongside the safari, there are walk-through areas featuring animals such as penguins, red pandas, reptiles, sea lions, and smaller mammals. The park also includes adventure rides, play areas and seasonal events, giving visitors a mix of wildlife experiences and family entertainment.
West Midlands Safari Park is home to more than 100 animal species and most visitors spend around 4 to 6 hours exploring the safari drive and attractions. The park is located near Kidderminster and is easy to reach from Birmingham and other parts of the Midlands.
Opening times vary by season and advance booking is recommended during weekends and school holidays when the park is busiest. Visitors must remain inside their vehicles during the safari drive for safety reasons.
3. Woburn Safari Park – Bedfordshire
Woburn Safari Park is located within the historic Woburn Estate in Bedfordshire and is one of the best-known safari parks in England. Opened in 1970, the park is part of the Duke of Bedford’s estate and is known for its combination of road safari experiences and family-friendly wildlife attractions.
The park is best known for its self-drive Road Safari, where visitors can pass through large open reserves featuring animals such as lions, tigers, black bears, rhinos, giraffes, zebras and wolves. Unlike a traditional zoo visit, the experience is designed around seeing animals from your own vehicle across different safari zones spread throughout the estate.
Away from the safari route, the Foot Safari area includes smaller animal exhibits, penguins, meerkats, lemurs, otters, and indoor play areas for children. There are also keeper talks, feeding sessions, and seasonal activities held throughout the year, making it popular with families looking for a full-day visit.
Most visitors spend around 4 to 5 hours exploring the safari and walking areas together. The park is located near Milton Keynes and is easily accessible from London and surrounding parts of southern England.
Opening times vary by season, with longer hours during peak months and reduced operations during winter. Visitors must stay inside their vehicles during the safari drive, and certain animal areas may have vehicle restrictions for safety reasons.
4. Port Lympne Safari Park – Kent, England
Port Lympne Safari Park is located near Hythe in Kent and is one of the largest wildlife parks in southern England. The park is part of The Aspinall Foundation and is well known for its strong focus on wildlife conservation, large open habitats, and safari-style experiences.
Unlike traditional safari parks, Port Lympne combines guided safari tours with extensive walking areas spread across a large countryside estate. Visitors can see animals such as giraffes, zebras, rhinos, gorillas, lions, tigers, and cheetahs living in spacious enclosures designed to feel as natural as possible.
One of the main highlights is the guided safari truck experience, which takes visitors through large African and Asian animal reserves across the park. Alongside the safari, there are walking trails, animal viewing areas, gardens, and family-friendly attractions throughout the estate.
Port Lympne is also known for its overnight safari accommodation, including themed lodges, cabins, treehouses, and glamping stays overlooking animal habitats. This makes it one of the few safari parks in the UK where visitors can stay overnight inside the wildlife park itself.
Most visitors spend at least 4 to 6 hours exploring the park due to its size and hilly layout. The park operates throughout most of the year, with seasonal opening hours and activities changing depending on weather and visitor demand
5. Knowsley Safari Park – Merseyside
Knowsley Safari Park is located near Prescot in Merseyside and is one of the largest safari parks in North West England. Opened in 1971, the park is spread across hundreds of acres and is home to a wide range of animals from around the world.
The park is best known for its five-mile safari drive, where visitors can see animals such as lions, rhinos, camels, ostriches, zebras, and deer moving through large open spaces. The drive-through safari is designed to feel more immersive than a traditional zoo visit, with different animal zones spread across the route.
Alongside the safari drive, there are walk-through attractions featuring sea lions, meerkats, birds of prey, smaller mammals, and animal feeding experiences. Seasonal events and family activities also run throughout the year, making it a popular choice for day trips with children.
Knowsley Safari Park is located around 30 minutes from Liverpool and is easy to reach from other parts of North West England. Most visitors spend around 3 to 5 hours exploring the safari and walking attractions together.
Opening hours vary by season, and advance booking is often recommended during weekends and school holidays when visitor numbers are highest. Visitors must remain inside their vehicles during the safari drive for safety reasons.
If you’re interested in more wildlife experiences,
READ: Biggest zoos in the UK
6. Blair Drummond Safari Park – Scotland
Blair Drummond Safari Park is located near Stirling in central Scotland and is one of the best-known safari parks in the country. Opened in 1970, the park combines a drive-through safari with walk-through animal exhibits and family attractions, making it a popular choice for visitors exploring Scotland with children.
The safari area allows visitors to drive through large outdoor reserves featuring animals such as lions, giraffes, rhinos, antelope, and camels. The park is designed to give a more open wildlife experience compared to a traditional zoo, with spacious enclosures and themed safari sections spread across the grounds.
Away from the safari drive, visitors can explore areas with penguins, lemurs, sea lions, birds of prey, reptiles, and chimpanzees. The park also includes children’s play areas, a dinosaur-themed attraction, and seasonal animal experiences throughout the year.
Most visitors spend around 3 to 5 hours exploring the safari and walk-through attractions together. Blair Drummond Safari Park is located a short drive from Stirling and is easily accessible from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.
Opening times vary seasonally, with the park mainly operating between spring and autumn. Visitors must remain inside their vehicles during safari sections for safety reasons.
You can find reliable information about UK zoos and safari parks on the Official BIAZA Website.
FAQs About Best Safari Parks in the UK
There are over 20 safari parks and wildlife attractions across the UK, ranging from small drive-through parks to large multi-day reserves. The six most popular include Longleat, West Midlands, Woburn, Port Lympne, Blair Drummond, and Knowsley Safari Park.
The “best” safari park depends on what you’re looking for. For immersive drive-through safaris and big cats, Longleat Safari Park is iconic. For overnight wildlife experiences, Port Lympne Safari Park offers safari lodges. Families in the North West may prefer Knowsley Safari Park, while Blair Drummond is ideal for Scottish visitors.
Yes! UK safari parks are designed with safety in mind. Children must stay in cars during drive-through zones with big cats or dangerous animals. Walk-around areas are carefully monitored, with fences, platforms, and staff supervision ensuring a safe experience for all ages.
Ticket prices vary, but Woburn Safari Park and Blair Drummond Safari Park often offer some of the most affordable family packages, especially if booked online in advance or combined with multi-attraction deals.
Yes, a few UK safari parks offer overnight stays. Port Lympne Safari Park is the most famous, with luxury safari lodges like Lion Lodge, Bear Lodge, and Giraffe Lodge for an immersive multi-day experience. Some nearby hotels around Woburn or Longleat also offer family safari packages, even if the park itself doesn’t have lodges.
