African Lion Safari — Attraction in Hamilton

It's best to go early if possible to avoid traffic on safari. The safari takes about 2 hours by car. Alternatively, you can take their tour bus, which costs $5.25 for adults and $4.95 for children.

⛽️There’s a gas station inside the park in case you run out of fuel.

⛱️There is plenty of space available to sit and eat with your family near the washrooms.

Boat rides, train rides, and animal shows are included in the ticket: 🛥️The boat ride takes about an hour. During the ride, you can watch small animals around the ponds.

🚂The train ride, offering scenic views, opens at 11 AM. It’s a great experience for families and kids. The train comes every 20 minutes and offers 10-minute rides around the lake.

🕊️The park features three podium animal shows—Parrot Paradise, Birds of Prey, and Wild Wonders—which occur thrice daily. These are highly recommended. There are lots of incredible birds, but their cages look cramped. Staff and rangers explain really well about each species, its history, and its importance. The showtimes are: Parrot Paradise: 12:30, 2:30, 4:30 Birds of Prey: 1:00, 3:00, 5:00 Wild Wonders: 1:30, 3:30, 5:30

💦 There’s a water splash space for toddlers (bring a towel, extra clothes, and diapers if you have kids). There is also an amazing splash pad.

🍕The food court offers options like pizza, fries, chicken, soft drinks, and ice cream. You can also bring your own healthy food or snacks, or even have a barbecue.

🥤Consider getting the unlimited fill-up cold drink cup if you don’t have water. You can refill it for free throughout the day.

🎟️ Buy tickets in advance as you can get them cheaper on the site.

🛁The washrooms are clean and have changing tables. Making a reservation will save you time.

Overall Experience: While there aren’t as many animals in cages compared to the Toronto Zoo, the safari offers a unique experience. You can have a picnic or buy food from various shops. Be mindful of sun protection, as it gets really hot in the summer. It’s a wonderful place for all ages, offering an entertaining and educational experience to see wildlife up close. Our experience at African Lion Safari was a bit of a rollercoaster. Despite trying to book tickets online four or five times, we ultimately had to opt for gate admissions, which cost us $156 including taxes for three adults. We arrived at 11 am and started the safari at 11:30 am, but by then, many animals were seeking shade, missing the lively viewing window. Advice for future visitors: Arrive by 8:30 am or max 9 am for parking and an early safari start to beat the heat. Booking tickets in advance online might save hassle. Wagons, strollers, and wheelchairs are allowed. Consider bringing foldable chairs and toys for added comfort. Overall, it’s a one-time visit place for a full day of kid-friendly...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting African Lion Safari with my kids, and I must say, it was an incredible experience from start to finish. We arrived around 12 PM and embarked on an unforgettable drive through the park, immersing ourselves in the wonders of wildlife. I am thrilled to share my review and recommend this safari adventure to anyone seeking a thrilling and educational family outing.

From the moment we entered the park, we were captivated by the sheer magnificence of the animals. The lions, bison, deer, and giraffes were all truly remarkable. It was awe-inspiring to witness these magnificent creatures up close, roaming freely in their natural habitats. The safari drive provided an unparalleled opportunity to observe them in their element, and it was a delight to see their majestic presence so close.

The scenic beauty of African Lion Safari is simply breathtaking. As we ventured through the park, we were treated to picturesque landscapes that showcased the harmony of nature and wildlife. The lush greenery and tranquil surroundings created a serene atmosphere, making our visit all the more magical.

One of the highlights of our trip was watching the exotic birds. Their vibrant colors and melodious songs added an extra layer of enchantment to our safari experience. It was truly a treat to observe these beautiful creatures soaring through the skies and perched on branches, showcasing their natural grace and elegance.

In addition to the unforgettable wildlife encounters, I must commend the staff at African Lion Safari for their exceptional guidance and assistance. They were knowledgeable, friendly, and always ready to answer our questions. Their passion for conservation and wildlife preservation was evident in their interactions, enhancing our understanding and appreciation of the animals we encountered.

I cannot emphasize enough how well we spent our time during the weekend at African Lion Safari. The experience was worth every penny. The park offers a unique opportunity to connect with nature, educate oneself about wildlife, and create lasting memories with loved ones. It is an ideal destination for families seeking adventure, education, and a deeper appreciation for the wonders of the animal kingdom.

Overall, I highly recommend visiting African Lion Safari. The drive-through experience, the close encounters with wild animals, the stunning scenic beauty, and the knowledgeable staff make it a truly remarkable adventure. Whether you're a nature enthusiast or looking for a fun-filled family outing, this safari park will exceed your expectations. I guarantee that a visit to African Lion Safari will leave you with cherished memories and a renewed sense of wonder at the incredible world we share with these...

Visited the safari for the second time in August, after a gap of at least 17 years! (My first visit was back in 2005 or 2006.)

The safari itself seemed more or less the same as my memory of my last visit. We came in two cars, so we decided to group together and take the tour bus for an extra 6 bucks. Although the park was quite busy that day, we were able to purchase tickets on the spot for a bus leaving just a few minutes later. No wait at all, and there were still quite a few empty seats on the bus. As we started, I quickly realized that one advantage of the bus is its height, and I was able to take great photos from the windows even though they were tinted. However, the live commentary from the driver-guide was a bit robotic and fast-paced, not as good for educational and learning purposes. The disadvantage of the bus option is that it was just under an hour, and it often felt like the bus rushed through the safari area, which made the experience less pleasurable. We only had a little bit of time in each area to see the animals, and I don’t think we went through all the zones. Overall, I think the bus itself is a better way to see the animals than self-driving, and it offered great photography opportunities, but the journey could be made longer and less rushed for a better experience.

While some areas of the safari seemed relatively more spacious, I was disappointed with the space that the lions have. It is definitely more space than a zoo but still seemed small for these large animals.

Compared with the less-than-an-hour-long bus ride, we actually spent most of the time in the rest of the park. The park now has a lot more to do than just the safari. Our group attended all three of the animal presentations (birds of prey, reptiles, parrots) and they were great, at just the right timing and with rather cheerful staff presenters. It was reassuring that the bird presentation was more natural rather than human-centred entertainment.

We finished off the visit with the African Queen boat cruise. The line was long, but it moved quickly because there were at least three boats doing the cruise in turn. Given its short 15-min length, I didn’t expect much, and ended up pleasantly surprised with the animal sightings on the islands and the live cruise commentary, which was much better than the bus commentary. Last but not least, there are quite a few food options available and I liked the fries with slices of tomatoes, bacon and green onions.

In all, I would recommend at least 4-5 hours for a visit, and more time if you have kids and/or want to spend time at the waterpark. It’s pricey but still a decent place for a day trip...