Zoobic Safari Adventure In Subic: Ultimate Guide, Tips, Hacks

It's that time of the year again when the school year ends, and most kids are starting their vacation. Wondering where to go or how to spend this free time with your kids? Smart Parenting has a suggestion you might want to check out.

Take your family on the ultimate adventure with Zoobic Safari! It’s the first and only tiger safari in the Philippines. Look no further if you're searching for an exciting trip that appeals to both parents and children, just a two-hour drive from Manila.

Smart Parenting section editor Judy Santiago Aladin, her husband Kevin, and daughter Elsa share tips and tricks to make the most of your Zoobic Safari experience.

Tips and Tricks for Visiting Zoobic Safari

1. Keep safe always!

A good first stop when you visit Zoobic Safari is the Serpentarium. It’s the den of cold-blooded creatures like spiders, lizards, and snakes. You can observe them up close from a safe distance.

However, Mommy Judy reiterates this reminder for kids and parents alike: Do not tap the glass or extend your hands, as animals might bite or touch you. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Right outside the Serpentarium is an area where live shows of animals or performances that your family will enjoy. Make sure to go on a weekend to catch it!

2. Bring some cash so you can interact with the animals.

Next stop, the Zoobic Park. The park offers a tropical jungle feel as you meet animals from all over the world. See animals such as jaguar, lion, rusa deer, donkey, Luzon warty pig, African spurred tortoise, and many more. In the park, you can touch, feed, and play with some of the animals for as low as Php 50.

Mommy Judy advises that you bring cash (in Php 50 or Php 100 denominations) so you can easily pay for these add-ons! Yes, the safari doesn’t accept credit cards or e-wallet payments yet.

3. Take a lot of photos.

Next destination is the Bird Walk. Filled with different kinds of birds such as rufous night heron, peafowl, owl, and even dangerous ones like cassowaries. You can feed the birds for Php 50 and have a nice photo op!

Another Instagrammable area in the zoo that’s not with animals? The Safari Grill restaurant! You can have lunch there with the whole family as there are plenty of tables and chairs. The food is freshly cooked and delicious and can help you regain your energy for a long day ahead.

Don't forget to carry with you your water bottles to keep yourselves hydrated throughout the day! P.S. For dessert, there are ice cream kiosks near the restaurant!

4. Bring your own vehicle!

After lunch, you can explore the Savannah, home to big animals like horses and carabaos. Bringing your own car or vehicle can help you navigate the 25-hectare safari easier, especially the Savannah. Don't forget to bring gears for sun protection too, like umbrella, caps, towels, and sunblock!

5. Trust the staff to help you have a great time.

After going around the Savannah, you may want to visit the Lion Close Encounter. Make sure to avail this add-on where you can experience feeding a lion for only Php 100. It’s a thrilling experience for both parents and kids!

You can feed a lion with meat using kitchen tongs. Don’t be afraid of them because lions are actually lazy; as the staff said, they like to rest up to 18 to 20 hours! The friendly staff will guide you and you can request if they can let you hear their mighty roar!

P.S. Ask the staff for some lion trivias too!

6. Avail the photo booths too!

The next stop is Croco Loco, which is home to over 200 crocodiles. You’ll get to experience walking on a steel bridge with crocodiles below you.

The exciting part? You can also feed them with some chicken for Php 100. Afterwards, you can have a photo with a little crocodile and have it printed so you can bring it home. It’s worth it!

7. The Tiger Close Encounter is a must.

If you’re going to Zoobic Safari, there’s one thing you must never miss: the Tiger Close Encounter.

This is the best part of the trip where you will ride a closed jeep and be able to feed the tigers with a bucket of chicken for Php 250. Note: Only the trained staff can feed the tigers because they do this with bare hands! The experience is really worth it, Mommy Judy says. In this 5 to 10-minute ride, you’ll get to meet tiger brothers Tom and Jerry. They even climb up above the jeep, which is super cool!

The Zoobic Safari experience seems like a wonderful immersive adventure that promises thrills, smiles, and memories you'll cherish forever.

Zoobic Safari offers an entrance fee of Php 895 for day tours, or a discounted rate of Php 715 for Persons with Disability and Senior Citizens. Day tours for kids below 4 ft are Php 795. Kids below 3 ft can enter for free! They also offer a night safari option if you want to try a different experience! Book via Klook app to get discounts here.

For more tips and tricks, watch the full SP Guide to Zoobic Safari here: