Safari Park in Krasnodar has been operating since 2006 and is constantly developing. Visitors who come here for the second time, 2-3 years later, will be pleased to note: over the past time, the park’s territory has become larger, its “population” has been replenished with new animals and birds, and the design has become richer and more diverse. Of course, changes are not only for the better: someone tore off one of the tusks from the walrus sculpture, and the skin of the moving dinosaur was not very carefully “darned”, and even glued with tape after repairs... But these are little things that do not spoil the overall picture.
Scheme, prices, rules of the zoo.
Entrance to the park costs 500 rubles for adults and 400 rubles for children under 8 years old. Filming on phones is allowed for free, but for cameras and video cameras you will need to pay an additional 50 and 100 rubles.
Prices in Safari Park.
Animals in the park can only be fed with special food, which is sold in vending machines; it is pressed grass, does not smell or stain your hands, and costs 100 rubles per bag. Security will ask you to leave other bags of fruit at the entrance. Warnings that animals should not be fed are written in a humorous manner on signs near almost every cage.
Warning sign with information near the camel.
The park occupies a huge area, about 10 hectares. At the entrance there is a park map with schematic signs.
Map - diagram of the zoo.
On the territory of the park there is a Dinopark, a swimming pool with fur seals, and a children's playground. This is all included in the ticket price. We will write about this in detail later.
It is better to take food and water with you. In the park, a half-liter bottle of water costs 100 rubles, sweet water 150 rubles, ice cream 100 rubles, the cheapest glass, and there is practically no choice.
Where is Safari Park Krasnodar located, its operating hours
Safari Park is located in the south-eastern part of Krasnodar, not far from the historical center of the city. It is part of the Sunny Island Park - a huge green area (formerly the Park named after the 40th anniversary of the October Revolution), which is fundamentally not built up - being, as they say, the “lungs” of the city.” It is very easy to get to: any type of public transport goes here - trams, trolleybuses, buses, minibuses.
Safari Park is the only zoo in Krasnodar (not counting mini-establishments in shopping and entertainment centers). It is open all year round, only from November to March it closes at 18:00, and from April to October it is open until 21:00. In the morning it always opens its doors from 9 o'clock. In order to thoroughly examine all the thematic areas of the Safari Park in Krasnodar (and not “run through” them), it will take at least 3 - 4 hours.
A walk in the park.
The first thing we see at the entrance is a small pond with fountains and water lilies. Their inhabitants are fish and turtles.
Pond with turtles. The hippopotamus here is not real.
Dinosaur presents Dinopark.
Dinosaur at the entrance.
And then the paths run along enclosures with animals. It’s good if you get there during feeding time, then the animals are definitely not sleeping and not hiding from visitors.
The giraffe had just been called for lunch. We waited a long time for the hippopotamus to start posing for us for photographs. A very serious camel. Orangutan girl entertains the audience. The monkeys were very active. They made faces and posed. A special resident is a very rare white tiger. The attraction and pride of the zoo. A beautiful and powerful animal.
The animals are well-groomed, the enclosures are large and clean. The impression is that they are absolutely comfortable, unlike other zoos, from which you leave with a feeling of pity.
Lemur Island.
An unusual and interesting point of the excursion is the island of lemurs. You can get there by boat for 200 rubles. We were unlucky; we had to wait about 30 minutes for the battery to be charged on the boat. From a distance you can see that lemurs live there without cages; you can get very close.
Lemur Island. You can get to the island by boat.
Petting zoo.
Oddly enough, our city children were most delighted by the pets in the petting zoo. They fed us two bags of food, which is sold in a vending machine here.
Animals here are allowed to be fed with special food. The animals come up and take food from your hands. They are absolutely not afraid of people.
Kissing Bridge
The bridge connecting the park island with the “mainland” received the romantic name of the bridge of kisses. This name is associated with the belief that if the newlyweds hang a lock on the railing and throw the key into the waters of the river, their love will be sealed forever.
That is why new locks appear on the bridge railings every year. Some of them are already covered with rust, but it doesn’t matter. After all, love, as you know, does not rust. Not only newlyweds, but also lovers come here, hoping that they will be able to carry their feelings throughout their lives.
To be fair, it must be said that there is another bridge of kisses in Krasnodar. It is located on Kubanonaberezhnaya street. In general, bridges with this name are found in different cities: in Venice, St. Petersburg and others. Apparently, the feeling of love and fidelity knows no barriers and language barriers.
Interesting places in the park.
In addition to animals, the park has many interesting places where you can relax and take photographs. In summer it is cooler near the fountains. Children are interested in the children's town.
The park is conventionally divided into geographical zones; in the eastern zone there is a Chinese courtyard. A small cafe, several benches near the fountains, and national decoration.
Chinese courtyard. Chinese style fountain.
One of the attractions of the park is the toilet. By the way, it’s free here and very clean.
Entrance to the women's restroom.
A children's town with slides and huge robots - transformers.
Playground. The road to the island of lemurs.
Alley in the park.
Dinopark.
We left the dinosaur park for last. Let's be honest, we didn't get much of an impression. The figures were not in the best shape, many were broken. Of greater interest were the deer and roe deer living in the dino park between the dinosaurs, who were not at all afraid of children, but we did not take food. Video monitors did not work.
Inhabitants of Dinopark. Dinosaurs. Neighbors of dinosaurs. There are signs everywhere asking people not to break the figures.
What to take with you for a walk.
Let’s summarize and at the end remind you what you need to take with you to make your trip comfortable.
- Comfortable shoes. The park area is large, you will have to walk a lot.
- Camera or camera. Lots of places where you'll want to take photos.
- Money for animal feed - 100 ruble bills for the machine. We remind you that you do not need to take anything with you; it is prohibited to feed the animals your own food.
- You can take a snack or water. The point is not that everything in the park is expensive, but that there is no choice, there are very few cafes and shops.
Infrastructure
Landscape delights
Speaking of monuments, only Yesenin and Gagarin (in the eastern half) will be looked at by tourists. A walk in Sunny Island Park will amaze even seasoned spatial environment designers. Expanding on the topic indicated in the title, first of all we need to return to the local zoo. The lake floodplain helped landscape designers successfully recreate the tropics (native for half of the exhibited animals). However, different groups of animals were also placed in an ethnic context suitable for them. Fragments of architecture and religious sculpture of Ancient Egypt, Mayan pyramids, pagodas, the Wild West (with a “rock” on which the faces of 3 American presidents are carved) and bright African motifs. You will see all this in the enclosures themselves and between them. Ponds have been created for birds - with snags or models of dried trees in the middle! There are even vines. Huts made of reeds are in the dioramas of some of the “cells”. There are a couple of voluminous ones. As for the hippopotamus, one of the utility buildings from the Soviet era was specially flooded for it. The windows of the house play the role of the transparent walls of an aquarium. This is the know-how. Also impressive are the idyllic bridges spanning mini-canals. They are used to supply water to artificial ponds (as you understand, they act as tropical “lakes”). There is also a suspension bridge (in addition to crossing Tramway Street, it connects Solnechny Island with Bolshoi Island). The entrance to Safari Park imitates a vault made from a pile of stones. In its most prominent place they placed the head of a mammoth with broken tusks. The Dinopark is decorated with a pterodactyl trying to fly. You can sit or have a snack on a bench not only between the complexes, but also right by the water - the embankment is equipped with everything necessary for this. However, you cannot leave trash on the benches (fine). Use trash cans. Note that at some points there are signs in the old spirit (showing how many kilometers from here to this or that famous city in the world).
Even at the entrance to PKiO, right behind the bridge, you will get acquainted with the touching alpine slides (visitors with cameras literally do not leave them - everyone needs to take a selfie or a group photo). Among the natural stone elevations we see pots with a variety of bright flowers, and sometimes just subtropical climbing greenery. Small architectural forms are amazing - tiny mills, fairy-tale houses, gnomes and other elements of alpine compositions. The “Jurassic” part (Dinopark) is also equipped with natural and artificial forms of imitation of Paleogene vegetation. Both the font of the inscriptions and the format of the images are subject to different styles. All this also applies to catering establishments, some of which “cut into” some clusters of the Safari Park. When it comes to restaurants, Ancient Greece is not hard to get to. And to the area of the Japanese or Chinese garden. With stones, sakura or stone dragons. And there are fountains! Leaving the Safari, we will see no less interesting things in the common area. Take, for example, the sign of the 45th parallel (the fact is that it passes right through Sunny Island). Another. Some sectors of the green area are huge clearings with tulips, asters, roses and other buds that are striking in their appearance and smell. Curtains of individual flowers (inside the current columbariums) create bright, regular patterns.
Some restaurants have baths and saunas. Even in winter, the operating schedule of Sunny Island Park includes visits to baths, saunas and hammam. After all, in cold weather, warm places become much more relevant. So, each such “washing compartment” also pleases with its own design concept: mainly in the “Elite”, “East” or “Antique” style. It is necessary to mention the framed mirror installed next to one of these establishments. It already contains the inscription “I love Safari Park” (instead of “love” there is a heart). You probably guessed what this is about here. Just take a photo of the reflection!
Dinopark
The Dinopark and the zoo are part of the Safari Park (they have a single entrance and one ticket). The decor and infrastructure of Sunny Island Park in this place are prehistoric. An area with the most unkempt vegetation was specially selected - huge hogweed and some varieties of ferns act as flora authentic to the times of dinosaurs. As mentioned, artificial forms have also been added. They especially did not skimp on vines, all sorts of vines and a fallen “trunk” with a meter in girth. There are 3-meter “outlier rocks”. Prehistoric lizards move parts of their bodies (mainly opening their mouths). They emit chilling screams, sometimes hiding in impenetrable thickets. These people are just immobilized - that’s even worse. In front of the location of each breed (from pterodactyl to tyrannosaurus) there is a half-booth with a monitor. An educational video about this type of paleofauna is broadcast on TV. Well voiced. There is a chance to learn about the habits, feeding method and characteristics of the mating season. Even the scene of a baby being eaten by large predators was recreated. He is already covered in blood, and his pursuers have bared their huge teeth.
Nearby, a tyrannosaurus is eating a baby of a herbivorous breed, whose parents can do nothing to restrain the aggressor... Again, there are points with benches (suddenly someone is already so bad). Another story is about mothers protecting their offspring - giant eggs (sometimes speckled)... But one little one pulls out its head. And there is still a fragment of shell on it. The passages are fenced with wooden fences. Entry is prohibited for them (all curious people will be fined). Yes. There will be many impressions (confirmed by photographs).
Sports area and springboard for active recreation
Solnechny Ostrov Park continues with Tramvaynaya Street (the main “artery”). And along it (slightly to the south) fans of healthy lifestyle will find a lot of interesting things - football and volleyball fields, the “45th Parallel” tennis court and the “Heroes” shooting range (bows and crossbows, there are also sections for children). Do not forget that pedestrian paths are also designed as running paths. They are marked accordingly. In the south of the eastern half there is a Stalker paintball range at your service. Shelter objects have been set up, behind which you will set up an ambush. Both training and real team battles are practiced.
Attractions, extreme sports and motorboat rides
If you have already reached the geographic center of the isolate, then a walk in Sunny Island Park took you to a corner with attractions scattered here and there. The Ferris Wheel is noticeable from afar. And as you approach, you will see the Tsarskaya (Roller) Hill and the Flying Elephants. Other scary “amusements” include Crazy Dance, Sambo Balloon, Autodrome, Labyrinth of Fear, Upside Down House, Jumping Jeeps or Materhon. For ladies, old people and children - Caterpillar, varieties of Bells, Rocking Chairs. Chain Carousel, Horses, Floating Dragons. Train, Shells and 3 more similar moving structures. And to the north of the planetarium there is a pier for pleasure boats (behind a narrow park). You can book a walk around the entire Solnechny Island or even around Bolshoy Island. Tree Top Park is a high ropes course with a mini zoo. It has climbing frames, cable cars and bungee jumps.
"Quiet" water leisure
Sunny Island Park does not have beaches (this fact is confirmed at every step by prohibitory stands). But water activities are generally available to its guests. In the western half of the island (behind the main alley - behind Tramvaynaya Street) there is the Voda nightclub, on both sides of which you will find outdoor pools - VIP and Family. The first is distinguished by its chic, the second by the presence of a “paddling pool” for your children. Of course, umbrellas and sun loungers are provided in both baths. They stand along their perimeters. “Adult” tanks are as much as 20 meters long! There will be room to turn around. And drinks are at the club bar. There is a pond with swans (the house is a winter nursery for these graceful waterfowl). It is possible to rent a catamaran and drive around the island. And it's inexpensive.
Planetarium and entertainment for the little ones
Sunny Island Park offers travel not only to different continents and different eras, but also to the stars. The planetarium is located on the eastern embankment, near the equipped pier. The program shows stars, their systems, nebulae and planets.
For very young children there is a playground and a fountain (near the Phoenix bar). Not to say that the complex is large (they focused on attractions). But the fountain comes out of the alpine slide. Landscape. What else does a baby who opens his mouth need? Something is still needed. Trampoline. Children have to jump all the time. There is such a unit.
Public catering
Sunny Island Park contains 20 establishments inside and around its space where you can quench your hunger, thirst, and even raise your mood. However, we will not talk about small bistros and shops with fast food and sweets. Things are the same with them as in any other Russian city. Popcorn, soda, chips, coffee. Juices, fast food, pies. Pistachios, nuts, salty beer, ice cream and, in fact, beer itself (just before entering the island). Let's pay attention to 7 notable catering establishments, each of which is a brand in itself. Nightclub "Voda" has an antique design, European dishes, 2 outdoor swimming pools (with a children's area) and a sauna (again with a swimming pool). Nearby is a pond with swans. This is probably the most romantic place to relax after a long journey. “Tropicana” has 2 cozy halls (for 40 and 130 seats). Dance floor, veranda and 2 summer areas.
Dishes of European, Russian and Caucasian cuisine. Design – Tropics, Elite and Empire. “Phoenix” – dishes of Bulgarian and European cuisine, as well as any drink. "Tramonti" - Russian and Mediterranean food from Italian chefs. Italian wines. That says it all. And “Kuren” is an “eating place” in a Cossack (Kuban) theme. Dishes are served in an appropriate assortment. Although commonly used orders are also prepared here. The hall is cozy, with 300 seats. “Old Veranda” is a building with a terrace in the most vibrant recreation area of the island. Salads, soups, main courses from all types of meat (including veal) and fish. As well as various side dishes (even French fries with assorted sauce). Fruit, sausage and carbonate cuts. Shrimp, spaghetti, pizza, pastries, the most popular types of tea, coffee, juices and soda. Ice cream and desserts. “Parkov” is able to serve everything possible on the table. Even Thai salad (you never know who will come). The zucchini is remembered for its good dessert, dry kebab, and music on weekends. Warm staff. By the way, some waiters are very busy. And they are not so easy to wait for. Just be patient.
