Go Safari at Drusillas Zoo, East Sussex
We’ve been family members at Drusillas for a number of years now…so when new attractions arrive it’s really exciting news. The addition of the Go Safari has got the whole family buzzing…the brand new African themed attraction offers 3 rides that will appeal to all ages…from toddler to teen. We went to check out the new fun and can report Go Safari got the thumbs up all round. Here’s what to look forward to…
The Safari Express
All aboard at Mungo’s Central Station for a ride through the heart of the zoo. Replacing the well loved Thomas train The Safari Express will take you on a journey right through the heart of the zoo. Look out for the hyenas and lion! They’ll make you jump!
Who can ride? Everyone!
The Hippopotobus
Get ready for a wobbly tummy! Climb aboard the Hippopotobus and sit right inside the jaws of this spectacular beast. This ride will take you up to heights and round and round. A real giggle maker!
Who can ride? Youngsters must be able to support themselves when sitting. Children under 90cms must be accompanied by an adult.
The Flying Cheetahs
Hold on tight and get ready to whizz and fly! You can even fly these beasts all by yourself..you control the up’s and down’s.
Who can ride? Youngsters must be able to support themselves when sitting. Children under 120cms must be accompanied by an adult.
And of course… there is plenty to do throughout the rest of the Park! Drusillas is described as more than just a zoo….and it really is! Set in the beautiful Sussex countryside and shadowed by the Sussex Downs Drusillas is a small zoo, indoor play centre, Hello Kitty theme park, education centre, water play and now Go Safari….yes, more than just a zoo. We have had an annual family membership for Drusillas for three years now. Every year when it comes to renewing we ask ourselves shouldn’t we try somewhere else? But there really isn’t anywhere that compares…and with an annual pass we can have a different focus each time we visit. In the Winter we might visit just for the soft play, whereas in the Summer we might spend the day sat by the water play facilities.
Drusillas was set up years ago as a zoo, the rest of the attractions have evolved over time. The zoo itself can take a good half day to explore and the animals on display are not only varied and exotic, but clearly well looked after and happy in their environment. We particularly enjoy visiting the penguins, red pandas and meerkats. There are fantastic walk through experience where you can feed lorikeets and meet lemurs up close. The zoo also offers a range of close encounter experiences, where visitors can help the keepers and feed the animals…great for a Birthday treat or special occasion. Drusillas promotes a strong conservation ethos with many of the animals being involved in breeding programmes to ensure the future survival of a species.
The zoo exits into a huge outdoor play area. This area is ideal for age five and above. Our children will disappear to explore towers that lead to slides, spinning see-saws, giant hamster wheels and a family favourite…the banana boats! Further on there is another outdoor play are designed with younger visitors in mind. We find this area particularly well suited to our toddlers play needs with a monkey themed roundabout, rocking horse zebras and an elephant climbing feature. Everyone is catered for, and because the outdoor area covers such a large space…it never feels chaotic.
For wet or cold weather there is the indoor Amazon Adventure. This, in itself is a large indoor play facility. There is a sectioned off area for toddlers to play safely. Older children can enjoy the bumpy slide, shooting ball pool, Python slide and tunnels. To top it off there is a cafe area which is always toasty warm and offers the Sunday papers so us grown ups can enjoy a little time to ourselves.
Continuing on the main trail through the zoo we next reach a large open area full of picnic tables and surrounded by an inflatable slide, dino dig sandpit, Gold Rush panning for gold and a few eateries. This is a fantastic picnic area in the Summer. We have often spent a good portion of the day here, grazing on our lunch whilst the children run back and forth to various activities. Drusillas invite quite a few cartoon celebrities to appear here throughout the year too….Hello Kitty, Peppa Pig and Paw Patrol to name just a few.
The final area of the park consists of Eden’s Eye Maze and Hello Kitty’s Secret Garden. Eden’s Eye is a fantastic interactive ancient maze with a strong Indiana Jones feel….a firm favourite with Daisy (7). Hello Kitty’s Secret Garden consists of three little rides: teacups, Kitty cars and the Kitty hopper. The teacups and Kitty cars are particularly good for toddler through to Primary school age children. The Kitty hopper is more suited to age four up…which should cover the whole family!
So, as you can see…Drusillas really is more than just a zoo. Whether you plan to see everything in one go, or like us…dip in and out of activities with a annual membership Drusillas is a wonderful day out with something for all the family…even the grumpy one’s will find it hard not to have fun!
Please check Drusillas website for current prices and upcoming events.