Tips For An Amazing Day At African Lion Safari

African Lion Safariiiiiii (if you’ve heard the jingle, you know what I just did there). I still remember the very first time my parents took me to the wildlife farm: my eyes widened, my jaw dropped to the ground and my heart raced with excitement as the lions, giraffes and rhinos roamed around our car. Fast forward twenty years and I still feel the exact same way. I recently had an opportunity to relive one of my favourite childhood memories thanks to Attractions Ontario and Heart of Ontario and this time I took notes so I could share some tips with you guys! Hope you find these helpful:

10 Tips For An Amazing Day At African Lion Safari

1. Look For Deals Online – Before you head over to African Lion Safari make sure to check out their website for package deals so you can save some cash! Attractions Ontario also has a coupon that you can snag here. Oh, and definitely consider getting a Seasons Pass if you think you’ll be a repeat visitor throughout the summer.

2. Arrive Early – African Lion Safari opens at 9 am, but cars actually start lining up a bit earlier (the excitement, the excitement). Once you’ve paid your admission and parked your car, I recommend hopping on the first Safari Tour Bus so you can avoid the crowds and see the animals when they’re the most active…

3. Drive Through The Seven Large Game Reserves – Ah yes, the main event. You have two options when it comes to exploring the 9 km Safari Trail: you can either take your own car (at your own risk since wildlife can be unpredictable) OR you can hop on board the Safari Tour Bus. I recommend the latter, especially if you have young kids because you can hold them up to the windows on the bus so they can see better (rather than having them sit in a car seat). If you have time, why not do both?! There are no limits to how many times you go through the reserve. Just make sure you don’t feed the animals or get out of your vehicle!!

4. Eat Elephant Tail Fries – There are over ten spots to grab a bite inside African Lion Safari so you will not go hungry. My fave find? Elephant Tail Fries (aka tornado potatoes) — super cute and delish!

5. Ride The Train – The Nature Boy Scenic Railway Tour is a train ride through a forest that’s filled with unique wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for reindeer, ducks, elephants and much more!

6. Watch The Presentations – There are three daily presentations each afternoon showcasing a variety of animals: Parrot Paradise, Birds of Prey (this is a flying demonstration so expect birds to swoop over your head) and Elephant & Friends (which is arguably the most popular). Presentations are a great way to learn about the internationally recognized conservation and breeding initiatives at African Lion Safari.

7. Don’t Miss The Elephant Swim! – Watching the elephants run into the lake was my absolute favourite moment at African Lion Safari. They looked so happy as they plunged into the water — ears flapping, trunks waving. I swear I saw them smile. The swim takes place twice a day at Recreation Lake and is pure magic. Make sure to find a spot along the fence so you can watch them without an obstructed view since this is a very popular presentation.

8. Take A Cruise – Hop on the African Queen to get a glimpse of the islands dotting Water Safari Lake. Expect to see lemurs, gibbons, spider monkeys and birds…

9. Cool Off At Misumu Wet Play – If you’re visiting African Lion Safari with little ones, you won’t want to miss this play area. Kids love the slides, sprinklers and spouts. Don’t forget to pack their swimsuits, towels and water shoes.

10. Make It A Weekend Getaway – With so much to see and do at African Lion Safari, you’ll want to stay allllll day. Which means you will be exhausted. I highly recommend having dinner in the region and spending the night. My picks? Head to La Cantinella for authentic Italian. Suzanne works magic in the kitchen and whips up some incredible dishes (order the Linguine Pescatore and your stomach will thank you)…

Following your Italian feast, roll on over to Two Roses B&B for a relaxing stay in a historic house. The owners, Rene and Jose, are the loveliest couple and will truly welcome you as if you’re a member of their family. Expect a home bursting with character and a breakfast worth writing home about.

That’s it for my tips! Hope you guys get a chance to check out African Lion Safari soon. They’re open until September 30th so you still have some time to squeeze in a trip. I can’t wait to head back to Wake Up The Wild — hand feeding Canada’s largest herd of giraffes?! YES please. The exclusive, open-air truck experience is definitely bucket list worthy!

This post was sponsored by Attractions Ontario. As always, all reviews and opinions are entirely my own. Make sure to visit their website when planning visits to African Lion Safari to snag a coupon!