The Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is a premier tourist attraction in Carmen, Cebu.
Many would agree that Cebu Safari and Adventure Park is the island’s most popular recreational offering. It’s one of the largest zoological parks in the Philippines, housing over 120 species of plants and animals in a 170-hectare town lot in Carmen, Cebu.
The safari park should be your first stop if you are fond of seeing animals out in the wild. Its secluded location also allows guests to enjoy the island’s mesmerizing landscapes.
This Cebu tourist spot is the brainchild of Senyorito Michel Lhuillier and his business partner, Mr. Eduard J. Loop. Michel is the patriarch of the popular Lhuillier clan, who owns the M. Lhuillier Pawnshops and the La Vie Parisienne restaurant.
The safari is the clan’s foray into recreational activities, with its many fun features such as an African Savanna, several flower gardens, aviaries, and the White Lion Safari.
Trams help guests travel to and from the different areas for recreational activities at the Safari.
Navigating the Cebu Safari is difficult on foot, but trams with tour guides help make traveling around the park much faster and more convenient.
WHAT TO SEE AT CEBU SAFARI
This Cebu tourist spot is home to a variety of animals from around the world.
Start your journey at the Welcome Pavilion, where you will find a fountain with life-size statues of lions, tigers, horses, and more. You can ask the tram driver to stop by the fountain to take a photo.
Looking to make the most of your stay at the safari? Here are some things to look forward to.
1. Be amazed by the birds at the Safari’s aviaries.
Say hello to some avian friends at the Cebu Safari and Adventure Park.
- Scheepmaker’s Crowned Pigeon
Scheepmaker’s Crowned Pigeon is confined to the lowland forests of south eastern New Guinea. It has a bluish-gray plumage with elaborate blue lacy crests, a red iris, and a very deep maroon breast.
OTHER BIRDS IN CEBU SAFARI AVIARIES
Another aviary at the Cebu Safari is called the “Birds of the World.” This is a large area filled with birds you’ve probably never seen before.
The staff handling the aviary will give you a few reminders before entering:
- Remove any jewelry you’re wearing because the birds may bite whatever they find attractive.
- Don’t open your mouth while looking up.
WHAT YOU CAN FIND IN THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD
- Chattering Lory
These birds are endemic to the lowlands and montane forests of North Maluku, Indonesia. They are herbivores that primarily eat nectar and coconut flowers. Fruits and corn are also included in their diet.
A chattering lory spends 70 percent of its day being fed. It can feed on as many as 650 flowers a day.
- Scarlet Macaw
Scarlet Macaw is a highly intelligent and flashy avian friend, and it’s considered the national bird of Honduras. It’s famous for having wide, strong wings and hollow bones that aid it in flight. They are said to fly up to 56 kilometers.
2. Meet different wild animals in the African Savanna.
You can also get up close and personal with different mammals at the African Savanna. Feast your eyes on animals in the wild like zebras, impalas, wildebeests, gazelles, antelopes, and many more.
- Gazelle
Gazelles have slender, evenly developed limbs, level backs, and long necks. Most have white underparts and rump patches, a dark side strip, and contrasting facial markings.
These face markings serve as their protection from the sun, giving them natural sunblock.
- Antelope
Antelopes are like deer, but with longer legs and horns, and they can be found in Africa and Asia. They inhabit areas close to the water for them to submerge and camouflage themselves when they are threatened by land predators.
- Blue Wildebeest
Wildebeests have large, box-like heads with curved horns. Their fronts are heavily built, while their backs are slender. They also have a gray coat, a backmane, and a white or black beard.
These creatures are known for their stampedes, where they run in large packs, causing massive damage in their way. You may have already seen this in action in the Disney animated movie Lion King.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
3. Meet the Safari’s White Lions.
You can also meet the king of the jungle at the White Lion Sanctuary. The lions at the Cebu Safari are part of the general classification of lions, the Panthera leon, and are imported from France.
They cannot be considered albinos because of a rare condition that reduces their pigmentation.
Cebu Safari white lions are mostly active at night. They can sleep for 16 hours a day and consume up to 16 to 20 kilograms of meat every day.
Operating Hours: 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM
4. Explore the Gardens of the World and Michel’s Garden.
The Gardens of the World is a beautiful garden featuring the world’s most expensive plants. It also has picturesque landscapes representing the seven continents.
On the other hand, Michel’s Garden is a flora walking trail showcasing Michel Lhuillier’s 40-year old collection of orchids.
5. Witness the amazing bird show.
The bird show is the perfect way to end your trip at the Cebu Safari, where you can sit back and relax as intelligent birds perform activities that ordinary birds can’t do. These range from party tricks, singing, and even solving mathematical equations.
The show starts at 1:45 PM.
RESTAURANTS AT CEBU SAFARI
You may get hungry in between all the fun activities at the safari. Luckily, there are a few food offerings at pretty reasonable prices.
You can feast on a vast selection of meals and snacks while enjoying a view of the safari’s many animals.
1. Base Camp – This is the safari’s main eatery that serves Filipino food with an overlooking view of wallabies.
- Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
2.The Outpost – This restaurant serves Western food, with an overlooking view of giraffes, some meerkats, and aquatic birds.
It also has an observatory where you can see giraffes.
- Operating Hours: 9:00 AM – 4:30 PM
3. Michel’s Pavilion – This is where you can enjoy a Filipino buffet lunch, which is available on weekends and holidays. You can get an overlooking view of the garden filled with orchids and Mayana plants.
- Operating Hours: 8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
4. Pizzeria Michaelangelo Ristorante Italiano – If you’re in the mood for some pizza and pasta, this is the perfect place for you. The area is close to gibbons, lemurs, and orangutans.
Since it opened, Cebu Safari has been a top pick in the list of places in Cebu to visit. Not only will you be able to witness a number of wild animals up close, but you’ll also get to enjoy a ton of activities and shows where you get to know and appreciate the animals more.
If you’re looking for exciting things to do in Cebu, give yourself a fresh start by visiting this breathtaking tourist spot in Carmen. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, this is one attraction you don’t want to miss.
RATES
Entrance Fees and Other Fees
- Adult: Php 800
- Kids 2 ft to 3 ft: 50% off
- Senior Citizens & PWDs: 20% off
- Kids below 2 ft: FREE
Ticket Inclusions:
- One day admission to the park
- African Savanna tour
- Bird show
- Gardens of the World & Michel’s Garden
- Access to all animal viewing areas
HOW TO GET THERE
Exact Location:
Barangay Corte, Toril, Carmen
Operating Hours:
8:00 AM – 4:30 PM
If you want to commute to the Cebu Safari, you can ride a bus at the North Bus Terminal going to Carmen. Get off at the Carmen Plaza and hitch a ride on one of the V-Hires that will go straight to the Safari. Fare is around Php 150 both for going to the Safari and back to Carmen Plaza.
