safari park norfolk uk

Respect, Protect and Enjoy when you visit Norfolk

• Book Your Stay
• Things To Do
• Families & Friends
• Beaches & Coast
• History & Heritage
• Outdoors & Wildlife
• Culture & Arts
• Destinations
• Feeling Lucky?
• Food & Drink
• Natural Wonders of Norfolk
• A-Z of the Norfolk seaside
• 7 Wonders of Norfolk
• Toggle Menu

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve

A stunning wildlife reserve in west Norfolk offering buggy tours and accommodation

If you’re looking for a unique experience to entertain the whole family from nought to ninety, look no further than a self-drive safari tour at multi-award winning Watatunga Wildlife Reserve. With the U.K.’s largest collection of endangered deer and antelope, this 170-acre gem is one of Norfolk’s best kept secrets. The reserve offers three guided safari tours a day between April and October – hop into your own electric buggy and get up close and personal with the wonderful wildlife that live at Watatunga.

Recognised as the country’s Best Small Visitor Attraction in 2023, there is lots to do at Watatunga including photography experiences, fine-dining or self-catered events in the lakeside BBQ hut. Corporate breaks for client meetings, colleague away days and team building experiences.

Access to the reserve is via guided tour only – trailer tours run weekly on Sundays – and must be pre-booked online via the Watatunga website.

The reserve also offers luxurious self-catering accommodation with stunning views of the animals and the option to organise private tours for small groups in our electric buggies or large groups in our safari trailer.

Prices vary according to season and it is best to check directly on the Watatunga website for the most accurate updates. As a guide, at the time of writing a 90-minute trailer tour costs £15.00 per person, an OFF-PEAK 4-seater buggy costs £66.00 per buggy and a PEAK 4-seater buggy costs £76.00 per buggy. We also operate a wheelchair accessible trailer on every tour and a 6-seater buggy. Private and group tours are also available.

Watatunga’s tour season runs from April-October inclusive. Private tours, corporate experiences and photography tours can be booked at any time. Our accommodation is also open all year round.

• Accessible toilets
• Wheelchair accessible

The reserve is on the outskirts of the village of Watlington near King’s Lynn in Norfolk, U.K. The entrance to Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is situated just off the A10/A134 Watlington Rd roundabout heading towards Watlington and is shared with the Mick George (previously Frimstone) quarry. The postcode is PE33 0RG but is unreliable in sat-nav. Please use Google Maps or our what3words.com location ‘contracts.recruited.resources’ for an accurate location of the entrance and then follow the signs to reception. Watatunga is only open for pre-booked tours.

Privacy Overview

• Norfolk Walking Holidays
• Norfolk Walks
• Rebellion Way
• Castle Ruins
• Stately Homes
• Wildlife Reserves
• Norfolk Broads
• Towns and Villages
• Seals In Norfolk
• Heritage Railways

Animal Encounters

• Things To Do
• Langham Glass
• Treasure Trails
• Dog Friendly Norfolk
• Accommodation
• Norfolk Books
• Norfolk Maps
• Norfolk Photo Gallery
• Norfolk Videos
• Add Your Comments
• Advertising
• Explore Norfolk

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is a completely fascinating new nature reserve in the heart of rural Norfolk, equidistant between Downham Market and King's Lynn just outside the village of Watlington. 

It is set up for the primary purpose of protecting endangered deer, antelope and birds , but also has excellent guided tours which take you around the reserve to view some extraordinary animals that you wouldn’t normally see in Norfolk!   

About Watatunga 

Watatunga opened in July 2020 after many years of planning by the owner and local farmer, Ed Pope.  Having a love of wildlife and a fascination for Africa together with recent trips to Africa, Ed became very aware of the fact that habitat and hunting were endangering some of these incredible animals, and hence Watatunga was founded. 

Although more of the well-known animals such as elephants, tigers and rhino’s get lots of media coverage, these deer and antelope rarely make the headlines, so Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is a place where these lesser known animals can begin to breed successfully with careful and specific breeding programmes in place.

Watatunga is managed by a very dedicated and knowledgeable team , and you will definitely come across some of them when you take one of the guided tours.  You can see more about the team behind the conservation work and the running of the reserve here .

Although it’s a conservation reserve, Ed, his family and his co-workers are now giving the general public the chance to come and visit, see and learn about the work on an amazing tour of the reserve and believe me when I say you’ll be in for a treat.  

The reserve concentrates mainly on the conservation of ungulates, birds and ducks.

But what, you may ask, are ungulates?  I certainly had to look it up!  The word means large animals with hooves.  But these aren’t any deer or antelope, they are endangered, and many of the ungulates at Watatunga are from Africa and other subcontinents such as India.  

Watatunga’s Conservation Work

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is set in 170 acres of lovely meadow, woodlands and wetland and is home to Europe’s largest collection of deer and antelope .  Their aim is to encourage young people to go on to further education and become involved with the “conservation for tomorrow” so are collaborating with universities and research organisations as well as running breeding programmes.  

Their forward thinking means they are also engaging with schools in the hope of bringing the curriculum to life and encouraging young children to learn about these animals and their threatened habitats and hopefully move on to further education in these scientific areas.

As well as ungulates, you’ll also see some wonderful bird life (and more to come over the years) such as storks, rare pheasants, ducks and the amazing Great Bustards.

The Great Bustard certainly stole the show when we went on our tour!  This is the only place in Norfolk that you’ll see an example of this wonderful looking bird .  The last one in the UK was shot in 1832 and Ed is currently involved with the international collaboration to reintroduce this bird back into the UK.  You’ll get a good explanation about the life of the Great Bustard when you tour the reserve!

Where Did The Name Watatunga Come From?

I was intrigued to hear where the name Watatunga came from because it’s certainly not a very Norfolk name!  It’s the combination (portmanteau) of two words; Watlington, the village where the Watatunga Reserve is situated, and the Sitatunga antelope which is from South Africa and which they have on the reserve.

Watatunga Guided Tours

The only way to see these endangered species on the reserve is to book one of Watatunga’s amazing guided tours which you can read more about here .  These tours last for 1 ½ hours and are excellent, something completely different in this county and extremely informative.  

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, it has been necessary to start the opening tours with golf buggies, which, incidentally were great fun.  However, they do have 2 safari trailers which they will be using when they get the go-ahead to use.

Your guide for the tour gives a brief introduction before you start off which is very informative and tells you exactly what you can expect.  The important thing to remember is that, nature being what it is, you never know what you might see, even if it’s a swimming swamp deer!  And obviously it depends on what the animals feel like doing the day you go for your tour, but generally you should see a very good number of unusual ungulates, birds and ducks.  

Our tour guide was the incredibly knowledgeable Dee!  The guides here at Watatunga really do bring the tour to life and also get across to you the importance of what this Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is trying to achieve in terms of proper conservation i.e. breeding with the right stock and getting the genetics right. 

It’s really informative and friendly but not like a science lesson!  When you hear about how one particular species should have horns curling right behind their ears but have been “bred” in other places without the proper genetics so the horns are not where they’re supposed to be, it really gets you thinking.

The buggies have a speaker system so you can just sit back, relax, watch and listen to everything being said.  You're also equipped with a little booklet in the buggy which tells you about each of the animals on the Watatunga Wildlife Reserve.  This was actually really helpful, it’s like putting a name to a face!

There's no guarantee that you’ll see every animal that they have on the reserve, but you’ll definitely get a good look at most of them, that’s for sure!  And even if you think you can’t see something, the excellent tour guide Dee will spot something anyway!

At present, the tours are arranged in the morning and the late evening in order to give you the best chance of seeing the animals.  All you need to do is go over to the booking page and you can choose a slot.

You’ll see that all the animals are completely at home in their natural environment and they are all allowed to roam unrestricted.  

Coming on a Watatunga Wildlife Reserve guided tour is also a fantastic chance for photography and to catch some stunning photos of animals not usually seen in Norfolk.   Unfortunately, I am not an expert photographer, but I have seen some incredible photos taken by others, particularly on their Instagram page.   

Private Tours are also available, and over the next few years they will be expanding their facilities in and around the reserve which will be an excellent addition to this already fascinating reserve.

The animals I was very lucky to see were the Water Buffalo, Mouflon, the Roan Antelopes, the Swamp Deer (who swam across the lake), the Scimitar Horned Oryx which became extinct as it was hunted for its horns, the Lechwe deer, Blesbok and Romel the Great Bustard as well as some others.

Contact Information

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve is only open to visit via guided tours or private tours.  You can send them a message here on their contact page or go to guided tours page to book a tour.

For prices and bookings, please click over to the Watatunga website here .

Self catering accommodation is also available which you can find here on their website.  If you book the accommodation, you also get your own private guided tour of the reserve. 

The reserve is situated just outside the village of Watlington, half way between King's Lynn and Downham Market.  

Taking a tour of Watatunga Wildlife Reserve really is an amazing opportunity to watch and learn about some wonderful but endangered species and to have a most unusual morning or evening out!   It is certainly something you just wouldn’t expect to see in Norfolk.

KEEP UP TO DATE

Get your free copy of the "Quick Guide To Norfolk Beaches".  Find out more about our monthly newsletter  here 

The Bug Parc

Church Farm Rare Breeds

Pensthorpe Waterfowl Park

Information

Privacy Policy

About Suzy Watson

Sister Site - Norfolk Walking Holidays

Exploring Norfolk

Visiting the seals

Walking the Norfolk Coast Path

Choosing the right beach

Finding accommodation

Discover the castle ruins

Copyright© explorenorfolkuk.co.uk; 2013- All Rights Reserved

The Norfolk reserve offering an incredible African safari experience

You can explore the huge Watatunga reserve on a buggy and see many species of deer, antelope and rare birds

• 15:42, 5 JUL 2022
• Updated 15:43, 5 JUL 2022

Nestled on the edge of a quiet west Norfolk village is a nature reserve with a difference. Situated on a huge 170 acre site consisting of woodland, grassland and Lakes, Watatunga is home to a vast array of rare birds and large mammals from Africa.

There are over 20 types of ungulate, that are animals with hoofs that are typically herbivores. The animals all roam free, with a select few including the Malayan sambar, hog deer and barasingha being part of a special breeding programme. The nature reserve is also home to the great bustard, a bird which went extinct in the UK in 1832.

Guided tours really do feel like you are seeing the animals in the wild as they are left to explore the acres that they call home. The tours are best suited for groups of six, as you can hire out six-seater golf buggies with one of your group members being the driver. But don't worry! Tours are led by a guide who will be there to show you the way and tell you all about the animals at the reserve.

Read more: Three arrested for illegal rave within Holkham nature reserve

Watatunga puts a real focus on making the reserve accessible for all and so all of their tours are wheelchair accessible as well as one of their holiday lodges. There are two lodges at Watatunga; Stable Cottage, sleeping eight and Major's Lodge which sleeps six. They are the perfect spots to be at one with nature and take in everything that the reserve has to offer.

They also recently won the 'Best New Tourism Business 2022' award in the East of England Tourism Awards. Tours run three times per day from Tuesday to Sunday, all of which can be booked in advance on their website. They also have some exciting photography tours and experiences coming soon too.

Anna Hamilton, head of accommodation and education at Watatuga said: "We're a great destination for all ages and we love welcoming tours where all three generations come together and have a great safari tour.

"The thing that makes Watatunga really special is our team. Every one of them is so passionate about the conservation work that we do and nearly all our reviews mention the warm welcome that every visitor receives on site."

More stories you might like:

Where average house prices rose and fell across Norfolk last year

More than half of homes in north Norfolk village are second homes or holiday lets

Crucial Cromer Pier repairs given green light by district council

• Things to do in Norfolk
• Most Recent

• VISITOR CENTRE/TEA ROOM
• SNETTISHAM WILDLIFE
• NEWS AND EVENTS

DEER SAFARI

• PONY RIDING
• WALKING TRAILS
• SCHOOLS/EDUCATION
• CHILDREN'S PARTIES
• CARAVAN SITE
• BUY TICKETS ONLINE
• PARK FARM DOG PADDOCK
• TESTIMONIALS

VISIT OUR BUY TICKETS ONLINE PAGE TO BOOK YOUR SAFARI

PLEASE ARRIVE 30 MINUTES BEFORE YOUR SAFARI DEPARTURE TO ALLOW TIME FOR ADMISSION QUEUES AND INFORMATION

*Please note that the Safari sometimes goes along uneven ground whilst in the deer park, so is not advisable for those with back issues that may worsen with bumps.*

Our tractor and covered trailer is a unique, magical experience not to be missed. During the 45 minute round trip you will meet and be able to feed our spectacular herd of red deer with over 60 hinds and 3 stags. You can be sure to get an amazing close encounter with our Deer all of which are more than happy to feed from your hands.

The Red Deer ( Cervus elaphus)  is the largest species of deer that we can find in the UK.

Your guides will be able to tell you all about our herd and which characters to look out for! As well as about our farmland, local wildlife and what we do as a working farm. 

deer safari tractor

deer approaching tractor

closeup on deer safari

deer in the leaves

For Deer Safari times/dates please go to our booking page where you can purchase your tickets.

DEER CALVING SEASON

During the calving months of May, June and July you will be able to see the beautiful spotted calves. During this time the Stags will be growing their new antlers in time for the rutting season towards the end of September. This time of year is one of the best times to visit the deer park, just be sure to bring a camera!

Our knowledgeable and friendly deer park rangers commentate throughout the safari to help you get the most from your experience among these magnificent animals. If you are lucky you might even see some deer swimming in the lakes down in the Ingol valley. During your safari you will learn about the crops we grow and their use.

UPDATE FROM THE DEER PARK

The first deer calf of last season (2023) was spotted on Monday 22nd May. The last deer calf was born late September! Approximately 60 calves were born during the season.

The Rutting Season was delayed last year due to the warm weather and Rufus was no longer top stag, he has been succeeded by George ! ( See picture below )

List of Services

This picture taken during March shows his antlers just starting to grow.

This picture of was taken 6th June. The growth of his antlers is quite amazing. Compare to the above picture taken end of March!

August 13th. He has started to shed the velvet from his antlers and rubbed them on thorn bushes and reeds.

August 25th. He is now proudly displaying his perfect and impressive rutting aid!!

The antlers now have protruding points making the stag look awesome.

Meet George. This rut, 2023, George became the top and dominant stag.

We will post more information on him as his head of the herd continues......

Whilst on a safari, you will be able to enjoy a rich variety of wildlife in the deer park. Shelduck, oyster catchers, coots and even a bar-headed goose (one of the world's highest flying birds) are a few examples and can be frequently seen.

Please see our wildlife page and multi- media gallery for more pictures.

Powered by LocaliQ

Snettisham Park Farm and Safari Norfolk

Tags: birthday parties , caravan site , childrens play area , deer safari , farm activities , feed the lambs , lambing , picnic area , pony rides and treks , pony trails , snettisham cafe , snettisham park , tearoom , venison meat sales , walking trails and working farm

Snettisham Park Farm Safari Norfolk

Snettisham Park Safari and Farm is a 329 acre Working Farm and is near kings Lynn. A trip to Snettisham park can involve many exciting adventures from seeing lambs being born, to our spectacular 45 minute deer safari where you will meet our magnificent red deer herd. You can bottle feed lambs, collect fresh farm eggs and ride ponies as well as taking a walk on one of three wonderful trails.  Snettisham Park, incorporating Park Farm, first opened to the public in 1986, and is a working Norfolk farm growing Wheat for animal feed, Malting Barley, Sugar Beet and Grass, grazed by our 400 ewe flock, our herd of red deer, and horses and ponies from our stables. We are a wonderful Norfolk attraction .

Snettisham Park Admission Prices

Please view our price list below. All Under 3’s go FREE and all prices include VAT @ 20%. Season tickets are available and are valid for one calendar Year. Farm Only Adult £8.00 – Concession £7.00 – Children (3-16) £7.00 – Family (2+2) £26 – Under 3s FREE – Deer Safari Only Adult £10.00 – Concession £10.00 – Children (3-16) £8.00 – Family (2+2) £32 – Under 3s FREE.- Farm & Safari (Combined) Adult £15 – Concession £13 – Children (3-16) £12 – Family (2+2) £50 Under 3s FREE – Season Ticket (Farm Only) Adult £25 – Concession £22 – Children (3-16) £22 – Family (2+2) £80 – Under 3s FREE – Trails Only Per Car £2.50.

Wonderful farm and Safari visits

Snettisham Park Deer Safari

Deer Safaris running weekdays at 11.30 am Weekends according to demand. Bottle Feed a lamb 11 am, 2 pm and 4pm (February to September) Open Daily 10am – 4pm Oct – Feb / 10 am to 5 pm school holidays & Mar – Sept.  Due to Covid 19 please call us or check online for opening times and ticket prices.

Our tractor and covered trailer, or Safari Land Rover ride is a magical experience not to be missed. During the 45 minute round trip you will meet and be able to feed our spectacular herd of red deer with over 60 hinds and 2 stags. You can be sure to get an amazing close encounter with our Deer all of which are more than happy to feed from your hands.  During the spring and summer months our deer safari’s run throughout the day with the first one after 10 am during school holidays and 11.30 am during term times. To avoid disappointment later in the day, please ring to confirm as this is subject to change.

During the calving months of May, June and July you will be able to see the beautiful spotted calves. During this time the Stags will be growing their new antlers in time for the rutting season towards the end of September. This time of year is the best time to visit the deer park, just be sure to bring a camera.  Snettisham park’s knowledgeable and friendly deer park rangers commentate throughout the safari to help you get the most from your experience among these magnificent animals. If you are lucky you might even see some deer swimming in the lakes down in the Ingol valley. During your safari you will learn about the crops we grow and their use.

Deer Safari visits are wonderful

Activity and Feed Timetable

Snettisham park pony rides and treks.

Snettisham park offer during the school holidays young children (aged 3-12 years) the opportunity for a short pony ride around our paddock for an extra cost of £2.50.  These are extremely popular with little visitors and offer another experience for them adding variety to their day here at Snettisham Park. These usually run from 12 to 2 pm and do not need pre-booking. Snettisham Park’s current ponies are Beetle, Hamish, Barney Toby and Joey.

Bottle feed the lambs, collect eggs, pony grooming, meet our goats, pigs dogs, ducks, feed the calves, have fun in the children’s play areas and much more.

Snettisham Park Walking Trails

Enjoy one of the three walking trails around Snettisham Park Farm. The short Farming Trail is 2/3rd mile. The Discovery Trail 1.5 miles. The Archaeology Trail is 2.5 miles. For the Short Farming Trail please see the visitors guide given to you on arrival; for the Discovery and Archaeology Trails please ask for separate leaflets at our reception desk.  Make sure you don’t forget to bring your wellies!

Wonderful Walking Trails

Snettisham Park Children’s Birthday Parties Prices

CHILDREN’S PARTIES – BIRTHDAY PARTIES – Celebrate with us at the Farm and enjoy a range of fun-filled activities. ACTIVITIES Tractor and trailer Deer Safari – Bottle feeding lambs – Collecting and grading eggs – Meet and feed our friendly farm animals – Pony grooming = Pony rides (£1.50 extra per child) – weather dependent. PARTY PRICES Group rates for Child Farm/Safari £8.00 per child – Two adults/organisers FREE -Additional adults £10.00 The above rates include all activities and deer safari with access to special party marquee (not including food). Party guests under the age of 3 years will be FREE but will need their parent/carer present paying a rate of £10.00. For further details or to discuss your requirements please telephone 01485 542425 or email [email protected]

PARTY FOOD OPTIONS – You can take advantage of our brilliant on site catering or you can choose to supply and bring all your own food for the birthday party. Party Food Boxes only £4.95 per child. Birthday Cup Cakes available Please enquire 01485 542425

Snettisham Park Caravan Site .

Snettisham Park have five large full electric pitches on our site, also with a small toilet block. Prices are £13 a night inclusive.  This is for Caravan Club members only.  Dogs welcome.  One farm admission needed only for unlimited access to the farm and farmyard activities.  Tea room open 10 am-4 pm every day serving cooked breakfasts and lovely home baked light lunches.  Snettisham park also have a rally field that can be used as an overflow for the above, for those not members of the Caravan Club or for organised rally booking. Please contact the Visitor Centre on 01485 542425 for more information.

Snettisham Park Caravan site for stays

Visitor Centre and Tearoom

VISITOR CENTRE AND TEA ROOM – Our Visitor Centre and tea room is the perfect place to find out more information about the park whilst enjoying something delicious from our tea room. Also visit our gift shop to buy a memento, gift or fresh farm produce.

TEA ROOM & TERRACE – Delicious food and amazing views. On a warm and sunny day, you can sit out on our terrace and enjoy the peaceful views of the Norfolk countryside. Our picnic area is great for families where children can enjoy the play area too! The Tearoom is a light and airy space where you can treat yourself to some delicious home baking, fresh coffee, tea and soft drinks. We are also licensed!

FARM PRODUCE – Buy our venison, lamb & farm fresh eggs. Our Visitor Centre Shop stocks a range of farm fresh and frozen produce for you to take away and enjoy at home. Why not come and have a browse. QUALITY ASSURED VENISON – All our venison is naturally reared on 56 acres of prime Norfolk park land. We stock quality assured venison which includes sausages and burgers – ideal for your summer BBQ – steaks/ escalopes and roasting joints for fine dining or that special dinner. We also have minced and diced venison for your game casseroles and pies. As well as being delicious to eat venison has enormous health benefits – it’s a ‘healthy heart’ food, very low in fat and it’s all natural and organic. All our venison is stocked in the Visitor Centre Shop. Our recipe book is available to purchase.

QUALITY FROZEN READY MEALS – We have introduced a range of high quality, locally made individual frozen ready meals using our own venison, lamb, pork and eggs! Delicious… look inside our freezer in the visitor centre! A LAMB FOR YOUR FREEZER – Quality Snettisham Park lambs are available to order and purchase in season. Our lambs are born, reared and finshed on our farm and are slaughtered, butchered, packaged and labelled in Norfolk. The current price is £130 per lamb (for an average lamb weight of 20kg). Please ask for more details inside the Visitor Centre or telephone 01485 542425, or email: [email protected]

Wonderful tearoom and farm produce at Snettisham Park

The Gift Shop Luxury gifts, toys and confectionery – For those visitors with a sweet tooth, we supply a large selection of luxury biscuits, fudges and confectionery. We have a wide range of toy tractors for budding farmers.  

Snettisham park have a lovely picnic area and marquee where you can enjoy your picnic, whatever the weather.  For those rainy days we have a spacious marquee next to the Visitor Centre where you can enjoy your picnic. Whatever the weather Snettisham Park will help your day run smoothly. Visitors can enjoy their picnics on our wooden picnic benches placed around the Visitor Centre and Tea Room

All of us at Snettisham Park hope you come and as Covid 19 measures are now relaxing and we hope to see you soon.

Mention you found us on Visit Breckland.

No Records Found

Sorry, no records were found. Please adjust your search criteria and try again.

Google Map Not Loaded

Bircham Rd King's Lynn Norfolk PE31 7NG

Special Offers

North Norfolk Safaris

Connect With Nature

Explore the wildlife of one of the UK’s few remaining remote landscapes by classic Land Rover, under huge open Norfolk skies.

Bespoke trips to hidden byways and remote salt marshes with internationally-renowned wildlife cameraman and director Martin Hayward Smith. Choose between a one-day “Hare and Barn Owl Safari” safari, a one-day “Wild Goose Chase Safari” or you may wish to undertake an adventure to other remote parts of Norfolk such as the Broads or Brecks over one or more days. You can combine any safari with a photography and filming masterclass.

Step out of the fast lane, tune into nature and enjoy exclusive access to wildlife on private land. We use hides overlooking water meadows, nest boxes where barn owls and their young are regularly seen and little-known old cart tracks successfully used for filming hares.

Let nature come to you on a wildlife adventure. The only clock in the day will be the sun rising to reveal the landscape and setting to make its edges blur once more.

Choose between The Safari (half a day) or our other (full day) Safaris.

This just in…

We were featured on our local ITN Anglia News Channel on Wednesday 12 June 2019. Reporter Kate Prout joined us on one of our trips. Many thanks to Kate and ITV for the video clip.

• Privacy Overview
• Strictly Necessary Cookies

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.

Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings.

If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.

Find out how we can give you a Helping Hand To Ownership

Our favourite nature reserves, wildlife parks, zoos & animal experiences in Norfolk

Whether it’s a nice walk with a bit of bird-spotting or you’re looking for something a little exotic, Norfolk has plenty of opportunities for wildlife-filled days out.

To help you plan your next trip, we’ve pulled together a list of the best places to visit to find everything from sea life to Siberian tigers!

The best nature reserves, wildlife parks & zoos in Norfolk

The home of the Broads and endless expanse of countryside and coast, it’s fair to say that Norfolk’s not short of an opportunity to get up close to wildlife — whether at a zoo, a child-friendly animal experience or just glimpsing animals in their natural habitat.

1. Thrigby Hall Wildlife Gardens — for Asian mammals, birds, reptiles & 250 acres of manicured garden

For fans of wildlife and history, be sure to take the quick trip to Thrigby Hall , nearby Great Yarmouth. With landscaped gardens, children’s play areas and a willow-patterned garden, there’s enough fun to be had without enjoying the array of animals on show!

Thrigby Hall offers the opportunity to discover snow leopards, gibbons, deer, otters, rare tigers and even crocodiles in the swamp house — as well as doing a great job of supporting local and international conservation projects. Don’t worry if the weather’s taken a turn for the worse, either; the forest and tropical houses provide enough cover to keep everyone dry.

As well as free parking and admission for under-4s, there’s also the Cockatoo Café for a quick pit stop.

2. Banham Zoological Gardens — to connect with nature (and red pandas!)

Set in over 50 acres of open parkland and beautiful grounds, Banham offers the chance to see an array of incredible wildlife from the more common otters and alpacas, right through to some must-see creatures including red pandas and snow leopards.

Run by the charity Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA), Banham is your ticket to no fewer than 2,000 animals — a true bonanza of beasts. For the little ones or big kids amongst us, there’s even the opportunity to book an animal experience.

Of course, there’s plenty to see and do other than the wildlife, with some excellent refreshments on site too, including Parkside Pizza and several other snack shacks.

3. Pensthorpe Natural Park — for wetland wildlife, bird hides & picturesque waterside walks

With a diverse range of habitats, Pensthorpe Natural Park (which is about 45 minutes from Norwich) is home to a whole host of water-loving wildlife. Managed by the Pensthorpe Conservation Trust, this nature reserve is an ideal location to see everything from cranes and flamingos, to teal, avocets, redshank and many more.

To keep things low key, make the most of the walking trails through the Millennium Garden, Wildlife Habitat Garden, Corten Infinity Garden Wave and the Wave Line Garden, all imagined by renowned garden designers.

You can also go pond dipping, learn more about each of the habitats and even take an off-road safari. There’s plenty of non-animal fun to be had too! Kids can explore indoor and outdoor play areas and the gift shop — we’re sure by the end of the day you’ll all be tired out!

4. Snettisham Park — a for ‘live lambing’, a deer safari & a true rural Norfolk experience

This attraction is almost 330 acres of land growing feeds, barley, sugar beet and much more. The park is also home to more than 400 ewes, as well as horses and ponies.

Take advantage of the opportunity to bottle feed lambs in the spring, ride ponies and enjoy handling a variety of smaller animals. That’s not forgetting Snettisham’s 45-minute deer safari, an experience that old and young are unlikely to forget in a hurry.

There are walking trails around the site to enjoy and you can recharge at the tearoom before visiting the gift shop.

5. Pettitts Animal Adventure Park — for domestic animals, exotic creatures & kids’ rides

The self-styled ‘premier family park’ in Norfolk, Pettitts certainly lives up to its billing with a mix of all creatures great and small. Think everything from guinea pigs and owls, to ring-tailed lemurs and racoons.

Visit with your favourite small animals in the petting zoo and feed fish, walk through the farmyard, meet meerkats, enjoy the newly reopened and refurbished reptile world and much more. Families can enjoy play areas and rides as well stocking up on snacks and treats as you go around.

6. Happisburgh Owls — to discover a range of friendly, awe-inspiring birds

If you’re not snapping the picture-postcard lighthouse or admiring the pristine coastal panoramas on offer at Happisburgh, you’ll definitely want to meet their owls . Happisburgh Owls’ experience will allow you to get up close and personal with this family-run attraction’s range of tame, fascinating and undeniably cute birds of prey.

Whilst their entire owl family is stunning, be sure to keep your eyes out for ‘Dusk’, a black melanistic barn owl. Melanism is a 1 in 100,000 genetic mutation in owls and is the opposite of albinism. So, whilst Dusk is not quite one in a million, he’s pretty rare!

Discover Norfolk’s wildlife from one of our holiday parks

There’s definitely no shortage of wildlife on offer in Norfolk, no matter where you are staying.

Our Waxham Sands Holiday Park offers luxury touring and camping holidays beside the gorgeous sands of Waxham, only a moment from Horsey Gap, renowned for its resident grey seal colonies. A few miles up the road you’re immersed in the beauty of the Broads, awash with birdlife and on the doorstep of the Happisburgh Owls.

If you’re seeking a more permanent commitment to Norfolk, we also offer holiday home ownership at Golden Beach , our second location in Norfolk. Those at Azure Seas , our owners-only park in Suffolk, will also be able to pop up to the Broads in no time!

Discover Norfolk’s wildlife with Lovat

Join us on park to discover Norfolk's wildlife.

Related articles.

10 reasons to buy in Norfolk

10 reasons to buy with Lovat Parks

Weather-Proof Your Holiday with our new First Weather Guarantee

The ultimate guide to spotting seals in Norfolk

The best dog walking routes (with dog-friendly pubs) in Waxham, Horsey and Sea Palling

Our top picks for a great day out in and around Sea Palling

Sign up to get exclusive deals and news

12 BEST Safari Parks in the UK

From guided tours and drive through safaris, to wallaby walkthroughs and big cats roaming, here are the best safari parks in the uk..

Forget going to the zoo, this post is all about going on safari in the UK!

Did you know that the UK offers some of the best safari park experiences in Europe? It’s true! And it means you don’t need to spend big bucks when seeing the big 5.

Whether you’re looking for a drive through experience or to get up close and personal with the animals, we’ve compiled a list of the best safari parks in the UK. These are the best ones in England , Scotland and Wales .

From drive-through experiences at Longleat, to walkthrough experiences such as the foot safari at Woburn Safari Park, there are so many options to choose from. And all of them are guaranteed good days out!

If you prefer a guided tour with zoo experts, West Midland Safari Park offers fantastic mini bus tours. Or maybe you’d prefer to walk with the wallabies at Manor Wildlife Park? 

We absolutely love watching the monkeys climb on top of the cars at Blair Drummond – be warned because they are very cheeky! Will you choose to sleep with the animals, ride a safari, or hand feed parakeets?

Find out all of this and more in our list of the best UK safari parks.

Best Safari Parks in the UK

Longleat safari park.

Check out the UK’s Number 1 safari park at Longleat, Wiltshire! Discover big cats, elephants, wolves and more at the drive-through safari experience.

Wind up your windows for the safari of a lifetime as you pass through Tiger Territory, Cheetah Kingdom and The Big Game Park, where you can see a herd of Southern white rhinos.

Don’t forget to check out our favourite part – Monkey Mayhem. The troupe of macaques are known for causing mischief (just watch out for your windscreen wipers!)

Jump out at the African Village and Walking Safari as you journey across the African reserve and discover giraffes, zebras, wildebeest and ostriches. 

• Address: Longleat, Warminster, Wiltshire, BA12 7NW
• Website: https://www.longleat.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Longleat tickets here

West Midland Safari Park

Whether you’re driving yourself or jumping on a guided minibus tour, the safari experience at West Midland Safari Park can be enjoyed by everyone.

Animal fanatics can book onto a guided minibus safari tour where the knowledgeable staff will teach you all about the different animals. Can you spot the rhinos, lions, camels and elephants across the 5 different zones? You can even take your own car if you’d prefer to experience the safari at your own pace.

View the animals up close on the African Walking Trail. Watch out for the elephants roaming their new habitat, or the giraffes grazing on the trees.

• Address: West Midland Safari Park. Bewdley, Worcestershire, DY12 1LF
• Website: https://www.wmsp.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your WMSP tickets here

Chessington Safari Resort

For a unique type of safari experience, check out Chessington Safari Resort. With a range of themed rooms, you can see animals whilst you sleep.

Choose between exquisitely themed rooms with views over the enclosures of your favourite animals. The giraffe room, tiger room, penguin room and monkey mayhem room overlook the Wanyama reserve.

Many of the rooms include access to the savannah splash pool and hotel entertainment. To finish off your trip, check Chessington World of Adventure for a day full of thrill rides and zoo fun. 

• Address: Chessington World of Adventures, Leatherhead Rd, Chessington. KT9 2NE
• Website: https://www.chessington.com/
• Tickets: Get your Chessington World of Adventures tickets here

ZSL Whipsnade Zoo

Whipsnade Zoo is one of the biggest zoos in England with over 10,000 animals. As part of the Zoological Society London , Whipsnade is dedicated to conservation, sustainability, and science. 

Whipsnade Zoo has many incredible animals you won’t see elsewhere, like brown bears and wolverines. This year an endangered baby Asian elephant was born at the zoo! Grab tickets for the Elephant Cafe where you will be able to see mum and baby.

Why not try one of the many experiences at the zoo? Become a keeper for the day and you can work with the rhinos, giraffes and elephants. 

• Address: Whipsnade, Dunstable. LU6 2LF
• Website: https://www.zsl.org/zsl-whipsnade-zoo
• Tickets: Get your Whipsnade tickets here

Blair Drummond Safari and Adventure Park

Scottish readers are definitely going to want to visit Blair Drummond Park to get their animal fix. From lions and macaques, to deer and antelope, there’s so much to see. 

Venture through the African animals, Asian animals, the lions and the macaque reserve in your own car for a day of family fun. Will you spot the rhino in the grass or hear the lion roar? The cheeky monkeys love to jump on cars as they pass so don’t forget to lock your doors!

Once you’ve had your drive-through fun you can check out the 300 species at Blair Drummond. I’m a big fan of the wallabies!

• Address: Blair Drummond, Stirling. FK9 4UR
• Website: https://www.blairdrummond.com/
• Tickets: Get your Blair Drummond tickets here

Manor Wildlife Park

If you like to get up close and personal with the wildlife, Manor Wildlife Park in Wales is the safari park for you. With several walkthrough safari experiences, there are so many animals to spot.

Start off your day in the Wallaby Walkthrough, where visitors can see young Joey’s hop into their mother’s pouch. I love to look for my favourite animal, the red panda, through the forest canopy. 

Don’t forget to visit the Lemurs in their Madagascan home where you can watch them jump and climb. If you’re lucky they might even sit next to you!

• Address: Manor Wildlife Park, St Florence, Tenby. SA70 8RJ
• Website: https://www.manorwildlifepark.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Manor Wildlife Park tickets here

Port Lympne Safari Park

Come face to face with rare and endangered animals at Port Lympne Safari Park. Head to Kent to experience hundreds of acres of savannah. 

Port Lympne offers three unique safari experiences for you to choose from. On the AAA safari, an expert ranger takes you on a guided tour to see Savannah animals, like the giraffe, zebra, ostrich and wildebeest. Can you spot the black rhino?

Perhaps you’d prefer to jump on the rhino and giraffe safari, or the rangers tour, where you’ll journey through the Asian and African exhibits. 

• Address: Aldington Rd, Lympne, Hythe. CT21 4LR
• Website: https://www.aspinallfoundation.org/port-lympne/
• Tickets: Get your Pork Lympne tickets here

Knowsley Safari Park

Did you know that Knowsley Safari Park is actually the biggest safari park in the UK?

This 550 acre safari park is home to animals from across the globe. Journey through Eastern and Southern Asia, where you can see yaks and deer, or check out the African Savannah zone which is home to one of the largest white rhinos in the UK. Hop on the baboon bus for a car-friendly view of the baboons as they swing off the ropes.

Finish off your day with a walk through the Amur Tiger trail where you can get nose to nose with the two tigers.

• Address: Knowsley Safari Park, Prescot. L34 4AN
• Website: https://www.knowsleysafariexperience.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Knowsley Safari Park tickets here

Woburn Safari Park

Check out over 300 acres of drive-through safari nestled amongst the Bedfordshire landscape at Woburn Safari Park. You can have a whole day of fun with the drive-through and walk-through safari experiences.

Drive through the vast nature reserves to spot the animals lurking within. From bison and rhinos, to bears and tigers, there are so many incredible animals across 5 zones. I’d recommend the Kingdom of the Carnivores, where you can see tigers, lions, bears and wolves!

End your experience with the foot safari, where you can explore small mammals and birds. With lemurs, penguins, birds of prey, otters, wallabies, and more, this is not one to be missed.

• Address: Woburn Safari Park, Crawley Rd, Woburn, Ridgmont, Bedford. MK43 0TU
• Website: https://www.woburnsafari.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Woburn Safari Park tickets here

Knepp Wildlife Safari

If you’re looking for something different, check out the safari experiences at Knepp Safari. Encounter local wildlife, such as ponies, deer, and pigs, on one of the many vehicle and walking safaris at Knepp.

Hop on the all terrain vehicle and enjoy the half-day safari to discover British wildlife. You will see free-roaming herds of cattle, ponies, pigs and deer on your journey.

You’ll get to stop at the wildlife ‘refugia’ and spot small animals, such as grass snakes, toads and voles. There’s even a cafe stop so you can enjoy delicious local brownies.

Why not try a themed safari, such as the autumn safari, where you can spot red deer stags, or the bats and moths safari, where you can see nocturnal creatures.

• Address: Knepp Wildland Safaris, New Barn Farm, Swallows Ln, Dial Post, Horsham. RH13 8NN
• Website: https://www.kneppsafaris.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Knepp Wildlife Safari tickets here

South Lakes Safari Zoo

Home to over 1,000 of the rarest and most endangered species across the globe, South Lakes Safari Zoo is the perfect place to get up close and personal with the animals.

From Africa and Madagascar, to Australia and South America, there’s so much to see. Check out the jaguars and snow leopards or head to the lemurs and arctic wolves. South Lakes Safari Zoo is committed to conservation so you can view the animals in their natural environment. 

Why not book an animal encounter to learn all about your favourite animal? I’d love to prepare Stanley the sloth his favourite snacks!

• Address: South Lakes Safari Zoo, Melton Ter, Lindal in Furness, Ulverston. LA12 0LU
• Website: https://www.southlakessafarizoo.com/
• Tickets: Get your South Lakes Safari Zoo tickets here

Peak Wildlife Park

Peak Wildlife Park offers fantastic walk through experiences for all the family. Whether you decide to explore the African village or walk with the penguins, there’s something for everyone.

Have you ever wanted to walk with the lemurs or wallabies? I certainly have! Watch the lemurs leap through the canopies and listen to their distinct calls, or check out wallaby wonderland where the friendly animals will munch on branches out of your hands.

Head to the African village where you can spot meerkats, chickens, and Pygmy goats. Don’t forget to give their horns a good scratch!

• Address: Peak Wildlife Park, Winkhill, Leek. ST13 7QR
• Website: https://www.peakwildlifepark.co.uk/
• Tickets: Get your Peak Wildlife Park tickets here

Twycross Zoo

Twycross Zoo prides itself on being at the heart of conservation. With several walkthrough enclosures and a brand new The Gruffalo Discovery Land, this is a fantastic choice for little ones. 

Walk among the flutters of colourful wings in the Butterfly Paradise or hand feed the birds at Lorikeet Landing. Head to the goat walkthrough where your little ones (and the biggest members of the family!) can stroke the farmyard animals. 

Check out the lemurs as they weave in and out of your feet. You can even watch the tigers roam above you in the glass visitor tunnel. 

• Address: Twycross Zoo, East Midland Zoological Society, Burton Rd, Atherstone. CV9 3PX
• Website: https://twycrosszoo.org/
• Tickets: Get your Twycross Zoo tickets here

That concludes our list of the best UK safari parks. Which one will you be visiting on your next day out with the family? If you have any questions at all, you can let us know in the comments below!

If you’re looking for other fun days out, then check out our guide to the best theme parks in the UK . Again, this is perfect for the whole family!

Like this blog post? Then Pin it for the future!

Leave a comment Cancel reply

Woman mauled by wolves while jogging at zoo, reports say

(Gray News) - A woman visiting a French safari park and zoo was reportedly attacked by several wolves over the weekend.

According to multiple reports, a 37-year-old Paris woman was visiting the Thoiry Zoo Safari in France when she decided to go out jogging after spending the night at the lodge.

But the woman accidentally entered a safari zone Sunday morning that is usually only accessible by car.

French news outlets, including TF1 , reported, that the area has open spaces where animals, wolves and bears roam freely.

TFI reports that while the woman was running the wolves “pounced” on her as she was about 900 feet outside of the lodge.

The woman, whose name was not immediately released, sustained “serious” injuries and was bitten on the neck, calf and back.

“Luckily the medical staff intervened very quickly, and we were able to save this person,” CNN quoted the zoo’s CEO Christelle Bercheny from a press conference.

Bercheny added that there are signs posted at the zoo while noting that the animals may not be used to seeing humans.

The injured woman has since been stabilized at the hospital.

Zoo officials said its team has launched an investigation.

Copyright 2024 Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

KSP: Three people arrested after drugs discovered in vehicle

Man killed during domestic dispute

Local restaurant hosts NBA Draft watch party in London

Get ready for an interesting Wednesday

One injured in Johnson Co. drive-by shooting

Latest news.

Mine collapse causes sinkhole that engulfed part of soccer field: ‘Kind of like a movie’

Texas man executed for 2001 abduction and killing of 18-year-old woman

‘The Bodyguard,’ ‘Air Bud’ actor Bill Cobbs dies at 90

Hawks take Zaccharie Risacher with No. 1 pick, second straight year a player from France is first

9-year-old Amish girl dies after being dragged by horse she was training, reports say

Watch CBS News

Princess Anne, King Charles III's sister, hospitalized with concussion

By Haley Ott

Updated on: June 24, 2024 / 1:22 PM EDT / CBS News

Princess Anne, the 73-year-old sister of King Charles III, has been hospitalized after being injured on Sunday while at her country home, the Gatcombe Park estate, Buckingham Palace said Monday.

"The Princess Royal has sustained minor injuries and concussion following an incident on the Gatcombe Park estate yesterday evening. Her Royal Highness remains in Southmead Hospital, Bristol, as a precautionary measure for observation and is expected to make a full and swift recovery. The King has been kept closely informed and joins the whole Royal Family in sending his fondest love and well-wishes to The Princess for a speedy recovery," Buckingham Palace said.

The cause of Anne's injuries is still being investigated, but it is understood there were horses nearby at the time and her injuries are consistent with an impact to the head from a horse's leg or hoof.

A palace spokesperson said the princess' engagements for the upcoming week would be postponed. This will include a scheduled trip to Canada.

Anne's injuries come as King Charles and Catherine, the Princess of Wales, undergo treatment for cancer. Charles has resumed some of his public engagements in recent weeks, while Kate has remained largely out of the public eye .

• King Charles III
• Kate Middleton
• Catherine Princess of Wales

Haley Ott is the CBS News Digital international reporter, based in the CBS News London bureau.

More from CBS News

King Charles' sister Princess Anne "recovering slowly" from concussion

Wolves attack, seriously injure woman jogging in zoo

4 found dead on Mount Fuji after missing man sent photos from summit

Chicago surgeons perform kidney transplant with awake patient

Buggy Tours

Explore the reserve in your self-drive buggy

A memorable Norfolk day out

A popular choice for days out in Norfolk, at Watatunga we run regular buggy tours throughout the season, from Easter to the end of October. Our self-drive electric buggies and our 170 acres of Norfolk wetland, marsh and grassland make an unforgettable experience for family days out or those looking for wildlife days out in the UK.

Tours are led by an expert safari tour guide in a separate electric vehicle, using radio systems to tell entertaining stories of our reserve’s rare inhabitants and bring the reserve to life. Each tour will be unique, depending on our animals’ behaviour, which is influenced by the weather and season.  

For wheelchair users looking for wheelchair accessible days out, you can request a wheelchair accessible trailer for your buggy tour. There are also accessible facilities on site for wheelchair users. For more information see our accessibility page. 

For Norfolk weekend breaks or wildlife holidays , you can incorporate your buggy tour into a safari stay at one of Watatunga’s newly renovated holiday cottages. To explore options and check availability, visit our safari stays page . Guests who book directly are welcomed on a complimentary guided tour the morning after arrival, followed by exclusive use of electric buggies throughout your stay.  

Frequently Asked Questions

Is watatunga open all year round.

Our tour season runs from April until October each year with guided buggy tours every day of the week except Mondays and Fridays in off-peak times and six days a week in school holidays and half-terms (seven where bank holidays fall). Each tour runs for approx. 90 minutes with five 4-seater electric golf buggies, one 6-seater and one wheelchair accessible option per tour. When you book a buggy, one member of your party will drive the buggy and it is booked in its entirety – you will not be sharing a buggy with others outside your party.

The reserve is open for safari stays , private tours  and experiences all year round. All other tours run from Easter to the end of October,

Do you sell gift vouchers for Watatunga tours?

If you have loved-ones who are wildlife fans and conservationists and would love to experience a Watatunga tour, we do have Watatunga gift vouchers for sale – so go on, make someone’s day by giving them the gift of adventure as well as conservation.

Can we stay at Watatunga?

As well as tours of the reserve, we also offer luxury accommodation on site – providing guests with a unique and magical staycation. We have three holiday lodges to choose from and our holiday guests receive a complimentary private guided tour, as well as exclusive use of our buggies throughout your stay.

Am I able to bring my dog with me to Watatunga?

We love dogs at Watatunga! However, we cannot facilitate any dog on tour.

We have two kennel spaces available to hire at reception. We can only accept fully vaccinated dogs and the price per kennel is £10.00, and guide dogs are welcome to use our facilities for free. Each kennel is 2m long, 1m high and 1m wide and so each should fit 2 large and one small dog easily. We disinfect kennels between use and while we can provide water bowls, we prefer that you bring your own. Our reception building is approx 0.4 miles from the roadside entrance – it is not necessarily staffed all the time while you’re out on tour but each kennel is provided with a secure lock. Dogs at reception are left entirely at their owner’s risk. Kennels can be booked as an extra on any of our buggy or trailer tours. Any further queries, please fill in the contact form on our website.

Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed in our accommodation due to the proximity of our animals in surrounding areas.

Can we bring a picnic with us?

We have multiple spots around our reception building that are perfect for a picnic – our stretch tent in particular is a sheltered spot with plenty of picnic benches and seating.

Do you have toilet facilities?

Yes, we have a large toilet block adjacent to our reception building and an accessible toilet inside the building, equipped with a shower and adult changing table.

Can children of all ages participate in the tour?

There is no lower age limit on our tours – you know your children best but please be aware that the tour is not interactive, we are not a petting zoo and very young children (under-4) may struggle to stay engaged.

Can tours be refunded or can I reschedule my tour?

All tickets are non-refundable. Should you need to reschedule your tour, we will endeavour to facilitate this when communicated at least 48 hrs prior to departure. All changes will incur an admin fee of £10.00.

Are Watatunga tours wheelchair accessible?

Yes, book a Wheelchair Trailer onto any of our regular tours.  Our trailer seats one wheelchair user and up to two guests. Each trailer is towed behind the guide’s buggy as part of our regular tours.

Do I need a drivers licence to drive a buggy?

Buggy operators must hold a valid driver’s licence as a requirement for our insurance policy.

How are the buggy tours priced?

Buggy tours are priced per buggy (including the wheelchair accessible trailer) whereas our large safari-trailer tours are priced per person with limited availability. 

Please note that we do not offer concessions. 

Watatunga Wildlife Reserve, Watlington Road, King’s Lynn, Norfolk, PE33 0RG

Copyright © 2024 All Rights Reserved. Watatunga .  Privacy Policy  and  Cookie Policy .