Lion Safari and Green Canyon boat tour with lunch in Manavgat

Reviews

What travellers say3.5 · 24 total

• carolinecB7958HO

  The cruelty of the lion zoo

  The lion zoo portion of the tour is horrifying and should be condemned. The adult lions appear extremely underfed, while the baby lions seem drugged due to their extreme lethargy. The enclosures consist of cold concrete and large stones, leaving many animals unable to walk properly. I urge everyone to avoid this zoo so that it may eventually shut down. I'm even working on a petition for its closure.

• Jennifer_E

  Green canyon tour

  The green canyon tour was incredibly enjoyable, with breathtaking scenery. While I wasn't fond of the enclosures at the lion exhibit, I really appreciated the experience of holding a baby lion.

• Jorden I

  Pink panther safari

  I would rate this experience as one star if possible. The day turned out to be very disappointing, especially since the lion experience, which was the main attraction, felt rushed and only lasted about 30 minutes at the end. The rest of the schedule seemed like filler activities. Safety was a major concern. The transport provided was inadequate; we were driven in old buses that felt unsafe and lacked seatbelts, which is alarming with young children onboard. The drivers drove recklessly, swerving on dangerous dirt roads without regard for passengers. The so-called "mountain water fights" were both dangerous and poorly organized. The itinerary was poorly planned. We spent over an hour traveling to a reservoir that was not worth the time. The meal served resulted in an upset stomach, adding to the frustration of the day. Although the boat trip disco could appeal to some, it took time away from the lion sanctuary experience. Overall, this trip felt like a collection of unsafe and low-quality activities designed just to pass the time, rather than offering a real safari experience. I feel cheated and would like my money refunded. I strongly advise against this tour, especially for those with young kids.

• Z7068HKhelenb

  DON'T DO IT! ANIMAL CRUELTY!

  The experience was incredibly disappointing and distressing. It was marketed as an animal sanctuary, but the conditions for the lions were terrible. The cubs appeared frightened, the mothers were anxious at the entrance, and the older cubs looked unhealthy. The flamingos were not being properly fed, as they were entirely white. My family and I deeply regret participating in this. Additionally, the bus was unsafe; one window wouldn’t shut during a hailstorm, two seats were not securely attached, and accessing the seatbelt clips was impossible. There was a crack in the windscreen, and the clutch failed, filling the bus with fumes that led to a chest infection for me.

• 884tanithm

  Not what we thought... we did kind of have fun BUT the owners of animal park should be crucified on the Temple of Apollo

  Our experience did not match our expectations. The safari vehicle was leaking oil and incredibly bumpy, especially if you sat in the back. At a meeting point with other coaches, we were pressured to purchase water guns, which we regret not buying, considering what was to come. The loud music, including inappropriate songs for children, was overwhelming, particularly for those sensitive to sensory stimulation. The safari ride involved water fights with passengers leaning out of the buses, which started off unpleasant as we got soaked but became enjoyable later. However, expect distressed children; my own ended up hiding under a towel meant for our earlier boat trip. After three hours of this chaotic ride, we were exhausted and overwhelmed by noise. The animal park was distressing; I witnessed a baby lion being drugged and the conditions for the animals were appalling. Dead birds in cages and distressed bears and lions were shocking. I couldn't understand how such a place could operate, and I believe the owners should be held accountable. We then visited a restaurant with lovely views of the green lagoon, where we had a chance to buy pancakes and take a toilet break. The subsequent ride back included more water fights and loud music, tiring everyone out further. Lunch was chaotic, with everyone trying to rush to the limited sunny tables, despite the restaurant being primarily shaded. The drink selection was excellent, and the food was enjoyable, but the strict management during lunch irritated many. Our boat ride was calm but ultimately uninteresting, as the 6x6 meter swimming area didn’t entice many due to wet towels. The return journey was more relaxed, without the water fights, but overall it was not the experience we anticipated. We did find some fun, but it was a long, challenging day filled with emotional moments and additional costs. Overall, I’d rate it 5 out of 10.

• H5719RZrobind

  Real life whacky races featuring Joe Exotic

  We were picked up in a small coach that lacked seatbelts, and the driver often forgot to close the back door after stops, prompting others to shout for it to be shut. Upon reaching the first stop, the zoo, we were in convoy with eight other buses. All drivers seemed to drive quite recklessly, tailgating and overtaking, which might be considered standard for the industry. While I presume this adds to the excitement, as a Brit, it was quite an adjustment. The driver also smoked and used his phone while driving, and the door frequently opened. The wildlife park made me sad for the animals. Initially, we had to queue for photos with lions that cost €10 each, and I regrettably bought them for both my kids. There were additional photo opportunities with a camel, a monkey (which had a chain around its neck), and a snake, all also costing €10, but we skipped those. The animals were kept in small enclosures, with dirt and waste on the ground. For instance, five wolves were confined in a space comparable to a petrol station, constantly running in circles. The overall walk through the zoo took about 30 minutes, with many animals cramped into tiny spaces. This place makes Joe Exotic look like a conservationist. Afterward, we drove to the boat for our first interbus water fight. The initial water thrown at us looked like it contained something dirty, leaving marks on our clothes and making hair stiff. The following water was cleaner, and the kids did enjoy it. The boat ride itself was pleasant; it was a clean, solar-powered boat with a friendly crew. We stopped for swimming in the river, and while photographers approached us for pictures, they respected our refusal after one request. We then returned to a nice restaurant that served decent food (peri peri rice, pasta with tomato sauce, crushed new potatoes, shredded chicken, salad, and bread), which I found to be the highlight of the day. Next, we enjoyed a scenic drive to a reservoir for some photos, which was a lovely spot. We then spent an hour at a cafe that seemed primarily focused on selling the photos taken. I mistakenly thought I had paid €20 for the photos, but it turned out to be an additional €35 for three photos, which turned out to be of poor quality. Despite using SLR cameras, the photos were overexposed and not what I expected. Our final stop was a foam party in the gravel parking lot of the cafe, which was quite odd but enjoyable and lasted about ten minutes until the foam ran out. Overall, most people seemed to have a good time, but I do worry that the driving aspect poses significant safety risks.

• Clarenolly

  unorganised trip

  The trip was poorly organized; expect to spend a lot of time waiting. There was no water fight as promised, and the zoo was appalling with animals living in terrible conditions. The tiger cubs were too young to be separated from their mothers and were handed from person to person, which frightened the children. The boat trip was the highlight, but overall, it felt like a long, exhausting day.

• claremcgeachie

  Avoid like the plague

  The conditions for the animals at this place are horrifying. Many visitors were visibly upset by the sight of animals confined in cages with bare concrete floors, lacking adequate space, grass, or trees. I was particularly disturbed to see a lion cub farm where numerous people were eager to pay for photos with cubs that had been separated from their mothers, only to face a grim fate in cages once they grew too large. This is the worst zoo I've ever encountered, and the owners should be educated on proper animal care. It was also frustrating to try to photograph baby lions, as there was a fee to do so, and they were constantly being handled for pictures.

• Travel26380569105

  No one showed up

  Nobody came to the hotel, and I didn't receive any communication prior to the trip.

• 385orkuna

  Top experience Lion Safari

  The Lion Safari and Green Canyon tour was an incredible experience. Everything was organized perfectly from start to finish. The guides were friendly and enthusiastic, ensuring all participants had a fun and relaxing day. The boat ride through the Green Canyon showcased stunning turquoise waters, beautiful scenery, and a lovely atmosphere. Lunch offered a fresh and delicious variety, catering to all tastes. The safari was also a fantastic highlight and certainly worthwhile. The excursion combined adventure, relaxation, and nature harmoniously in a single day. I highly recommend it for families, couples, or friends seeking a memorable outing. Thanks to the entire team for creating such an unforgettable experience!

Reviews are paraphrased traveller feedback sourced from Viator. Original ratings and sentiment preserved.