You don’t have to travel far to see some of the world’s most captivating animals and wildlife with Ontario’s African Lion Safari®.
The long-running safari park is one of Ontario’s most popular spots for a fun nature-filled getaway, with visitors getting up close to over a thousand exotic birds and animals. Drive through the 7 large Game Reserves in your own vehicle or take the Safari Tour Bus.
Guests can also take a scenic boat ride, go for a trip on a historic railway, shop and dine, and learn more about African Lion Safari’s conservation efforts, among other fun activities at one of Canada’s most popular family-run attractions since 1969.
Plan your trip by seeing a little of everything African Lion Safari has to offer:
Get a close look at over 1,000 exotic birds and animals
Go “On Safari!™” at African Lion Safari and get closer than you ever imagined to over 1,000 exotic birds and animals (including endangered species like the Asian elephant and Scimitar-horned oryx), where you can watch them roam free, see them interact with each other, and get some stunning photos.
Whether you’re driving your own vehicle or riding aboard the park’s educationally guided, air-conditioned Safari Tour Bus, you’ll witness lions, rhinos, giraffes, and many more animals along nine kilometres of safari trail.
Want to get even closer? Visitors can enjoy a privately guided tour to witness lions starting their day and devouring their morning meal in African Lion Safari’s Wake Up the Wild — then head off road in an open-air truck to come within a metre of the endangered rhino, zebra, and ostrich, as well as get a chance to hand feed Canada’s largest herd of giraffe. This experience has limited seating availability and must be booked in advance!
Scenic boat trips and a historic train ride
Head out on the water with a ride on the “African Queen” Boat Cruise, offering a pleasant tour around Water Safari Lake. As you cruise around the islands, keep your eyes peeled – the captain will point out exotic primates often seen swinging from the surrounding trees and ropes, including the white-handed gibbon, black-handed spider monkey, and robust black spider monkey.
The park also offers trips aboard the “Nature Boy” Scenic Railway as it travels through a picturesque area inhabited by the local native wildlife. This historic train is pulled throughout the 16-hectare reserve by a miniature replica of an 1863 C.P. Huntington Steam engine.
Stop for a meal and find something special to take home
Going “On Safari!™” can work up a big appetite. Thankfully there’s a wide variety of dining spots at the park serving up everything sweet and savoury. Many of the park’s eateries accommodate special dietary needs, such as gluten-free options and Halal meat.
Commemorate your trip at one of the park’s multiple gift shops, offering an assortment of safari-themed souvenirs, toys and clothes to bring home for the whole family. Be sure to also stop by the Photo Safari, where guests can dress up in their best safari outfit and pose with their group for a lasting memory of their time at African Lion Safari.
Learn about African Lion Safari’s conservation efforts and how they’re making a difference
African Lion Safari’s conservation initiatives aim to support the long-term survivability of many endangered birds and animal species. For example, their Conservation Centre is home to one of the largest diverse collections of raptors in North America, including vulnerable, threatened and endangered species such as the Steppe Eagle, Snowy Owl, Saker Falcon, and Steller‘s Sea Eagle.
Additionally, African Lion Safari has established an on-site breeding programme for the critically-endangered Blue-throated Macaw. Since 2018, they have successfully welcomed 10 chicks, with 8 birds sent to Bolivia to support conservation breeding efforts within their native range.
Open now for their 2026 season
African Lion Safari is now open for visits every day until Sept. 20, and select days from Sept. 23 to Oct. 11.
Guests can visit the park’s admissions page to get tickets as well as a season passport that grants unlimited access all season long, lower prices for food and gifts, and other fun perks.
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