I'd like to visit African Lion Safari before the summer is over, but my kids ages 11 and 15 aren't real enthusiastic about the idea yet. Is it really fun, or do you just drive around? It's a bit of a drive, so how early should we arrive to really enjoy it? Any positive or negative experiences? Thanks for your help.

We've been a few times (don't have kids but lots of godchildren/nieces/nephews/etc). The kids have always enjoyed it - although they're younger than your children (all under 11). <BR> <BR>The drive around is fun - kids especially like the monkey area (they climb on the cars - watch your roof if it's vinyl). As I recall the drive around takes approximately an hour - in addition there's a petting zoo, water park, and other attractions such as the "Baby Elephant Bath" at the main gates. <BR> <BR>If your kids like the petting zoo, and you eat there you could easily spend 3 hours - I'd get there early because then you can drive at your own pace. When it's busy you pretty much have to keep up with traffic. <BR> <BR>

We've been a few times (don't have kids but lots of godchildren/nieces/nephews/etc). The kids have always enjoyed it - although they're younger than your children (all under 11). <BR> <BR>The drive around is fun - kids especially like the monkey area (they climb on the cars - watch your roof if it's vinyl). As I recall the drive around takes approximately an hour - in addition there's a petting zoo, water park, and other attractions such as the "Baby Elephant Bath" at the main gates. <BR> <BR>If your kids spent some time in the petting zoo and water park, and you ate a meal, you could easily spend 3 hours - I'd get there early because then you can drive at your own pace. When it's busy you pretty much have to keep up with traffic. <BR> <BR>

IMHO, your kids are too old for the Safari. It's fun driving around and having animals around your car but there's not much else. Some animal shows, petting zoo, etc. Elephant rids cost extra. My kids are 10 & 12 and they went when they were much younger and they had FUN! If your kids love rides/roller coasters, I would take them to Wonderland instead. Now there's fun! The waterpark is fun and there are so many different rides to choose from. It takes a lot to impress teenagers these days. Even the Ex(CNE) in Toronto didn't hold too many FUN rides for my kids after Wonderland and Disney World.

There are kids who are jerks and won't like anything except hanging around their home town with other dorks wearing backward baseball caps. <BR>On the other hand, there are kids who are curious, love to learn, and get a kick out of animals. <BR>I was at African Lion Safari on Sunday with a little kid, but there were lots of sophisticated-looking pre-teens and teenagers who enjoyed learning about animals, plus watching their antics, at the parrot show and at the birds of prey show, each of which took about 25 minutes. There was another elephant show, and a another show about how animals are trained, both of which we missed. All this takes place near the gate, where there are lots of clean washrooms, pretty good food at reasonable prices for a tourist attraction, good spots for picnics if you bring your own food, and a pony ride (for smaller kids) and an elephant ride, at $4 per person, that many a teenager or pre-teen would like. <BR>The elephant swim takes place at 1 and 6 on weekends, and consists of a group of elephants who go into a lake and swim and walk around. Again, if you like getting close to giant beasts and studying them,it's great. Some kids prefer Gameboys. <BR>The drive-through area gates close at 4 on weekends now, and we spent about an hour. Most of the route is two lane roads and we had no trouble pulling over and watching animals for a while. the only area where we had to keep moving was where the baboons jump on top of th cars. Lots of babies being fed by moms hitching rides on roofs and side-view mirrors. Giraffes and other animals come close enough that they touch your car. The views of giraffes, tigers, various kinds of deer and antelope and bisons and rhinos were better than I've ever had in a zoo. <BR>All in all, we thought this place was well worth the money. <BR>We arrived about 12 noon and left at five. Next time we'll get there an hour or two earlier. <BR> <BR>BAK

hi Nancy, my answer may be too late but I wanted to share with you that my husband took my 13 year old daughter and they had a terrific time, so much so that on a following trip he took our 11 year old(the girls take turns travelling with thei dad when he goes on business)as our 13 year old convinced her sister that she had to go...she also enjoyed herself very much, both were at the same time thrilled and a bit scared to be so close to giraffes licking the car windows, monkeys and ostriches staring at them and lions eye to eye...hope you get a chance to enjoy it

It's groovy animal fun, baby!