Firstly we arrived at the Baboons. The cute babies were very entertaining, pushing each other into the water and swinging on their ropes. The path then leads us through the “Woodland Trail” where the mini-mumblers were very excited to see what British Wildlife they could spot amongst the trees! We arrived at “New Lemur Woods” at 10.25, just 5 minutes before it opened, we waited and we were rewarded by seeing all the lemurs being released from their night enclosure. The ran out, up the trees and all around the enclosed woods… much to the delight of all the spectators!
Next was what I had been waiting for!! “Project Polar”! There are 2 pairs of Polar bears at the park, the first had just been fed so were right up by the fence, they were so close it felt like you could almost reach out and touch them! The second pair were just waking up and dozing in the sun but again were very close to the path.
We continued round the edge of the park and into the “Land of the Tiger” and through “Leopard Heights”. The Tigers were both still snoozing but that didn’t stop the kids being excited to spot them! The Leopards, on the other hand, were much better at hiding and even after climbing up to the viewing point we couldn’t spot them amongst the logs and rocks!
Then came “Into Africa”… an amazing section which made you feel you were actually on Safari! We spotted Giraffes, Rhinos, Zebras, Ostrich and Antelope!
We then doubled back to see the Red River Hogs, Anteaters, Giant Otters and the kids favourite The South American Viva – the cheekiest, cutest thing I have seen by far! We spent a good 15 minutes watching them fighting and racing each other around!
Then we stopped for lunch. There are plenty of places to eat a picnic but we opted to buy a sandwich from the Tsavo Bakehouse. There was a good choice of hot & cold food and a good kids lunch box with a sandwich and drink plus 3 other items for £5. After lunch, we hit the giant slides in the Zoom Super Slide Barn across the way. There are 3 slides, 2 which you have to be 1m tall to ride and one which is for over 140cm only- The VERTICAL DROP SLIDE! The kids loved it! To use the slides the kids need long sleeve tops, trousers, and socks.
Outside the slide barn there is the “Meerkat & Mongoose Mansion” and the Amphitheatre where they have regular shows such as BIG Bugs Live! The map you are given on arrival details all the timings of the shows and the feeding times throughout the park. We missed the show but headed off to the “Wallaby Walkabout” for feeding time.
Last but not least we entered “Lion Country”…
There are 3 prides in Lion Country which are situated in different areas next to each other. The Mini-Mumblers loved reading the lion facts posted on the fences on the way round and learning the lion’s names, distinguishing marks and relationships to each other from the signs.
We couldn’t leave without trying out the “New Play Area” and we weren’t disappointed! It was amazing! With a smaller side section for younger children and a MASSIVE play-area, there was loads to choose from to do. From slides, rope ladders and to an obstacle course -the kids were hard to prise away!
Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Branton DN3 3NH
