We decided to go to safari. But, how can we do that while we are in Denmark? We found a way!
Knuthenborg Safaripark
We were in such a place for the very first time. Knuthenborg Safaripark is rated as the most beautiful safari park in Europe. It belongs to Countess Charlotte and Count Knuth. This park surprised us with large number of wild animals running loose all around the park. People said there were over 1000 animals.
We watched wild animals by driving our own car through the middle of their fields. It is extremely strange to see wilderness so close to the car. The animals have good conditions here, as in natural environment.
We saw a herd of buffaloes, giraffes, bison, ostriches, zebras, antelopes, rhinos, donkeys, llamas, horses, camels. Each of these animals just a few meters from the car. The map contained the animal feeding schedule. All we needed to do to watch the animals being fed was to drive to the area at the right moment.
Knuthenborg safaripark is located on large area, about 400 hectares. Tickets cost DKK 616. At the gate we’ve got a map. Unfortunately it was only in Danish. There was no pictures at all so we couldn’t guess what animals we can see in each area of the park. Some Danish names weren’t similar to English at all. On the other hand it was great opportunity to learn some new danish words.
Wild animals everywhere
Park is divided into thematic sectors. The animals live in the same environment as in the wild. Animals could not escape their sectors because of special ramps at the entries that were impassable for them. We could drive safely around because more dangerous animals (like the white wolves) were placed in a separate locked area. We could drive inside the wolves’ area through the lock. Car needed to be stopped inside the lock and when gate behind us was closed second gate in front of us could be opened. This way it was safe to keep dangerous animals inside separated area.
In hazardous areas we couldn’t get out of the car or even open the car windows. It was prohibited. In other areas we could walk between animals. The park’s recommendation was to keep a distance of at least 2 meters from the animals.
We needed to be attentive and careful. We knew that the wild animals were accustomed to cars driving by. However we didn’t want any animal to attack us. And we needed our car to get back home 🙂 We didn’t know if our insurance covered such incidents at all and we didn’t want to check that.
In addition to large sectors we also found a separate fenced area for little goats. In another area we found a special enclosed space (like in a zoo) dedicated to Siberian tigers. We could watch tigers through thick glass like in ZOO. In front of the tigers we found a ruler that allowed us to compare our growth with growth of tiger. It was amazing that even I, with Kris sitting on my shoulders, was shorter than a tiger standing on two legs. Respect!
Feeding the apes
We drove to the area with apes. There we found some surprise. We could not only watch them but also feed them. There was a special vehicle with carriages that moved us through the sector with monkeys. The carriages had special holes to pour food out of. We needed to obtain some special food at the entrance. Everyone had some small portion in hand. The monkeys knew that it was feeding time. It looked like that: jump on the moving vehicle, hold the carriages walls, take the food, bounce away, repeat. Monkeys were everywhere: on the trees, on the grass, they were jumping onto the roof, sliding on the wall of the vehicle. There were about 300 of them, so it was quite funny. The ride lasts a few minutes and it was free.
In the middle of the park we found the arboretum with beautiful trees and small cages for smaller animals. Walking through the arboretum was like walking through a botanical garden.
Uninvited guest
Just before leaving the park the girls stopped in the ponies area. I inadvertently left the car doors ajar. One pony felt invited to check what we had inside our car. Probably it was looking for something to eat. There was a lot of laughing – we recorded that on our movie  – caught the moment at 4:17 to 8:04 minute. You can watch that below:
The ticket price for the park was shocking. It was definitely worth having such an experience in life at least once. For children it was an amazing experience to see wild animals so close. It is impossible in any other zoo. Possibility to pet the small goats, donkeys, horses was simply priceless. In one word — it was worth it.
