african safari park ontario

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African Lion Safari Canada’s Original Safari Adventure

African lion safari, canada’s original safari adventure, about african lion safari.

African Lion Safari® is a drive through Wildlife Park dedicated to the conservation of declining wildlife species. It is home to over 1,000 exotic birds and animals that roam freely throughout seven distinct drive through Game Reserves.

The park is comprised of over 750 acres, 250 of which provide animals with large areas of bush, grasslands or forest in which they can interact naturally with other animals. In several Game Reserves, mixed species roam and interact as they would in the wild. 25 to 30 acres has been developed for walk through areas and exhibits and the balance of the property is comprised of farm, bush and other habitat, including 40 areas of provincially significant wetland which we maintain and monitor.

African Lion Safari® is extremely proud of the international reputation it has earned for excellence in the care, management and breeding of many endangered species, both birds and animals. Our dedicated staff play an integral part in the success of African Lion Safari’s conservation and breeding initiatives. They bring their unique skills, years of experience and commitment to ensure our animals receive the best care possible.

African Lion Safari® consults worldwide and supports in-situ projects such as species reintroduction for the Eastern Loggerhead shrike, Burrowing owl, Ferruginous hawk, and Barn owl. Our animal management staff travel worldwide to provide training and support to help improve conservation, management and welfare of many species, including elephants.

Our efforts in providing technical training in elephant husbandry and welfare, data collection, community relations and conservation education have met with good success.

The park has enjoyed over 50 successful years as one of Ontario’s premier tourist destinations.  African Lion Safari® strives to ensure that all guests have an enjoyable and educational day “On Safari! ™” as well as an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of the animals in our care.

DRIVE THROUGH GAME RESERVES

Get closer than you ever imagined to majestic birds and animals from around the world as you drive along 9 kilometres of trail, through 7 large Game Reserves featuring Nairobi Sanctuary, Simba Lion Country, Timbavati Lion Country, Wankie Bushland Trail, Rocky Ridge Veldt, Australasia and The Americas.

You will enter an environment that is home to over 1,000 birds and animals, many of which are classified as endangered or threatened species. The park is situated on 750 acres in which animals roam freely while you are “caged” in your vehicle. The Safari Trail enables you to go “On Safari! TM ” and see prides of lions, herds of zebra and giraffe, white rhino, ostrich, watusi, bison and many other exotic species.

Travel through the Game Reserves in your own vehicle* or hop aboard our Safari Tour Bus for an additional fee.

*Vehicles will be inspected upon arrival at the park and at the entrance of the Game Reserves. See  park policies  for vehicle requirements.

Admission to African Lion Safari Includes:

Driving through large Game Reserves in your own vehicle . (Alternate transportation, Safari Tour Bus , available for an additional charge)

Leisurely cruise aboard the “African Queen” Boat .

Journey on the “Nature Boy” scenic railway .

Exciting and Educational Bird and Animal Presentations

Pets’ Corner – Come FACE TO FACE with a variety of animals and birds.

Misumu Bay Wet Play – Misumu Bay Wet Play Interactive water adventure for children. Seasonal. weather permitting. Height Restrictions Apply.

Children’s Playgrounds – Children can “˜monkey around’ in Safari Venture and Toddlers’ Playground.

Height Restrictions Apply.

Toddlers’ Playground is not monitored by African Lion Safari staff.

NOTE : Parking is included in your admission to the park. You have access to your car all day.

1386 Cooper Rd, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2

• (519) 623-2620 or 1-800-461-9453
• http://www.lionsafari.com

( African Lion Safari Canada’s Original Safari Adventure )

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African Lion Safari

For a unique family-friendly adventure, embark on a driving tour through wild game reserves at African Lion Safari. Travel through habitats with seven different wildlife themes, featuring animals from across the African continent, the Australian Outback and the high plains of North America.

Weave through different ecosystems and explore over 300 hectares with animals roaming free, including some threatened or endangered species. Spot lions, zebras, giraffes, kangaroos, bison and more. After your “safari,” learn more about the park’s conservation efforts, breeding programs and research teams.

Visit the African Lion Safari website

African Lion Safari | Waterloo Region

How to get to African Lion Safari

Location: 1386 Cooper Road, Cambridge

By car: Access the African Lion Safari via Highway 401 and Highway 8. If you’re coming from Niagara Falls or the U.S., take the Queen Elizabeth Way. Free parking is included with admission.

By transit: GO Transit provides regular train and bus service to Kitchener and bus service from Kitchener to Cambridge. From there, take a local taxi to the African Lion Safari.

Know before you go

Purchase timed tickets in advance online . You must select two times: one for entry into the park and one for the drive through Game Reserves.

Your vehicle will receive a safety inspection before entering the Game Reserves. Check the vehicle restrictions page before your trip. If you’d rather not drive, opt for the Safari Tour Bus .

Wheelchairs and wagons are available for rent at the Safari Bazaar Gift Shop.

Things to do at African Lion Safari

Discover more activities and experiences.

See over 1,000 animals and birds

Observe thousands of animals in the African Lion Safari’s seven Game Reserves , containing nine kilometres of trail through open grasslands, shaded forests and expansive marshy wetlands.

Ride the tour bus

Leave your car in the parking lot and hop on the Safari Tour Bus . Educational tours are 60 to 90-minutes long and offer great opportunities to take pictures of the animals.

Take a self-guided tour

Listen to an audio tour by expert guides while going through the park. Learn about all the animals you see, how to identify them, what they like to eat and how they behave.

Play in the water park

Grab the sunscreen and let the kids cool off in Misumu Bay Wetplay , the African Lion Safari’s water park. Enjoy waterslides, splash pads and the ever-popular fish-tipping buckets.

Eat in the park

Grab a bite to eat with the safari’s onsite dining . Choose from gourmet barbecued hamburgers, sweet soft-serve ice cream, the signature Elephant Tail fry on a stick and more.

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Interesting facts about African Lion Safari

The African Lion Safari was established in 1969 by the late Colonel G.D. Dailley, who opened it in the name of conservation. The park contained 40 lions in three reserves; today, the park houses over 1,000 animals and more than 100 species.

Over 100 hectares of bush, grasslands and forest allow mixed species of animals to roam and interact as they would in the wild.

African Lion Safari leads numerous conservation initiatives , supporting research and breeding programs to protect endangered animals and their habitats.

Accessibility features

Accessible entrances/exits, accessible parking, accessible restaurant, accessible seating, accessible washroom, service animals welcome, support persons welcome, wheelchair and/or mobility devices available.

Last updated:  April 26, 2024

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African Lion Safari: A Seriously Exotic Day Trip to Hamilton

If you have yet to experience “Canada’s Original Safari Adventure”, make this the year for this unforgettable day trip to Hamilton.

African Lion Safari’s expansive drive through reserve lets families get closer than they ever imagined to some of the world’s most exotic species. Located just an hour’s drive from Toronto and around an hour and a half from Buffalo and Niagara Falls, it’s easy to get to one of Ontario’s most popular tourist attractions.

Family-owned and uniquely Canadian, African Lion Safari was founded by Colonel Gorden Debenham Dailley, who in 1968, set off to create a new attraction in Canada: a drive-through wildlife park. It started with just 40 lions. There’s now over 1000 animals, 100 different species and 750 acres of parkland.

Walk, drive, cruise, and journey along the railway through different areas of the park to discover the wide range of attractions here.

Game Reserves

In African Lion Safari’s unique Game Reserves , the tables are turned. Visitors are “caged” in their car while animals get to roam throughout the reserves. Get your cameras ready as you settle in your own vehicle and embark on a nine-km drive through seven distinct, large reserves including Nairobi Sanctuary, Simba Lion Country, Timbavati Lion Country, Wankie Bushland Trail, Rocky Ridge Veldt, Australasia and The Americas. You can view over 1000 exotic birds and animals, many of which are classified as endangered or threatened. (You can hop on a safari tour bus instead for an extra fee.)

Other Attractions

On a sunny day, pack your swimsuit and hit the wet zone at Misumu Bay Wet Play Area (open between May 19 and September 3). This adventure area features sprinklers, slides, jets, and more!

Daily Presentations

At various times throughout the day, visitors can catch one of four presentations to learn about the animals that call African Lion Safari home. In Parrot Paradise , visitors can watch in awe of their intelligence; see hawks, eagles, owls, vultures and falcons in the Birds of Prey Flying Demo ; and learn about various reptiles in Little Ray’s Nature Centre.

Wake Up The Wild: An Experience to Roar About

Have you ever wanted to come within a metre of a rhino, zebra or ostrich, or hand-feed Canada’s largest herd of giraffe? What about witness a pride of lions at their most active time of day? Designated an Ontario Signature Experience by Destination Ontario in 2015, Wake Up The Wild is African Lion Safari’s exclusive VIP experience available on select days throughout the season, ideal for families, couples, or a fun gift! During the adventure, a Game Warden takes you on an off-road, private guided tour to spot wildlife in an open air truck.

International Excellence in Conservation

Visitor information.

• Open daily May 6 to September 4 and select dates from September 5 to October 8. Misumu Bay Wetplay is open daily from May 20 to September 4.
• Parking is included in the park admission.
• Dining options and snacks are available throughout the park.
• African Lion Safari is located at 1386 Cooper Road in Hamilton, Ontario.

Born and raised in Hamilton, Amanda shares her favourite places and experiences to inspire others to explore! Follow her on Twitter @amandastancati .

African Lion Safari in Ontario

African Lion Safari

Unlike the traditional zoo where visitors freely roam the grounds observing animals in cages, the African Lion Safari near Toronto , Ontario, is set up to allow visitors to drive at their own pace around multi-acre reserves in which the animals roam freely.

Open daily between May and October, the African Lion Safari also stages animal shows and workshops and has a splash pad and playground.

Though the African Lion Safari is more acceptable in terms of animal welfare than zoos and amusement parks like the atrocious Marineland in Niagara Falls , which has been criticized for its animal cruelty, the elephant shows and rides at the African Lion Safari do seem archaic and humiliating to the animals while offering no educational value for viewers.

Tips for Visiting

Dennis Jarvis / Flickr / CC BY-SA 2.0

• Driving your own vehicle around the animal reserves is at your own risk. Baboons have been known to jump on and scratch cars, pull at antennas or remove windshield wipers. Take the Safari Bus if you are concerned about your car being damaged.
• If you decide to drive your own vehicle, you have the option of a monkey-free route; monkeys tend to be the biggest car hazard.
• The park is less busy and not so hot if you arrive for the 10 am opening.
• As with most theme parks, food is generally unhealthy and overpriced. Pack a picnic lunch or at the least bring a snack and a water bottle.
• July and August can be very hot; be prepared with water, sunscreen, hats, and bring bathing suits for the kids to take advantage of the splash pad.
• Slightly rainy days are good days to visit, with fewer visitors and animals that are more active than on very hot, humid days.
• If you want to see some of the shows (Birds of Prey, Parrot, Elephants), find out their start times before you do anything else, and plan your activities around these times.

See the Animals

Derek Hatfield / Flickr / CC BY 2.0 

Animals wandering the African Lion Safari reserves include giraffes, zebras, rhinoceroses, ostriches, lions, cheetahs, baboons, and more.

Birds of prey, including eagles, hawks, owls, vultures, and falcons as well as parrots can be seen during demonstration and shows.

Gentle animals, such as baby goats, can be handled and pet at the Pets' Corner.

How Much Time to Spend at the Safari

African Lion Safari 

Visitors should plan on spending at least three hours at the African Lion Safari. The drive through the animal reserves takes between an hour and two hours, but the other amenities will keep you at the park for longer. Many people arrive for the 10 am opening and stay the whole day.

Getting There

Google Maps

Located in a rural part of Cambridge, Ontario, the African Lion Safari is about an hour from Toronto and 1.5 hours from Niagara Falls. Note that depending on your source, the location may be given as - not Cambridge - but Hamilton or Flamborough.

The route is marked clearly with blue Ontario attraction signage.

While You're in the Area

Little Louie's Burger Joint & Soupery

• Where to eat:  Enjoy delicious Mexican food in a casual atmosphere at Latinoamerica Unida. Slightly more sophisticated than a food truck, Little Louie's Burger Joint & Soupery serves up delish fast food.
• Where to stay: Several hotels are in the vicinity of the African Lion Safari - mostly mid-range. Homewood Suites by Hilton is particularly convenient for families as each guest room has at least one bedroom plus full kitchen and double sofa sleeper. If you're looking for something a little swankier, Langdon Hall is a Relais & Chateaux property in the area.
• Other attractions: A lot of green space, farmland, and conservation areas surround the African Lion Safari. Some charming towns within 20-minutes travel include Elora and Fergus - famous for 19th-century architecture and a preserved mill - and St. Jacobs Country - popular with tourists because of the hiking trails, strong Mennonite presence, and artistic offerings.
• The Donkey Sanctuary of Canada is a less touristy, quieter way to observe animals roaming freely, namely, donkeys who have been rescued from abuse and/or neglect.

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2024 Season

Open daily may 4 – september 15 & select dates september 18 – october 13.

Misumu Bay Wetplay is open May 18 – September 2, 2024.

We look forward to seeing you “On Safari!™”

Wake up the wild

Get even closer.

Start your experience

Common questions, what does the wake up the wild experience include.

Your experience will take place throughout three of our seven Game Reserves

• Witness a pride of lions at their most active time of day
• Going off road in our open-air truck to see the endangered rhino, zebra and ostrich
• Opportunity to hand feed our herd of giraffe
• Exclusive photo opportunities
• Personal guide on the tour
• Admission to African Lion Safari*

*To visit the rest of the Game Reserves after the tour, you can drive through in your own vehicle.  Please review our vehicle restrictions prior to your arrival.

How can I book Wake Up The Wild?

Advanced reservations are required. Please click this link to reserve your tickets and time.

Who can experience Wake Up The Wild?

• Guests must be a minimum of 8 years of age to participate in this experience and must be accompanied by an adult. For safety reasons, children under 8 years of age are not permitted. Proof of I.D for children is required on the day of the tour.
• For guests own safety, they should be in good physical health, have full body control and hand-eye coordination.
• Guests must be able to walk independently, without walking aids or medical devices.

What time does it start and how long will it take?

This is an early morning tour.  Arrival time is 8:45 AM and the experience will be completed by 11:00 AM.  Plan to stay after and enjoy the rest of the park.

What should I wear for Wake Up The Wild?

All participants must wear closed-toed shoes, no open – toed shoes are permitted.  Be prepared with a jacket for cooler mornings and rain coats for predicted rain days.  Ensure appropriate attire is worn for this outdoor, all-weather experience.

Can I take photos?

Yes! Don’t forget your camera! We ask that you familiarize yourself with African Lion Safari’s Photography Agreement before arrival.

PHOTOGRAPHY AGREEMENT:

No Commercial photography permitted. All photography, video, digital, and/or film taken by customers of 1) African Lion Safari’s birds and animals and 2) property and premises must be for personal use only. Any use, reuse or reproduction for commercial purposes is strictly prohibited by African Lion Safari without written consent and specific license from African Lion Safari.

Can I buy Wake Up The Wild as a gift?

Yes! This unique exclusive experience makes an amazing gift for birthdays or special occasions.

Will my Wake Up The Wild experience proceed during inclimate weather?

This exclusive experience occurs rain or shine, with the exception of severe weather or lightning. African Lion Safari reserves the right to cancel due to inclement weather, animal health, and/or safety concerns. In the event of cancellation, efforts will be made to reschedule another date. No refunds. During cold periods and/or severe weather some species may not be on display. Animal feeding opportunities are not guaranteed.

What if I miss my tour, can I take another tour that day?

There is only ONE tour departure offered daily. Please arrive at African Lion Safari at 8:45 a.m. SHARP. Unfortunately, those arriving late cannot be accommodated on another tour that day. Guests forfeit the entire price of the tour if they do not show up for the tour. No refunds or rescheduling opportunities will be given for no shows.

Wake Up The Wild Refund, Cancellation, and Rescheduling Policies

• Wake Up The Wild tours are non-refundable, and non-transferable; however, if it becomes necessary to reschedule your tour for another date, you may do so by calling 72 hours before the tour.
• Rescheduling of tours will only be accommodated once and only rescheduled during the current operating season.

What else do I need to know?

• Guests will complete a i) Waiver and ii) Photography Agreement prior to experience.
• Tour itinerary, content, duration and availability are subject to change without notice. Due to the unpredictability of animals, tour experiences and animal interactions may vary.
• Animal feeding opportunities are not guaranteed.

Who can I contact if I have more questions?

Please call  1-800-461-WILD(9453)  or email  [email protected]  and we would be pleased to answer any additional questions you may have.

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African Lion Safari

The African Lion Safari refers to a family-owned safari theme park located in Hamilton in Ontario, Canada. This amazing safari park includes over 1,000 animals belonging to more than 100 species of birds and mammals from all over the earth.

Visitors can tour the park’s 7 game reserves navigated via their own vehicles or on the park’s tour buses. The animals roam freely in these reserves within great, contained areas. Apart from the game reserves, African Lion Safari also has a sizable walking section wherein hundreds of exotic primates and birds, plus pack of Asian Elephants may be observed.

African Lion Safari has seven kinds of reserves that guests can tour. In Nairobi Sanctuary, guests can see llama, Watusi cattle, Egyptian goose, European white stork, East African crane and crested screamer. In Simba Lion Country, they will be able to observe lions roaming freely in their area while in the Duma Cheetah Preserve; it is cheetahs that they will see. In the Wankie Bushland Trail, guests will observe Miniature zebu and baboons.

In Rocky Ridge Veldt, they can see some plains zebra, Rothschild giraffe, wildebeest, Barbary sheep, eland, ostrich, addax, scimitar-horned Oryx and white rhinoceros. The Eurasia reserve has some Himalayan tahr, nilgai, yak, mouflon, fallow deer, sika deer, Père David’s deer, Sicilian donkey and emu. In North America reserve, visitors can witness some bison, fallow deer, and North American elk.

Apart from the reserves, guests may also experience the park’s walking areas. Toucans and Parrots exhibited outside the park’s walking area include scarlet and blue-and-yellow macaw, African grey parrot, military macaw, hyacinth macaw, great green and red-and-green macaw, white cockatoo, Catalina macaw, salmon-crested cockatoo, Alexandrine parakeet, galah, princess parrot, white-throated toucan, and channel-billed toucan.

The park also has some Birds of prey including some bald eagle, African fish eagle, golden eagle, tawny eagle, red-tailed hawk, peregrine falcon, great black hawk, ferruginous hawk, Harris hawk, snowy owl, barn owl, Eurasian eagle owl, spectacled owl, burrowing owl, great horned owl, Marabou stork, king vulture, black vulture, turkey vulture, Andean condor, cinereous vulture, steppe eagle, American kestrel, and Lanner falcon.

Other animals displayed in the walking area include the Asian elephant, collared peccary, American flamingo, black-cappe monkey, alpaca, Indian flying fox, Indian peafowl, African pied crow, pygmy goat, domestic rabbit, tufted capuchin, helmeted guinea fowl, screamer, golden pheasant, turaco, kookaburra, and Victoria crowned pigeon.

African Lion Safari is a great place to visit for families who are interested not only in having a great, enjoyable time but also in learning. Children and adults will surely discover wonderful things about the many animals living in the park as they observe them in their natural state.

For more information please visit lion safari park .

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African Lion Safari

Go “On Safari!™” and get CLOSER than you ever imagined to over 1,000 exotic birds and animals that roam free in large Game Reserves! See lions, giraffe, rhino, and many more animals from around the world! “Trek” along 9 km of safari trail in your own vehicle or aboard a guided, air-conditioned Safari Tour Bus. Enjoy a full day of family fun!

2024 Season: Open Daily May 4 – September 15 and select dates from September 18 – October 13.

Your adventure starts at lionsafari.com

1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton, ON, N1R 5S2

1-519-623-2620 1-800-461-WILD (9453) Send Email

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Now thru september 29, wake up the wild.

Available on select dates from Jun to Sept, 2024. Tour subject to availability. Advanced reservations...

Available on select dates from Jun to Sept, 2024. Tour subject to availability. Advanced reservations required. Ticket Prices: Adults (13+) - $159 + taxes, Children (ages 8 to 12) - $119 + taxes Includes 2-hour tour and admission to African Lion Safari.

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To say that international travel has been complicated during the pandemic would be the understatement of the century. Almost everyone wants to go on a Safari and see Africa's many wild animals - lions, and tigers, and bears (joking about the latter two). But instead of traveling on an expensive trip over to Africa to see these remarkable animals one can go on an African safari north - in Canada. The African Lion Safari is a zoo with large reserves where guests drive their cars all around the enclosures. In addition to African animals, they have animals from around the world.

About the African Lion Safari

Flying to Africa, paying for the safari, paying for the park fees (that can be in the thousands of dollars) is incredibly expensive. But one can see most of the best of the animals on a self-drive safari from the comfort of one's own car at the African Lion Safari near Toronto in Canada.

• Open: Canada Is Now Open To Fully Vaccinated Americans

The African Lion Safari park is a family-owned safari park about 62 miles west of Toronto ( see here for a weekend itinerary for Toronto ). They have seven-game reserves that are open for guests to tour and have many of the world's key animals. So this is a kind of reverse zoo, where guests are encaged in their cars (one can not leave one's car) and the animals are free to roam about the reserve.

• Size: Around 300 Hectares or 740 Acres

Related:  Things To Do In Africa (Other Than Go On Safari)

When visiting, guests drive around the park in their own vehicles into the enclosures where the animals roam freely or they can go around in the park's tour buses if they prefer. There are also walking sections where one can see exotic birds and various primates - one can also walk up close to their herd of Asian elephants.

The park also has gift shops and plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained. There are shows by the experienced animal handlers with their elephants and rides for the children. There is of course plenty of dining options onsite. There are bus tours of the reserves for those not confident with driving amongst the animals or afraid that the animals may damage their cars (e.g. giraffes can put their heads through the open windows and baboons climb onto the cars).

Reserves Of The Lion African Safari

Nairobi sanctuary .

• Type Of Reserve: Large And Grassy Field
• Animals: Llama, European White Stork, Watusi Cattle, East African Crowned Crane, Egyptian Goose

Cheeta Breeding Center

• Type: Several Enclosures Where The Cheetahs Live Together or Separately
• Animals: Cheetahs

Simba Lion Country

• Type of Reserve: Large And Grassy Field With A Notable Rock Structure For The Lions to Rest On
• Animals: African Lions

Timbavati Lion Country

• Type Of Reserve: Grassy With A Rock Structure
• Animals: White Lions
• Special Tour: From 109.00 Canadian Dollars Or $86 USD

For those wanting to get up really close and personal with the lions, there is the special "Wake Up the Wild" tour. This is a privately guided tour with a Game Warden to see the pride of lions at the most active time of day as they enjoy and devour their morning meal. Afterward, the tour takes the guests to within a meter of the rhinos, zebras, and ostriches. Guests are given the opportunity to hand feed the giraffes. The dates for this tour are from July 24 to September (exact dates may vary by year).

Wankie Bushland Trail

• Animals: Olives Baboons, Bongo, Malaysian Tapirs, Miniature Zebu
• Caution: Baboons Are Likely To Climb Onto One's Car And Go For A Ride

Rocky Ridge Veldt

• Type Of Reserve: Grassy With Shelters And Shape Protection And Pile of Rocks For Animals To Shelter and Climb On
• Animals: Addax, White Rhinoceros, Ostrich, Grant's Zebra, Rothschild's Giraffe, Wildebeest, Eland, Barbary Sheep, Scimitar-Horned Oryx
• Caution: If The Windows Are Open, The Giraffes May Stick Their Heads Inside The Car Looking For a Treat

Australasia Reserve

• Type of Reserve: Mix of Trees, Grasses, And Ponds
• Animals: Tibetan Yak, Nilgai, Indian Rhino, Sicilian Donkey, Himalayan Tahr, Red Kangaroo, Western Grey Kangaroo, Red-necked Wallaby (Separated Are Also Sichuan Takin and Turkmenian Markhor
• Misnomer: Most Of These Animals Are From Asia and Not From Australasia

North American Reserve

• Type Of Reserve: Large Grassy Fields
• Animals: North American Elk, Spotted Fallow Deer, Markhor, And American Bison

Related:  20 Stunning Sights That Can Only Be Seen In An African Safari

Visiting The African Lion Safari Park

Cost of Admission (Online) - Plus Taxes and Fees

• Adult:  $36.95 Canadian, $29 USD
• Children: $24.95 Canadian Dollars, $20 USD

Cost of Admission (At The Gate) - Plus Taxes and Fees

• Adult: $39.95 Canadian Dollars, $32 USD
• Children:  $27.95 Canadian Dollars, $22 USD
• Open Daily: From May 2 To September 27 (Exact dates May Vary By Year)

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Travel Ontario, Canada – African Lion Safari

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Travel Ontario, Canada – African Lion Safari by Habeeb Salloum.

Touring a Wildlife Sanctuary – A Questionable Gift for My Great-Grandchildren

by Habeeb Salloum

Just over two decades ago, I had taken my family and grandchildren to the African Lion Safari, the famous Ontario outdoor wildlife park where the beasts of the wild run free. Now, years later, I decided to take my eldest grandson, Laith and his wife Maria along with their two sons, my great-grandchildren Bilal and Tamer, six and five years old respectively, to repeat the past. My daughter Muna, their loving and devoted great-aunt, also joined us.

During that first visit years ago with my grandchildren, they were terrified once we met the animals and I hoped that this time things would be different. I believed that my great-grandsons would be more receptive to wild animals since they constantly talked about Wild Kratts, an animated educational children’s program making children familiar with zoology. Their obsession with this program made them advocates of animal life, especially that of the wild. In fact, Bilal and Tamer shocked me during our visit to the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto by their knowledge of the names of all the dinosaurs on display, perfectly pronouncing their long-complicated appellations and identifying which of them was carnivorous and which of them followed the herbivorous lifestyle. These precocious children were not afraid of these huge skeletal remains and with this in mind, I wanted to show my love and pride in them by taking them to a destination where they could see the real kingdom of the jungle.

Ontario African Lion Safari – On the train in the park are Laith, Maria, Bilal and Tamer

As we drove through the gate into the park, I had a feeling of satisfaction thinking to myself that this day my great-grandchildren would be thankful that I was taking them to visit this world of animals in southern Ontario – located some 64 km (40 mi), an hour’s drive from Toronto, London or Niagara Falls.

I hoped that like all city-bred children, the little boys would appreciate seeing some of the 1,000 wild birds and animals of a hundred species from all over the world. Not confined, they roam free on a 304 ha (750 ac) reserve, designed to replicate the animals’ natural setting, on an area of land at Cambridge, midway between the cities of Kitchener and Hamilton. A zoo in reverse that cages the visitors in their autos instead of placing the animals in enclosures, the African Lion Safari Park, plays host to near 500,000 annual visitors.

The Park was the brainchild of Colonel G.D. Dailley who, as president of a conservation organization, founded it in 1969. Responsible for establishing similar parks in other countries, he was very familiar with how to run a wild animal sanctuary where one can see from the safety of vehicles the untamed beasts living naturally. During the 48 years of the Park’s existence, African Lion Safari has been breeding rare and endangered species and over the decades, it has supported by way of various projects and funding the conservation of wildlife worldwide. This and the park’s breeding programs have given it international recognition.

Ontario African Lion Safari – White Lion

I could barely hear our conversation in the car as the boys were excitedly discussing among themselves the animals of the wild. As we entered ‘Simba Lion Country’, Tamer suddenly blurted out, “Look, a lion! I saw it. It’s a lion!”. Bilal in awe shouted, “It’s a female lion! It’s coming towards us!”. Suddenly silence in the back seat as the boys stared out the windows. The lioness had approached our car and let out a large roar. The boys were terrified. As Bilal uttered his famous words, “That roar is a message. It means that other lions are coming to attack! When a female lion makes that roaring-hissing sound, it’s looking for the male.” Tamer, unintelligible at this moment of hysterics, pleaded with me to lock the car doors. I assured him that all windows and doors were secure and that there was nothing to fear.

With the lion at my car door, Laith, more interested in taking pictures, and Maria in the back quietly repeating, “Oh my goodness! Oh my goodness!”, I decided to try my best to alleviate a tense situation. “Bilal, Tamer, look at that magnificent male lion sitting in the shade with his harem around him! What a lucky guy!” Bilal’s response to me was simply, “Can we just go?” “Can we just keep going?”.

Ontario African Lion Safari – Ostrich

With this unnerving experience behind, we moved on with the stopping and crawling traffic. A short distance away, in ‘The Rocky Ridge Veldt’, a lone ostrich standing by the roadside, got my attention. Figuring that the moments of fear in the children had passed, I pointed out the splendid ostrich that had stopped at the side window of the car. While it stared haughtily at us, it lifted its wings and let out a huge explosion of excrement. Needless to say, this did not go well with the boys. And when it began again to look into the window, it opened its mouth, apparently begging for food. Tamer jumped out of his booster seat in the back and tugged at my shoulder begging me to lock the door. Again, I consoled the young man explaining that we were secure inside. This did no good. He implored me with words that I love to hear from him, “I love you Jiddy (grandfather) but I will love you more if you make sure the windows are closed. Check the doors! They have to be locked!” In the meantime, my daughter Muna, was in hysterics, laughing to the point of crying. She protectively cuddled the boys but still the scenario was hilarious. As we left the ostriches, I turned to Laith, “I can’t believe that the boys are afraid of ostriches!”. Laith calmly looked at me and shrugged, “City boys. What do you expect?”. Perhaps he remembered his own experience at African Lion Safari when he was almost the same age as Bilal and Tamer, when he counted the minutes to leave the park.

Ontario African Lion Safari – Baboons on a car.

A few moments later, in ‘Wankie Bushland Trail’, we were driving through baboon-land. They were everywhere. Swinging from trees, playing in the middle of the road, jumping on top of cars, they brought a smile to the boys’ faces. Everything was fine until they saw some baboons sitting atop a car that was driving alongside us. All of sudden, Tamer blurted out, “There’s a baboon on the car. Look Bilal! He’s on the car. Oh no! There’s 3 of them!”. Clinging to Muna, the two boys declared that they had seen enough of the baboons.

Laith turned to his youngest son, “Don’t you like the monkeys?” Tamer responded with one word. “No!” “Tell me why you don’t like them”, asked Laith puzzled about the answer. “Because they can jump on our car, rip things off of it, and scratch the paint”, Tamer declared with confidence. Bilal muttered something about being disgusted by their ‘red bums’. Trying to ease the tension, Laith and Maria pointed to a baboon in front of our car and told the boys to look. “We’re so lucky to be so close to it”, Maria explained to her sons. But this was to no avail as both boys cried out, “Oh! No! Let’s get out of here. Let’s go somewhere else where the animals don’t come near us!”. As we drove away from the baboons, Tamer mouthed words to the car driving slowly next to us, his face so serious while pointing up, “Are there any monkeys on top of our car?”. The driver shook his head in the negative. Bilal sighed with relief, “Whew!”. Funny how history repeats itself – my second eldest grandson Mazin, on our first trip with him to the park just over 20 years ago, asked the same question but wrote it on a slip of paper, latching it on to the back window hoping that drivers behind us might be able to answer his question.

Ontario African Lion Safari – Rhinos

Moving on from the baboon fiasco, we drove along to the next site turning a corner and coming face to face with the magnificent rhinoceroses. They were about 50 feet away and the kids were in awe. Maybe it was because of their size or their prehistoric appearance that kept the children entranced. Suddenly, two rhinos that were approaching us started to lock horns. Laith began to take a series of pictures, mesmerized by the magnificence of their stature. They were getting closer and I felt some apprehension. My feelings were confirmed as we saw one of the park’s wardens quickly drive towards the fighting males, obviously anticipating a problem. But I was thinking, as the rhinos slowly moved towards our car, that they might just overturn our car if agitated. After mentioning this possible danger to Laith out loud, I suddenly realized my mistake. Not skipping a beat, Bilal and Tamer cried out in unison, “We need to get out of here! They’re going to attack our car! We need to get out!” I tried to calm the boys but the damage had been done. We quickly left the scene as we watched the warden drive in circles around the two rhinos in his attempt to stop the fight.

Now, as we moved on, anxious about the increasing fear of the boys, we returned to where the giraffes and zebras intermingled. Bilal and Tamer were in their glory. The calm nature of these beautiful animals put the boys at ease. As both species munched on grass and leaves, my great-grandsons impressed me with their detailed knowledge of these animals.

Nearing the end of our safari tour, we passed the bison, gazelles, kangaroos and other seemingly tame animals. At this point, all we had were favourable comments from the boys.

We ended our safari tour by watching the elephants bathe in Recreation Lake on the reserve. They frolicked in the water and even shot water from their trunks at the visitors. After about half an hour they left walking between the crowds one-after-another joined trunks to tail. A beautiful scene of nature by these large animals.

The boys just adored this moment. Strange as it may seem, unlike the ostrich incident, these gigantic elephants did not elicit fear in them. A few days later, Laith called me on Skype from his home in Philadelphia with Bilal and Tamer rolling over their father like playful lion cubs. When they saw me, they excitedly shouted out, “We can’t wait to go back to Toronto! We had the best time at African Lion Safari!”

From the mouths of babes, not all words are logical!

Ontario African Lion Safari – the author Habeeb Salloum with his great-grandchildren Tamer and Bilal.

When Open: The park is open from the first weekend in May up to the weekend of the Canadian Thanksgiving in October. Also, if one prefers not to drive through the it, there is an on-site bus in which to tour the park for a cost of $5.25 CAD per adult.

Admission Rates: From May to the beginning of September, adults $35.95 and children $26.95. From September to the closing date in October, the rates are slightly less. The African Lion Safari offers two tours for no additional cost: one is by boat around a lake whose islands are inhabited by various primates of the world; and the second by train through a natural wetland.

Guest Conduct: Unruly behaviour and profanity is not allowed in the park and no alcoholic beverages can be brought into the park. Make sure to keep the windows closed at all times and the doors locked.

For Further Information:

African Lion Safari

Location: 1386 Cooper Road, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Toll Free 1-800-461-WILD (9453) Tel: 519- 623-2620 E-mail: [email protected]

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Canada's Drive-Thru Safari Rivals the African Savanna

Most families head to the zoo to look at animals, assuming exotic creatures are a luxury that can only be found on safari. But, don't write it off just yet. A corner of Canada specializes in phenomenal animal experiences rivaling those found in the African Savanna. In Hamilton, Ontario, visitors can view and interact with more than 100 species of animals — all of which can be enjoyed right from the backseat of your car.

Visitors to African Lion Safari will tell you nearly every corner of the park is photo worthy and all the animals seem to bask in the limelight, vying for attention. A little over an hour from popular travel destinations like Niagara Falls, Buffalo, and Toronto, not a lot of people know about this hidden gem so you won't have to fight the crowds to get a good shot. It's an easy day trip for families looking to experience more than just a day at the zoo.

There are two ways to get through the park: by bus or on your own. While a guide will offer additional information about the animals on the bus tour, drivers are in for a rare treat when they opt to take their own vehicle. All the animals are used to the constant activity and aren’t shy about getting close. Baboons will frolick on top of cars, giraffes will lick your windows clean, and an ostrich will gladly peak in through the sunroof to say hello. By the end of the day, you may leave wondering if the animals are the main attraction — or if you are.

But the African Lion Safari is more than just a drive-thru zoo. Some of its most popular exhibits include railroad tours, boat cruises around the primate and bird islands, and hands-on exhibits, like the Birds of Prey. The daily Elephant Swim is a seasonal favorite where guests can watch the entire herd of Asian Elephants splashing around to keep themselves cool. Park leaders try to keep the animals on a schedule so you know exactly when to come.

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