Safari Parks in England: Best Wildlife Experiences to Visit

Looking for the best safari parks in England? You have several options, but they are not all the same. Some offer genuine drive-through safaris where animals move around your vehicle, while others provide a walking safari experience through large, carefully designed habitats.
For many visitors, Cotswold Wildlife Park and Gardens deserves to be near the top of the list. It sits between the traditional zoo and safari park model, describing its experience as a “walking safari”, with spacious landscaped enclosures across more than 160 acres of parkland.

Best Safari Parks in England at a Glance

Safari park	Location	Best for
Cotswold Wildlife Park	Oxfordshire	Walking safari and varied wildlife
Longleat Safari Park	Wiltshire	Classic drive-through safari
Woburn Safari Park	Bedfordshire	Road and walking safari
West Midlands Safari Park	Worcestershire	Safari and family entertainment
Knowsley Safari	Merseyside	Large self-drive safari
Port Lympne	Kent	Guided safari experiences
Yorkshire Wildlife Park	South Yorkshire	Large open wildlife habitats

Cotswold Wildlife Park, Oxfordshire

If you are searching for a safari park in England but prefer to explore wildlife on foot, Cotswold Wildlife Park is one of the strongest choices. Located near Burford in Oxfordshire, the park combines the feel of a traditional zoo with spacious, landscaped habitats designed to bring visitors closer to wildlife. The park itself describes the experience as a “walking safari”, rather than a conventional drive-through safari.

What animals can you see at Cotswold Wildlife Park?

The collection includes a strong selection of large mammals, including giraffes, Asiatic lions, southern white rhinos, Brazilian tapirs, Bactrian camels, zebras, giant anteaters and capybaras. There is also a substantial bird collection, primates, reptiles, amphibians and smaller mammals, giving the park considerably more variety than a safari route focused mainly on large animals.

Why Cotswold Wildlife Park stands out

The combination of wildlife, gardens and family facilities is a major part of its appeal. Visitors can walk between spacious habitats, while the park also has a narrow-gauge railway, children’s farmyard and adventure playground. There are also animal encounters, including opportunities to meet giraffes and feed tapirs and capybaras at scheduled experiences. Cotswold Wildlife Park was also named the highest-rated safari in England in a Which? survey, receiving an 81% score. Which? describes it as somewhere between a zoo and safari park and highlights its wildlife experience and customer service.

Best for: families, wildlife enthusiasts, walking safaris, animal encounters and visitors who want more than a drive-through experience.

Longleat Safari Park, Wiltshire

Longleat is one of England’s best-known traditional safari parks and is particularly suitable if you want the classic experience of driving through animal habitats. Its safari park opened in 1966 and became the first drive-through safari park outside Africa. The wider Longleat estate also provides additional attractions, making it suitable for a full-day visit.

Best for: a classic drive-through safari and a large family day out.

Woburn Safari Park, Bedfordshire

Woburn offers a useful combination of a Road Safari and Foot Safari, so visitors can experience wildlife from the car and then explore additional areas on foot. The safari includes large mammals such as lions, tigers, rhinos and giraffes, while the walking section adds more opportunities to observe animals away from the vehicle.

Best for: families who want both a drive-through and walking wildlife experience.

West Midlands Safari Park, Worcestershire

West Midlands Safari Park combines a self-drive safari with additional attractions, making it particularly appealing to families who want wildlife and entertainment during the same visit.
The safari includes large species such as elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions and tigers, while the wider attraction includes walking areas and rides.

Best for: families looking for wildlife alongside rides and other activities.

Knowsley Safari, Merseyside

Knowsley is one of the strongest safari options in northern England. Its Safari Drive covers five miles through a large area of the estate and includes species such as African lions, white rhinos, Bactrian camels, baboons and deer. A Foot Safari provides an additional walking experience after the main drive.

Best for: visitors from Liverpool, Manchester and the wider North West wanting a genuine self-drive safari.

Port Lympne, Kent

Port Lympne provides a different type of safari experience, with guided safari vehicles taking visitors through the reserve rather than relying solely on self-driving. The reserve focuses strongly on wildlife and threatened species, making it particularly interesting for visitors whose priority is animal observation and conservation.

Best for: wildlife enthusiasts and visitors looking for a guided safari experience.

Yorkshire Wildlife Park, South Yorkshire

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is not a traditional drive-through safari park, but it is an excellent alternative for anyone searching for a large-scale wildlife experience. The park is explored on foot and is known for spacious habitats and large mammals, including lions, giraffes, rhinos and polar bears.

Best for: visitors who prefer walking through large wildlife habitats rather than driving through them.

Which Safari Park in England Should You Choose?

The right choice depends on the type of wildlife experience you want.

• Best walking safari: Cotswold Wildlife Park
• Best classic drive-through safari: Longleat
• Best combination of driving and walking: Woburn
• Best for wildlife plus rides: West Midlands Safari Park
• Best major safari in northern England: Knowsley Safari
• Best guided safari experience: Port Lympne
• Best large walking wildlife alternative: Yorkshire Wildlife Park
  Cotswold Wildlife Park is particularly different because it gives visitors a safari-style experience without requiring them to drive through animal habitats. Its spacious setting, diverse animal collection, gardens and family facilities make it a strong choice for people who want to spend time observing wildlife on foot.

What Animals Can You See at England Safari Parks?

The species available depend on the individual park, but major English safari and wildlife attractions can include:

• Lions and other big cats
• Giraffes
• Rhinos
• Elephants
• Zebras
• Camels
• Antelope and deer
• Monkeys and baboons
• Bears
• Wolves
• Tapirs
• Giant anteaters

Cotswold Wildlife Park is particularly diverse because its collection extends beyond typical safari animals to include birds, reptiles, amphibians, primates and smaller mammals.

Safari Park or Wildlife Park: What’s the Difference?

1. A drive-through safari park allows visitors to travel through designated animal areas in their own vehicle. Longleat, Woburn, West Midlands and Knowsley follow this model.
2. A guided safari uses a park-operated vehicle, as offered at Port Lympne.
3. A walking safari or wildlife park is explored on foot through spacious habitats. Cotswold
4. Wildlife Park and Yorkshire Wildlife Park fit more closely into this category.
   

The distinction matters because someone searching for a “safari park” may actually want either a close vehicle encounter or a spacious walking wildlife experience.

Are Safari Parks in England Good for Families?

Yes, but the best park depends on what your children enjoy. Cotswold Wildlife Park works particularly well for families who want animals, walking areas, a children’s farmyard, playground facilities and a train ride. For children who specifically want the excitement of animals around the family car, Longleat, Woburn, West Midlands or Knowsley may be more suitable.

Tips for Visiting a Safari Park in England

Check the safari format before booking

A “safari park” does not always mean a drive-through experience. Check whether you will be walking, driving your own car or travelling in a guided vehicle.

Give yourself enough time

Large wildlife parks can take several hours to explore, particularly when there are walking areas, animal talks or family attractions.

Do not expect guaranteed sightings

Animals move, rest and feed according to their own behaviour. Even the same park can provide very different sightings on different days.

Follow animal-safety rules

Never feed animals unless specifically permitted, attract their attention or leave your vehicle in restricted areas.

Consider the weather

Much of the experience takes place outdoors, so comfortable footwear and suitable clothing can make a major difference.

FAQs

Choosing the Right Safari Park in England

England offers several ways to experience safari-style wildlife, but Cotswold Wildlife Park deserves special consideration if you want more than a drive around animal enclosures.
Its combination of large landscaped habitats, diverse wildlife, gardens, animal encounters and family facilities creates a different type of safari experience.

For a traditional drive-through adventure, Longleat, Woburn, West Midlands and Knowsley remain strong alternatives. For guided wildlife experiences, Port Lympne offers another approach, while Yorkshire Wildlife Park provides a large-scale walking alternative. The best choice ultimately comes down to one question: do you want to drive through the wildlife, or slow down and experience it on foot?