When I was younger I went through a long phase of wanting to be a zoo keeper. I loved spending time with animals when I was little and I used to spend hours at the zoo being fascinated by them. As I grew older I realised my love of writing and my zoo keeper dream took a back seat, but it has always been something I have wanted to try. Yesterday, thanks to Red Letter Days* I finally got my chance to play Zoo keeper at Knowsley Safari Park as I was offered the chance to review their Giraffe Animal Encounters experience.
Knowsley Safari Park, which was opened in 1971 is a zoological park and tourist attraction in the Knowsley area of Merseyside. It is a short drive from Liverpool, Manchester or Chester and is a fantastic day out for any animal lover, old or young. The park features an array of wild animals in enclosures and also an abundance of animals on it's safari park drive, where you can drive through the park at your own leisure, in your own car and see the wild animals roaming free in the park grounds.
As well as the safari drive and animal enclosures, there are daily shows and educational talks on many of the animals and each weekend, there's a few reserved spots for 1-1 animal encounters like my giraffe experience, priced at £69pp. To ensure the animals wellbeing is looked after, they only have one experience per day for two people and I was lucky enough to take yesterday's slot. At 11am yesterday I met the Zookeeper who took me up to the Giraffe feeding area and handed me some branches. I spent thirty minutes feeding the two giraffes and was able to ask as many questions as I wanted about the animals and Knowsley Safari park. The Giraffes were such lovely animals and it was great to get up close to them and have a go at feeding them. I also learnt quite a lot about Giraffes from their dietary needs to why they have such long eyelashes (apparently it's to keep the sun out in the African Savanna). You could tell the animals were really looked after and they responded so well to the zookeeper. It was a lovely, relaxing experience and something I will remember for a long time. I have a newfound love for Giraffes.
Have you been to Knowsley Safari park before?
Oh wow the fact you got to feed the giraffe is very cool. I have never been myself :) X
ReplyDeleteI actually have family that live close by Knowsley Safari park, next time we're up that way, we are SO visiting the Safari park. It looks and sounds great! What a great experience feeding the Giraffe! xx
ReplyDeleteI absolutely love safari parks and I've wanted to do a keeper for a day for ages. This looks amazing x
ReplyDeleteI have never been there, but what an amazing opportunity to feed them x
ReplyDeleteI am so glad that you got to live out your dream even when your dream had taken a backseat for so many years It looked like a magical experience and giraffes are such fascinating animals!
ReplyDeleteAw yay! I grew up near there and I haven't been since I was 6
ReplyDeleteOh wow. That is amazing! I have been to knowsley park last year and me and the family really enjoyed ourselves
ReplyDeleteI adore Giraffes, they have such beautiful faces and are actually quite graceful, what an amazing experience x
ReplyDeleteWhat a fantastic experience! Especially since you used to want to be a zoo keeper. Always great to make an old wish come true! I've never been to Knowsley as it's a bit too far away from where I live but I've always wanted to! :D
ReplyDeleteI love safari parks a lot. Giraffes are so pretty.
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome that you were able to do this! Giraffes are such interesting animals!
ReplyDeleteAwwh, I am so jealous that you have done this. I would love to do an animal encounter at a zoo.
ReplyDeleteI used to love going seeing the Giraffes when I was younger! Some great snaps x
ReplyDeleteWhat a great experience! I'd love to feed the giraffes. x
ReplyDeletethat sounds like an amazing experience and it's good to hear the animals are well looked after.
ReplyDeleteI'm ashamed to say I've never been to Knowsley Safari Park and I live less than 10 minutes away! That giraffe is too cute. Makes me smile :-)
ReplyDeleteWOW! The giraffe is my niece's favourite animal, so this sounds like an amazing gift for her! Thank you for sharing x
ReplyDeleteI have not been to a safari park in ages, I'm so jealous! Great photos of the giraffes! X
ReplyDeleteGiraffes are such intelligent and beautiful creatures! I'm glad they don't allow more than one of these tours per day though.
ReplyDeleteMy best friend is obsessed with giraffes and is currently in uni at Manchester, I'll definitely be letting her know about this she would absolutely love it! Great photos, looked like you had a great time
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE Knowsley safari park and the giraffes are my fave. we went to kenya on safari a couple of years ago and I was obsessed with them! xxx
ReplyDeleteWow just look at that giraffe tongue!! I've never been to Knowsley Safari park before but I'd love to take a day trip with some friends :)
ReplyDeleteOh wow, reminds of home when we used to visit national parks and see the giraffes. Lovely that you got to feed them
ReplyDeleteI've never seen a giraffe in person. They seems so cute haha. Glad you enjoyed yourself x
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDelete