Zoobic Safari is located in the heart of a 50-hectare heavily forested area called Ilanin Forest. Because of its location, the animals are viewed in a jungle setting that makes one's visit an adventure in a nature park. Please do not expect a traditional zoo setup where you passively view the animals in their cages. Be prepared for an interactive experience with the tigers, crocodiles, the ostriches, the bear cats, or even the baby goats and sheeps. Because you will not be able to pass up the rare chance to actually feed them or to observe them up close!
My Adventure in Zoobic Safari..
My classmates,teachers and I were at the Zoobic Safari at Subic Olongapo last Friday January 29. We left Batangas on Friday 4:00 am. The drive was a little over 4 hours, including a stop for foods. Along the way, we saw a very wide farm at a distance and lots of fruits stands along the road. I took pictures. We arrived at Subic Safari 5:30 PM roamed around the zoo.
Zoobic Safari is located deep in the old Naval Magazine tropical jungle. As you enter the lobby you will took notice of the arch above with tiger eyes on the top. Everything, including the staff, was covered in Bengal tiger orange and black stripes.As you enter the zoo you will already got to see tigers in their cages. Baby tigers with oversized, fuzzy paws were running and jumping in larger cages. Beside the cages, there’s a photo shop where visitors can have their pictures taken while feeding the tiger you just have to pay an additional 240.00 though. After the photo shoot we sat down for the introduction video, we were provided with a staff to guide as along the two-hour five-part tour.
The tour guide first led us to the Serpentarium the only one in the country which showcases a variety of iguanas, lizards, snakes, turtles and other reptiles.
Then we went to the Tiger Safari where we boarded into a Safari jeepney which drove us to the 15-hectare Safari with 4 adult tigers roaming around, mostly in the area of a large pond. The jeepney has one inch, open wire mesh, covering window and door areas. For an additional cost, you can also buy chicken to feed the tigers during the ride. One of the male guides, in the jeepney, then dangles a chicken tied with a rope from a window. Eventually one of the tigers meanders over to the vehicle to catch the chicken being thrown at. When the tiger finally strikes his bulk hits the jeepney, causing the men, women and children on board to scream. Unperturbed, the tiger drags his meal away.
Then we made a walk through the tropical jungle - The Petting Zoo where deer, cassowary, mini horse, apes, sheep, carabao, wild bear, monkeys and many other animals roam around their wide cages. There was also a pinkish albino cow, several rabbits and a number of goats.
We went into the Savannah and saw ostriches from Africa and Australia. There are also potbellies, wild boars and guinea fowls.
We went to our last attractions which houses the Crocodile farm. On our way to the farm we passed by the Aetas Trail where a group of Aetas performed to the delight of the tourist. They came prepared dancing the dragonfly dance, war dance accompanied by an Aeta guitarist.
After the tour, we decided to eat inside the bus.
We had so much fun on our day in Subic. So come and experience your once in a lifetime fun at Zoobic Zafari Forest Adventure.
NEXT ...
Adventure in Ocean Adventure..
Ocean Adventure is a popular attraction in Subic featuring marine animals giving guests an entertaining and educational experience. This establishment is in Camayan Wharf in Subic Bay. From Olongapo city you can reach Ocean Adventure by making a right turn to Layac and proceeding to the monument of the Fall of Bataan. Then make a left turn on the TIPO expressway so you can go inside the SBMA then proceed to the expressway and make a right turn to the Rizal Street then go straight and make a left turn on the Argonaut Highway. From the Argonaut Highway you will pass by the airport after this make a left turn at the Triboa Bay and proceed to the Naval Magazine gate where you can see signs pointing to the direction of Ocean Adventure which will be just five kilometers away.
I enjoy my trip in Ocean Adventure and also my classmates.There are two mains shows worth seeing. The dolphin and false killer whale show is really something. First the dolphins do all kind of jumps, dances across the water and swim tricks. The false killer whales follow with stunts of their own. The human handlers do some rides aboard the animals getting tossed unhurt back onto the piers. You view this 40 minute show in the comfort of tiered-spectator stands which are thankfully shaded. The background views of Subic Bay are priceless. Adults and children leave the show with smiles on their faces. We heard more than once, “That was great.”
The sea lion exhibition is a little more intimate. The two person trainers are entertaining and informed. Each has a sea lion they work with. Adorable comes to mind just seeing their woolly-whiskered faces. Interspersed with the tricks are light hearted lectures on the environment and how wildlife can be damaged by man. Nets that can cripple, plastic that can suffocate. There is some audience participation in the show. A female was brought out of the crowd and received what must have been a very fishy kiss.
The aquarium has always been a favorite in this park. It’s actually 10 separate aquariums. You enter a dark cave-like, air-conditioned hall. The only light is from the aquariums. These are about one meter high and two meters wide. The ten tanks re-create the actual environments of the Subic Bay area. There is a freshwater tank recreating river environments. One has shallow mangrove conditions. One has sunken ship situations. They progress through the various ocean depths to the deepest of the deep. Each of these has the grass or vegetation or coral that grows in that environment and the fish that inhabit it. Next to the exhibits is excellent signing telling you what you are seeing. There are pictures of the fish with their names so you know what you’re looking at. Two attendants are present to answer questions. We buy souvenirs also.
I had a very nice fieLd trip !
