Friday 29th March 2013
After a small delay from previewing to press a few weeks ago, Zufari is now open to guests! Guests can now board a Zufari truck and go on an adventure through the terrain and spot wild animals along the way.
However, be careful.... don't go in the cave!
Friday 15th March 2013
We were invited to Chessington World Of Adventures to preview Zufari at the press launch. The event started in the Safari hotel, upon walking to the hotel there where African drummers and singers stood outside playing music.
David Smith briefly explained the story of Zufari to everyone talking about the background to the story and told us whatever you don't go in the cave! He also told us about chase man driver our expedition tour guide who pointed out what we could see around the ride as well as giving cool little facts about the animals.
Passing through the village on the truck we start to see rocks with carvings on them telling us not to go in the cave! Chase man driver says over the PA he's not sure what they're about but its nothing to worry about. We then enter the Giraffe paddock where there is giraffe's, zebras and antelopes. The giraffes where so comfortable around the trucks we found our self having a giraffe pocking its head in the vehicle at one point, purely a magical experience for everyone onboard.
Zufari Feb Half Term Construction Update
Sunday 17th February 2013
Work on Zufari continues with the ride vehicles presented to guests at the entrance of the park for the parks half-term event. Work on the path for the ride appears to be complete with huge dirt banks constructed at the side and what appears to be a dirt track now very visible from the top floor of the hotel. Work on the pathways to the new area also appears to be progressing nicely, with this area being brand new, bridges are being built to get access to the area, with the ride's cars going under the bridge.
Giraffes Arrive At Chessington For Zufari
Friday 11th January 2013
You must be having a giraffe! Or four to be precise...
Herd of giraffes takes a road trip to Chessington World of Adventure Resort for new multi-million pound safari attraction – ZUFARI: Ride into Africa
Leafy Surrey is soon to become the setting for a new African safari experience, as four Rothschild giraffes arrive at Chessington World of Adventures Resort today.
Giraffes Tonda, Kismet, Karamoja and Kito have arrived at Chessington after travelling the length and breadth of the country from zoos in Paignton, Marwell, Port Lympne and Woburn. The four bull giraffes will form a new, all male herd and play their role in bringing to life the magic of the African savannah.
The animals came in one by one, transported in a specially designed trailer standing at six metres tall, complete with a retractable roof. In the lead up to the move, zookeepers worked with each giraffe to prepare them for their journey and ensure they were comfortable and relaxed whilst on the road.
The quartet have moved into their new state-of-the-art enclosure at Chessington, where they will spend the next few months settling in and getting to know each other ahead of the launch of the resort’s new multimillion pound attraction, ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! in March 2013.
ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! will be a unique safari truck expedition into a mysterious African kingdom where a theme park adventure and live safari animals come together for the first time ever!
Marc Boardman, Zoo Manager at Chessington World of Adventures, says: “We are thrilled to welcome giraffes back to the resort for the first time since 1995. With any new animal arrival there are challenges to face, and we have recruited specialist giraffe handlers to ensure they have the best care possible. The new giraffe enclosure has some of the most modern facilities in Europe and it’s great to finally welcome its new residents.”
After a standard bedding-in period of two years, zookeepers at Chessington hope to welcome a female giraffe to the resort in the future to allow them to add the species to the Zoo’s already highly successful breeding programme.
Rothschild giraffes are native to the Kenyan and Ugandan areas of Africa and are a subset of the wider giraffe species. They are distinguishable from the lack of markings on the lower leg and the main pelt is of a lighter colouring than other subspecies. Rothschild giraffes are listed as endangered species as only a few hundred are known to exist in the wild.
Chessington is currently expanding its resort by over 10% into the 22 acre site and welcoming a number of native African species for the launch of ZUFARI: Ride into Africa!. Over the next few weeks, the four giraffes will be joined by greater flamingos, blesbok, Nile lechwe, Grevy’s zebra and many more amazing animals. Three white rhinos are already settling in after arriving from Europe just before Christmas
David Smith, General Manager at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, says: “Giraffe are magnificent, majestic animals and we’re sure our visitors will be very excited to meet them next year. As the only safari experience inside the M25 and the only theme park attraction of its kind, ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! will allow people to get an authentic taste of Africa without having to venture far from the big city.”
Sunday 23rd December 2012
After months of speculation about Chessington's 2013 Zurfari ride vehicles we have finally got a official look at the land rovers. The ride trucks look to seat around 24 people in each truck, unlike other rides of this type there isn't much to protect you from the animals apart from the high up barriers. Although this is in a kids theme park there isn't a bar stopping people from jumping over the truck side, however there may be a lap bar to keep people seated in the truck. The attraction is set to have giraffes, white rhinos and many other animals throughout the course and is set to open march 2013 time, photo from Chessington's facebook page.
Chessington says bonjour three new white rhinos
Wednesday 12th December 2012
Chessington says bonjour, hallo and ola to three new white rhinos.
Heavy snowfall can't halt animals' charge from Europe to Surrey for new multi-million pound safari attraction - ZUFARI
The first steps in bringing the African Safari to Surrey are underway with the arrival of three white rhinoceroses at Chessington World of Adventures Resort.
Rhinos Kanty, Dozer and Gyasi have arrived on British shores after travelling by land and sea from zoos in Arnhem in Holland, Beauval in France, and Lisbon in Portugal. Their epic journey took three days, with snowy conditions and road closures in Northern Europe threatening to derail the big move at the last minute.
The trio have moved into their new state-of-the-art enclosure at Chessington, where they will spend the next few months settling in and getting to know each other ahead of the launch of the resort’s new multimillion pound attraction, ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! in March 2013.
ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! will be a unique safari truck expedition into a mysterious African kingdom where a theme park adventure and live safari animals come together for the first time ever in the UK.
Marc Boardman, Zoo Manager at Chessington World of Adventures, says: “We are thrilled to welcome three white rhinos to the resort for the first time since Chessington opened as a Zoo 81 years ago. With any new animal arrival there are challenges to face, and we have recruited specialist rhino keepers to ensure they have the best care possible. The new rhino enclosure has some of the most modern facilities in Europe and it’s great to finally welcome its new residents.
“The zookeepers have had to learn special verbal commands in French, Dutch and Portuguese so the animals understand them in the first instance – until they are able to learn their English commands.”
After a standard bedding-in period, zookeepers at Chessington hope to welcome a female rhino to the resort in the future to allow them to add the species to the Zoo’s already highly successful breeding programme.
White rhinos are the world’s second biggest land mammal, usually weighing over two tonnes (6,000lbs), and were added to the red endangered list in 2010. The word rhinoceros comes from the Greek word rhino (nose) and ceros (horn).
Chessington is currently expanding its resort by over 10% into the 22 acre site and welcoming a number of native African species for the launch of ZUFARI: Ride into Africa!. Over the next few weeks, the white rhinos will be joined by Rothschild giraffes, greater flamingos, blesbok, Nile lechwe, Grevy’s zebra and many more amazing animals.
David Smith, General Manager at Chessington World of Adventures Resort, says: “White rhinos are magnificent animals and we’re sure our visitors will be very excited to meet them next year. As the only safari experience inside the M25 and the only theme park attraction of its kind, ZUFARI: Ride into Africa! will allow people to get an authentic taste of Africa without having to venture far from the big city.”
Wednesday 21st November 2012
Chessington World Of Adventures have now fully launched there Zufari mini site the new ride for the 2013 season taking riders into a off road journey. The mini site currently contains a adventurers sign up page where people can enter there email and name to get the latest update on the ride. To get to this mini site just go to the Chessington website and click on Zufari or use the link here: http://www.chessington.com/zufari/ Along with the email box theres a countdown to the ride opening to the public along with a description of the ride which follows:
“Hello Adventurer, we are the African Conservation, Research & Exploration team (ACRE) and we are going to need your help. 2013 will be an exciting time to join our expedition. Initial investigations have already unearthed a previously undiscovered land which we have named “Zufari”. The only signs of civilization are some mysterious African carvings that we believe are warnings.So come and jump aboard our ultimate off-road truck, splash and career through the extreme terrain, encounter towering giraffes, powerful white rhino and many more impressive species. Help us get to the bottom of the mysterious goings on.”
Zufari construction update
Sunday 9th September 2012
Theres only a few months left of the 2012 season and construction is well under way other at Chessington for there brand new attraction opening 2013. Zufari featuring animals such as giraffes and rhinos plus many others to still be announced 2013 is going to be a big year for the resort! The housing for the animals is well underway as we can see in the photos of the enclosures starting to take shape, the land for the animals is also starting to take shape as we see huge clumps of dirt starting to be brought into the area.
Zufari ride into Africa opening 2013
Monday 30th July 2012
Zufari ride into Africa, coming soon to Chessington World Of Adventures in 2013!
Today on our Facebook page we broke the news that Chessington will be building a new attraction for 2013 called Zufari, posters have been put up around the park advertising the new ride telling visitors to visit a webpage for more information.
The attraction looks to be a jeep car that will go around a set course with animals such as Rhinos and giraffes. More animals are expected to be on the Zufari but we're sure more information will come about the closer and closer we get to the attraction opening.
Works Begins Clearing Site For New Chessington Ride
Saturday 4th February 2012
Work has begun clearing a huge plot of land at Chessington for a new attraction. Located to the side of the Zoo the attraction looks set to be huge with tractors clearing the land.
