Many people when they want to visit Africa for the first time they immediately have safari parks in mind.

And we can’t blame them because Africa is home to the greatest safari parks in the world.

But what is a safari park and how is it different than a normal Zoo? The difference is huge actually but we will discuss about it further in the text.

Safari Park vs Zoo

When someone asks what a safari park is people think about a large place of land where animals roam free, and they are protected in a vehicle while stopping to take pictures of them and see them in their natural habitat.

Well that is exactly what a safari park is.

Most of the safari parks are located in Africa and they are the most famous because visiting Africa without going on a safari tour is like you haven’t visited Africa at all.

But the difference between Zoo and a Safari Park is that the animals in Zoo’s are kept in cages and you can observe them only in their cages, while in a safari park the animals roam free in their natural habitat.

Where can you find a Safari Park?

While Africa is considered the place on Earth where a safari park would be most likely to be present, there are many other places where you can find great safaris.

For instance the Safari World in Bangkok in Thailand is a place where you can see lions, tigers and many dolphins. This park has a Marine Park also.

There is a safari park in Virginia also, where many tourists from the USA are visiting it because of the animals they can visit. It is home to animals that are present in USA and other exotic animals. You can pet the Lamas if you want to.

But let’s not forget about the safari park in Dubai. It’s located on the same place that the old Zoo of Dubai was and renovated into a park where you can see more than 2000 animals from more than 250 species. If you plan to go to Dubai be sure to check it.

What are the top ten safari parks to visit around the world?

1. Dubai Safari Park

Dubai has everything and what they didn’t have was a safari park. Opened in December of 2017 this amazing Safari Park is home to 2500 animals. With 119 hectares of land and many more additions to come Safari Park in Dubai is something worth visiting while you are staying in Dubai. Just to remember it’s closed during the summer.

2. Maasai Mara National Reserve Kenya

If you want to visit a Safari Park where the great migration is happening than you should visit Kenya. in Kenya is a magical place where animals roam free and you can observe them in their natural habitat. The Mara is considered the best Safari Experience in the world and visiting in the season of the great migration which is in June and July will sure put a large smile on your face.

3. Kidepo Valley National Park in Uganda

Uganda is a beautiful country and the Kidepo Valley National Park is considered to be one of the most beautiful and pictures parks in Africa. You can see many animals roaming free around the park and the park is famous for being the least explored national parks in Uganda. Also it’s worth mentioning that it’s famous for spotting buffalo herds. And the landscape is just amazing.

4. Ngorongoro Crater Conversation Area in Tanzania

Tanzania is a country where you can definitely see the “Big Five” animals. The Big Five animals are elephant, rhino, lion, buffalo and leopard. In Ngorongoro you can rest assure that you will find these five amazing animals. It’s a place where many tourists are visiting because it’s considered to be the most famous safari park in the world. Wherever you might ask Ngorongoro is the most famous Safari Park in the world.

5. San Diego Zoo Safari Park in the USA

One of the oldest safari parks in the world is situated in San Diego, California. California is not only famous for the beaches and Hollywood and while you are in San Diego you should definitely visit this amazing park. You can observe the animals from a bus or a tram so not to worry about your safety. Everything is guided and the staff is amazing. You can even see the famous California Condor here.

6. Bison Safari in the USA

If you like to see Bison in their natural habitat why not visit Bison Safari which are present on Catalina Island? This is not their natural habitat of course, the most famous place to see them is in the Great Plains of the U.S. but you can find them on Catalina Island also. They were brought here for a shooting of a movie called The Vanishing American. So actually you will see Bison’s that are movie stars.

7. Polar Park in Norway

If you have already done a safari tour in Africa why not head to the northern part of the world, to be more specific in Norway where you can see artic animals in their natural habitat. Wolves, bears and lynx can be seen in their natural habitat in this amazing park in Norway. You can even spot Santa’s favorite animal, and if you are nice to the reindeers and other animals in the park Santa will give you a present.

8. Knuthenborg Safaripark in Denmark

This is the largest safari park in Northern Europe. It is home to 1000 animals with more than 40 species. It has more than 200.000 visitors per year and it’s a real tourist attraction in the north. If you want to see wolves, zebras and lions in one place, you should definitely visit it.

9. Komodo National Park in Indonesia

We all want to see dragons in real life. They are all magical, flying around and breathing fire. Well in Indonesia you can see dragons but they are not flying and not breathing fire. They are Komodo Dragons and they are the world’s largest lizards. You should definitely not play with them because they are dangerous but it’s great to see a dragon in his natural habitat. And at Komodo National Park in Indonesia you can do that.

10. Bengal Safari Park in India

If you want to visit a place where they have many tigers in one place, than you should visit the Bengal Safari Park in Siliguri in India. Visiting this place you will see many tigers especially the endangered Bengal Tiger and many other species that are typical for India. You can also see many birds but this park is special for the Bengal Tigers.

To sum it up

If you want to spice something up during your holiday why don’t you visit one of these safari parks around the world? It’s always a good idea to go on a safari and if you can’t go to Africa why don’t you visit a Safari Park near your country. And who knows maybe next holiday you can visit Africa and go on a safari tour in Africa.