African Lion Safari®

The story of how Canada's Original Safari Adventure™ became a Canadian landmark and global leader in conservation for decades.

In the name of Conservation since '69

African Lion Safari® is a Canadian owned family business created in the name of conservation by the late Colonel G.D Dailley. The park opened its gates to the public on August 22, 1969 with 40 lions in 3 reserves; today the park houses in excess of 1,000 animals comprised of over 100 species. Our manner of exhibiting animals is completely different from the traditional approach; that is, the visitor is caged in the car, and the animals roam in 2 to 20 hectare (5 to 50 acre) reserves.

The park is comprised of over 750 acres, 250 of which provide animals with large areas of bush, grasslands or forest in which they can interact naturally with other animals. In several Game Reserves, mixed species roam and interact as they would in the wild. 25 to 30 acres has been developed for walk through areas and exhibits and the balance of the property is comprised of farm, bush and other habitat, including 40 areas of provincially significant wetland which we maintain and monitor.

Unmatched animal encounters unlike any other

Our wildlife farm provides a unique viewing opportunity for visitors to see, hear, touch and learn about different species of animals with which they may otherwise never come in contact. African Lion Safari® is a founding member (1975) and accredited member of the Canadian Association of Zoological Parks and Aquariums, now known as Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA), as well as a member of the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. African Lion Safari® is also a founding member (1993) of the International Association of Avian Trainers and Educators (IAATE) and the International Elephant Foundation which was established in 1998.

The park has been successful with breeding 30 species that are considered endangered and 20 species that are considered threatened. The original idea of “maintaining self-sustaining populations of species in decline” still remains African Lion Safari’s priority.

World-renowned for a reason

African Lion Safari® consults worldwide and supports in-situ projects such as species reintroduction for the Eastern Loggerhead shrike, Burrowing owl, Ferruginous hawk, and Barn owl. Our animal management staff travel worldwide to provide training and support to help improve conservation, management and welfare of many species, including elephants.

Our efforts in providing technical training in elephant husbandry and welfare, data collection, community relations and conservation education have met with good success.

The park has enjoyed 50 successful years as one of Ontario’s premier tourist destinations. African Lion Safari® strives to ensure that all guests have an enjoyable and educational day “On Safari! ™” as well as an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of the animals in our care.

Our Mission & Vision

Our Mission is to provide an entertaining and educational environment in which to display and propagate animals in a safe manner that gives a unique viewing opportunity to all of our visitors. Our strategy is to enhance the quality of the time spent by our visitors by developing a blend of education, entertainment and other environmental aspects, to improve respect for the land and the life it supports.