Having heard more about Zion Wildlife Gardens in Northland from their notoriety than anything else, I was curious to make the detour from Whangarei.
Where the wild things are
Firstly it is ridiculously hard to find! There was one sign in the tiny town of Kamo pointing left, then nothing. They left us in the lurch for what seemed like hours, doubling back on ourselves, searching Google maps again and having a couple more goes. We drove and drove, into the boondocks and still not a sign post in sight. In fact we’d driven about 15kms past a tiny sign and it was only by chance after we’d given up that I noticed it upon our return because the house on the corner looked strangely octagonal and caught my eye.
Apparently people keep stealing their signs, but even a boring AA one would be helpful.
When we finally arrived at the shop/ticket office and were told by a Maori girl with a strange Afrikaans accent that came and went depending on who she was speaking to, that the next tour wasn’t for another hour, I went What?! You drive all this way and it’s not actually a park that is open for visits, you have to wait for the next tour?
I could see a couple of lions behind a fence in the distance and since our extraordinarily long trip meant I was desperate for the loo, this is as close as I got.
With a zoom lens you can make out 2 tigers
Guided tours start at $60 per adult and $30 per child (2-12 years, free under 2) and go up to $650 for two people to walk through the sanctuary within “arms length”. Jarringly the brochure they gave me still advertises that Uncle Dalu will greet you for a full guided tour. He was mauled to death by one of the white tigers in May last year and charges were laid against the park in January.
All in all, it was too pricey and too difficult, so this is as far as I got. If any one’s been to Zion Wildlife Gardens I’d be keen to hear what it’s like!
If you want to find it, the brochure says:
1km down Gray Road, Kamo, Whangarei, Northland. Ph +64 9 435 0110. Or click here for their website.
Good luck.
Tags: Northland, Whangarei, Zion Wildlife Gardens
Megan Singleton is an
We took our kids, also got lost on the way. Although the kids liked it I thought it was an expensive price to be able to watch bored over bred animals in cages that were too small. Would not go again, made me feel dirty – like I’d aided and abetted them.
My husband and I’ve actually been there when Craig was running the place, for part of our honeymoon and it was really well sign posted (okay admittedly with AA Signs) and a great place to visit. I did feel it was a bit pricey but when you consider that is how Craig was feeding his beautiful big cats, then I had No objections to paying that cost especially after seeing how well he and Dalu treated the animals and how happy they looked when Craig was running the place. The white tigers actually came up to the fence chuffing hello at us when we turned up by them, and Zion who apparently only lets out a roar for craig when we spoke to him and said Hi Zion, gave us a little Rarr LOL.
A friend of ours has been up there since Craig was thrown out and the photos she brought back the cats honestly looked very very unhappy. And she said the tigers did not come near the fence line and did not chuff their hellos.
So yeah I can understand how you’d be feeling frustrated. (*oh and about the Maori girl with the accent, if she’s anything like me the longer she’s around people with accents the more she’ll be picking them up. 10 minutes with my aunt and Im sounding like I was born and bred in Scotland. LOL – not making excuses just giving across a valid point. )
I hope to go again but NOT until after they put Craig back in charge.
That’s a shame Megan. We found ZWG with a google map without any problems. They have set tour times at the park. It isn’t a public zoo but a privately run facility. I really enjoyed my visit it was awesome. The staff there are friendly and really love the big cats at the park. You see what you wouldn’t see at a normal zoo. The cats aren’t bored. Lions and Tigers are nocturnal and can sleep up to 18 hours a day which is why you won’t see them moving around all that much in daylight hours. Try going again sometime I’m going back shortly. It’s worth it.
I love watching the lion man,dalu,shia,abu would still be around at zwg if craig was there since they got rid of craig it has gone down hill bring back craig R.I.P DALU,ABU,SHIA love you craig
How lucky you were cause when we went to NZ last year we were unable to visit the park due to it being closed. We both love big cats . Craig does a great job, he s so passionate about the animals.
Hi Megan
we found the Park no problem and i had already booked my tours in advance – all you had to do was call the park and pre-book – my experience was awesome if you want u can email me Thanks roberta x
Hi Roberta, thanks for your comments. Unfortunately we decided to visit the park on a whim after seeing a billboard north of Whangarei on our way back from Northland. Didn’t realise one had to book in advance so disappointed that our journey would be so difficult.
Cheers
Megan
I think you should have done your research before you left. The price and Directions.