elephant show african lion safari

Let’s talk about elephant rides and shows at African Lion Safari

Earlier this month, we asked our wonderful supporters to join us in asking african lion safari, as well as the ontario government, to end elephant rides and shows by sending them an e-letter..

UPDATE: As of July 2021, African Lion Safari has shared a statement saying that they permanently stopped elephant rides. Read more:

No more elephant rides at African Lion Safari

You took a stand for elephants and called for an end to the suffering they endure being used for entertainment, and we are pleased to share the news that...

In 2019, we asked our wonderful supporters to join us in asking African Lion Safari, as well as the Ontario government, to end elephant rides and shows by sending them an e-letter. Now, we are thrilled to share that African Lion Safari has confirmed the permanent end to their elephant rides. This is a win for animals that was made possible by your support as more than 7,700 of you took a stand for elephants and sent an e-letter.

We received a lot of support and positive feedback about the campaign as well as a lot of questions and comments that we would like to address.

Why are we asking African Lion Safari to end elephant rides and shows?

The decision to launch our e-letter campaign came following global research we had conducted on activities that contravene professional zoo policy, and two visits to African Lion Safari, at the end of May and early June 2019.

Through our research with the University of Oxford’s Wildlife Conservation Research Unit , we know that elephant rides are among the cruellest tourist activities because of the amount of suffering the elephants endure, physically and emotionally.

Many people may be surprised to learn that in order for zoos and other attractions to allow people to get up close with elephants to pet, bathe, and ride them, they must be cruelly trained to fear people, and obey commands. While we recognize that training methods vary across regions, methods typically involve social isolation, physical restraints, inflicting severe pain and withholding food and water. By the time tourists come to ride an elephant, he/she may look at peace, but this is because its spirit has been broken. The bullhook is used on thin areas of the elephant’s skin to cause pain and pressure, the elephants then learn to avoid it or face the consequences. This is not trust or cooperation. Elephants give rides to avoid being beaten. The bullhook reminds them of the punishment they face if they disobey a command.

The training is necessary if there is no barrier between the elephant and people (known as free contact management) because an elephant is dangerous and can seriously injure and kill people – and they have. The use of negative (and positive) reinforcement is needed to establish dominance to keep handlers and zoo visitors safe when close to the elephant. It also means the elephants need to be punished when they disobey commands.

This is why many zoos are moving to protected contact management of elephants where there are always barriers between the keepers, visitors and the elephants.

Aren’t there regulations in place to prevent animal cruelty at Canadian zoos?

How Canada deals with animal cruelty at zoos, differs between provinces. For example, Ontario does not require a license to keep exotic wild animals in zoos and wildlife displays and the captive wildlife standards under the Ontario Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act  are inadequate and poorly enforced.  

Sometimes animal cruelty is easily identifiable when physical abuse is witnessed. But the abuse elephants endure to be trained for rides and performances isn’t shown to the public. This training can have a significant negative impact on an elephant’s psychological welfare and these elephants carry invisible scars.

While the Canada’s Accredited of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) sets standards for its accredited members to follow, it is largely up to the zoo industry to police itself and our new report shows they aren’t enforcing their own rules and standards.

Don’t zoos that are members of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums (WAZA) and accredited by the Canada’s Accredited of Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) have to adhere to higher animal welfare standards?

Unfortunately, accreditation doesn’t always ensure best practices are being enforced. For example, the two zoos in Canada cited in our report for offering cruel activities (elephant rides and wildlife selfies) were both members of WAZA and accredited by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums.

Our extensive research of venues linked to WAZA has exposed awful abuse of animals for entertainment. Tigers and lions forced to perform. Dolphins being ridden. Elephants performing tricks. And much more.

As WAZA is the main global umbrella organization for zoos and other related institutions, they should lead the way with clear animal welfare standards and guidelines for their members, including African Lion Safari, and support their standards with robust monitoring. Their guidelines state that members should not involve animals “in animal shows, displays or interactive experiences where animals perform demeaning and unnatural behaviours.”

Sadly, we know from our staff visits that WAZA-linked venues around the world are not following these guidelines. With the industry policing itself, there is a clear need for governments to be involved by providing independent oversight to ensure animal welfare standards are being enforced.

Our report, ‘ The show can’t go on ’ highlights the suffering behind visitor interactions, including elephant rides and shows at African Lion Safari.

Can zoos properly care for and meet the needs of wild animals?

We believe that the only place that the physiological and psychological needs of wild animals can be properly met is in the wild. However, zoos are under obligation to meet the needs of the wild animals under their care as fully as possible. We are opposed to the commercial exploitation of captive wild animals purely for entertainment purposes. Zoos should never train animals for performances, never allow them to directly interact with the visiting public, and never farm or sell them. Some wild animals are better able to adapt to captivity than others and the needs of different species of wild animals vary. So too, do the conditions and levels of care provided by different zoos. But we know that some degree of suffering – no matter how minor – is always experienced by wild animals in zoos. We also know that zoos can play a vital role in the conservation of threatened wild species if they are managed according to best practice. We want zoos to focus their efforts on threatened species at immediate risk of extinction and channel most of their resources towards protecting wild animals in their natural habitats.

There is a better way

It is possible to educate about elephants and conservation without forcing them to give rides and shows. We are asking African Lion Safari to end the use of elephants for rides and shows as it is unnatural, can be a significant source of stress for the animals and is dangerous as this latest incident has shown. Asian or African elephants would never let you near them in the wild let alone on top of them naturally and must be trained to fear people, in order to accept a human rider or to obey commands.

There are ethical, cruelty-free animal tourism opportunities. We recently helped an elephant camp in Thailand transition to a completely elephant-friendly park. Tourists are able to see elephants in a more natural habitat and observe them from a safe distance. Click here to learn more about ChangChill and how they transitioned to be elephant-friendly.

Pledge to be elephant-friendly

Tourist demand for elephant rides and shows is driving these cruel activities. Elephants are suffering and it's completely unnecessary. We have the power to change this. Sign our pledge and help us shape a better future for elephants.

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Canadian zoo accreditation body bans elephant rides. Advocate says change is overdue

Decision follows cbc investigation into 2019 elephant attack at african lion safari.

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The Canadian organization that sets standards for zoos has banned elephant rides at member facilities, a decision an animal welfare group says is overdue and ends a "dangerous" practice that put visitors and staff at risk.

Jim Facette, CEO of Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), confirmed it has made the "significant change."

"Today and going forward, elephant rides are not permitted at CAZA-accredited facilities," he said on Monday.

The move follows a CBC investigation that revealed what happened when an elephant named Maggie, which had been used for rides at African Lion Safari for years, attacked a trainer in 2019, leaving the man seriously injured.

It also found CAZA continued to allow the rides a decade after its American counterpart, the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), halted the practice because of safety concerns for staff who work with elephants.

• CBC Investigates African Lion Safari ended elephant rides after 2019 attack. So why are they still allowed in Canada?
• Trainer seriously injured after elephant attack at Ontario's African Lion Safari

CAZA's decision is welcome news, said Melissa Matlow, Canadian campaign director for World Animal Protection, which had pushed for elephant rides to be prohibited.

"It's a very strong statement if the national zoo accreditation body opposes elephant rides."

But, Matlow added, the move was also a "long time coming" and it should not have taken "a person getting seriously harmed" for change to happen.

"We see [rides] as cruel," she said. "It's dangerous and it's not educational. It serves no benefit."

Activists and zoo accreditation bodies said they believe African Lion Safari was the only site in Canada offering elephant rides when the attack happened there in 2019. The zoo and theme park in Flamborough, Ont., permanently stopped the rides that same year.

Report describes elephant attacking trainer

CBC obtained a copy of an Ontario Ministry of Labour report about the incident through a freedom of information request.

It described how Maggie, an Asian elephant that was ridden by visitors to the park for 25 years, turned on one of her handlers on June 21, 2019.

According to the investigation, one rider was reportedly still dismounting from Maggie when she became aggressive.

The report found the elephant lunged when the handler's back was turned, blocking him into a corner and beating him with her trunk.

"Maggie reportedly also used her head, butting him in the chest and pushing his head into her mouth," it reads.

Air ambulance service Ornge told CBC in 2019 it transported a man in his 30s to Hamilton General Hospital with serious injuries following the attack.

African Lion Safari described the employee's injuries as non-life-threatening in a Facebook post shared that same day,

In a statement sent Monday in response to questions about CAZA's change in standards, African Lion Safari said it was a founding member of CAZA and, as such, "fully support and remain in full compliance of the standards that govern our park."

'Disappointing' change took so long

But Matlow said those standards are the problem, adding it's "disappointing" it took CAZA, which has accredited 28 facilities across Canada, so long to change them.

The AZA hasn't allowed elephant rides at any of its 241-accredited facilities since 2011. 

Instead, its policies call for protected contact, meaning a barrier must exist between guests and elephants at all times. Even trained handlers can only be in the same space as an elephant in specific circumstances.

"It was dangerous," AZA president Dan Ashe told CBC. "We had significant record of injury, and in some cases death, associated with elephants."

Facette said CAZA is still evaluating the rest of its standards around interactions between people and elephants, especially when it comes to "entertainment." Animal welfare is the first priority, as is the safety of people working with them, he said.

The CEO said he could not explain why the change in standards happened now, stressing he's focused on what its policies will look like going forward.

He added CBC's questions as part of its investigation provided "an opportunity" to listen to concerns.

Asked why it took so long for CAZA to align its policies with that of its U.S. counterpart, he said "Canadian standards are for Canadian facilities."

Facette also said he couldn't comment on whether or not CAZA's standards had failed the worker at African Lion Safari who was seriously hurt because he had not read the Ontario Ministry of Labour's report about the attack, which has been available since last year.

The park and ministry have dealt with the incident, he explained when questioned about why he hadn't seen it.

"Move on," Facette said. "There's no sense in CAZA getting involved in specific, small incidents that the provincial regulator is comfortable with."

The CEO said he rejects the premise that if CAZA's standard did not allow for elephant rides, the handler would not have been injured because the situation where the attack happened could not have existed.

"We don't know that," said Facette, adding another accident could have happened somewhere else. "It's supposition to suggest that if this didn't happen, then that wouldn't happen."

Ending rides 'eliminates' the risk

But Matlow said the dangers of rides and other interactions with elephants have long been clear.

"Obviously allowing visitors to get in an enclosure with a potentially dangerous and stressed wild animal to ride them presents serious safety risks, so removing this activity eliminates this risk," she explained.

"This risk should have been addressed a long time ago."

CBC's investigation also found the attack involving Maggie wasn't the first time an elephant at African Lion Safari had injured a person.

Tusko, an 18-year-old bull elephant with a history of aggression toward other animals, crushed a handler named Omer Norton to death November 1989.

A third incident is mentioned in a newspaper report from June 1992. 

It describes a 14-year-old suffering a broken leg after being stepped on by an elephant as the animals were being led away following an afternoon show.

Zoo industry is 'policing itself'

That type of parade or show where elephants perform tricks is something Matlow said her organization is calling on CAZA to end as well.

Facette said he anticipates more changes could be coming as the accreditation body weighs entertainment and educational value, though he expects they won't be brought before the board until the new year.

"I think the circus act days are gone," he said. 

Matlow said part of the problem with ensuring staff safety and animal welfare in Canada is the patchwork of provincial rules that govern it, and she believes national laws are needed.

"It really is the zoo industry policing itself," she explained. "These are voluntary standards; there's no independent oversight."

• Jane Goodall backs Sen. Murray Sinclair's bill to ban ape, elephant captivity in Canada

World-renowned primatologist Jane Goodall lent her name to a piece of proposed legislation, dubbed the Jane Goodall Act, that sought to ban keeping great apes and elephants in this country, and would have barred elephant rides.

She previously told CBC that elephant rides were "very insulting" and "demeaning" to such an intelligent animal. But the act died on the order paper at the last election.

CAZA's new standards are currently being translated and aren't available yet.

Matlow said she's waiting to see them in writing before she gets too excited, adding she hopes they'll be just a "first step."

with files from John Paul Tasker

Related Stories

• Elephant that attacked trainer still with herd at African Lion Safari
• Advocacy group names Hamilton's 'cruel' African Lion Safari as 'worst' zoo for elephants
• 2 Ontario zoos are violating global guidelines for animal safety: advocacy group

African Lion Safari (Ontario) in Canada

• Location info
• 24 Relocated

African Lion Safari (Ontario), located at RR #1, in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada , was founded in 1969, opened for public in 1969 and the first elephant arrived in 1971.

Living elephants

• ♀ Anna May born 2015-05-04
• ♀ Emily born 2006-04-23
• ♂ George born 1999-10-21
• ♀ Hannah born 2014-10-19
• ♀ Imke born 2020-11-22
• ♀ Jenny (Gertie, GOP) born 1966-08
• ♂ Johnson born 2001-04-29
• ♀ Lilly (Israela) born 1985-01-31
• ♀ Luna born 2018-08-17
• ♀ Maggie (Mug, Mugwamp) born 1968
• ♀ Natasha born 1994-02-27
• ♀ Nellie born 2013-08-02
• ♂ Onyx born 2018-08-18
• ♀ Opal born 2005-11-04
• ♀ Piccolo (Piccolina) born 1994-12-11
• ♀ Rose born 2016-02-28
• ♀ Sunita born 2018-11-14

Recommended Citation

Sources used for this article is among others:.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Lion_Safari
• Google maps
• elephant-news.com
• elefanten-fotolexikon.eu
• Elephant Commentator
• Asianelephant.net
• Zoo Chat (search for elephants+African+Lion+Safari+%28Ontario%29)
• Zoological Society of London online library
• Amazon Books
• Google Books

Why is there no elephant show at African Lion Safari?

African Lion Safari, a popular wildlife park in Ontario, Canada, offers visitors the unique opportunity to see a variety of exotic animals up close. From lions and giraffes to rhinos and zebras, the park is a thrilling experience for animal lovers. However, one might wonder why there is no elephant show at African Lion Safari.

The answer lies in the changing attitudes towards the treatment of elephants in captivity. In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the welfare concerns associated with keeping elephants in captivity for entertainment purposes. Elephants are highly intelligent, social creatures that require large areas to roam and engage in natural behaviors. When confined to small enclosures and forced to perform tricks, their physical and psychological well-being can be compromised.

FAQs about the absence of elephant shows at African Lion Safari:

1. Are elephants kept at African Lion Safari? Yes, elephants are kept at African Lion Safari, but they are no longer part of any shows or performances. They are now housed in a more naturalistic setting where they can engage in natural behaviors.

2. Why did African Lion Safari stop elephant shows? The decision to stop elephant shows at African Lion Safari was driven by a growing understanding of the welfare concerns associated with keeping elephants in captivity for entertainment purposes. The park’s management wanted to prioritize the well-being of the animals and provide them with a more natural environment.

3. What happened to the elephants that used to perform? The elephants that used to perform in shows at African Lion Safari are now housed in spacious, naturalistic habitats within the park. This allows them to engage in natural behaviors and live a more enriched life.

4. Do other wildlife parks still have elephant shows? While some wildlife parks may still have elephant shows, there is a growing trend towards phasing them out. Many parks are shifting their focus towards providing more educational and conservation-based experiences for visitors.

5. What can visitors expect to see at African Lion Safari instead? Visitors to African Lion Safari can expect to see elephants in a more natural setting, where they are free to roam and engage in natural behaviors. The park offers educational programs and guided tours that provide insights into the lives of these magnificent animals.

6. Are there any plans to reintroduce elephant shows in the future? At the moment, there are no plans to reintroduce elephant shows at African Lion Safari. The park is committed to providing the best possible care for its animals and believes that a more naturalistic approach is in their best interest.

7. What other initiatives has African Lion Safari taken to promote animal welfare? African Lion Safari has implemented various initiatives to promote animal welfare. These include expanding the size of enclosures, providing enrichment activities for animals, and focusing on education and conservation efforts.

8. Do elephants in captivity suffer? Elephants in captivity can experience numerous challenges that can impact their physical and psychological well-being. They require large spaces to roam, social interaction with other elephants, proper nutrition, and mentally stimulating environments. Without these conditions, elephants may suffer from stress, boredom, and various health issues.

9. Are there any benefits to keeping elephants in captivity? While there can be educational benefits to observing elephants in captivity, there is an ongoing debate about the appropriateness of using them for entertainment purposes. Many wildlife experts argue that the disadvantages, such as the potential harm to the elephants’ well-being, outweigh any potential benefits.

10. How can visitors contribute to elephant conservation? Visitors to African Lion Safari and other wildlife parks can contribute to elephant conservation efforts by supporting organizations that work towards protecting elephants in their natural habitats. They can also educate themselves and others about the importance of wildlife conservation.

11. Are there any alternatives to elephant shows? Instead of traditional elephant shows, some wildlife parks have implemented alternative ways to educate visitors about elephants and promote animal welfare. These include guided tours, interactive experiences, and educational presentations.

12. What are the long-term implications of shifting away from elephant shows? Shifting away from elephant shows is an important step towards promoting animal welfare and raising awareness about the conservation needs of elephants. It encourages a more compassionate and responsible approach to wildlife tourism and sets an example for other parks around the world.

About The Author

Louis Lewis

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Tips for Visiting African Lion Safari

Feel like you live with a bunch of Monkeys??? Well why not take them to go visit some actual monkeys and many other animals at African Lion Safari . Great news for 2023 as they will be opening May 6th for another Wild Season. African Lion Safari has made some changes to the ticketing prices.

Kate has visited multiple times over the years. Erin and Thumper had season’s passes back in 2019 and we had a great summer visiting 4 different times, she can’t wait to repeat with Thumper who is now 4 and Squeaker who will be about 16 months this summer! Kate and Erin would highly recommend a visit to African Lions Safari, or if your looking to see animals at a smaller scale checkout our Guide to the Best Farms and Petting Zoos in Ontario .

WHAT IS AFRICAN LION SAFARI?

African Lion Safari is a park of 750 acres, that over 250 animals and 1000 exotic birds call home in their habitat of bush, grassland and forest where they can interact naturally like in the wild, and mized species roam and interact together creating a sight to see. African Lion Safari is dedicated to the conservation of declining wildlife species and is a drive through Wildlife Park. They also offer many animal shows, playrounds for kids, splash pad/water play opportunities, a small train and boat ride. For a full description of attractions, scroll down below.

WHERE IS AFRICAN LION SAFARI LOCATED?

African Lion Safari is located 1386 Cooper Rd, Cambridge, ON N1R 5S2.

WHAT ARE THE HOURS OF OPERATION FOR AFRICAN LION SAFARI?

African Lion Safari operates the Game Reserve Driving Path and Ticket Booth from MONDAY – FRIDAY : 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM  , SATURDAY – SUNDAY : 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM  during the Summer Season. Check here for updated times for Spring and Fall. The walking paths (including “Nature Boy” Scenic Railway, “African Queen” Boat Cruise, Misumu Bay Wetplay and Venture Playground are open until 5:30PM during the week and 7:00Pm on Weekends during the Summer Season.

WHAT ATTRACTIONS ARE AVAILABLE FOR 2023 AT AFRICAN LION SAFARI?

Game reserves –.

Offering visitors the choice of taking their own car or taking the bus to drive through 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, giving visitors an upclose views of wild animals in their natural surroundings.

Kate visited on one of the hottest days of the summer and enjoyed the air conditioned bus tour through the game reserves.  I would highly recommend taking the bus tour, not only is it a comfortable ride where the kids can move from side to side to see the animals, but you also get to learn about the animals from the African Lion Safari Staff.  Our guide pointed out animals that I would have never spotted on my own and was able to tell us about the personalities and relationships of all of the different species.

Both the boys had a great time on the Safari tour and loved watching the animals roam and play.  Plus if you take the bus there is no risk of damage to your vehicle from a curious monkey or migrating buffalo!  My favourite animals on the safari were the Rhinoceros’ munching away on their breakfast and the baby monkey who was playing and chasing its mother around.

Nature Boy Scenic Railway

Enjoy a 15 minute ride aboard The Nature Boy Scenic railway that takes you around the park to enjoy exotic species from around the world, as you explore 16 hectare of reserve on a replica 1863 C.P. Huntington St

African Queen Boat Tour

Jump aboard a short boat ride as your tour around Safari Lake and enjoy as your captain guide points out unique primates including White-handed gibbon, Ring-tailed lemur, Black-handed Spider monkeys and Robust Black Spider monkey.

Animal Shows

Offering many live shows including: Parrot Paradise and Birds of Prey. Pending update on 2022 shows if Elephant Shows will return. While you are visiting African Lion Safari you can catch bird and animal shows that run several times a day.  It is an amazing sight to watch the Indian Elephants march in line down to the lake for a swim.  They are so graceful and playful in the water.  The Elephant swim was definitely a highlight of the day.

Venture Playground

African Lion Safari offer two different playgrounds: Safari Venture and Toddler Playground. Height restrictions apply.

Misumu Bay Waterpark

Cool off after a hot day on Safari in Misumu Bay! Stroll through Sprinklers, Spouts, Spray Buckets and Stream Jets in the interactive waterplay area. Trek under Rain Trees and Tumble Buckets in the main waterplayground, or enjoy one of the many slides. To enjoy the slides and Tumble buckets you must be 38 inches tall. For toddlers they have a bouncy swing and a small toddler slide as well as a shallow splash pool.

The day Kate visited African Lion Safari it was over 35oC so a trip to Misumu Bay Splash area was a welcome relief from the heat.  This expansive water park has areas for older and younger children.  Little Bear had so much fun in the bouncy seats in the toddler area while Monkey played on the slide close by.

When Erin visited in 2019, Thumper loved the slide in the toddler area and it was the perfect size that at about 18 months old she could climb the stairs and slide on her own while Erin waited at the bottom.

THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT AFRICAN LION SAFARI:

One thing Kate and Erin both loved about African Lion Safari on their visits is that the grounds of the park are not that big, you could walk to the far end of the park in about 10 minutes.  This is perfect as you can leave a picnic lunch, extra drinks, swim gear, stroller etc in the car and just pop back to get it whenever you need them without having a long trek to get back to the parking lot.

But don’t let that short walk to the car make you think that there is not much to do at African Lion Safari, because that is FAR from the truth!  Take a short boat cruise around Water Safari Lake to explore the islands and the creatures that live on them.  Or a train ride on the scenic railway to get a chance to spot turtles and many other species of animals including deer.  The train was a huge hit and we rode the rails 3 times during our visit.

Tip: Pack a Picnic Lunch and find a spot by the Elephant Swim Pond and plan your lunch for a time where there is an Elephant Swim, it was a blast to enjoy the outdoors, eat lunch and watch animals in their natural habitat.

AFRICAN LION SAFARI ADMISSION PRICES FOR 2023

ONLINE AFRICIAN LION ADMISSION PRICES:

2023 GATE AFRICIAN LION ADMISSION PRICES :

AFRICAN LION SAFARI SEASON PASS PRICES FOR 2023

Children who are turning 3 years of age on or before June 30, 2023 require a child’s Season Passport, photo ID may be required when issuing passports.

IS AN AFRICAN LION SAFARI SEASON PASS WORTH IT?

I found that the African Lion Safari Season Pass was a great deal for my family in 2019! If you have kids who love animals, and waterplay then this park is a GREAT VALUE for you! Like most season passes, you have to visit just 3x to make back your money as based on 2022 rates, it would cost an adult $82 plus tax for 2 visits or $96-106 (depending on when season pass was purchased) making the third visit basically free. The season pass offers you unlimited admission from May until October, I make it a plan to visit atleast once a month in June-August to ensure I get my value and any other visits are a BONUS!

OFFERS SEPERATE AREAS FOR KIDS UNDER 6 – I really enjoyed that this park was the perfect size and took a good amount of time but not the whole day to explore making it perfect for a daytrip with a toddler. I love that they offer a seperate toddler playground and toddler waterplay area which make this park a great investment especially for those families with kids under the age of 6 years old. Misumu Bay Wetplay is worth a full day visit on it’s own as this is by far my favourite Waterpark in the Greater Toronto Area .

-> 20% off food and non-alcoholic beverages at all on-site food service locations (excluding vending carts) -> 20% off gift shop merchandise at all on-site Safari Gift Shops (excluding batteries or sale items) -> Discounts to select off-season events, hosted by our onsite catering company, Classic Catering -> Special promotions exclusively for Season Passport holders

We always have such a fun day at the park I can’t wait to go back this summer to do it all again!  You can find all the details you need to plan your own wild adventure on their website and be sure to check out their pinterest page to see photos of all of the amazing animals at the park. 

If you enjoyed our guide to African Lion Safari checkout our guide to The Best Day Trips from Mississauga .

Have Fun and Go Wild!

African Lion Safari and Accesibility

• African Lion safari is wheelchair accessible and is an inclusive environment, wheelchairs can be rented for $5
• The Easter Seals Access 2 Card Program is accepted at African Lion Safari to allow an individual with a disability and one support person a 25% discount at the gate.

26 thoughts on “Tips for Visiting African Lion Safari”

Oh wow this looks super fun! I was wondering why I had never heard of it and realized it is in Canada. I have it on my “to-do in Canada” list now. = )

Oh, this looks amazing! My kids would totally love it! I wish it was close enough for us to go to!

That looks so fun! I can’t believe how many big animals they have!

What a fun place that would be! Each year we go to the zoo, but couldn’t this year because of the flooding {they had to close down most of the zoo because of damage}. I miss our annual trip! 🙁

How fun!!! My kiddos would definitely enjoy this! Who am I kidding? I would enjoy visiting 🙂

Neat! I’ve been to Africa and remember seeing so many of these animals in the wild. I’d love to go someday so the kids get the chance to see them too!

Looks like an awesome attraction to visit with your family. Unfortuntely, we have not been there, but will put it in our agenda for next summer.

Many years ago, my husband and I and our 4 daughters (5 – 14) drove from Victoria to my husband’s moms place in Font Hill Ontario. We took a day trip to this place and the girls all enjoyed it! The baboons (we think they were baboons) got a piece of our van, but it was all good lol

Oh wow! I would love to go. My toddler and younger brother would enjoy these animals so much!

I have such fond memories of going there as a kid – would love to take my boys. Looks like a fantastic day!

we went a few weeks ago and loved it. It was a cooler day but everything was perfect. My fave is the elephants and dd loved the splash pad. Looks like you had a blast

Working there would be even better!

looking forward to taking all 6 grandchildren to African lion Safari this summer. It is only 30 minutes away

My advice is to take the tram bus, so the monkey’s can’t wreck your car

this is so cool, Ive never been but I swear, one day Ill go with my family, and well have such a blast!

We managed to get 3 of the grandkids to African Lion safari and had a wonderful time. They loved going through the safari on a tram, visiting and staying for hours in the waterpark and watching the elephants having a swim

Oh my,this looks amazing!

What a fun tour, I love that you had a guide and airconditioning!

My grandkids would totally love it there

I’ve never been to a safari park but I would love to. I think the bus tour is a really good idea, as you said you learn a lot more that way plus no danger of damage to your vehicle either 🙂

I’ve never been to a safari park but this is something I would love to do,maybe some day

What at great place for a family to spend time together.

I haven’t been here in years…..some great changes have been made here. Love that there is a splash area for the kids!

Very cool I would love to visit there

I did not realize there was so much to see and do here. Looks like I will have to have a visit one day. Looks like so much fun and I know hubs would enjoy it also. It now is going on my bucket list.

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Wild Encounters

Powerful Lion Roaring In The Wild | African Safari Sights And Sounds

Posted: June 18, 2024 | Last updated: June 18, 2024

One of the Selati Male lions starts a chorus of powerful roars one morning.A lion roar can be heard by humans 8km awayA roar is a deep, bellowing outburst of sound forced through an open mouth. It is produced by animals of certain species. A roar is usually made using the hyoid, a small bone which is not completely rigid in adults. Animals roar for various reasons, including territorial proclamation, communication with other members, and anger. Additionally, the roar of an animal such as a lion is used in the process of finding and competing for a mate.The lion roar pattern is composed of three overall segments - a beginning segment sounding like moaning, a middle segment with low frequency loud tones and a final segment which sounds much like grunting. The lion's roar is familiar to many through its inclusion in the MGM opening sequence. This roar segment consists only of the middle portion of the roar, omitting the first and last portions Subscribe: <a href="https://bit.ly/30a0IRM">https://bit.ly/30a0IRM</a> | Merch: <a href="http://teespring.com/stores/robtheranger">http://teespring.com/stores/robtheranger</a> Watch the newest videos: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1booI-NVZ7lZxheEp8UMFRYEBuy">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1booI-NVZ7lZxheEp8UMFRYEBuy</a> a Book, help save rhinos: <a href="https://s71.co/3Mb0FvFBuy">https://s71.co/3Mb0FvFBuy</a> My Current Equipment: Nikon Coolpix P1000 - <a href="https://go.magik.ly/ml/t6pg/">https://go.magik.ly/ml/t6pg/</a> or <a href="https://s71.co/3MIiXGhJoby">https://s71.co/3MIiXGhJoby</a> GorillaPod 5K - <a href="https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcmw/Joby">https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcmw/Joby</a> GorillaPod 5K VideoPro - <a href="https://s71.co/3pKS4s0Joby">https://s71.co/3pKS4s0Joby</a> GripTight PRO Video GorillaPod Stand For Phone - <a href="https://s71.co/434Epu8RODE">https://s71.co/434Epu8RODE</a> VideoMicro Microphone - <a href="https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcn6/">https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcn6/</a> or <a href="https://s71.co/454IkcjSony">https://s71.co/454IkcjSony</a> XPERIA 1 IV (For Livestreams) - <a href="https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcn9/">https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcn9/</a> or <a href="https://s71.co/3WabFOoLowepro">https://s71.co/3WabFOoLowepro</a> Pro Trekker BP 450 AW II Backpack - <a href="https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcnt/SanDisk">https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tcnt/SanDisk</a> 128GB Extreme PRO SDXC UHS-I Memory Card - <a href="https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tjfp/">https://go.magik.ly/ml/1tjfp/</a> or <a href="https://s71.co/3W98dDC*Above">https://s71.co/3W98dDC*Above</a> affiliate links may earn me a commissionFollow Rob The Ranger:TWITTER: <a href="http://goo.gl/U8IQGfINSTAGRAM:">http://goo.gl/U8IQGfINSTAGRAM:</a> <a href="https://instagram.com/robtheranger">https://instagram.com/robtheranger</a> BLOG: <a href="http://goo.gl/yJJ3pTFACEBOOK:">http://goo.gl/yJJ3pTFACEBOOK:</a> <a href="http://goo.gl/M8pnJhOFFICIAL">http://goo.gl/M8pnJhOFFICIAL</a> bilibili: <a href="https://space.bilibili.com/1427022354STEEMIT:">https://space.bilibili.com/1427022354STEEMIT:</a> <a href="https://steemit.com/@robtheranger">https://steemit.com/@robtheranger</a> TUMBLR: <a href="http://goo.gl/qF6sNSTIKTOK:">http://goo.gl/qF6sNSTIKTOK:</a> <a href="http://www.tiktok.com/@robtherangerWatch">www.tiktok.com/@robtherangerWatch</a> more videos!Lions, Lions, And More Lions: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpPTGnTaR798fdsHNJ7ZNGtAfrican">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpPTGnTaR798fdsHNJ7ZNGtAfrican</a> Elephant (Loxodonta africana): <a href="https://.youtube.com/playlist?v=qzINZPv7PMc&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpUo_KWtwJ3ck3Q1-xfMmkh&playnext=1African">https://.youtube.com/playlist?v=qzINZPv7PMc&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpUo_KWtwJ3ck3Q1-xfMmkh&playnext=1African</a> Wild Dogs/Painted Wolves: <a href="https://youtube.com/playlist?v=DXQc_v5qjS4&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bocK9_hokQ5Z8tpEOukHJnv&playnext">https://youtube.com/playlist?v=DXQc_v5qjS4&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bocK9_hokQ5Z8tpEOukHJnv&playnext</a> =1Hippo (Hippopotamus amphibius): [https://youtube.com/playlist?v=nDgIt9QF_IM&list=PLLLkJbMHt1bqhsVIGpg5YgS4-prwujiKq&playnext=1 Most Popular: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpQ4T4enPPMkf_5cK26VouwAbout">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLLLkJbMHt1bpQ4T4enPPMkf_5cK26VouwAbout</a> Rob The Ranger Wildlife Videos:The purpose of the channel is to show what it is like to experience seeing wild animals on an African safari. Nature Documentaries are often highly edited to tell a story, wildlife safaris are not, and the idea here is to show the wildlife sightings the way they were seen. Safari tours in Africa are generally suitable for all ages and this channel can be considered an educational channel about incredible nature, some scenes in the nature videos may be more graphic than people are used to but this is the reality of nature and is what you would see if you were present on such a safari in person. Safaris in Kenya, South Africa, or any other African country are an unrivalled experience for anyone with a passion for nature, wildlife photography, and travel. Hopefully the animal videos on this channel can provide a glimpse into what the nature experience is like and encourage more people to take a wildlife safari one day. Make sure to subscribe and enable ALL notifications!#robtheranger #roar #lionroar

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