Bali Safari & Marine Park

I decided to make Bali Safari & Marine Park our very first stop so that they'd be something to get the kids all excited at the start of our trip. Our driver, Merti, met us at the airport and got us there in slightly under an hour.

Mara River Safari Lodge

Accommodation for the first night was the Mara River Safari Lodge, which is located within the park itself. All the attractions were walking distance from our hotel room.

This is the view we wake up to in the morning... animals grazing right outside our room! Noah was so excited... "mommy, look zebras"!

Safari Journey

Entrance to the Bali Safari & Marine Park is included in the room rate, so you do not need to buy tickets separately. The highlight for us was the safari journey - an air conditioned tram that let us see the animals up close. This is free if you are hotel guests at Mara River Safari lodge. Just show you hotel guest card.

Elephant

Sun bear

Bridge that separates the carnivores from the rest of the animals

Tiger

Looking at hippos

Cheetah

Zebra crossing

Lion

Rhinos

Our hotel room in the distance

The entire journey took about half an hour. I've never seen so many animals up close before. We enjoyed it so much, we went on it twice!

Animal Shows

There are animal shows throughout the day. Check schedule for show times.

The boys particularly liked watching the elephants bathe...

Animal Rides

There are animal rides available in the park. Nathan wanted to ride on the elephant but it was so expensive (USD80/person), I said no. :( I was told that elephant rides are expensive everywhere in Bali, not just at this particular park. The reason - elephants eat a lot!

The camel ride was much more affordable (USD5/person), so Nathan got to ride a camel. Noah didn't want to try.

Tsavo Lion Restaurant

There are two restaurants situated inside the Bali Safari & Marine Park. The one closest to our hotel room was the Tsavo Lion Restaurant, and we ended up having all our meals there while we were at the park. The restaurant overlooks the lion enclosure, so it was pretty much like dining with the lions! Buffet breakfast is included in the room rates if you are staying at Mara River Safari Lodge. Lunch / dinner main courses are about USD15 and up. They have a kids menu that had stuff like spaghetti and bangers & mash which my boys enjoyed.

Can you see the sleeping lion?

The Bali Safari & Marine park is a family friendly attraction that all kids will probably enjoy. Noah's smile says it all...

For more of our Bali Adventures, click here!