safari italy

“…it’s gonna be legendary for really good hunting” –  Craig Boddington

Successful hunters… and happy wives!

Italy offers some of the greatest hunting opportunities in Europe, from red stag and chamois in the Alps mountains, roe deer and fallow deer immerged in the Tuscan hills to wild boar and pheasants driven shootings.

Hunting in Italy is wonderful, taking a few extra days to visit it will make your journey an unforgettable experience for hunters and non hunters!

This is what we do: combining the best hunts in Italy with exclusive, off the beaten tracks tourism.

• Explore the park
• Pedestrian Area
• The Large Canopy
• School activities
• Tariffs and opening hours

Safari Ravenna: un parco ideale per tutta la famiglia!

Il safari ravenna, è un parco faunistico che ti permette di vedere più di 1.000 animali di oltre 100 specie diverse fra cui animali selvatici da vicino e senza barriere, come non potresti mai fare in un normale bioparco..

Il percorso è quello classico a bordo di un proprio mezzo (auto/camper/pullman) o quello avventuroso con la nostra macchinina elettrica o, ancora, quello didattico con il nostro trenino (servizi a pagamento da chiedere alle casse al momento di fare i biglietti e disponibile nell’arco della giornata con una richiesta minima di 10 pax fino a esaurimento dei posti. Gi orari delle partenze vengono stabiliti dalle biglietterie sulla base dell’affluenza giornaliera.), per aggiungere al viaggio fra gli animali in libertà l’emozione della conoscenza e del contatto: grazie a preparatissime guide potrai imparare i segreti degli animali ed entrare in relazione con le specie più mansuete creando con loro una relazione emozionale.

Tariffe ed orari >

Qui puoi trovare tutte le tariffe e le promozioni a te riservate. Le biglietterie sono aperte dalle 10.00 alle 15.00 (ultimo ingresso) nei giorni indicati come aperti nel calendario. Il Parco chiude alle 17.00 circa.

Esplora il Parco >

Scopri l’area del Safari a bordo della tua auto o scegli il trenino del Parco o le nostre auto elettriche. durante il percorso, lungo 4 km, potrai ammirare gli animali muoversi in totale libertà…E non dimenticare l’area pedonale!!!

Dove siamo >

Ci trovi a Ravenna, in Via Dei Tre Lati 2x, Località Mirabilandia – Savio di Ravenna (RA)

Mission >

Il Safari Ravenna è stato ideato per potenziare il ruolo nella conservazione della biodiversità, proteggere la fauna selvatica e, tutelare il benessere di differenti specie animali e salvaguardare quelle a rischio di estinzione. Ricerca scientifica e programmi di educazione e sensibilizzazione sono parte integrante del nostro operato.

Animali >

Oltre 1.000 animali di circa 100 specie differenti da scoprire nell’Area del Safari e in quella Pedonale: Leoni, giraffe, zebre, tigri, ippopotami, scimpanzé, lemuri, rettili e molti altri che potrai scoprire e conoscere!

Attività Scuole >

La nostra offerta didattica è studiata e ideata da personale specializzato ed esperto, in grado di incuriosire e illustrare in modo semplice e chiaro le caratteristiche e le abitudini di ogni singola specie ospitata nel Parco e di creare una relazione dialettica e costruttiva.

News ed Eventi

Non solo safari....

Non perderti nulla della fantastica offerta del Safari Ravenna, entra al parco subito la mattina e…divertiamoci “naturalmente” insieme!

Il biglietto comprende:

• Area pedonale
• Spettacoli ed Eventi
• Laboratori Didattici
• Polo Didattico
• Isola dei Lemuri
• Isola dei Babbuini
• Oasi degli Scimpanzé
• Dimora dei Siamanghi e dei Gibboni

Vieni a SafariLandia, il parco giochi più grande di tutta la Riviera!

The Fasano Zoosafari, biodiversity in 6 stages, including a surprise

In Europe in terms of the number of species it hosts. At 140 hectares, it is a true oasis of biodiversity and, in the spirit of modern zoos, plays an important role in protecting and safeguarding many endangered species. 

Close encounters

Immersed in nature and surrounded by a wide range of animals of all species, welcomed and cared for in complete freedom, the Zoosafari is a natural paradise where you can spend a day full of emotions and unforgettable encounters : meet the lion that yawns as soon as he wakes up, see the hippos bathing under the branches, make way for a line of busy zebras or let yourself be mimicked by a cheeky chimpanzee . Everywhere you look there is a surprise, something to explore.

The park is divided into various areas , plus the final surprise: the FasanoLandia park, dedicated to entertainment, the crowning glory of a visit to Fasano. 

First stage by car: the Safari

This is the “wildest” part, a 6-kilometre-long adrenaline-filled route that can only be completed by car, camper van or bus. A real safari among the centuries-old olive and carob trees of the Mediterranean maquis, where it is possible to observe, at close quarters, as many as 3,000 animals of 200 different species : the animals of the savannah, lions, tigers, giraffes, gazelles, elephants, zebras, bison ; roaming free and mixed with species belonging to different ecosystems: ostriches, llamas, camels and dromedaries , as well as deer and flamingos . 

Second stage on foot: the Primates' Area

After the car tour, the visit continues on foot. Completely immersed in the greenery, the pedestrian route has other thrilling surprises in store: you will enter the lively world of primates , who are often so astonishingly similar to us: from the beloved gorilla Riù, the real star of the park, to the hyperactive chimpanzees , and then the herd of very friendly lemurs, the docile alpacas , the lycaons and various large birds . 

Third stage with the Metrozoo: the Lake of Large Mammals

Once the pedestrian route is over, it's time to get back on board a new means of transport, this time the Metrozoo , a monorail with a panoramic view which, skimming over the tree tops, takes visitors into a new realm, this time an aquatic one: a small lake scattered with islets and topped by a small waterfall is home to a varied group of seals , hippos , singing gibbons and, surprisingly, brown bears and polar bears. And on the way back, there is the noisy monkey village with its very lively and busy guests.

Fourth stage: The Tropical Room, the Reptile House/Aquarium

Still within the pedestrian area, the itinerary continues indoors, in the Tropical Room , an air-conditioned tent covering about 700 square metres hosting reptiles , fish and various invertebrates . Here, visitors can get up close to all kinds of snakes , both poisonous and non-poisonous ( boas, pythons, rattlesnakes, vipers ), freshwater and land tortoises , saurians, iguanas, monitor lizards, geckos, chameleons, alligators , as well as giant spiders, scorpions and butterflies .

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Beautiful Puglia

Where your journey begins

Safari Zoo Puglia & Fasanolandia

The Zoo Safari in Puglia is a place that all children and their parents will love, this is where you can be in contact with nature and animals and have a great fun within the amusement park. This permanent structure that hosts hundreds of thousands of visitors each year is located just outside the town of Fasano in the Brindisi Province. It consists of the safari zoo, the wildlife pedestrian park and the amusement park known as Fasanolondia .

The entire complex is the biggest in Italy and one of the biggest in Europe. Main attraction is the Zoo Safari , this is a great wildlife park that houses about 1,700 specimens of 200 species. Here the animals live in absolute freedom in very large and open spaces; they can also get close to the public.

The zoo , a safari-style area, has to be visited by car: keeping all windows closed and driving alongside with lions, tigers, bears, camels and zebras is a truly exciting experience not to be missed. Stop near the giraffe section and offer them some peanuts, they will gently lean towards to your car.

In addition to the drive-through safari, the park also has a traditional zoo area, with walk-through enclosures and exhibits.

The wildlife pedestrian park has different sections: jump on the monkey train and be ready to be surrounded by hundreds of monkeys and baboons looking for peanuts. Visit the tropical area with snakes, turtles and alligators, the ornithological area where several species of exotic birds can be admired and the reptile-fish-insect house. Finally take a trip with the metro-zoo to the lake and its tiny islands: watch out from the train for leopards and panthers. Jump off the train and watch the seals, rhinos, bears and hippopotamus.

The park also offers a range of attractions and activities, such as amusement rides, playgrounds, and shows featuring trained animals. There are also several restaurants and snack bars located throughout the park, as well as gift shops where visitors can purchase souvenirs and gifts.

Fasanolandia

Fasanolandia is the name of the amusement park located within the Safari Zoo in Fasano, Italy. It is part of the larger Zoosafari Fasanolandia complex, which includes both the drive-through safari and the traditional zoo areas.

Fasanolandia offers a variety of attractions and rides, including roller coasters, water rides, and a variety of other thrill rides. There are also several playgrounds and areas specifically designed for younger children, as well as live shows featuring trained animals.

In addition to the amusement park attractions, Fasanolandia also features several restaurants and snack bars, as well as gift shops where visitors can purchase souvenirs and gifts.

For further information please visit the website: www.zoosafari.it

Things to do near the Zoo Safari in Puglia

There are several things to do near the Zoo Safari in Puglia, Italy. Here are a few options:

Visit Ostuni , the “White City” – This beautiful city is just a short drive away from the Zoo Safari and is famous for its whitewashed buildings and stunning views.

Explore the Alberobello Trulli – Alberobello is a UNESCO World Heritage site and features unique, cone-shaped buildings called trulli. You can wander through the town and learn about the history and culture of the region.

Head to the coast – Puglia has some gorgeous beaches, and you can find several along the Adriatic coast near the Zoo Safari. Some popular spots include Torre Guaceto and Torre Santa Sabina.

Visit the Grotte di Castellana – These caves are a stunning natural wonder and are located just a short drive from the Zoo Safari. You can take a guided tour through the caves and see incredible rock formations and underground lakes.

Explore the Baroque city of Lecce – Lecce is known for its stunning Baroque architecture and beautiful churches. You can spend a day wandering through the city and admiring the stunning buildings and historic sites.

Polignano a Mare, Puglia

Puglia family holiday with kids, egnazia ruins puglia – archaeological site, mesagne: puglia’s timeless treasure.

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Zoosafari Fasanolandia: The Best Car Safari in Italy

• April 4, 2024

We’re constantly learning about what it takes to travel with a child. For the most part, our expedition style hasn’t changed, but we’ve certainly noticed a few differences. As parents, it’s difficult to not realize how many activities and attractions are geared towards kids. Whether it’s motorized toys you can rent by the minute or carousels in the park, the opportunity to entertain children at our expense exists everywhere .

Naturally, when we saw the consistent advertising of Zoosafari Fasanolandia throughout Puglia, we knew we just had to visit. Luckily, our experience ended up being just as much for us parents as it was for our daughter!

In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to know before planning a fabulous visit to Zoosafari in Fasano.

And Where Is Zoosafari Fasanolandia?

• Why You Should Visit

How Much Do Tickets Cost?

Where should you purchase tickets, when is zoosafari open, can you feed the animals, can you drive through with your windows down, how long does the drive through take, are dogs allowed, arrive before opening or during lunch hours, pack a lunch, be mindful of show times, scope out the park map beforehand, how to get to zoosafari in fasano, where to stay while visiting zoosafari.

• Is Zoosafari Worth Visiting?

What is Zoosafari Fasanolandia?

Zoosafari Fasanolandia is a combined theme park which consists of both an amusement park and an animal park . It is most known for its drive-through safari , which makes up the Zoosafari portion of the park.

Zoosafari is impressively the second-largest drive-through zoo in all of Europe and a prominent destination in Fasano altogether. Fasanolandia is the park’s other half and resembles a traditional theme park with rides, exhibits, and even an aquarium. Additional highlights of the theme park include a theatre, reptile house, monkey village, and a couple of small museums.

→ 🚘 Book a rental car from Bari Airport ←

Although the overall park is divided into two main components (Zoosafari and Fasanolandia), access to both typically goes hand in hand. A bit more on this below, but by purchasing tickets to Zoosafari, a visit to Fasanolandia is also included. On the other hand, it is possible to solely visit Fasanolandia without completing the drive-through safari. In short, there’s a ton to see and do at Zoosafari, but it can get confusing when planning your visit due to the way ticket sales are structured.

As the name suggests, Zoosafari Fasanolandia is located near the town of Fasano. Fasano is situated in southern Italy, specifically in the beautiful region of Puglia . It is 60 km (37 miles) from Puglia’s capital of Bari and less than a one-hour drive from Bari’s international airport.

→ ✈️ Find cheap flights to Bari Airport ←

Is Zoosafari Fasanolandia Worth Visiting?

Puglia is one of Italy’s most beloved summer destinations. There is no shortage of gorgeous beaches to enjoy, seafood to devour, and charming towns to explore. With that being said, Zoosafari is likely on your radar for only two reasons.

• You are an animal enthusiast and thoroughly enjoy zoo visits.
• You are travelling with kids.

For those who resonate with the first reason, it makes complete sense to be interested in visiting a well-curated and straight-up fun animal experience . Sure, a zoo is one thing, but it’s hard to find someone who wouldn’t like a drive-through safari. How often can you come across the chance to see wild animals without being confined to small cages, all while in the comfort of your own car?

There are unfortunately many zoos out there that do not have the best interest of animals at heart. Zoosafari is not one of them, and their dedication to research programs, conservation of species, and education to the public takes the first priority.

It doesn’t take much to persuade any parent with children to visit Zoosafari. Whether your family is a lover of animals or not, Zoosafari and Fasanolandia effortlessly provides entertainment for kids of all ages . Particularly for any family who has done the beach and the aqua parks, the animal park is an excellent choice for switching it up. After all, fellow parents will understand that we’re just here to serve our children and their attention span! (Kind of only kidding).

Zoosafari Fasanolandia FAQs

Our least favorite part about Zoosafari Fasanolandia is the price. Compared to a typical zoo, admission fees are a bit costly . On top of that, the ticket structure is more complicated than it should be. During our visit, we paid for a Zoosafari ticket, which costs €32 per adult and €25 per child (free for children under 4 years old).

Aside from the main feature which consists of the drive-through safari, this type of ticket gives you access to Fasanolandia. However, it does not include entrance to the aquarium or any rides.

If you omit the safari altogether, a ticket to just Fasanolandia costs €18 per adult and children over four years old. For those eager to go on amusement park rides, this type of ticket is recommended since it includes six rides. Lastly, the third type of ticket, which is an add-on to the Zoosafari and Fasanolandia ticket, is admission to the Aquarium. A ticket to the Sea Lion Aquarium costs €10.

One of the best things about visiting the Zoosafari complex is that you can walk up and purchase tickets on the spot . There is no need to buy tickets upfront or online before arriving. This is the most ideal scenario for families who tend to make last minute plans like us.

As soon as the park is open, you will line up at the ticket booth while in your car if you’re headed to the drive-through safari. If you’re only visiting Fasanolandia, you can park your car and then walk to the kiosk to buy entry tickets. Reservations are also never required unless you have special requests or are traveling in a very large group.

To fully experience Zoosafari, plan a visit during April to September . This is the period when the park is completely open and operational, with regular visiting hours, shows, and exhibits. Outside of these months, the park is occasionally open with certain conditions. For example, in February, March, and October, you can only experience the drive-through safari on specific dates, while Fasanolandia (the theme park) remains closed. Additionally, there are special events during holidays such as Christmas and Halloween.

For Zoosafari (drive-through animal park), it is possible to purchase tickets and begin the tour from 9:30 to 15:00. Fasanolandia, which includes the amusement park with rides and other features like the theater and museums, is available from 10:00 to 16:00. These opening hours are only applicable from April to September.

By the park’s official rules, it’s not allowed to feed the animals or attract them towards you with food. It’s advised to follow this regulation while touring the safari because you may not know how animals will react. It’s a bit different than feeding pigeons at the park! In a worst-case scenario, the safari animals may cause damage to your car or you if you attract them with your own food.

Ironically, as you approach the entrance and parking area for the park, you’ll see a ton of roadside vendors. Each of them is selling plastic bags of food geared towards the zoo animals, typically carrots or even peanuts. Clearly, these vendors are not associated with the actual zoo, and that’s why you’ll see them making their sales before the park grounds.

Similar to Zoosafari’s stance on feeding animals, you’re technically not allowed to drive through the safari with your windows down. There are signs posted in multiple areas of the park prohibiting this for safety and liability reasons. However, this is where we slightly broke the rules, but only when it made sense. For example, the drive-through route begins with a large section of many goats, donkeys, and some horses.

There was not one car among ours that did not have their windows down and sticking their arms out to pet the animals. How can you resist a friendly lick from a farm animal?

As you get further into the excursion and into high-risk sections like the tigers, it’s probably not a good idea to treat them like goats. Additionally, the guards staged in these areas are more alert and will remind you to put your window up.

Overall, we kept our windows closed at all times in the backseat for our daughter but kept ours cracked open in order to take better photos. Use your best judgment with this one!

Driving through the safari can take 30 minutes or over one hour. It completely depends on how long you stop at each animal species and take the time to observe or admire. There were some animals to which our daughter was glued to and didn’t want to leave. Other animals were shy or not visible, so we zipped on by. Secondly, the time to complete the route will also depend on the number of other visitors accompanying you. After all, it’s a drive, which means there will either be a lot of traffic or not.

To our surprise, we saw a handful of dogs joining their human owners at Zoosafari. The dogs were even seen in the Fasanolandia theme park, which has access to the aquarium, monkey village, and reptile house. We believe there is a size limit for dogs allowed inside , as all of the pups we saw were rather small. If your dog isn’t large and is well mannered, bring them along!

Tips for Visiting Zoosafari Fasanolandia

This tip seems to apply to any frequented attraction or even beach, particularly in Italy. Arriving early is only effective if you get there before doors open so you are at the front of the line. If you arrive at opening hour, there will already be many cars ahead of you which cause traffic throughout the safari course.

We learned from our mistake, and when we visit Zoosafari again, we will likely arrive around 12:30pm when most people (Italians in particular) will start to leave for lunch instead.

On the subject of lunch, it’s recommended that you pack your own sandwich or something easy to bring along with you. There are a handful of kiosks selling food inside Fasanolandia, but they are overpriced and of low quality. We were definitely not the only ones taking a picnic break in our car after the drive-through safari and before entering the theme park.

If you’re keen on catching a show at the theatre, aquarium, reptile house, or any other special performance, consider planning your visit around the show times . Unfortunately, show times vary and they’re not on a structured schedule (or published online). But there are two ways to confirm this beforehand. First, you can ask the ticket booth when you first arrive for all the show times. Alternatively, you can email Zoosafari in advance if you like to plan well ahead.

For us, seeing the performances was not a critical aspect of our visit so we played it by ear. Still, we were pleasantly surprised to catch a dog show by chance as we walked by the theatre.

Parents who are traveling with young children will likely want to avoid as much backtracking and wandering in the wrong direction as possible. We know from experience that there is nothing worse than disappointing a toddler by ending up at the wrong ride or attraction. Luckily, when you purchase your admission tickets, you’ll also receive a copy of the park map (for both Zoosafari and Fasanolandia) .

The drive-through safari is very straightforward because it’s just one road and designed for you to see all of the animals. Fasanolandia is less intuitive, and the signs placed within the park don’t really point in the correct directions. Using the physical map to navigate the amusement park is best. It will give you a good preview of the layout instead of cluelessly walking around.

The town of Fasano is conveniently located right off the E55 motorway. The zoo and park are then situated on a hill just up the street from Fasano’s centre. Reaching Zoosafari Fasanolandia by car is by far the quickest way.

Zoosafari’s distance from a few major cities and towns in Puglia includes:

• Bari to Zoosafari – 60 km (37 miles)
• Alberobello to Zoosafari – 16 km (10 miles)
• Monopoli to Zoosafari – 18 km (11 miles)
• Brindisi to Zoosafari – 66 km (41 miles)

BY TRAIN: Reaching Fasano by train is possible, but the station is located 3 km from the town center. There is a bus that regularly shuttles passengers from the Fasano train station into town. However, there is no bus that departs from Fasano’s town center to Zoosafari park. You would need to catch a taxi or walk the remainder of the journey.

→ 🚊 Find schedules and train tickets to Fasano ←

Ever wonder what it’s like to sleep at a theme park? Zoosafari has a few options for guests looking to stay directly at the park and zoo. If you’re looking to make the animal park a focal point of your trip, spending the night or two can be super appealing to families with kids. Minimize travel time and maximize park time!

Park Hotel Sant’Elia (7.9 rating) – Book with Booking.com

Hotel Castel Miramonti (8.2 rating) – Book with Booking.com

Masseria Borgo Ritella (9.3 rating) – Book with Booking.com

→ 🛌 Find a place to stay in Fasano ←

Final Thoughts on Visiting Zoosafari Fasanolandia

If you are looking for our honest review of Zoosafari Fasanolandia, then we’d quickly tell you, yes, it’s worth a visit. It may not make the traditional list of the best things to do in Puglia but if you have the time, it won’t disappoint. As if we haven’t mentioned it enough, it’s especially a no-brainer if you are traveling with kids . To simplify our recommendation further, let’s break it down to pros and cons!

• The drive-through safari is excellent and good old-fashioned fun for all. There is a great variety of animals , and the route is well-maintained and designed.
• The Zoosafari ticket gives you automatic access to the pedestrian zone and Fasanolandia. It’s a good value to see additional exhibits like the reptile house, monkey village, and museums.
• There is plenty of parking, so you do not need to stress about sold-out tickets or availability.
• Much less affordable than a traditional zoo.
• For the price of admission, it feels like access to the Aquarium should also be included.
• Parking is also not free in the designated lots and costs around €3 for the whole day.

Zoosafari Travel Resources

Affiliate Disclaimer: Please note that some links found in our posts are affiliate links. Should you choose to purchase through these links, we may receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.

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3 Wildlife Safari Spots to Explore in Italy

Checkout places to visit in italy.

Located in Southern Europe consisting of a peninsula delimited by the Alps and surrounded by several islands.

Wildlife Safari Spots by destination

Apulia ( 1 )

Emilia-Romagna ( 1 )

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Activities Around

Wildlife safari spots to explore in italy.

Pombia Safari Park

The Safari Park of Pombia is a tourist complex that includes a zoological garden, a safari zoo, and an amusement park, located in Pombia in the province of Novara, founded and conceived by Angelo Lombardi in 1976 initially with the name of Zoo Safari. It is made up of two distinct areas: the amusement park with about thirty rides, with animals in enclosures or cages, and the safari park where the animals live in freedom and can be observed by visitors in their vehicles or special trains.

Safari Ravenna

The Ravenna Safari is a safari park in the Savio district of the city of Ravenna in Emilia-Romagna which was owned by the company ALFA 3000. This park allows you to see more than 700 animals of over 100 different species including wild animals up close and without barriers, as you could never do in a normal bio-park.

The Zoosafari of Fasano and Fasanolandia is a tourist complex that includes a zoological garden and an amusement park located in Fasano, in the province of Brindisi. The area covers thirty hectares and is home to about 3000 animals of 200 different species, which can be observed along a car route. Particularly interesting are the groups of giraffes, zebras, lions, and Tibetan bears, as well as the only polar bears in Italy.

Map of Wildlife Safari Spots to explore in Italy

Safari Park

A4 toll motorway (Milan-Turin), Novara Est exit, continue in the direction of Lake Maggiore for about 20 km and A26 toll motorway, Castelletto Ticino exit, continue in the direction of Novara for about 10 km

Going on safari is an idea that excites both children and parents. The chance is offered by the Pombia Zoo Safari Park near Novara.

The park is located not far from Lake Maggiore and, within the limits of local “nature” lets you drive for kilometres across a sunny hillside where animals roam in total freedom. Fearless and curious, the park animals frequently wander up to inspect the passing columns of cars. Close contact is an everyday occurrence, especially in the first section of the park, in the herbivore area.

Ostriches, gnus, zebras, camels, dromedaries and a beautiful giraffe go about their business quite unperturbed by the fact that they are being observed by curious visitors. The ostriches in particular take every chance to roam among the lines of cars, hoping for titbits to eat. Feeding the animals is of course strictly forbidden and potentially dangerous.

As you drive up the hill you enter the realm of the immense hippopotami, followed by an area inhabited by antelopes and huge rhinos. This is followed by two carefully fenced in areas, the first inhabited by "tranquil" lions and the second by magnificent tigers. Leaving these areas and the woodland behind you, you descend to the section that contains the park’s pride and joy: a pair of superb white lions!

The way down is also populated by a variety of animals, including impressively large buffaloes. After a final glance at the monkey cage you finally reach the car park from where you can go on to visit various areas on foot. You are almost spoiled for choice: there is a reptile house, children’s amusement areas, various shops and an entertainment area with a cycle of daily shows.

The Zoo Safari Park provides a unique and fascinating experience in many ways, thanks also to the efforts of its management to develop an attractive idea in the most effective way possible.

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ZooSafari: A drive-through safari park in Italy

If you’re looking for a break from the human race, head toward Fasano, Italy, a small town near the city of Bari where animals from around the world roam the grounds at the ZooSafari.

Sure, it’s got your signature lions and tigers and bears, but also African and Asian elephants, American bison, llamas, hippos, zebras, giraffes, emus, pink flamingos and many other animals we don’t normally see.

The “safari” is actually a drive-through tour along a series of stepped switchbacks where the animals get to look at humans close up. Cars enter the park and are immediately greeted by some very friendly deer that won’t hesitate to stick their noses right in your window. Get used to it because the animals along the safari trail are not shy.

That being said, some areas are separated with gates and have a strict windows-up policy. This would be the lions and tigers and bears portion of the tour. If you want pictures of these guys, it will have to be through the car window, although some (over)zealous photographers may be tempted to sneak a few shots with the windows down before the park wardens catch up to them in their sport-utility vehicles.

Once visitors complete the safari path (we spent a leisurely 90 minutes driving through) there is the traditional zoo and amusement park to explore. The zoo includes several areas accessible by the enclosed MetroZoo monorail tram. It takes you past more large roaming cats (cheetahs, leopards and panthers) to a walking path where you can see polar bears, rhinos, baboons and other animals not exactly native to southern Italy.

The entrance to the MetroZoo is marked by a huge Buddha statue overlooking the gorilla enclosure. The lone gorilla, an adolescent silverback named Riu, was a bit surly during our visit. He threw a few handfuls of gravel at one of the park attendants who clearly deserved it after a few minutes of verbal taunting. (Who knew the gorilla understood Italian?)

There is also an aquarium, a reptile house, a few museum-type exhibits with animatronic dinosaurs, ancient model ships and other curiosities in the amusement park, called Fasanolandia. Between the animals and the amusements, the park is pretty much an all-day affair.

Clearly the animals are the best part of this trip. Whenever a giraffe sticks its head in your car, or you can get close enough to pet a zebra, you can’t help feeling hakuna matata (Swahili for “no worries”). The ZooSafari lets you get to see the beautiful, docile side of nature close-up in a setting that reminds visitors we are not the only ones on the planet.

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• Italian Safari? This New Eco-Conscious Lodge Aims to Immerse You in the Tuscan Wilderness

Hiking, horseback riding and stargazing await at Oasyhotel

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Just another morning on safari in Italy .

Deep in the Apennine mountains about an hour northwest of Florence, in an area long bypassed by Italy’s tourist hordes, a steep drive through hairpin turns conjures images of Lake Tahoe or the Rocky Mountains. The destination: Oasyhotel , in the heart of Tuscany , which opened this past spring in a pristine forest brimming with wildlife—something of an oasis, as the name suggests. Set in what was once a hunting ground now transformed into a protected sanctuary in partnership with the World Wildlife Fund, the luxury eco-lodge combine unspoiled views with a safari experience unlike any in Italy.

Once you make the journey to Oasy, the idea is to stay at Oasy. “Oasyhotel does not behave like any other hotel,” says Galligani. “We aim to receive guests into an exclusive and secluded natural oasis, and follow them through.” There are countless ways to while away a stay on the 2,500-acre expanse, from leisurely kayaking outings to more active horseback riding pursuits. Guests are encouraged to take one of the property’s ebikes out for a spin, gliding alongside a pristine lake, through valleys littered with ferns and across hills overlooking all of Tuscany—often passing wildlife that’s more curious of humans than humans are of them. 

Millions of stars light the way as you walk back to your lodge after a busy day—there’s virtually no light pollution in these parts—and amid the all-encompassing silence, all you can hear is the wind whistling through the trees and the wolves howling somewhere in the distance. The 16 standalone lodges, done up with minimalist flair, promise complete privacy, along with sweeping forest and mountain views. Don’t look for club sandwiches and soggy French fries on the room service menu—instead, an elaborate picnic box arrives at your door overflowing with hearty provisions like locally made mortadella, cheese produced at the property’s dairy, and unsalted Tuscan bread to soak up the rich local butter and olive oil. 

Oasyhotel is not necessarily what many people associate with an Italian escape. But taking a night hike deep into the woods to arrive at a small cabin with a roaring fireplace, where wine, bourbon and chocolate await you by candlelight—it’s enough to make you never want to leave.

Rates for Oasyhotel start from $420 per night.

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Tuscan Safari

Cinque terre.

• Mateo Viana Toro Tour Guide Born in Colombia, raised in Italy. I have a strong academic background in European and American languages. My goal is to ensure a smooth holiday for every traveler, allowing them to delve into their heritage with profound consequences and lasting memories.
• Giacomo Tour guide I'm a qualified tour guide with years of experience, I will introduce you to the beauty of Tuscany and Florence.
• Irina Photografer, video and art-director Video is my passion. I am 2-3d animator, photographer and video, web, graphic and motion designer. I had an internship in different countries where I worked with global companies: Kia Motors, Starhotels, etc.
• Oksana Tour guide Qualified tour guide of Florence, I will take you on a journey you will not forget. The Accademia and the David are my favorite place to visit and explain. I love food and wine, something very easy to find here in Tuscany.
• Laura Tour guide Born and raised under the Tuscan sun. I'm a qualified tour guide who thinks there's nothing better in the world than having some good time travelling with new friends. Let me take you on a new adventure through the peacefulness of the Tuscan countryside or the breathtaking panorama of our coast... laughs, good food and wine are guaranteed and an unforgettable day is waiting for us!
• Benjamin Tour guide Born in Norway and currently living in Tuscany. I am a qualified driver and tour guide with a passion for meeting new people and showing them the gems of Tuscany. Being on tour with me you are guaranteed a fullblown italian experience.

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