Knowsley Safari

Knowsley Safari, located near Liverpool in Merseyside, offers an exciting wildlife experience where visitors can explore animal habitats both from their own vehicle and on foot. The five mile Safari Drive takes guests through large open reserves where animals such as lions, rhinos, camels and baboons can be seen roaming in spacious environments. Visitors can drive the route multiple times during the day, giving plenty of opportunities to spot different animals and observe their natural behaviours. After completing the drive through safari, the Foot Safari allows visitors to continue their adventure on foot, where they can see animals including giraffes, meerkats, sea lions and Amur tigers. The Russian themed Tiger Trail and the popular Sea Lion Display are highlights of the walk around section, while short talks and demonstrations throughout the day offer opportunities to learn more about the animals and their care.

Knowsley Safari aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive experience for visitors with a wide range of access needs. The park has dedicated Blue Badge parking bays located close to the entrance beside the coach park, with level access from the parking area to the Foot Safari entrance and no kerb between the parking bays and the entrance. The walk around safari is largely mobility friendly with level footpaths and ramped kerbs, making it suitable for visitors using wheelchairs, mobility scooters or pushchairs. Some paths around animal enclosures are compact earth with loose surfaces and may become muddy in wet weather, so assistance may occasionally be required.

Accessible facilities are provided throughout the park. Every toilet block includes accessible toilets and baby changing facilities, and there are two adult changing rooms with hoists located in the main toilet block near the disabled parking and beside the outdoor food court. Wheelchairs, pushchairs and mobility scooters are available to hire from the information centre for visitors who prefer not to bring their own equipment. Wheelchair spaces are available at the Sea Lion Display, and all animal viewing areas across the Foot Safari can be accessed by wheelchair or pushchair.

Additional accessibility support is available across the park. Knowsley Safari participates in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower scheme, allowing visitors to wear a sunflower lanyard as a discreet signal to staff that additional support may be needed. The Equatorial Express railway includes a wheelchair accessible carriage, and visitors wishing to use the Baboon Bus with a wheelchair user in their group are encouraged to contact the park in advance so suitable vehicles can be arranged.

Assistance dogs are welcome in certain areas of the Foot Safari but cannot enter the Safari Drive or animal enclosures for safety reasons. For visitors bringing dogs, basic kennel facilities are available on site and can be accessed with a refundable padlock from reception. Essential Companion tickets are available for visitors who require support, with eligibility managed through the Access Card scheme operated by Nimbus Disability.

With its drive through wildlife reserves, accessible viewing areas and inclusive visitor facilities, Knowsley Safari provides a memorable and mobility friendly day out for families and animal lovers visiting Merseyside.