We planned on going to the Safari Park last year but didn't make it. Funny how time gets away from you in Bali. This time it was on our list to make sure we made it.
We arrived just as the gates opened and got the VIP treatment through. I think we had to pay about $25 US each to get in but if you have an Indonesian passport it is a lot cheaper. I'm guessing that is why we got ushered through while all the others had to wait in line.
I won't go into all the details about how you get around the park as I'm sure you've read it all before. It was all very smooth and efficient and worked very well.
The safari tour was good where we all climbed into the safari truck and drove around to see all the animals. We got to see the accommodation and I have to admit that would be awesome to stay there and look out your window in the morning to see the zebras and other animals.
We paid to feed the elephants. They really are so beautiful. The 2 younger boys (18 & 14) went for an elephant ride. We'd already done this in Thailand and I wasn't in a hurry to do it again. I have to say it breaks my heart to see how they train the elephants. They have the metal hook that they dig in behind their ears. We went to the elephant show and they do the same thing to make them behave. They conceal it a bit better here though and they seem to be holding something in their fingers which they use to dig into the elephants to make them behave. I tried telling myself that maybe it doesn't hurt as their skin is so thick but it didn't make me feel any better.
Maybe someone knows why they use this training method but to me it just seems so cruel. Surely positive reinforcment would work so much better.
All the other animals seemed to be quite happy and relaxed. The tigers were stretched out sleeping, I don't think they moved all day. We had our pics taken with the baby tiger and baby lion but the best was saved for last. The orangatangs were just beautful. We could have spent all day with them. There were 2 girls we got our pics taken with. One was older (can't remember her age) and the other little one was only 3 months. It was amazing how human like they were.
The older one would stretch her arm around you and cuddle you. She would look into your eyes, then stretch again before picking it's nose or ear, lol. After I had my turn a couple came up with a young baby (prob 6 months). It was magical, she was so gentle with him and looked right into his face. I could have just spent the whole day here. Nothing came close to comparing.
We checked out the water park, it would be good for younger kids. They guys went on some of the rides and then we headed off for a late lunch in Sanur.
Overall we had a good day at the Safari Park. Like I said early in my rant it just breaks my hearts seeing the way the elephants are trained.