Knowsley Safari is a safari park and tourist attraction near Prescot, England. It is a member of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) and the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA). It contributes to conservation and research through links with conservation projects and its links with universities in nearby Liverpool, as well as Chester and Manchester.
The park was opened in July 1971 by Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby and Jimmy Chipperfield using the expertise of general manager Laurence Tennant MBE, formerly the Chief Game Warden of Parks in Uganda and Botswana. Initially the road through the park was 3.5 miles (5.6 km), with visitors driving past lions, cheetahs, monkeys, giraffes, zebra, elephants and various antelope. Due to the popularity of this route, an additional 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of road was added in 1973, and camels, buffalo, white rhino, and tigers were added to the park. Over the years, a few modifications have been made. For instance, tigers are now displayed in enclosures within the reserve, and a bypass around the baboons was built for visitors who are worried about damage to their cars.
The park has hosted several sporting events including the Olympic torch relay, watched by 6,000 children and families in June 2012. The park hosted the finish of Stage Two of the 2012 Tour of Britain cycling event and hosted Stage Three of the 2013 Tour in September of that year.
Experience the Liverpool’s wildest day out with a trip to family-favourite, Knowsley Safari.
Kick off your day with a tour of the 550 acre Safari Drive and get acquainted with over 750 wild animals, from baboons to camels, wildebeest to rhinos, all from the comfort of your own car. The drive through lion enclosure is a real highlight of the safari drive while for many visitors the baboons are the stars of the show. Whether up close, on the Baboon Bus or by taking the car friendly route, you’ll get a great view of the monkey madness; the boisterous baboons that have become Knowsley’s trademark.
An all day destination, and the fun doesn’t end with the Safari Drive at Knowsley. On the Foot Safari, you can explore the Amur Tiger Trail. This is no ordinary walk in the woods! Step into the tiger’s territory as you make your way into the forest. Keep your eyes peeled for tigers, because they’ll have already spotted you. As well as all the amazing animals we also have amusement rides and play areas to keep the little ones entertained all day long. There is a long history of keeping animals on the Knowsley estate. In the 19th century Edward, the 13th Earl of Derby, kept one of the largest private menageries in the world with 90 species of mammals and 300 species of birds! As part of Knowsley’s commitment to conservation, today’s keepers are always on hand to talk about the work undertaken to protect the many species at the Park, and the daily care that they give the animals.
As well as the exotic animals who make Knowsley their home, at the park you can also see an array of native British wildlife. Spot the waterfowl nesting around the park’s beautiful Mizzy Lake; kestrels and buzzards can be seen in the woodland and with brown hares, stoats, weasels and squirrels can also be glimpsed.
What’s more you can get up close and personal with our Giraffes, watch the sea lions splash about in our sea lion show, make sure you duck at the Birds of Prey display, get acquainted with the family of meerkats, and keep an eye out for our cutest family, the South American bushdogs.
