Everything You Need to Know About Safari Niagara

What Is Safari Niagara?

Safari Niagara is a 150-acre zoo and nature park in the Niagara Region, home to more than 1,000 animals — a mix of native and exotic mammals, reptiles, and birds. It's privately owned, which honestly explains a lot about its personality: it feels less like a polished corporate attraction and more like a family business that's grown, piece by piece, for decades.

When Did Safari Niagara Open?

Depends which version you mean. The land started as a farm run by the Tykoli family back in 1967. It grew into a full zoological park, rebranding as "ZOOZ" in 2002 before taking on the name Safari Niagara in 2009 — so it's less a single opening date and more a slow, decades-long evolution into what it is now.

Where Is Safari Niagara?

Safari Niagara sits at 2821 Stevensville Rd. in Stevensville, Ontario — technically part of Fort Erie, tucked into the Niagara Region.

How Far Is Safari Niagara From Niagara Falls?

It's a quick hop: about a 15-minute drive south via the QEW and Regional Road 116. Close enough to pair with a Niagara Falls day trip without it eating your whole itinerary.

Is Safari Niagara a Drive-Thru?

Nope — and this trips people up constantly. The name "Safari" makes folks picture something like African Lion Safari, where you cruise through in your own car with a giraffe practically in your passenger seat. That's not what this is. Safari Niagara is a walk-through park: you explore on foot along paved paths, and there's a narrated tram that loops around if you want to give your legs a break.

What Animals Are at Safari Niagara?

Over 1,000 animals call the park home, spanning a genuinely wide range: giraffes, hippos, white and greater one-horned rhinos, lions, tigers, snow leopards, jaguars, cougars, bobcats, grey wolves, red pandas, zebras, camels, alpacas, kangaroos, lemurs, gibbons, meerkats, river otters, porcupines, and a long list of birds like flamingos, macaws, owls, and an Andean condor.

Does Safari Niagara Have Elephants?

No. It's a fair question — a few visitors have mentioned old signage referencing elephants that aren't actually there — but as it stands, elephants aren't part of the collection.

How Big Is Safari Niagara?

At 150 acres, it's a genuinely big property, and that size is a double-edged sword. On one hand, the animals have room to spread out. On the other, you're going to walk. A lot.

How Long Does It Take to Go Through Safari Niagara?

Most families end up spending several hours here, and a lot of people turn it into a full-day outing once you factor in the tram tour, keeper talks, splash pad, rides, and feeding stations. If you like to see everything without rushing, budget the better part of a day.

Is Safari Niagara Ethical?

This one deserves an honest answer, not a marketing one. Safari Niagara is accredited by Canada's Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA) and is also a member of the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) — both organizations that set standards around animal welfare, care, and conservation education. That accreditation matters; it means outside bodies are inspecting and holding the park to a set of professional standards, not just taking the park's word for it.

That said, reviews are mixed, as they tend to be for pretty much any zoo. Some visitors love it and come back year after year; others have raised concerns over the years about enclosure sizes or animals not being visible on a given day, and the park has responded publicly to some of that feedback. Whether a zoo model is "ethical" at all is a bigger philosophical debate that goes well beyond any one park — but if you're specifically asking whether Safari Niagara meets recognized industry standards, the answer is yes, and you can weigh visitor reviews for the rest.

When Does Safari Niagara Open? (Daily Hours)

Peak Season — June 20 to Sept 6, 2026

• Monday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Tuesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Wednesday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Thursday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Friday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Saturday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm
• Sunday: 9:30 am – 6:00 pm

Last entry for day pass holders is 4:30 pm.

Shoulder Season — May 9 to Jun 19 & Sept 7 to Oct 11, 2026

• Monday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Tuesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Wednesday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Thursday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Friday: 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
• Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
• Sunday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm

Last entry is 2:30 pm on weekdays, 3:30 pm on weekends. Closed on Thanksgiving Monday.

Boo at the Zoo

October 3, 4, 9, 10, and 11, 10 am to 5 pm, last entry 4 pm. Not every ride, food stand, or show runs during shoulder season — worth a quick call ahead if you're visiting in May or October.

Is Safari Niagara Open Right Now?

The 2026 season runs from May 9 through October 11. If you're checking mid-summer, you're squarely in peak season, so it's open daily with the longest hours of the year.

When Does Safari Niagara Close for the Season?

The park wraps up its 2026 season on October 11, with a handful of Boo at the Zoo dates running right through that closing weekend. After that, it's closed until it reopens the following spring.

What Should You Bring to Safari Niagara? (Checklist)

Since you're doing a lot of walking outdoors, in the sun, for several hours, a little prep goes a long way. Here's what's worth packing:

• Sunscreen — reapply if you're there past noon; there's not a ton of shade on some paths
• Comfortable, closed-toe shoes — 150 acres adds up fast
• A refillable water bottle — staying hydrated matters more than the $3 bottled water at the stands
• A cooler bag with snacks or lunch — outside food is allowed (no glass, alcohol, or BBQs), and it saves you money over the on-site food
• A hat and sunglasses — most walking paths are exposed to direct sun
• A change of clothes or swimsuit for the kids — the splash pad will get them soaked
• Cash or loonies/toonies — some animal-feeding vending machines don't take cards
• A stroller or wagon — bring your own or rent one at the entrance if you've got little legs or a lot of gear
• Bug spray — it's a nature park near wetlands, so mosquitoes are a reality in peak summer
• Your printed or mobile WagJag voucher — you'll need to show it at the gate

Can You Bring Food Into Safari Niagara?

Yes. Outside food and drinks are welcome — pack a cooler bag, bring a picnic, save yourself some money. The only restrictions are glass containers, alcohol, and BBQs. There are also food trucks and a counter-service restaurant on-site if you'd rather not carry a lunch around all day, though plenty of reviewers note the on-site food runs pricier than you'd expect — so bringing your own is the move if you're budget-conscious.

Are Dogs Allowed at Safari Niagara?

No — pets aren't permitted inside the park, for the safety of the animals and your dog alike. And please don't plan on leaving a pet waiting in the car either; the park specifically asks guests not to do that, and it's not safe on a warm day.

The one exception is service animals. If you rely on one, it's welcome inside the park as long as it stays leashed and is up to date on vaccinations — you're responsible for its care and control for the whole visit.

How Much Is Safari Niagara?

Regular gate pricing shifts by season. During shoulder season, adult tickets run you around $32.95 plus taxes and fees, depending on the day, with child and senior pricing a bit lower. Peak season nudges everything up a few dollars more (up to $42.95 plus taxes and fees for one adult admission). Kids 2 and under always get in free. Prices can change, so treat these as ballpark figures and double-check current pricing directly with the park before you go.