Knowsley Safari's Safari Sleepover has returned for a second summer, offering families an overnight experience in Merseyside. Editor Emily Heward and her family tested the £600 package before its public launch.
Camping Among Wildlife
The campsite is enclosed by a high perimeter fence, with rare-breed goats and sheep as neighbors. Eight pre-pitched bell tents are equipped with air mattresses and fleecy blankets.
Children quickly made friends and enjoyed old-fashioned fun under the conker tree, while adults appreciated the peaceful setting, despite the faint hum of the M57 motorway.
Exclusive After-Hours Tour
A highlight was the guided tour of the foot safari after hours, led by specialist Madeleine. The family observed Andean bears, tigers, giraffes, bush dogs, red river hogs, and meerkats without the crowds.
Emily noted the animals seemed more active in the quieter hours, and they enjoyed an incredible view of Makari, one of the park's Amur tigers.
Campfire Fun and Breakfast
Back at camp, bushcraft specialist Craig from The Outdoors People helped guests toast marshmallows and enjoy hot chocolate. After a comfortable night, they woke to the smell of bacon cooking over the campfire.
Breakfast included vegetarian sausages, cereal, fruit, and juices. The family then headed to the Baboon Bus Stop for a private safari drive before the park opened to the public.
Private Safari Drive
The six-mile drive is the longest in Britain, passing through five zones. Visitors encounter rare species like Bactrian camels, Père David's deer, and Somali wild asses. The baboon bus, with its ropes and ladders, was a hit with the kids, who laughed as monkeys scrambled aboard.
Day visitors can buy Baboon Bus tickets for £7.50 per person, but it's included in the Sleepover package.
Is It Worth the Cost?
Emily is candid: "At £600 for a one-night stay, there's no dancing around it - this is a serious amount of cash to drop on a family break and undeniably steep for a tent in Merseyside."
The campsite is basic, with portable toilets and drinking water but no showers. Guests bring their own bedding and chairs. However, the exclusive access and expert guides offer an experience money can't usually buy.
For those on a budget, day passes for a family of four are £72.68 thanks to the Great British Summer Savings Scheme, which reduces VAT until 1st September. Camp Knowsley activities, like den building and fire lighting, are also available.
