Longleat Safari and Adventure Park
Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, located in Wiltshire, England, is renowned as the world's first drive-through safari park outside of Africa. Opened in 1966, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience wildlife in expansive reserves, alongside attractions like a scenic railway and the historic Longleat House.
Key Facts
- ›Opened in 1966 as the first drive-through safari park outside Africa.
- ›Located on the grounds of Longleat House, home of the 8th Marquess of Bath.
- ›Features an East African Reserve spanning 60 acres.
- ›Home to Europe's only southern koalas, with the first joey born on the continent in 2022.
- ›The Longleat Railway, established in 1965, is a busy 15-inch gauge miniature railway.
- ›Has been featured in multiple BBC and Channel 5 documentary series.
East African Reserve, Jungle Cruise, Monkey Temple, Koala Creek, Longleat Railway
Nico
About Longleat Safari and Adventure Park
Longleat Safari and Adventure Park, situated in Longleat, Wiltshire, England, holds a significant place in zoological history as the world's first drive-through safari park established outside of Africa. Opened in 1966, the park was the innovative brainchild of Jimmy Chipperfield, a former co-director of Chipperfield's Circus. It is set within the expansive grounds of Longleat House, the ancestral home of the 8th Marquess of Bath, which itself is a public attraction.
Safari Park Attractions
The park offers a diverse range of wildlife experiences. The East African Reserve is a 60-acre area that houses a variety of animals including Rothschild's giraffes, Grant's zebras, ostriches, black wildebeest, South American tapirs, African spurred tortoises, ring-tailed lemurs, and various sheep and goat breeds. Since 2022, this reserve also features a male capybara and a common warthog.
The Jungle Cruise provides a boat journey around Half Mile Lake, passing an island formerly inhabited by Nico, the oldest western lowland gorilla in Europe until his death in 2018; the island is now home to black-and-white colobus monkeys. A new Hippo House was constructed in 2025.
Opened in 2012, the Monkey Temple allows visitors to safely interact with marmosets and tamarins amidst a themed ruin. In 2019, an attraction for giant otters and crocodiles was introduced, succeeding an earlier enclosure for Humboldt penguins that faced challenges with avian malaria.
The Animal Adventure area, established in 2009, features a collection of exotic and familiar mammals, birds, reptiles, and insects, many of which were previously housed in a 'Pets' Corner'.
Koala Creek, opened in 2019, is a significant recent addition, housing koalas from Adelaide, South Australia. Longleat is the sole location in England where visitors can see these animals and the only place in Europe to house southern koalas. The park celebrated a conservation milestone in 2022 with the birth of the first southern koala joey born in Europe.
Longleat Railway
The Longleat Railway, established in 1965 and expanded in 1976, is a busy 15-inch gauge ridable miniature railway stretching 1.25 miles through scenic parkland. Originally operated by an external company, Longleat took over its management in 1976. The railway operates with diesel locomotives and a collection of carriages built on-site.
Media Appearances
Longleat Safari and Adventure Park has been the subject of numerous documentaries, including the 1967 BBC1 production 'The Lions of Longleat,' the 1998 BBC series 'Lion Country,' and the long-running BBC series 'Animal Park.' It has also featured in the Channel 5 series 'Inside Longleat.'
Source: Wikipedia ↗
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Longleat Safari and Adventure Park?
Longleat Safari and Adventure Park is a major wildlife attraction in Wiltshire, England. It is famous for being the world's first drive-through safari park outside of Africa, allowing visitors to see animals in large, naturalistic enclosures.
When did Longleat Safari Park open?
The park officially opened in 1966, pioneering the concept of a drive-through safari experience for the public outside of the African continent.
What are the main attractions at Longleat?
Key attractions include the drive-through Safari Park with its East African Reserve, the Jungle Cruise, Monkey Temple, Koala Creek, and the Longleat Railway. Visitors can also explore the historic Longleat House and its grounds.
What makes Koala Creek special?
Koala Creek is notable as the only place in England where visitors can see koalas, and it is the only facility in Europe that houses southern koalas. In 2022, it achieved a significant milestone with the birth of the first southern koala joey born in Europe.
Has Longleat been featured in any documentaries?
Yes, Longleat has a history of media presence, including the 1967 BBC documentary 'The Lions of Longleat,' the 1998 series 'Lion Country,' and the ongoing BBC series 'Animal Park,' which has been broadcast almost every year since 2000. Channel 5 has also produced a documentary series called 'Inside Longleat.'
What is the significance of the Longleat Railway?
The Longleat Railway is a 15-inch gauge ridable miniature railway that has been operating since 1965. It is one of the busiest of its kind in the country, offering scenic journeys through woodland and along the edge of Half Mile Lake.
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