Wildlife adventure is always thrilling especially when we get to see and interact with the animal in close proximity. As someone who enjoys NatGeo Wildlife, I always love an adventure to the zoo and even more a safari.
The safari that Indonesia provides is certainly different from the actual wildlife of Africa. However, the experience is close enough that we get to interact with almost all animals in a very close proximity. Like the safari in Africa, in Indonesia we also have to ride a vehicle cruising through numerous zones that mimics the animal's natural habitat. Only in this case, visitors ride their own vehicles. If there are groups, they have to board the bus provided by the safari staff.
There are four safari parks in Indonesia that offer interacting with animals in very close proximity. One of them is dubbed as one of the largest in Asia which is the one I visited today; Taman Safari Prigen Indonesia. This safari is quite extensive as it also offers various amusement and activities apart from the safari adventure itself.
There are two check points before entering the safari. But before that, we will be greeted by some carrot sellers.
In the past, we were allowed to feed the animals, especially those that are herbivores. So, knowing that it would work the same, I got a few bundles of carrots for the animals.
We passed through the first checkpoint and got a regular ticket. There are a few options that either include shows or swimming. We only chose the regular ticket that cost 10$/person; anyone above 3 years old is also counted as a person. We were then given a bracelet, a car note, and a map that showcases the whole area and information about the park. Having to visit this park a few times, we were all surprised that everything was just like how we remembered it to be.
Apparently, we are now not allowed to feed the animals due to the latest regulation. However, that still didn't stop me and other visitors from giving them carrots as the deer licked our window car and got very close to it. Also, before we continue the adventure, there will be a restroom that you can use as during the safari, there will be no place for you to go outside of your car.
Safari Adventure
Europe & North America Zone
The first zone during this 50 minutes safari is the Europe and North America Zone. In this first zone, we can see bison, llama, turkey, elk, emu and even bears. To be fair compared to the past, the animals roamed free and they are now separated with barbed wires. However, some animals like llamas and the turkey roamed free. Although we are not advised to open the window, I opened mine while some cars in front of us opened their sunroofs. You can see some of the animals below!
The road in this safari is quite steep and it requires a certain driving skill. There were a few cars that suddenly got stopped in the middle of the steep road during the safari. So, it's always advisable to check the condition of the car before going into this jungle-like environment.
Carnivore Zone
This is the most thrilling zone of all. The tigers and the lions roamed free. There are many instances where they got on top of someone's car, even hit the car and shook it. But thankfully, none of that happened today. The picture I got from this zone wasn't that great as the car moved slightly faster. We are not advised to stop for a very long time and have to constantly move slowly. As you can see below, some of them were sleeping soundly and leisurely enjoying their day.
Just imagine being that close around these fluffy big cats.
Asia Zone
This is the longest zone in this adventure as they have extensive collections of animals. Most of the animals here roam free as well.
In this zone, we had a bad incident. One of the cassowaries passed through our car and just as we were about to move the car, the cassowary got back into the left side of the car and scratched it. We were taken aback but moved on while the cassowaries tried to run after us.
Also, this is where I got the best shots. The animals around here are more lax but they seemed pretty unhappy. Since the deers are also accustomed to visitors giving the carrots, once they see a car pass by, they'd be like, "gimme gimme food" but the staff reminded us through the speaker that we shouldn't do that.
Anyhow, all of us still did that but then as time went on, some of the animals were already separated with wired fences so, we can't really give them food. Not to mention, we do not want to get fined for giving the animals carrots. At the end, we still have a few carrots to bring back home.
Also in this Asia zone,we can see plenty crocs and komodo dragon too.
Africa Zone
In the Africa zone we can see zebras, giraffes, elephants, and camels. In the past, the animals here roamed free without any wires. I even remembered when the camel was eating the apple from my grandparent's hand. But now, they are surrounded by wires. Although we can see them very close, they can't really interact with us quite close anymore. There are also more elk and deers as we are about to enter the amusement and recreational park of the safari.
Surprisingly, I captured a squirrel and it was the most wholesome picture ever. My dad even told me that if the squirrel jumped into the car, he would definitely pet it.
Recreation Area
After we parked our car at designated parking spaces, we explored the places again. Apparently, in the recreation area, there are also animals that didn't live as free as the others. Although living in almost their natural wildlife habitat, it was more zoo-like. I saw only tigers and lions which captured my attention the most. There are other animals as well that you can see in my capture below.
In the park, the rides are the same. It didn't change and I still see the same ride that I used to love as a kid. So, the walk was more like a walk down the memory lane. I used to go to this place at least once a month and nothing has changed ever since I was 2 years old.
Other than the recreation area, there are baby zoos and Australia zones that I didn’t get to explore this time. It was very unfortunate because my body was giving up as I had been awake for 20 hours at the time and wanted to really catch some sleep.
This place is quite educational, especially for children. I heard many of them asking their parents, “ Is that a real lion?”
This place is also suitable for adults as the area where this safari is located is lush green with fresh air. This safari is also recently opened after a long-hiatus due to covid. So, maybe that’s why some animals look a bit cranky and now, they have to be around humans and people again. Although for the deers, they seem to be missing the free extra carrots from the visitors.
Just an extra tip, if anyone wants to go through this safari, you will have to be in a fit condition and at least have some sleep. I had to hike just to see some bengal tigers and mandrill. It was a bizarre experience as I was not sure if I were alive or just half alive. I ended up sleeping on my way back and it was the most rewarding sleep I’ve had in a while.
Have you been to a safari like this? Or perhaps a cooler one?
Rawr ! Collection
A bonus of Bengal tiger pictures also the lion and lioness.
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That click of the tiger looks fantastic.
I think this place would look like a set of the lord of the rings if you zoom it a little, lol.
I asked that question myself when I saw a crocodile for the first time which was more like a statue.
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haha yeah, I captured about 3 of them but only included that one. There were more place like that and the place was pretty cool. It's just unfortunate that some spots are badly managed.
What a tremendous zoo! Do you have turkeys where you live? Those birds are feisty. I got chased by our neighbor's turkeys when I was a kid. They don't mess around. :D
Not where I live, just at that safari park 😂 hmmm thankfully they were busy with something when I opened the window. We got a problem with cassowary and it was such a strange thing but now it makes sense that when I got back home, apparently, they are pretty violent bird 😂
That's a neat looking bird. Rocking the dino-vibe, which makes sense given that birds are descendants of dinosaurs. Our main problematic bird is the crow during nesting season. They dive-bomb your head as you walk under their nests. 😫
Despite the incident with the cassowary, sounds like a great time overall. I'm surprised to see some of these animals not in their natural habitat. Not a fan of zoos but it's still interesting to see these different animals in one place.
I would say this is a bit different than a regular zoo as unlike the zoo, they are kept in an outdoor enclosures, the barrier is only moats rather than in a small cage-like experience.
And in the safari part, they roam free. Although I would say it was different now and then. In the past, this place was much more open and there no wires between the animals and the cars. It was also much more easier to interact with the animals but now, we can't even feed them and many warnings about not opening the window's car.
I suppose without a place like that, many wouldn't be able to see these animals. I find it quite educative as kid and still untill today. I didn't know there were different species of elk and deers.
That's too bad. There may have been incidences in the past that made the management decide to limit the interactions.
I've never been into a safari before but it must be such a crazy experience! Even though I hate seeing animals being locked in cages, this seems more acceptable than the common Zoo gardens
Safari is much more different than zoo. In safari, it's the human that's being locked in a cage metaphorically, as we have to go either by car or the safari car mimicking the cage. There's a warning that if the car got attacked by the animals, it's on the owner's expense as sometimes this is happen just like what happened to our car yesterday.
Safari is also often a conservation place so it's much more acceptable than common zoo where they locked the animals in tiny cages. The animals that are on displays are also in a bigger area where it mimics their natural habitat.
In that safari, there's also feeding night experience where the tiger would come into the safari car; At some point, I would love doing that.
I'm sure that would be a hella interesting experience, lol. I only wish we would have safari over here too..
I hope you can do the one in Africa, it's even cooler 😁
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It looks so scary and yet so intriguing. I guess people are a creature who wants to get closer to the things them fears.. :)
I think so. I especially love the tiger that were swimming and playing around.
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Love the one with the two lions sleeping.
It's extensive too and I haven't even explored all of it.