south lakes safari zoo feed

SOUTH LAKES SAFARI ZOO

For a unique wild animal experience.

South Lakes Safari Zoo is home to over 1,000 of the rarest and most endangered animals in unique natural environments which enable you to get as close as physically possible to experience the amazing creatures with which we share our planet. Wander amongst kangaroos, wallabies, and emus. Be amazed as free-flying macaws soar overhead. Participate in animal feeding experiences or be a zookeeper for a day.

ZOO OPENING TIMES

• 1st May – 31st July | 10am – 5pm
• August | 9.30am – 6pm
• 1st Sep – 31st Oct | 10am – 5pm
• November | 10.30am – 4pm
• Check website for Christmas opening

OUR ANIMALS

With so much to do and over 1,000 animals to meet, Cumbria’s South Lakes Safari Zoo is a BIG day out for all the family. Let’s start by introducing the animals. 

• Tigers, Lions & Big Cats are a firm favourite with visitors
• Giraffes can be hand fed during your visit 
• Our lovable Penguins can also be hand fed
• Wander amongst Lemurs, Kangaroos, Wallabies, Emu & Marmots
• Meet an array of large mammals including Rhino, Zebra & Bears
• Enter our aviary and meet the magnificent Macaws 

EAT DRINK & PLAY

Take a break from exploring and drop into one of our food outlets for a delicious bite to eat – from Traditional Hand Battered fish and chips, to pannis, toasties and burgers, ice creams and new whipped pineapple or raspberry, cold drinks, hot dogs and snacks and on some summer days we whack the barbecue out!

Picnics and other food and drink cannot be brought into the zoo but visitors can exit to the car park at any time. 

We have an expansive adventure playground for children to explore and enjoy with swings, slides, scramble nets, zip lines and animal related play equipment. The playground is located near to our refreshment venues so you can enjoy a coffee and relax whilst your children play. The adventure playground is a great way to burn off your child’s energy before you head home. 

SAFARI ZOO IMAGE GALLERY

Contact information.

Safari Zoo Melton Terrace Lindal-in-Furness Ulverston Cumbria LA12 0LU 

FREE parking available Wheelchair friendly 01229 466086 www.southlakessafarizoo.com Follow Us on Facebook Buy Tickets Online

South Lakes Safari Zoo

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

SOUTH LAKES SAFARI ZOO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
• (1.10 km) Number 19 Guesthouse
• (1.67 km) High Haume Glamping
• (1.12 km) The Black Dog Inn
• (4.27 km) Abbey House Hotel
• (7.59 km) Holiday Inn Express Barrow-in-Furness, an IHG Hotel
• (0.51 km) Charnleys Home & Garden
• (1.56 km) Nicha's Thai Kitchen
• (0.93 km) Railway Inn
• (1.82 km) Hartleys
• (5.37 km) Bengal Rose South Asian Restaurant
• (5.77 km) Bardsea Alpacas and Llamas
• (1.02 km) Wax Lyrical Outlet
• (4.26 km) Furness Abbey
• (10.15 km) Path to Adventure
• (6.26 km) Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre

South Lakes Safari Zoo

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

South Lakes Safari Zoo - All You MUST Know Before You Go (2024)

Search Attractions

South lakes safari zoo.

Postcode: LA12 0LU

Step into the wonders of South Lakes Safari Zoo, where the wilderness of the world awaits in Cumbria's heart. Experience the thrill of free-roaming animals, discover rare species, and journey through thoughtfully crafted habitats. Beyond mere observation, here, you'll dive deep into global conservation efforts and the majestic dance of nature.

Visitor information: south lakes safari zoo.

South Lakes Safari Zoo, nestled in Cumbria’s scenic landscapes, offers an immersive experience into the world of exotic wildlife.

This innovative zoo, spanning over 51 acres, champions a unique approach where many animals roam freely, providing visitors with the opportunity to get up close and personal with species from around the globe.

From kangaroos hopping beside pathways to free-flying birds overhead, it’s a truly interactive experience. The zoo is home to a myriad of animals, including big cats, primates, and rare birds.

Each habitat is thoughtfully designed to replicate natural environments, ensuring the animals’ well-being while educating visitors about wildlife conservation.

Did you know?

South Lakes Safari Zoo is heavily involved in global conservation efforts, having supported over 40 conservation projects and contributed to the protection of 750,000 hectares of vital wildlife habitat globally.

Free-Roaming Animals: Experience the unique thrill of kangaroos, lemurs, and other creatures roaming freely around the zoo.

Big Cat Encounters: Marvel at the majesty of tigers, lions, and cheetahs in expansive habitats.

Exotic Bird Display: Witness free-flying birds from around the world showcasing their aerial prowess in live displays.

Interactive Feeding Times: Participate in scheduled feeding sessions, learning about animal diets and behaviours.

Conservation Efforts: Dive into the zoo’s dedicated conservation projects, understanding the importance of wildlife protection.

Educational Workshops: Attend informative sessions that delve into animal habits, characteristics, and the ecosystems they inhabit.

Adventure Play Area: Let the little ones burn off energy in the themed play zones, designed to entertain and educate.

Rare Species Showcase: Discover animals you may never have heard of, emphasizing the diversity of our planet.

Picturesque Landscapes: The zoo, set in Cumbria’s beautiful surroundings, offers panoramic views and scenic spots perfect for relaxation.

Themed Events: Throughout the year, the zoo hosts special events, from Halloween haunts to festive celebrations, enhancing the visitor experience.

Explore Nearby

Little Moreton Hall

Little Moreton Hall, situated in Cheshire, stands as…

Laurel & Hardy Museum

The Laurel & Hardy Museum, located in Ulverston,…

Chester City Walls

Chester City Walls are an iconic symbol of…

Tatton Park

Nestled in the Cheshire countryside, Tatton Park is…

Palace Theatre Manchester

The Palace Theatre, located in Manchester, is one…

Blackpool Pleasure Beach

Blackpool Pleasure Beach is one of the most…

Nestled amidst the rolling hills and ancient woodlands…

Royal Albert Dock Liverpool

Liverpool, with its rich maritime history and vibrant…

Royal Liver Building

The Royal Liver Building is one of Liverpool’s…

Nestled in the Lake District National Park, Helvellyn…

Goodison Park

Steeped in football history, the Goodison Park Stadium…

Gulliver’s World Theme Park

Gulliver’s World Theme Park, located in Warrington, offers…

South Lakes Safari Zoo

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

South Lakes Safari Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
• (1.10 km) Number 19 Guesthouse
• (1.67 km) High Haume Glamping
• (1.12 km) The Black Dog Inn
• (4.27 km) Abbey House Hotel
• (7.59 km) Holiday Inn Express Barrow-in-Furness, an IHG Hotel
• (0.51 km) Charnleys Home & Garden
• (1.56 km) Nicha's Thai Kitchen
• (0.93 km) Railway Inn
• (1.82 km) Hartleys
• (5.37 km) Bengal Rose South Asian Restaurant
• (5.77 km) Bardsea Alpacas and Llamas
• (1.02 km) Wax Lyrical Outlet
• (4.26 km) Furness Abbey
• (10.15 km) Path to Adventure
• (6.26 km) Manjushri Kadampa Meditation Centre

• Lindal-in-Furness
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Holiday Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travellers' Choice
• Help Centre

Feeding the giraffes - South Lakes Safari Zoo

• Europe    
• United Kingdom (UK)    
• England    
• Cumbria    
• Lindal-in-Furness    
• Lindal-in-Furness - Things to Do    
• South Lakes Safari Zoo

We had a great time at the South Lakes/Cumbria Zoo. They genuinely seem to be turning things around... read more

We have just got back from a lovely day at this zoo. Myself and son paid for the Capybara... read more

Feeding the giraffes

We visited the zoo whilst holidaying in the Lakes, what an amazing experience. It has been a life long dream to feed giraffes and get up close - both these were fulfilled today. It was very emotional for myself having lost both my parents in the last 13 months and not being able to tell them how fabulous it was. I would like to express my sincere thanks to Simon who was with the giraffes, he is a true asset to the zoo & amazing with the animals (I don’t think he has many adults in floods of tears due to the realisation of fulfilling someone’s dream). We enjoyed our day so much that we took the opportunity to visit again before we came home. I would recommended anyone to visit - the animals have a fantastic environment & are well cared for by enthusiastic keepers and staff. Well done team.

One of the best zoos we've ever visited my kids thoroughly enjoyed this day out. As did the adults. Being able to pay such a small cost £3 to hand feed giraffes was amazing. Also walking through the birds of prey was really fun. Being so up close with the animals is a great experience. You could also pay to feed some of the other animals too at £10. My kids really loved having their picture taken in amongst the penguins aswell. Brilliant place. Also some of us parents tend to dread the gift shop when leaving these places because we often tend to need a small loan to get gifts that the kids want for a split second and then forget about them once we're home, but the prices were quite reasonable which was a bonus. The only thing I didn't like was that it was there upon entering to go in. There was only one way in and out.

This used to be an amazing place to visit and in the past we have been many many times. Decided to go today!! Paid £45 for two adults and a 3 year old! Absolutely extortionate price and I would have personally left but didn’t want to upset the child with us. Once inside it was very dilapidated, overgrown and tbh not many animals!! Lots of empty enclosures and walkways blocked off with “staff only” signs. I would definitely say there is only 50% of the animals at the park than there used to be and you can’t even see a lot of them for overgrown enclosures. You used to be able to spend a long time here looking and watching the animals, but now you just wander round seeing very little. It’s £5 to feed the lemurs a piece of apple, £5 to feed the penguins, very disappointing as the feedings used to be free!! £45 is a lot of money and to then pay extra to feed the animals is appalling. We spoke to some people while we waited for the tiger feeding who were all of the same opinion. Won’t be returning ... ever!

Had we read the reviews before we went we would probably have been put off but we’re so glad we went. Firstly, yes there are improvements that the park can make (and may be working on them in the background as they look to rebuild.... 1. Charging for a map of the park when there are so few signs around is a bit cheeky. 2. Picnics cant be taken in due to animal welfare but you can buy there food and eat it at picnic tables inside !! There are a couple fo table outside if you want to take your own picnic, just leave it in the car and collect it at lunch time. 3. Some areas need an overhaul such as the raised walkway at the wolf enclosure, this would great enhance the experience in that area (but there would be a cost to repair) 4. Train looked like its been out of action for some time. 5. I know about the parks past history but the use of safety signs around the park gets massively overpowering, everything is “don’t do this”, “ You must not do that”” etc.etc. With a bit of rethinking they could eb so much more positive ie tell everyone about having a fantastic time in the enclosure and then remind them that animals bite - some of it was a bit health and safety gone mad. Right, having said all that I would still definitely recommend visiting the Zoo. The fact that many of the animals roam freely around you make for a unique experience. Lemurs, Prairie dogs, peacocks, vultures, ducks, parrots, condors etc.etc the list goes on. Yes the penguin pool needs repairing but that looks like a work in progress. As for previous reviewers who mentioned not being able to see all the animals, maybe we got lucky as we saw nearly every animal and had some great close up encounters. The park didn't get too busy and we spent a full day wandering the pathways between each adventure area. The orange T Shirt clad team members were knowledgeable and helped to enhance our knowledge whenever we asked a question. Hopefully the zoo will continue to develop in the coming years and invest some of the £1’s from the sale of maps into the areas that could be improved further. Overall, we’d go back again when we’re next visiting the area. It’s up to you to decide if you make the day what you want it to be.......

I don’t generally visit zoos, as I find it hard to see animals in captivity having worked with African animals in the wild. I did this as a visit to a friend, but I have to say I was impressed with the conservation work going on. I watched the tigers ‘big cat feed’ whereby a keeper did a wonderful speech about palm oil and the impacts of this product. He gave easy information for people to make sustainable swaps. Every talk/activity I saw, the keepers did a speech on the threat to these particular species. Well done, I can tell this passion is from a place of seeing them in the wild too :) One thing that did upset me was many people touching the animals in the area where you can walk around with emus and lemurs. I couldn’t find a zoo keeper anywhere so ended up lecturing a group of school children myself.... the worst thing was that their teachers were actively encouraging the students by taking pictures of them pestering and touching the animals. I also saw families throwing food into the faces of kangaroos that were trying to sleep. One family went as far as throwing a twig at one... such a lack of respect. I’m sure staffing must be an issue but I do feel this area needs supervision for this reason. Thank you for educating the public.. there’s a long way to go with developing respect for these animals but I hope they listened to the talks and are going to make changes to their own lives.

What has happened to this wonderful zoo? It was quite sad walking around. The atmosphere was flat as I think a lot of people were thinking the same. Very frustrating walking around to find a lot of enclosures/pens were empty. The enclosures with animals in looked like they hadn’t been touched for awhile. Water holes nearly empty just a dump really. I didn’t see one zoo keeper just staff at the entrance and cafe. No picnics...£5.50 for a sandwich, £1.80 for a can of pop! Just really sad to see this has happened, when it used to be a lovely day out. It took 2 hours today.