An A to Z of Safari fun.

Mischievous monkeys, gorgeous giraffes, the most resplendent rhino and, err, a flying fox (more on that later) – it’s all part of the fun at Blair Drummond Safari Park .Time flies, they say, and counting back we figured it had been more than a decade since we had last ventured through the gates for a walk (okay, drive) on the wild side. Like meeting up with an old friend, there was a lovely sense of familiarity but with plenty of twists bringing something new.

At its heart, Blair Drummond is the family favourite it has always been. Even skipping as far back as our own childhood jaunts, yes, that far back, the sense of a place where the animals come first has never changed.
More than 350 of all shapes and sizes call the park home – from the tiniest guinea pigs in the pets farm to the kings and queens of the pride lands in the reserves, it’s an eclectic and enchanting mix.

Highlights? Getting up close to a rhino on the drive through the park would be one … amazing creatures and completely nonplussed by their guests trundling past on four wheels.

The lions are a favourite too, especially as we were lucky to see them in full flight between big cat naps. Scotland’s only giraffes are captivating and we did brave the monkey drive-through – escaping with windscreen wipers intact!

Visiting just days after baby macaque Daisy was born was a real privilege and to see her finding her feet was amazing, surrounded by an inquisitive and nurturing new family.
From the sea lions to the friendly goats and from camels to the incredible Ankole cattle and rare Amur tiger, we whiled away hours on foot and by car taking in the sights of Blair Drummond.
There’s much more to see and do, with the impressive play park (complete with towering fort) just a hop and skip away from the barbecue and picnic area when it’s time for a break.

The boat trip around Chimp Island is a fun adventure and we loved the pedalos on the boating lake … not to mention the Flying Fox overhead, Blair Drummond’s treetop zip wire.

We arrived just after opening at 10am and were there right through to the end of the day at 5.30pm, among the last of the cars to filter back through the reserves for one last tour before it was time to wave goodbye to the ‘locals’.

There was still plenty left to explore and if you live nearby there’s an opportunity for children aged between eight and 12 to sign up for summer Jungle Club, offering the chance to really get to know the animals, learn how to care for them as well as building dens, taking part in cycle safaris and much more.
Whether holiday club or day trip, there’s something for everyone at Blair Drummond – we won’t be leaving it as long for our next visit, that’s for sure.