I had an unforgettable time at Cebu Safari with my fellow Hivers and the kids from Amancion Elementary School. As promised, I'll be sharing more about the second half of our visit, but in case you missed the first part, you can catch up on all the action here.
As we wrapped up the first half of our exhilarating adventures at Cebu Safari, the day unfolded with more exciting encounters and heartwarming moments. After our delightful lunch break, we embarked on a journey through the Safari Stadium for an enchanting bird show.
BIRD SHOW (SAFARI STADIUM)
The Safari Stadium is only a 5-minute walk from Base Camp. On our way there, we passed by several animals, including peafowls, Visayan warty pigs, snakes, Javan rust, and sand blackbucks. We also passed by the Tiger Turf, but the tigers were so far away that we couldn't get a clear view of them.
The bird show lasted an hour and featured a fantastic array of avian performers.
We were treated to a spectacular display of friendly macaws, chattering lorikeets, African crowned cranes, and awe-inspiring raptors like the Philippine sea eagle, Philippine owl, and Philippine hawk. These birds were truly talented, and I could see the kids laughing at their tricks – I'm certain they had as much fun as I did.
TIGER'S TURF
After the bird show, we returned to the Tiger's Turf for the White Bengal Tiger feeding session. We saw a llama on the way.
This time, we saw the tigers up close, wide awake and eager for their meal. Naturally, we couldn't resist snapping some photos.
THE OUTPOST
Next on our agenda was a visit to the giraffes, who were also having a feeding session at the Outpost. The Outpost is another delightful Safari restaurant serving Western favorites like burgers, fries, nachos, and hotdogs. On our way there, we passed by the Bornean Orangutan, the world's largest tree-dwelling mammal, and the ring-tailed lemur.
And here are the reticulated giraffes, graceful and captivating.
Initially, the kids appeared apprehensive about posing for a photo, but the irresistible charm of the giraffe quickly won them over.
The Outpost also boasts fantastic views of aquatic birds and meerkats. These meerkats were simultaneously adorable and intimidating. I felt like they were my spirit animal. They may look endearing, but they can be fierce in the presence of predators.
Our next stop was to see the African Lions. We walked past the hyenas and another type of giraffe, Rothschild's giraffe.
Along the way, we also encountered a pony, serval cats, cheetahs, and finally, the lion.
Unfortunately, the lion was taking a cat nap, so we only got a view of his majestic back. Again. 😭
MICHEL'S GARDEN AND PAVILION
Feeling quite weary by this point, we decided to wait for a tram to take us to our final destination: Michel's Garden and Gardens of the World.
I wasn't expecting much, but it was like a miniature flower dome in Singapore. Michel’s Garden is a captivating flora walking trail showcasing a vast orchid garden, including Senyorito’s 40-year-old orchid collection. As the name suggests, the Gardens of the World features a splendid array of flora, landscapes, and representations of the seven continents.
We snapped one last group photo before we concluded this jam-packed day at Cebu Safari.
They have this nice overlooking view from where we waited for the tram to take us back to the Welcome Pavilion so we could go home.
As the tram whisked us back to the Welcome Pavilion, I couldn't help but reflect on this incredibly tiring yet immensely fulfilling day. Despite having only 4 hours of sleep, I was proud of myself for powering through, and the smiles on the kids' faces made every ounce of effort worth it. My heart was so full, and my inner child was delighted to see giraffes, tigers, and all those animals I had only ever encountered in children's books or on the Discovery Channel as a kid.
I can genuinely say that I enjoyed this experience as much as the kids did, if not more, and I am so grateful that I decided to join in the adventure. Kim, thank you for letting me be a part of your extraordinary birthday experience. It truly was a day filled with happiness, and I wish you countless blessings so that you can continue to bring joy to more kids in the future. Hopefully, I'll have the privilege of being a part of that journey, too.
So, whether you're an animal enthusiast or simply looking for a fantastic day out with your kids, I definitely recommend visiting Cebu Safari. Until my next safari expedition, thank you for reading. Ciao!
