Africa Alive Zoo Reserve

Book now from £15.00 £12.00

Up to 20% discount with promo code DAYSOUT

Book discount Africa Alive tickets for one of the best days out with the whole family!

Whether you're a local or you're holidaying in this beautiful part of the country, you'll no doubt be looking for things to do in Suffolk at some point, and we think the Africa Alive Zoo is about to jump to the top of your days out in Suffolk list. 

What is the Africa Alive Zoological Reserve?

Set your sights on some of Africa’s most iconic animals, whilst learning more about their natural instincts, habitats and conservation.

Set in 100 acres of glorious countryside, Africa Alive Zoological Reserve is a national conservation hub committed to preserving wild futures, engaging the public, sustaining our environment, and ultimately inspiring the next generation of leaders within conservation.

With thousands of animals from around the world, set in over 100 acres of stunning countryside, we’re keeping Africa alive right here in Suffolk.

What's there to do at Africa Alive Zoo in Suffolk?

  • The spectacular centrepiece of the reserve is the ‘Plains of Africa’ display where you can see five species of African savanna animals roaming together, including giraffes, rhinos and zebras
  • Head to their Discovery Centre to join regular animal handling sessions for a chance to get hands on with some of the smaller animals
  • Farmyard Corner to meet some of the kids' favourites
  • Hog Snorts! An interactive habitat for Red River Hogs and some Sitatunga antelope. For any muggles out there, the name of the enclosure is a play on the name 'Hogwarts', the school from Harry Potter
  • Watch lions from the safety of a lookout lodge at the Kingdom of the Lion
  • Walk through an enclosure of Madagascan primates at Lemur Encounters
  • The reserve also offers a great outdoor play area to help burn off any of the kids' excess energy!

There are also lots of incredible additional experiences you can book. Tap 'Tickets' to see what extra things you can book for your visit to Africa Alive. The pages will let you know whether you need to buy a day ticket as well as the experience or if the day ticket is included.

Whites Ln,
Kessingland,
Lowestoft NR33 7TF NR33 7TF
Show on Google Maps

How to get there

By car

Africa Alive Zoological Reserve is signposted off the A146 and A12. Follow the brown tourist signs to find us.

Drive Times
Bury St Edmunds – 1hr 20mins | Ipswich – 1hr 2mins | Great Yarmouth – 30mins | Norwich – 50mins

By train

The nearest train stations to Africa Alive Zoological Reserve are Beccles and Lowestoft. Taxi/Bus transport will be required on arrival to these stations to reach the reserve.

By bus

First Eastern Counties 99 service to Kessingland is available from Lowestoft. There is a 5 min walk from the bus station to the zoo entrance.

Anglian Bus' 7, 61 and 61a services visit Kessingland every 20 minutes on their routes to and from Southwold, Lowestoft, Great Yarmouth and Norwich. There is a 5-minute walk from the bus stop to the zoo entrance.

Border Bus' 146 service visits Kessingland from Lowestoft and Norwich. There is a 10-minute walk from the bus stop to the zoo entrance.

  • Toilets & disabled toilets - Toilet facilities are located adjacent to Bongo Bites and near the aardvark enclosure. These are marked on the map given out on entry. All toilet facilities have independent disabled toilets
  • Food & drink - there's The Glade with the kids' favourites like burgers, hotdogs, nuggets, veggie options and freshly cooked meals and drinks, the Keeper's Hut serves up delicious pizzas and a few Africa Alive Snack Shacks dotted around the zoo where you can buy hot and cold snacks, drinks and ice creams
  • Picnic benches
  • Wheelchair loan - Free manual wheelchairs are available to guests. These are in limited supply so are offered on a first come, first served basis. We recommend reserving these in advance with their admissions team on 01502 740291 prior to your visit to ensure availability
  • Mobility scooters - Disabled visitors can hire a mobility scooter for £10 per day. We recommend reserving these in advance with their admissions team on 01502 740291 prior to your visit to ensure availability
  • Pushchair hire - The Reserve is pushchair friendly. Pushchairs are available to hire for children aged 1-6 at the main entrance. £10 for a single or double pushchair for the day. We recommend reserving these in advance with their admissions team on 01502 740291 prior to your visit to ensure availability
  • Baby changing facilities - There are facilities for baby changing and feeding – they are adjacent to Bongo Bites. Baby changing facilities are also provided in Ladies and Gents toilets within the Reserve. Baby bottle and food heating is available at restaurants and snack shacks
  • First aid - First Aid trained staff are always present on site. There is a designated first aid room fully equipped to deal with slips, trips and scrapes. There is a defibrillator located on site

Access

  • Africa Alive Zoological Reserve is wheelchair and pushchair accessible, with pathed surfaces and ramps where appropriate
  • The lower end of the reserve is set in marshland with uneven paths. Assistance is advised in this area
  • Access to some display areas and animal enclosures is across grass, including the Arena and approaches to some picnic areas
  • The Safari Roadtrain is not adapted for wheelchair use. However, our staff will assist visitors where possible to board and disembark from the train
  • There is plenty of seating around the site

Disabled Parking

  • There are disabled car parking spaces available to visitors with a valid permit

Wheelchair Loan

  • Free manual wheelchairs are available to guests
  • These are in limited supply so are offered on a first come, first served basis
  • We recommend reserving these in advance with their admissions team on 01502 740291

Mobility Scooter Hire

  • Disabled visitors can hire a mobility scooter for £10 per day.
  • These are in limited supply so are offered on a first come, first served basis

Carers Go Free

  • They offer free entry for any guests who are caring for anyone who is registered disabled
  • Any carer who purchases a ticket must accompany the person they are caring for on the visit. You will be required to provide documentation to validate this (can include a blue badge)
  • If the above criteria are met and a carer is needed, then a free carer entrance will be granted
  • A maximum of 2 carer tickets only if required may be granted for free entrance

Assistance Dogs

  • They are unable to allow access for dogs within the reserve, (including assistance dogs) due to the nature of the environment
  • They do not allow dogs to be left in unaccompanied cars at any time on their site. Anyone found leaving dogs in their car will be asked to leave the reserve

Ear Defender Loan

  • Free ear defenders are available to guests
  • These are in limited supply so are offered on a first come, first served basis
  • We recommend reserving these in advance with their admissions team on 01502 740291

Hearing Loops

  • Portable hearing loops are available
  • Please ask their Guest Services team for any required assistance on arrival

Toilet & Changing Facilities

  • Toilet facilities are located next to the Bongo Bites and near the aardvark enclosure. These are marked on the map given out on entry
  • All toilet facilities have independent disabled toilets. Some also have dual use for baby change facilities

Food at the Reserve

  • All restaurants and snack huts offer an extensive and varied choice of food
  • If you have specific special dietary needs, please contact us on 01502 740291 prior to your visit to discuss alternative options

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