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!
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.
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.
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.
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.”
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.
