The Safari Sleepover at Knowsley Safari is a premium family experience priced at £600 per night, offering exclusive after-hours access to the park, guided tours, and camping in bell tents. This summer, the North West attraction is hosting the event on select August weekends, providing a unique opportunity for families to sleep surrounded by wildlife.
What the Safari Sleepover Includes
The package includes a private after-hours Foot Safari tour, admission to the park on both arrival and departure days, campfire activities, a night in a pre-pitched bell tent for four, dinner and breakfast, and an exclusive early morning VIP guided tour of the Safari Drive. Guests can enjoy marshmallow toasting, bushcraft activities, and storytelling around the campfire.
Our Experience at the Campsite
Upon arrival, we were escorted to a campsite enclosed by a high perimeter fence, with rare-breed goats and sheep as our closest neighbours. The field, fringed by ancient woodland, featured a stout chestnut tree and a gentle slope. Our tent was one of eight bell tents, decorated with bunting and fairy lights, and equipped with air mattresses and fleecy blankets.
Our guide Madeleine led an engaging after-hours tour of the foot safari, where we saw Andean bears, tigers, giraffes, bush dogs, red river hogs, and meerkats. The animals seemed more active in the quieter evening hours, and we enjoyed close encounters with giraffes and a view of Makari, the Amur tiger.
Dinner and Campfire Fun
Dinner at the Outpost Kitchen consisted of chicken tenders and chips, with options for burgers or pizza. Back at camp, bushcraft experts from The Outdoors People helped us toast marshmallows and enjoy hot chocolate by the fire, followed by storytelling and songs as the sun set.
We slept comfortably on air beds and woke to the smell of bacon cooking over the campfire. Breakfast included vegetarian sausages, cereal, fruit, and juices.
Private Safari Drive
The next morning, we enjoyed a private safari drive through the longest safari drive in Britain at over six miles, covering five zones: African Savannah, African Woodland, Southern Asia, Eastern Asia, and Eurasia. We encountered rare animals including Bactrian camels, Père David's deer, and Somali wild asses. A rhino sauntered past, and ostriches and zebras trotted by, before we entered the baboon drive where mischievous monkeys climbed over the bus.
Is It Worth the Price?
At £600 for a one-night stay, this is a significant expense for a family break. The campsite is basic, with portable toilets and no showers, and guests must bring their own camping chairs and bedding. While the experience is unique, some might expect more elevated glamping amenities for the price.
However, the private after-hours access, VIP tours, and expert guides offer an experience that money can't ordinarily buy for wildlife enthusiasts. For those on a budget, day tickets for a family of four are currently £72.68 through the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, and Camp Knowsley activities offer a taste of the wild without the overnight stay.
