Knowsley Safari Park opened in July 1971 on the historic grounds of Knowsley Hall in Prescot, Merseyside, launched by Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby, alongside circus impresario Jimmy Chipperfield. It became one of Britain’s pioneering drive-through wildlife reserves, letting visitors experience free-roaming animals from the safety of their own cars along a route modeled on East African game reserves.
Today the park spans roughly 550 acres and is home to more than 700 animals, ranging from a long-running Southern White Rhinoceros breeding program to an Amur Tiger Trail that opened in 2018. Beyond the safari drive, guests can explore walking trails, a miniature railway, and seasonal amusements, making Knowsley Safari a full-day outing that blends conservation with classic British safari-park tradition.
Stats at a Glance
- Location: Prescot, Merseyside, England
- Opened: July 1971
- Size: About 550 acres (220 hectares)
- Species/Animal Count: 700+ animals across dozens of species
- Annual Visitors: Around 500,000
- Famous For: Drive-through safari reserve and its viral baboon enclosure
The Safari Drive Experience
The heart of Knowsley Safari is its self-drive route, which winds through eleven zones representing different regions of the world, letting animals like lions, rhinos, and baboons roam close to visitors’ vehicles. The park’s baboon enclosure became internationally famous after a 2009 video showed the primates stripping panels off cars, cementing Knowsley’s reputation for unpredictable, up-close wildlife encounters.
Since opening, the park has expanded well beyond its original 3.5-mile drive, adding extra mileage in 1973 and continually updating its animal habitats, including the modern Amur Tiger Trail that debuted in May 2018.
Conservation and Attractions Beyond the Drive
Knowsley Safari is a member of both BIAZA and EAZA, reflecting its role in conservation breeding programs, most notably a Southern White Rhinoceros group that has produced 19 calves over four decades. Its African elephant herd was relocated to a partner facility in France in 2017 as part of a wider welfare-focused herd consolidation.
Beyond the animals, the site includes a Foot Safari walking area, the narrow-gauge Lakeside Railway, and amusement rides, and it has hosted public events including a stop on the 2012 Olympic torch relay and stages of the Tour of Britain cycling race.
Explore more: Explore more Zoos & Aquariums.
Knowsley Safari Park FAQs
Where is Knowsley Safari Park located?
It’s in Prescot, Merseyside, England, on the historic grounds of Knowsley Hall near Liverpool.
When did Knowsley Safari Park open?
It opened in July 1971, founded by Edward Stanley, 18th Earl of Derby, and Jimmy Chipperfield.
How big is Knowsley Safari Park?
The park covers about 550 acres and is home to more than 700 animals.
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Photo: Photograph by Mike Peel (www.mikepeel.net). / CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.