Family fun – Safari Niagara
When we think of Niagara, we think of the thundering falls or the bright lights of kitschy Clifton Hill. But Niagara is exceptionally diverse, offering an incredible range of attractions.
Venture beyond The Falls and its environs for a memorable afternoon discovering wildlife at Safari Niagara.
Safari Niagara is a privately-owned and operated accredited nature park that is home to close to 1000 animals. The park, which supports multiple conservation efforts, was founded with the vision of providing visitors with the opportunity to meet animals up close.
You’ll find many of the crowd-pleasing species here, including lions, giraffes, and wolves. But you’ll also meet a number of animals that are now incredibly rare in the wild. The Syrian brown bear, for example, has been extirpated in the country for which it is named and now exists only in smaller pockets in Turkey and the Caucasus. The Clouded Leopard, meanwhile, one of the most beautiful cats you’ll ever see, is considered vulnerable in its Tibet and China homeland.
The hope is that seeing species at risk up close, learning about them and their ways, will inspire visitors to share Safari Niagara’s goal of conserving biodiversity.
Don’t miss the daily shows, including the Wonders of Flight Demonstration starring hawks, owls, and vultures; Reptiles of the World, where you get close to a range of creepy-crawlies; and Zooniversity, an interactive presentation featuring mammals from around the world and with a focus on conservation. Also make sure to experience the walk-through budgie exhibit, where these energic birds will flitter and flutter and land upon you. It’s a huge hit with kids.
A highlight of Safari Niagara are its behind-the-scenes tours, which offer patrons a more intimate experience with the animals. Each of the four distinct, 45-minute tours highlights one specific species: giraffes, lions, rhinos, and bears. Children love the opportunity to feed giraffes and gently rub a rhino’s famously thick (and surprisingly sensitive) skin. A percentage of proceeds from the behind-the-scenes tours is donated to wildlife conservation efforts worldwide.
Animals are the highlight, of course, but Safari Niagara offers other attractions as well. There’s splash pad ideal of hot summer days, languid paddle boat rides, an elevated rope course, some rides and a play area focused on younger children, and a whimsical carousel.
Safari Niagara offers so many experiences, all of them intended to foster connections between people and wildlife. It’s a great way to spend a day.
Just the Facts
Tickets: Shoulder season
(May-June 7)
general admission
$32.95 for an adult
$25.95 for a child.
Mon-Thurs 10 a.m.- 4 p.m., Fri-Sun 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
2821 Stevensville Road, Fort Erie
safariniagara.com
