Rental Car for African Lion Safari - Good or Bad Idea?

[ihsn]

Thinking of renting a minivan with Loss Damage Waiver (LDW) or Collision Damage Coverage (CDC) for the day to the Safari.

Good or bad idea? Anybody done it? Recommend or warn?

I dont mind the bus but driving on my own looks more fun. Thanks.

[Carnage]

As long as you don't mind explaining to the rental agency how the windshield wipers and trim got ripped off the van.

Most likely you'll come out without any damage at all. But those baboons do like to pull things off the car that they can get their hands on. Well, that or sit on your hood and pleasure themselves. Filthy, filthy animals. :lol:

[ihsn]

As long as you don't mind explaining to the rental agency how the windshield wipers and trim got ripped off the van.

Most likely you'll come out without any damage at all. But those baboons do like to pull things off the car that they can get their hands on. Well, that or sit on your hood and pleasure themselves. Filthy, filthy animals. :lol:
:lol:

Most likely I'm going to breeze through the baboon area. I'm taking the family and such "incidents" would be embarrassing. :o

Any tips/advice?

[jerryhung]

You'll be fine, IF YOU SKIP the Monkey section (there is a bypass)


I went African Lion Safari recently
did 1st tour on the bus
did 2nd tour in my own car (skipped the monkey section)

No damage other than having a deer licking my windshield for water
No damages from the lions either, whew~ they walked right by our car

[ihsn]

Sounds good guys.

Would you suggest driving own ca + the bus tour. I heard the guides on the bus give good tips, info etc.

[jasmom]

we went last year. The kids had a ball. We took the bus and you could see really well because you were higher and they would go around the cars. I saw an ostridge(sorry spelling) pecking at a lot of cars. I would not take a rental car. My kids really liked the monkeys.

[jnfr]

Well, on the same trip, don't take both the bus and car. It might get boring after a while, seeing the same thing twice. Pros to the bus would be, I guess, the tour guide, but cons is that the tour wouldn't really be "personalized" to what you want to see and what you'd rather avoid and plus you have to pay for it.

It is definately a better experience to drive through yourself. It also depends how the animals are feeling that day. When I went with my boyfriend, we had close encounters with the ostriches (who kept trying to "eat" our windshield and side mirrors ... dumb animal) and monkeys (who peed on our side mirror and climbs around everywhere). Don't avoid the monkeys though, they were the best part :)

As for driving a rental car ... it's definately a risk. You could get out with no damage, or you could get out with dents and pee all over the car. Make sure you have have sort of protection plan against that :cheesygri

[3weddings]

I've taken the bus and although your car is not at risk, I found that the bus went by some areas too fast.

This year we took the van through (hubby was not pleased when the kids told him..lol) and we had a hoot in the Monkey area!!! No damage at all, and the kids really enjoyed them on top of the roof etc. There were two paw prints on the roof, other than that just a lot of good laughs.

Just seems like a lot of expense to rent a van to go through.

[ihsn]

I've taken the bus and although your car is not at risk, I found that the bus went by some areas too fast.

This year we took the van through (hubby was not pleased when the kids told him..lol) and we had a hoot in the Monkey area!!! No damage at all, and the kids really enjoyed them on top of the roof etc. There were two paw prints on the roof, other than that just a lot of good laughs.

Just seems like a lot of expense to rent a van to go through.
I dont mind the extra cost (car rental for a day) for the entire family.

Question: Can you breeze through the monkey area? I mean if you feel the monkeys are in a bad mood etc. can you just drive past them or are there some rules that we need to adhere to in the park? For example, if the monkey starts biting/pulling on the wiper can I move (slowly) or honk? :-0 (latter sounds like a a bad idea)

Thanks
Well, on the same trip, don't take both the bus and car. It might get boring after a while, seeing the same thing twice. Pros to the bus would be, I guess, the tour guide, but cons is that the tour wouldn't really be "personalized" to what you want to see and what you'd rather avoid and plus you have to pay for it.

It is definately a better experience to drive through yourself. It also depends how the animals are feeling that day. When I went with my boyfriend, we had close encounters with the ostriches (who kept trying to "eat" our windshield and side mirrors ... dumb animal) and monkeys (who peed on our side mirror and climbs around everywhere). Don't avoid the monkeys though, they were the best part :)

As for driving a rental car ... it's definately a risk. You could get out with no damage, or you could get out with dents and pee all over the car. Make sure you have have sort of protection plan against that :cheesygri
Thanks, I'm planning to take the LDW or Damage protection for the day.

[Carnage]

Question: Can you breeze through the monkey area? I mean if you feel the monkeys are in a bad mood etc. can you just drive past them or are there some rules that we need to adhere to in the park? For example, if the monkey starts biting/pulling on the wiper can I move (slowly) or honk? :-0 (latter sounds like a a bad idea)


There's a bypass road, so you can skip the baboons entirely if you wish.

It's been awhile since I've been, but I think honking is only really for when you're in trouble and need the help of park rangers?

[gmark2000]

The monkeys wrecked all my wipers and damaged my rear wiper motor. Because I also had a Thule box, they were trying to tear it apart and shredded all the decals on it.

They also ripped off some trim pieces.

Needless to say, I was not happy that my wife did this.

[N1Hawk]

I've never been to the Park myself, But from what i'm hearing, it seems renting a car is not a good idea! Try the Bus Route this time around and if it's not what u want then try to bring an older car in there next time!

[GangStarr]

But those baboons do like to pull things off the car that they can get their hands on. Well, that or sit on your hood and pleasure themselves. Filthy, filthy animals. :lol:

So what your trying to say is that Baboons are in fact like most rfd'ers

[Mattones]

I remember going and seeing a young couple drive a yellow Vet in there. they skipped the monkeys haha

[ihsn]

So what your trying to say is that Baboons are in fact like most rfd'ers
Honestly, this is the loudest I've laughed in months .. great post!

Going tomorrow, will post pics when I return. :) Thanks all for your contribution.

[Frankie3s]

I wonder if they check your vehicle at the end just in case some of the animals had stashed themselves somewhere on your car? Or do they just bring in more as they discover the animals missing?

[ihsn]

I wonder if they check your vehicle at the end just in case some of the animals had stashed themselves somewhere on your car? Or do they just bring in more as they discover the animals missing?
The only animals that can probably stash themselves under the car would be one of the really small monkeys .. but it doesnt happen. As soon as you drive away from the group, they get off.

Trip was very nice, memorable and had lots of fun. I did EVERYTHING even though I arrived little later than I had planned.

11:00AM - Arrived at the park
11:30AM - Entered Game Reserve
1:30PM - Exited Game Reserve
LUNCH
2:30PM - Birds of Paradise Show
3:00PM - Birds of Prey Show
3:30PM - Elephant Roundup
4:00PM - Entered Game Reserve (again)
4:45PM - Exited Game Reserve
5:00PM - Boat Ride
5:30PM - Train Ride
6:00PM - Elephant Swim Show

The boat/train rides were useless for us unless you have kids with you. There were only couple of animals on those trips which were not worth it IMO. On my second lap through the game reserve, I saw some animals up close that were sleeping or resting in my first lap. Damage to car was couple of scratches on the driver side window glass, courtesy the ostrich. Do not get fooled or tricked by those lovely eyes, these guys peck pretty hard on the windows. The monkeys were fine, I wouldnt skip this area unless I was driving a brand new car. I had the most fun in that area as their antics were hilarious.

Overall, I would say I had more fun here than I did in the Toronto Zoo. The selection of animals is quite limited area here but you do get up, close with them. So if you want a more educational trip, Toronto Zoo would be a better choice. If you want more thrill/fun, then the Lion Safari is a better choice.

I'll post some pics later today.

[ihsn]

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[N1Hawk]

did u end up driving through the park, if you did, how bad is your car, any scratches etc?

[porphyra]

Overall, I would say I had more fun here than I did in the Toronto Zoo. The selection of animals is quite limited area here but you do get up, close with them. So if you want a more educational trip, Toronto Zoo would be a better choice. If you want more thrill/fun, then the Lion Safari is a better choice.

I'll post some pics later today.

You are right about educational. What Indian/Asian elephants were doing at a "African" lion safari was beyond me. Apparently no one had an explanation either.

[ihsn]

did u end up driving through the park, if you did, how bad is your car, any scratches etc?
Minor scratches on the driver side window glass. I would partially take blame for it as the initial pecks by the ostrich were not so hard and I let it peck more until it got mad .. :|

I didnt see the monkeys doing damage to most of the other cars either. If you look them in the eye and or have lots of food in your car or tease them by eating right in front of them, they might get edgy and start taking their frustation out on the car. I think I only saw one car/group (RAV4) doing this and the monkey took their viper blade as a souvenir. :cheesygri

You are right about educational. What Indian/Asian elephants were doing at a "African" lion safari was beyond me. Apparently no one had an explanation either.
:lol:

The range of animals/birds there were from all around the world, including NA. (Bad eagles, owls, reindeer etc.)