THIS SUMMER: The Zoobic Night Safari

Summer is often the time to take the kids out as a much deserved reward for the school year that was. Some folks aim to bring their kids to fun places, others to educational ones and folks, like me and Phil, to destinations that have both.

This is why we headed out to the Zoobic Night Safari.

Zoobic and the various activities/parks nearby are always great go tos in ensuring a fab vacay for kids of all ages. We've been to Zoobic before, but the thought of trudging along under the hot summer sun was something we didn't want to impose to the Zoobic first timer kids. Good thing the Zoomanity thought of a night safari. Every Saturday, from March 23 to May 25, 2013, the Night Safari is available to all those sunstroke fearing folks out there.

Here's a description of the highlights from the company website:
"Gear up your nocturnal senses and prepare for a series of roaring nights of fun in visiting Zoobic Safari’s classic attractions, Serpentarium; a wild encounter with snakes, lizards and iguanas, Rodent World, a magnificent collection of rodents, Zoobic Park, a walk-through petting zoo, Tiger Safari, an enclosed safari jeep ride that will take you to the tigers’ natural habitat, Croco Loco, a crocodile lair where you will have a chance to feed them. Take a walk together with the greyhounds and follow the night trail in Greyhound Walk. Also included in Zoobic Safari’s amazing attractions are Savannah, Close Encounter, Aetas’ Trail, Hip Hop Bay-A-Wak and Animal Muzooeum. Enjoy a different and bolder show specially prepared for the night’s entertainment; expect an explosive presentation that will surely growl your mind away."

Here's what we saw (and not all those advertised in the website was available): (the lack of pictures was something we had no control of as a lot of the areas had poor lighting, with flash photography not allowed).

1. Zoobic Park: much better than the last time we were there. The walk through petting zoo's path is now entirely paved and the animals in much more organized pens, unlike before when some of them were allowed to wander about. Downside: similar to the tour groups one can encounter in field trips, your guide gets too close enough to the next group that you're hearing two separate lectures and you end up being rushed along when this happens.

2. Serpentarium, Rodent World, Bone Museum etc- areas we were rushed through as the guides were trying to herd everyone to watch the night safari show behind the starting point of the trip. BTW, Some areas have steps that may make bringing a stroller a tad challenging.

3. Night Safari Show: a show comprised of the staff and crew of Zoobic. It features dancing, the star attractions of the park, fire eaters and an awkward ecological skit. It was fun, educational and entertaining at the same time. What irked us was the fact that because they were in a hurry to "herd" everyone to the once a night show, we had to wait a solid 30 minutes before the show started. Precious time taken away when we could have used that to go to the Tiger Safari. We got on the tour at 6:30 pm and should have been done by 9:00. By 9 pm we haven't gone to the Tiger Safari and the Greyhound walk (which we skipped as the kids were already hungry).

4. Tiger Safari: perhaps the most know attraction of the place...we only saw one tiger :P

RATES
Package 1: Entrance Only   

• Php 595  -  Adult   
• Php 495  -  Kids 4 ft and below, FREE - Kids 3 ft and below                            

Inclusions:

• Night Safari Tour (Zoobic Park, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Zoobic Cave, Forbidden Cave, Tiger Safari Ride, Greyhound Walk, Croco Loco) for approximately 2 hours.
• Zooper Tram
• Nigh Safari Jungle Show 

Package 2: Entrance with Set Meal

• Php 695  - Adult
• Php 595  - Kids 4 ft and below, FREE - Kids 3 ft and below

Inclusions:

• Night  Safari Tour (Zoobic Park, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Zoobic Cave, Forbidden Cave, Tiger Safari Ride, Greyhound Walk, Croco Loco) for approximately 2 hours.
• Zooper Tram
• Night Safari Jungle Show
• Set Meal

Package 3: Entrance with Accommodation

• Php 1,990  - Adult
• Php 1,290  - Kids (4 to 6 years old)

Inclusions:

• Overnight Stay at Tiara Hotel on a sharing basis (located at Crownpeak Area, only 15 mins drive away)
• Night Safari Tour (Zoobic Park, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Zoobic Cave, Forbidden Cave, Tiger Safari Ride, Greyhound Walk, Croco Loco) for approximately 2 hours.
• Zooper Tram
• Breakfast

Registration starts at 5pm and tour starts at 6pm. This is a guided tour of about 2 and a half hours.

As this is a limited time only Safari, you've got til May 25 to enjoy the park minus the blistering heat of the summer sun.

From TMW, may all your wanderings be better than ours!