A Canadian Paddling Safari vs African Lion Safari, Toronto Ont

African Lion Safari and the Grand River Paddling Safari are only 30 minutes apart. Both offer the opportunity to view wildlife in Southern Ontario. One views exotic wildlife in an open zoo-style setting, the other views wildlife in a wilderness river setting.

African Lion Safari allows families to drive their own vehicles through a farm pasture setting in which exotic animals are loose. The individual fields are securely fenced off, separating aggressive species. Driving through these paddock areas offer excellent viewing of the animals on display.

There is also a walk-through "Birds of Prey" section where the birds are housed in large pens. They have a circus style environment for children with talking parrot shows, flying birds of prey and elephant acts throughout the day.

African Safari has food and drink concessions, children play areas, rail-car rides and an African Queen boat ride… even two memorabilia shops. They have all the conveniences of the Metro Zoo, like flush toilets! It is a unique family adventure in an outdoor setting, but lacks wilderness!

On the other hand… paddling safaris on the Grand River near Paris, Ontario, lacks many zoo conveniences. But the river has a wilderness that is intact… it is beautiful… and it is inspiring. The only exotic life present is the rafters themselves!

On the Grand River, families exchange their cars for a raft. The safari road becomes a gentle moving river. The fenced paddocks turn into a forest of lush greenery. The wild animals are hidden, visible to the searching eye. The birds of prey… vultures, hawks, osprey, herons and eagles soar un-harnessed on the Canadian sky.

The raft’s food cooler is the food concession… one eats what they bring. The fresh springs provide the cold drinks… the kid’s play zone is a life-jacket float down the river. The "kept washrooms" become outhouses and Thunder Boxes. And if sudden rain, people put on garbage bags instead of running to picnic shelters. The closest memorabilia is a hand-drawn map the rafting guide makes to a nearby restaurant.

Visitors are often attracted by the variety of wildlife that can be viewed at the African Lion Safari. Many visitors don’t realize the Grand River flows through the rare Carolinian Forest. This forest has the largest collection of birds, wildlife, fish and plants in Canada. It is a unique ecosystem that no man can put a fence around for display.

The paddling safari and the African land safari offer families minimum traveling to a far-away setting! Combined, the two adventures make a "wild" weekend getaway in Southern Ontario!

Click here for information on a Canadian Paddling Safari Adventure
A guided family rafting adventure on the Grand River