Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari

Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari (九州自然動物公園アフリカンサファリ, Kyūshū Shizen Dōbutsu Kōen Afurikan Safari), also referred to as simply African Safari, is Japan's largest safari park and is located at the base of the Kunisaki Peninsula in Usa, Ōita Prefecture.

Kyushu Natural Animal Park African Safari
Map
33°21′16″N 131°24′42″E / 33.35447047282492°N 131.4115502962999°E / 33.35447047282492; 131.4115502962999
Date openedMay 29, 1976
Location872-0722 Ōita Prefecture, Usa, Ajimumachi Minamihata, 2−1755-1
Land area1.15 km²
No. of animalsAbout 1,400
No. of speciesAbout 70
OwnerKyushu African Lion Safari Company (Part of the Koizumi Group)
DirectorIwai Kanda
WebsiteOfficial website

Overview

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Interaction Zone

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The park is separated into two "zones." In the Fureai Zone, or "Interaction Zone," visitors can interact with and even touch various animals such as bunnies, red kangaroos, and miniature horses while exploring the area on foot.[1] In the area, there are various gift shops and restaurants. There are also both a "dog salon" and a "cat salon" in which visitors can directly interact with the animals.[2][3]

Safari Zone

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The Safari Zone is the large safari-style section of the park. This safari is divided into sections, each modeled on a different natural environment. Each animal species is placed in the section which most closely resembles their natural habitat.[1]

The sections within the Safari Zone are each separated by fences and security gates. However, there are no fences separating visitors from the animals during the safari.[4] Visitors can either choose to travel the park in their personal car or ride the park's "Jungle Bus." Visitors are prohibited from exiting their vehicles while in the Safari Zone.[5]

 
Jungle Bus

Visitors who choose to ride Jungle Bus must pay for a bus ticket in addition to the park's admission fee. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-served basis.[6] During the 50 minute ride through the park, visitors are able to feed some of the animals through the Jungle Bus' cage.[6] Because of this, visitors are able to get closer to the animals by riding the Jungle Bus than by riding in their personal vehicle.

 
Feeding the lions from the Jungle Bus

Safari Zone animals

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Animals in the Safari Zone include American black bears, giraffes, lions, elephants, mouflons, cheetahs, camels, bison, Bengal tigers, white rhinoceroses, spotted hyenas and more.[7]

 
Cheetahs in the safari park

References

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  1. ^ a b "園内について". アフリカンサファリ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  2. ^ "九州自然動物公園アフリカンサファリ|宇佐市". www.city.usa.oita.jp (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  3. ^ "『アフリカンサファリ』さんに教わったオススメの楽しみ方【前編】|子供も大人もテンションあがる!日本最大級の体験型サファリパーク | 日本一の「おんせん県」大分県の観光情報公式サイト". www.visit-oita.jp. Retrieved 2024-06-25.
  4. ^ Organization, Japan National Tourism. "African Safari | Travel Japan - Japan National Tourism Organization (Official Site)". Travel Japan. Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  5. ^ "マイカーサファリ". アフリカンサファリ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  6. ^ a b "ジャングルバス". アフリカンサファリ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-24.
  7. ^ "アフリカンサファリ". アフリカンサファリ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2024-06-24.