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West Midlands Safari Park

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West Midlands Safari Park (2024) All You MUST Know Before You Go (with Photos)

West Midland Safari Park guide - prices, rides, tickets, map and how to get discounts

All you need to know about the Safari park from prices to rides

• 11:24, 30 MAR 2017
• Updated 15:57, 30 MAR 2017

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West Midland Safari Park is one of the major attractions in the West Midlands.

Here you can take a self-guided tour through a host of animal enclosures in your own car, and follow an all-weather discovery trail on foot to see more than 140 different animals.

These include cheetahs, lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos and big cats.

As well as your safari experience the site includes a number of additional areas you can visit from the £2.5 million Land of the Dinosaurs animatronic exhibit to the Adventure Theme Park.

But what’s included in your admission ticket and what’s not? Here’s our ultimate guide to help you plan and make the most of a day here.

It includes how to get discounted tickets, daily show times, a map of the park, all about its FREE return visit vouchers, as well as what’s good and bad and how much a day here will realistically set you back.

Where is West Midland Safari Park?

West Midland Safari Park is an award-winning attraction that is located at Spring Grove in Bewdley, Worcestershire , DY12 1LF.

How long does it take to get to the park?

It will take around an hour to get to West Midland Safari Park from Birmingham.

How do I get there?

From Birmingham : Take the main Hagley Road to the Quinton Expressway A456 through Hagley and Blakedown following Safari Park signs through Kidderminster to Bewdley.

From Wolverhampton: Take the A449 to Kidderminster. Take the A456 to Bewdley. From the North: Take the M6 South, leave on exit 8 and join the M5 . Take the M5 to exit 3 and follow the A456 through Kidderminster to Bewdley.

From the South: Take the M5 North, leave on exit 6 and follow the A449 to Kidderminster. Take the A456 to Bewdley.

GPS co-ordinates: N 52 deg 22 min.760 W 2 deg 17 min.336

What are the opening and closing times for Spring 2017?

The park opens at 10am and it closes at 5.30pm.

The rides in the theme park close at 5pm along with the African village.

What time is the last entry to the park?

The latest time that you can gain entry to the park and the safari drive through is at 3pm.

What are the times of the daily animal shows?

12.30pm: Penguin feed, hippo feed and discover dinosaurs talk

1pm: Discover reptiles, friendly animal encounter and lemur talk

1.30pm: Sea lion show

2pm: Discover reptiles talk and African village encounter

2.30pm: Penguin feed, lemur talk, discover dinosaurs talk and hippo feed

3pm: Friendly animal encounter, meerkat feed and discover reptiles talk

3.30pm: Sea lion show

How much are tickets?

The standard admission prices for Summer 2017 are £23 for adults and £18 for children aged 3 to 15. Concessions are £21 and under threes go FREE. So for a family of two adults and two children (aged 3 to 15) it will set you back £82 to visit.

Can I get discounted tickets?

Yes discounted tickets are available when booking in advance online here.

If you book online you can actually save up to 35 per cent off the ticket price.

Can I get a discounted return ticket?

Another big plus of this park is that once you pay for your admission here you actually you get a FREE return voucher. The voucher entitles the vehicle and all paying occupants to a return visit to the park for no extra charge.

Terms and conditions apply to this return voucher which are detailed here.

Do I have to pay extra for any of the attractions?

Yes. Not everything is included in the standard admission ticket as you’ll need to pay extra for rides in the Adventure Theme Park. But that is the only part of the park’s that’s an extra charge.

To go on the rides you will need to buy a wristband.

The wristbands cover unlimited access to all of the rides. It is £14 for an adult, £12 for a concession and £11 for a child wristband. Individual ride tickets can also be purchased for £6 for 4 tickets.

Are there height restrictions for the theme park rides?

Yes. All the theme park rides have a minimum and or maximum height restriction and these vary per ride.

You can check what these are at the wristband office before you purchase your wristband or ride ticket.

But to give you an idea in general the smallest rides require a minimum of 0.8 metres height in standard footwear.

In some cases children may also require an adult to accompany them on a ride in which case adults will also need a wristband or ticket to ride.

If you would like to know more before you visit you can telephone the park on 01299 402114.

What if I don’t have a car can I still experience the drive through safari?

Yes. Guided tours of the ‘Drive-Through Safari’ by safari bus can be booked at the park’s main reception which is ideal if you are arriving to the park on foot.

How long does it take to go around the safari park?

A lot depends on how long you stay in certain areas depending on what animals interest your families most.

But in general it takes about an hour and a half to two hours get around the safari on a normal day. There are also shortcuts available for you take too along the route so you can speed up the drive-through if needed.

Do I need to queue to get around the safari park at peak times?

If the park is busy yes, The safari can easily take more than two hours at peak time because of jams and you don’t want your kids needing the loo in the middle of the lion enclosure, so try to visit the toilet before you start!

If you have air con to stop your windows from misting up, it’s actually just as much fun to do the safari in the rain as it is in fine weather.

Can I get food in the park?

Yes once you are out of the drive through safari area there are a few places where you can get food, including jacket potatoes.

Are there any picnic areas?

Yes. There is a large undercover eating area next to the coach park, which is often used by schools.

There are also picnic areas dotted across the park including in the Adventure Theme Park, African Village and car park, so you can take your own packed lunch if you prefer than buying food inside the park.

Can I get an annual pass if I plan to visit more than once to save money?

Yes. You can get unlimited admission* to West Midland Safari Park for 12 months, during standard opening hours, with its standard annual pass.

The prices for this are £55 for adults and £45 for children aged 3 to 15 years. Concessions are £50.

So for a family of two adults and two children (aged 3 to 15) a standard annual pass for all four will cost you a total of £200 - so you’d be saving money from your third visit.

*Please be aware that terms and conditions apply for the unlimited admission.

Read the T&Cs and found more out about this pass here.

Can I upgrade my pass to include adventure theme park rides?

Yes you can. The park also offers an annual pass plus. As well as unlimited admission* it includes unlimited access to its theme park rides in the summer season.

The prices for this are £85 for adults, £65 for children aged 3 to 15 years and concessions are £75.

Where do I get tickets?

You can book tickets online here where you can get discounted tickets.

Or you can buy in person on arrival from the ticket booth.

Can I use Tesco vouchers at the park?

Yes you can. Tesco Vouchers are valid against standard admission during daytime opening hours.

Small print: Tesco Vouchers are not valid for the Spooky Spectacular (evening only admission), Firework Festival or Santa Safari. Please also be aware that some rides and games are not included and are charged extra in all cases.

What about parking?

One of the positives is that parking is FREE for all visitors whether they are travelling to the park by car, minibus or coach.

What’s included in the cost of the admission ticket?

Pretty much everything apart from rides in the theme park and of course any refreshments purchased inside the park.

What’s included is the drive-through safari, land of the living dinosaurs, sea lion show, reptile world, penguin cove, African village, hippo lakes, seaquarium, creepy crawlies, twilight cave, meerkat mayhem, lemur woods, daily feeds, talks and animal encounters

The admission tickets also includes a return voucher which entitle the vehicle and all paying occupants to a return visit to the park.

Is there a map available of the park?

Yes. Here is the park’s easy to follow guide to all the features of the park to give you an idea of where everything is.

What can you see in the drive through safari?

The four-mile self-drive safari is split into African and Asian areas. And please be aware, so you can prepare your children for what to expect when they’re in the safari area, that almost all of the animals are free-roaming and can literally walk straight past your car.

Here’s an idea of what animals you can see in which areas:

African Plains: includes giraffe, including baby Rothschild’s giraffes, huge-horned Ankole cattle, cape buffalo, zebra and baby white rhino.

Wild Asia and Asian Lowlands: here you’ll find endangered deer and antelope, bactrian camels, the world’s rarest deer, the Philippine spotted deer, the Indian rhino and gentle banteng.

Carnivores section: you can see cheetahs here, Sumatran tigers and rare painted dogs.

Wild Woods : this area includes dhole and lions.

Elephant Valley: This area is home find the park’s three African elephants, Five, Latabe and baby Sutton.

What is the Land of the Dinosaurs?

The Land of Dinosaurs is currently the UK’s largest animatronic Dinosaur attraction. It tells the story of how the dinosaurs lived millions of years ago and it takes in the Jurassic, Triassic, and Cretaceous periods.

It is a walking trail that features over 40 life size, moving, breathing dinosaurs, including a T-rex, Triceratops, Spinosaurus and Quetzalcoatlus.

You can find out more about the dinosaur attraction here.

What time is the Adventure Theme Park open?

The adventure theme park is open daily from 11am during the summer season.

What rides are there in the Adventure Theme Park?

This area includes traditional fun fair ride like dodgems, water rides and rollercoasters as well as the park’s newest ride Kong. There are also various games stands and an amusement machine arcade.

Theme parks

What’s the new Safari Academy?

The Safari Academy, launches in April 2017, and is designed specifically for visiting schools.

The modern, state-of-the-art building features five classroom and provided interactive education and hands-on discovery sessions for groups of all ages.

It will also run accredited animal care courses, holiday clubs, career days and open days and clubs for teachers.

You can find out more here.

The ticket price includes a return voucher but what are the T&Cs?

Yes when you purchase your tickets you will be given a return voucher.

This entitles the vehicle and paying occupants to a return visit to West Midland Safari & Leisure Park.

Summer return vouchers are valid on any open day, except bank holidays, until November 3, 2017. They are not valid for Firework Festivals and upgrade fees apply to see Santa.

Are there any special VIP packages?

Yes there are. The park’s VIP experience days allow you get you up close and personal to the animals and there’s a wide selection available.

They range from safari bus guided tours and VIP tour experiences, to ultimate big cat experience, rhino keeper for the day, junior keeper for the day for children aged 12 to 15 (this was a new packaged that started in 2016), sea lion and penguin keeper and lion house tour and lion cage feed.

There’s also a host of feed the animal packages, including feed the giraffes, tigers, cheetahs, and lemurs.

And here’s the small print...

* Opening and closing times and show times - The park management has asked to point out that opening, closing and show times may differ for events, at different times of year. So it advises visitors to double check their website here for the latest updates.

*VIP experience packages - These can either be booked for a specific date or on an open-dated basis valid for the season. The park states that while it will always try to accommodate changes in date, this will be subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed. It also adds that once an experience has been purchased refunds will not be considered.

Where can I find out more?

You can visit the venue’s website here or you can telephone 01299 402114.

• West Midland Safari Park
• Wolverhampton
• Kidderminster
• Hagley Road
• Worcestershire
• Most Recent

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OPENING IN 2021!

Check availability…, lodges on sale until 23rd december 2024, register for the latest updates and booking exclusives.

Be the first to know all the latest details & availability!

LUXURY ACCOMMODATION WITH AN UNFORGETTABLE WILDLIFE EXPERIENCE

Introducing the award-winning Safari Lodges at West Midlands Safari Park. A mixture of beautiful lodges and premium cottages, designed to give you an up-close and immersive overnight wildlife experience like no other.

Safari Lodges short breaks include dinner and breakfast, spectacular views of the animals, admission to the Park during the day and Theme Park ride wristbands*.

*Summer season only. Generally from mid-February to end of October. Please see wmsp.co.uk for exact dates.

WATCH THE VIDEO…

Eight exclusive, luxury lodges, designed to give you an up-close and personal overnight wildlife experience like no other.

They will be integrated into the newly-updated reserves, with spectacular views overlooking the elephant and cheetah habitats.

Nestled into their own secluded area, there will be six lodges offering the only overnight accommodation experience with African elephants in the UK.

Two more lodges will offer incredible views of our majestic cheetahs.

Watch the wildlife as night falls over the reserves, whilst you enjoy a sumptuous evening meal, freshly-prepared by our chefs.

Wake up with views of elephants or cheetahs enjoying their morning feed while you feast on a delicious breakfast.

Safari Lodges short breaks include exclusive views of the animals, admission to the Park during the day and Theme Park wristbands*.

*Summer Season only.

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WINTER VIP TOUR – EXTRA INFO

What’s included:

• Tour of the Safari in one of our jeeps
• A chance to feed a number of our animals
• Admission to the Safari Park
• Lunch voucher
• Pictures from your day on a memory stick, taken by your guide

Important Info:

• Minimum age for participants is 6 years. Children aged 6-15 years must be accompanied by a full paying adult.
• VIP Experiences can either be booked for a specific date or on an open-dated basis valid for the season. Whilst we will always try to accommodate changes in date, this is subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed.
• Once an experience has been purchased, refunds will not be considered.

VIP INDIAN RHINO FEED – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting and feeding our Indian rhinos
• Minimum age for participants is 6 years.
• Children aged 6-15 years must be accompanied by a full paying adult
• Once an experience has been purchased refunds will not be considered.

VIP LEMUR & MEERKAT FEED – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting and feeding our lemurs and meerkats
• Children aged 6-15 years must be accompanied by a full paying adult.
• Only available during our Summer Season.

VIP FAMILY CREATURE FEATURE – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting some smaller animals which could include chinchillas, tenrecs, rabbits, cockroaches or giant African snails

VIP MINI KEEPER EXPERIENCE – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting, feeding and helping to care for animals such as chinchillas, rats, meerkats, ferrets, rabbits and even some fascinating invertebrates
• A keeper certificate
• Suitable for children between the ages of 5-9 years.
• One parent may accompany the Mini Keeper to watch during the Experience, but they will not be able to participate.  They will only have access to the Safari Walk areas, and will not gain access to the Safari Drive.
• Maximum two children per day.

VIP CARNIVORE KEEPER EXPERIENCE – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting, feeding and helping to care for carnivores, which could include tigers, lions or cheetahs
• Ride wristband to use in the Adventure Theme Park
• Suitable for guests aged 16+.

VIP ULTIMATE TOUR – EXTRA INFO 

• A half day experience
• Minimum age for participants is 6 years. Children aged 6-15 years must be accompanied by a full-paying adult.
• VIP Experiences can be booked for a specific date. Whilst we will always try to accommodate changes in date, this is subject to availability and cannot always be guaranteed.

VIP LION FEED – EXTRA INFO 

• A 45-minute experience
• Meeting and feeding our lions

VIP RHINO KEEPER EXPERIENCE – EXTRA INFO

• A half-day experience
• Meeting, feeding and looking after our Indian rhino
• A keeper for the Day Certificate
• Minimum age for participants is 16 years.

VIP GIRAFFE FEED – EXTRA INFO

• A 30-minute experience
• Meeting and feeding our herd of giraffes

VIP JUNIOR KEEPER EXPERIENCE – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting, feeding and helping to care for animals like rhinos, lemurs, meerkats and more.
• A certificate
• Suitable for children between the ages of 10-15 years.

VIP GUIDED TOUR – EXTRA INFO 

• A 90-minute experience
• A guided tour of the Safari Drive-through in one of our jeeps
• Minimum age for participants is 3 years. Children aged 6-15 years must be accompanied by a full-paying adult.

VIP STAR OF THE SEA LION SHOW – EXTRA INFO

• Meeting and feeding our sea lions during a Sea Lion Show
• Certificate
• A picture from your day
• Minimum age for participants is 5 years.
• Only one ‘Star’ per Sea Lion Show.

LION LODGE – OPENING SOON

We will be offering luxury overnight stays with lions in early summer 2023! The accommodation will be authentically integrated into the brand-new lion habitat, located past our African Village. Guests will experience an immersive and unforgettable overnight wildlife encounter, like no other.

The Lion Lodges will feature open-plan living and luxury interiors, with breathtaking views from every room into the new lion habitat, through floor-to-ceiling windows.

More details will be announced soon. To be the first to hear about updates, sign up to our e-Newsletter! Click Here .

TIGER LODGE

We will be offering luxury overnight stays with Sumatran tigers in autumn 2022! The accommodation will be authentically integrated into the newly built tiger habitat, giving guests an immersive and unforgettable overnight wildlife encounter, like no other.

The tiger lodges will feature open plan living and luxury interiors, with breathtaking views from every room into the new tiger habitat through floor to ceiling windows.

FREE RETURN VISITS

Guests booking tickets on the WMSP website are entitled to a Free Return Visit, within  6 months  from the date of their visit. Instructions on how to book your Free Return are provided by email after your visit date; this email is sent within 24 hours after visit. Please check your junk mail folders as sometimes our emails can fall in there.

Visit our bookings page and select ‘I already have a ticket’, then choose the option to book your Free Return Visit. 

Use the barcode numbers on each of your original admission tickets and input this barcode number for each guest when prompted, before confirming your booking.

Only barcodes for admission for paid guests will be valid; under 3s can still be added to bookings but do not have a free return barcode. If you require a free essential companion ticket, please  click here  for more information.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

• Free Return Codes will  not   be valid during any school holiday dates , during any special events or evening events, nor on any Bank Holiday dates. Free Return Codes would  not  be valid on the following dates:  23 rd  December 2023 – 7 th  January 2024, 10 th  – 18 th  February 2024,  23 rd  March – 7 th  April 2024, 4 th  – 6 th  May 2024, 25 th  May – 2 nd  June 2024, 19 th  July – 1 st  September 2024, 26th October - 3rd November 2024, 14th & 15th December 2024, 21st - 24th December 2024.
• A Free Return Code is  only  sent when guests  book online in advance . Guests who arrive without pre-booked tickets will not be entitled to a Free Return Visit.
• Free Returns are valid for admission only for the same number as paid for guests on your original online tickets and do not include any extras or wristbands.
• Groups/excursions and school/home educator bookings do not include a free return.
• Free Return Codes are valid for 6 months from the date of your first visit and no extensions will be considered.
• Free Return Codes will  not  be issued to guests who have purchased a Combi Ticket, Spooky Spectacular Moonlight ticket, Safari Skating Only ticket, Twilight Santa ticket, Adult & Pre-schooler ticket, BOGOF offer ticket or any other special price ticket which states a free return is not included.
• Upgrade fees apply to see Santa on valid days during our Santa Safari event.
• Free Returns cannot be used for special events or evening only tickets/events (Twilight Safari, Spooky Moonlight, Safari Skating).
• If you received a complimentary visit from us, you will not receive a Free Return Code.
• Guests using Tesco Vouchers will not be entitled to a Free Return Visit.
• We now ask all guests to give their vehicle registration number when booking. You will need to return in the same vehicle in order to gain free entry. If the registration does not match, the full price will need to be paid on the gate.
• West Midlands Safari Park reserves the right to amend or alter the conditions of issue associated with the Free Return Visit offer, or to withdraw the promotion entirely, without any prior notification. 
• Similarly, should West Midlands Safari Park suspect that a Free Return Ticket has been wrongly or falsely amended or altered in any way to gain free admission unlawfully, the ticket will not be accepted and free admission not be granted.

Change of vehicle

The ticket is not transferable  so if you have changed your vehicle from the one recorded on the ticket, you MUST bring proof of this vehicle with you i.e.: insurance document or V5. You will also need similar evidence for the new vehicle. We will also require photo ID.