What is London Zoo's Land of the Lions like?
We visited Land of the Lions in the ZSL London Zoo right after it opened in 2016. It was one of the new attractions in London that had been anticipated for a while. We have always enjoyed visiting the zoo and we also enjoyed the new section, so I thought I would finally share our visit and thoughts about the Land of the Lions. You might also be interested in my top tips on how to get the most out of a visit to the London Zoo with kids!
Overall, we enjoyed the Land of the Lions and I thought it is a lot of fun for the kids. It was quite an immersive experience. You walk through to the Land of the Lions, and you walk through to India's Sasan Gir, vibrant, colourful and exotic. It was almost like walking to a set, transported to a different type of land. Lots of little touches here and there, with posters, wheelie bins and so on making it quite distinct from the rest of the zoo.
The lions, well, you might get to see them close by or you might have to peer through to catch a glimpse of them. On the day we visited the lions were just chilling at the back. We did however get to see a moving and breathing lion brought to the main square. It had been injured and the zookeepers told us it needed immediate medical attention. It was oh so very exciting seeing the kids being so keen to go and pet it, and help with administering the medicine to the lion!
This show (with a giant stuffed lion) was a nice touch and definitely got the kids excited. It wasn't pre-announced or anything but I think they are every hour, on the main viewing square, so it is well worth hanging back to wait for it.
I almost didn't spot them, but near the main square are few small huts where you can stay overnight. In the London Zoo. How cool would that be! Listening to the lions roar in the morning... Having breakfast watching the animals... Just amazing. I've been on a safari, sleeping in a tent and being petrified of hippos wandering in my path on a night time toilet trip - now this is the type of a safari that seems pretty chilled out and fun. And easier to organise than a trip to the Serengeti!
Overall, London Zoo is absolutely massive. I don't think we have ever managed to see all that the zoo has to offer on one day - and with kids about five hours is more than enough to knacker them out. My favourites are the lemurs and the monkey enclosures, as you get so close to the animals it actually freaks you out a bit. I have also really enjoyed the penguins, especially hanging back after the show and checking them close-up. I did love the Land of the Lions as well - it was colourful and fun with the immersive experience and the extra shows it was well worth the visit. In fact, I think we should go and visit it again this spring!
Have you been to the zoo or the new lion enclosure?
You might also like: London with toddlers: ZSL London Zoo and 10 things to do in London with a toddler
We used to love visiting London Zoo when we lived up there but left before the Land of the Lions was built. Looks like we should include a visit next time we are up there! #countrykids
ReplyDeleteOh you definitely should - we are planning on doing another visit this spring!
DeleteI haven't been to London zoo since I was a child but would love to go. We have looked at it a few times over the years but with 8 of us it just worked out a bit too expensive. I know they have to charge a lot though as the price of keeping the animals healthy is high. It's lovely to take a glimpse of the zoo through your photos and see what it is like now. The Lions are so impressive, even if they were just chilling out together on your visit. It definitely looks like a full day out.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing with me on #CountryKids
It is quite expensive yes... For 8 it would be a lot! We have used Tesco's vouchers to pay for it - you get £10 to spend for £2.5 of Tesco vouchers, so if you have a lot of them stored it's worth getting them. Obviously, for 2 adults and one kid it's a lot cheaper than 8!
DeleteI haven't been to London Zoo for years, so it was great to read this and see some of the changes that have happened since. I love lions. Thankfully the ones in the zoos and wildlife parks near us do usually appear from time to time so we get a good view of them!
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I think the Land of the Lions was the latest big change, although they do change small bits and bobs once in a while. For us London is the closest one, although I'd love to visit a few other one's near London.
DeleteI haven't been to London Zoo since I was a child either but this looks so much fun. I do love her jacket too xx
ReplyDeleteOh thank you! She's had so many compliments for it, sadly it is getting far too small now!
DeleteSo much color in there to experience! And the Lions look amazing. I can only imagine how it is to sleep near them and yes hear them roar! That would be awesome! #countrykids
ReplyDeleteI would love to stay there one night - it would really be one of those special nights to remember!
DeleteI like how they have tried to replicate the colours and art of Gir. Looks amazing!
ReplyDeleteIt really felt like you stepped into another world, I thought they did great work with the props!
DeleteI have many friends who have visited and really enjoyed the Land of the Lions they have done a great job with the amazing enclosure. #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteIt was really cool - it felt so original and different from the rest of the zoo.
DeleteWe haven’t been to London zoo for some time not since having our second so wasn’t aware that they had this new exhibit. I like the sound of the stuffed lion and the show we will have to look into it next time we are in London x #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteAll the kids were so excited when they saw the lion being brought out! They got really into the whole show :)
DeleteI haven't been to London Zoo since I was a little girl. It sounds like a great day out. I really should take my brood there one day! #CountryKids
ReplyDeleteOh you definitely should! It is a full day out too so do bring a picnic :)
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