I know quite well Africa Alive! (the exclamation mark is part of the park’s name, not just my enthusiasm) because I used to live in Lowestoft, just a few miles away. This African themed zoo is really a great destination for a day trip, especially for families.
What to see at Africa Alive!
Africa Alive! follows an African theme. For this reason, basically all the species in the park come from Africa and the animals are allocated in the park’s areas according to their natural habitat. The stars of the park are totally the lions. They sleep most of the time and you can admire and photograph them without disturbing from a raised platform.
Even if the theme of the park is Africa, do not expect only lions and gazelles though. Here you can also spot animals such owls or other birds. By the ways, the owls are very little interested in the visitors who pass in front of their aviaries. There are also different species of monkeys, from the largest to the smallest kind.
The best way to discover Africa Alive! is a ride on the Safari Roadtrain. In this way you can see giraffes, zebras and rhinos grazing peacefully in the English countryside as if they were in the savannah. You will really feel like you are on a safari in Africa instead of being in the heart of East Anglia.
About Africa Alive!
Africa Alive! was founded in 1991 by the Suffolk Wildlife Park, purchased by the Goymour family and transformed into an African theme park, dedicated to the care and welfare of animals. Subsequently, in 2013, Africa Alive! joined the Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA) along with the twin Banham Zoo in Norfolk.
Today the park is managed by the Zoological Society of East Anglia, an association that works to protect wildlife. Being a charity guarantees Africa Alive! a future aimed exclusively at animal welfare and environmental protection, with training and education activities.
Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA)
The Zoological Society of East Anglia (ZSEA) is a charity founded in 2013 with the aim of protecting animals and their environment. Through the ZSEA, Africa Alive! works to support wildlife conservation, animal welfare and education activities.
Visiting Africa Alive! with children
I visited Africa Alive! alone, but I’m looking forward to come back with my son. In fact, the park is perfect to be explored with children. Not only for the Safari Roadtrain that is amazing, but also for the kids’ activity. Last time I went to Africa Alive! there was a special itinerary for the little ones called the Young explorer’s challenge. It included a card to be stamped at each animal sighting stop in the park.
Plus, there is a petting zoo where to play with adorable small goats and apparently this is the best activity ever for kids. Last but not least, the wide picnic area allows you to eat your lunch while your children play outside in the park’s playground.
How to plan your visit to Africa Alive!
You can spend the whole day at Africa Alive! because there are many facilities in the park. In particular, you will like the children playground and the picnic area. There are bench and table so you can easily eat your own lunch. If you forget your lunch you can buy some food in the restaurant inside the park. You can also go outside and come back to the park during the day. Just ask the staff at the ticket office to place a stamp on your hand.
There are several buses that stops nearby the park from Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. Anyway the easiest way to visit Africa Alive! is by car. There is a big free park in front of the entrance of the park, you can easily find a parking spot there.
Africa Alive!
White’s Lane
NR33 7TF Kessingland