I’m just so excited that Subic Safari which is commonly known as Zoobic Safari reopened this year as nine months ago I am planning to visit this place to spend some time with the wild animals, experience the tram ride with the tigers and learn some new tricks from the aeta’s trail.
Known to many, Covid19 changes a lot of things and these creatures at Zoobic Safari also suffered and undergone limitations as to food, maintenance and as well as interaction with the people.
Good thing, they opened again it’s doors to the public for us to save the animals and ignite the inner child within ourselves.
Being curious, do you remember the last time you went to the zoo? Because me, myself and I have this rusty memory reminiscing the ages I’ve experienced having precious moment with the animals especially the wild ones.
Anyway, you can be like a zookeeper again for a day when you go to the zoo like what I’ve came into at Zoobic Safari.
IMPORTANT THINGS TO KNOW BEFORE GOING TO SUBIC SAFARI
- Make sure that you visit the Zoomanity website before you go to the zoo or before you book your ticket online. As some significant announcements are provided on their homepage.
- Whether you are not a local resident of Zambales, you can now travel to Zoobic Safari without having a travel pass or medical certificate. You may check out the Government Guidelines for some details or just click here to know more about Subic Bay protocols.
- If you are planning to go to Zoobic Safari, I would advise that you book your reservation online. One reason is because most promotions are available on different websites. Like in Zoomanity facebook page, they have a buy one get one promo and in Klook which I usually use, they have a 50% discount.
From my experience, I have booked 4 tickets and instead of paying PHP 695 ($13.90) per person, I only paid PHP 350 ($7) per head. You may click the link below to avail this great promotion.
Link: Explore Zoobic Safari for only PHP 350!
4. Below are some other details to note about Subic Safari:
- Address: Ilanin Forest West, Bayan ng Morong, Bataan
- Operating Hours: Mondays to Sundays | 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Contact Details: zoomanityonline@gmail.com | 09158904728 | Tel: (047)252 2272
HOW TO GO TO SUBIC SAFARI?
I have listed two ways that you could use to travel at this place:
1. By Private Car – From Manila to Subic bay Freeport Zone
- Travel Time: 3 Hours via SCTEX
2. By Public Transportation – From Manila to Olongapo City
- Travel Time: 3 – 4 Hours
- Direction:
- Take the Victory Liner Bus at Cubao, Quezon City, then inform the Bus Teller that you will go to Olongapo City (fare: PHP 220 per person)
- Stop at the Victory Liner Olongapo Station and from there take a Jeepney (fare: PHP 9) going to Harbor Point Mall.
- From the Mall, you may ride a Taxi (fare: PHP 400 ($8) per taxi, note this is only one way, you have to pay for another PHP 500 ($10) to return at the Subic proper)
EXCITING ACTIVITIES AT THE SUBIC SAFARI
From the ticketing office, a representative at Zoobic Safari would discuss to you the flow of the tour. They will provide you a map along with your gatepass for the photo option with the tiger and access to the souvenir shops. This process would only take for 5 minutes and after that you’re now ready to explore!
ZOOBIC MUSEUM
After our registration and the short briefing, just on the right side of the ticketing office, we go first on the Zoobic Safari Museum instead of directly proceeding on the Pavilion.
Once you are in the museum, you will be able to witness the amazing paintings and arts of the animals. The place is not that big but great enough to showcase the animals that you will be seeing at the zoo.
I personally like the Camel painting as it looks so simple yet it’s kind of eye catching to me.
PAVILION
If you are fond of tigers, this spot is for you. Be brave enough as you will have the chance to have a close encounter with the Tiger. Just to take note, you may need to pay additional PHP250 ($5) for 1-2 persons and PHP390 ($7.80) for 3-4 persons if you desire to go inside and have a selfie with the tiger.
As I think that this could be a once in a lifetime opportunity, I decided to have a photo with the tiger. At first, I’m not that scared going in their cage as our guide told us that the tiger inside is humble and well-trained but when I came nearer to him he seems so thirsty and hungry that I felt like he wanted to eat me, just kidding haha. Truly, there is a notion in my mind that since tigers are carnivores, they could eat a human like me.
When I touched him, I became more relieved and comfortable. He seemed so nice after taking his milk which I am surprised to see. Because who would have thought that a Tiger who is the enemy of the king of the jungle is drinking milk haha. Anyway, I had fun on this start of our zoo trip.
Aside from the Tiger photoshoot, the Pavilion would also allow you to check out their cool souvenirs and a collage display of famous personalities who visited the Safari.
ZOOBIC PARK
This is also one of the most exciting activities that I am looking forward to. Aside from riding a Jeepney ride which is pretty awesome, this part would make you thrilled as you will be able to see animals that could also be seen in Africa.
Our cool ride for the day tour
Growing up, I’ve always been dreaming of seeing Zebras. Which is why when I found out that our first stop was at the Zebras station, I get so excited.
Finally, one of the many dreams that I have turned into reality on this day.
Other cool animals that you will get a glimpse of at Zoobic Park are the cute donkeys, goats, bulls and a house of tigers, lions and their cubs.
You wanna ride a bull? 🙂
There is absolutely a huge lion at the park and I am so amazed and astonished that I saw it in person.
The Lion and the Tiger
TIGER SAFARI RIDE
The next stop after the Zoobic Park is the Tiger Safari. On the Pavilion, there is only one tiger available for the photo option and in this part of the tour, tigers are everywhere.
First, you will ride a jeepney covered by protective gears, for safety purposes, the zoo management had to customize it for the tourists to be protected from the wild tigers that will be present on the forest trail.
I’ve saw 5 tigers during our ride, and I have witnessed how they live. It is such a pretty amazing journey that it made me realized that it is so important that we have to take care of these tigers as they are like humans who also need water, shelter and food. It would also be great to respect their land territory as they will get wilder when they have no place to live in.
CROCO LOCO
Another cool adventure to experience is the bastion of crocodiles. In Zoobic Safari, you will spot 100 crocodiles living in both water and land.
At first, I thought some are not true crocodiles because they are not moving but when we displayed food, I’m so shocked noticing they’re like zombies coming to life. It’s funny because some tourists used to create a noise to wake up some crocodiles but then, they failed to do so. And when our guide brought a raw chicken, all of a sudden, a body movement from them became visible.
According to the zookeeper, one crocodile normally eats one whole chicken for a day. And I was like computing in my head, that if 100 crocodiles are in the Zoobic Safari, 100 chicken is also needed. And that could cost PHP16,000 ($320) if 1 chicken has a market price of PHP160 ($3.20).
ANIMAL SHOW
To be honest, the animal show in Subic Safari is not that what I am expecting. As I thought, it would run for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour and it would feature a lot of animals.
In reality, their play just happened for 15 minutes and they only share the talents of three animals. Although, I enjoyed the performance of the dog dancing tinikling and the parrot who gracefully danced a kpop song, I am sure that not only me, but some other tourists are still wanting more.
All in all, it was a good show, I had fun watching the animals and I’m startled how they train them.
OTHER GREAT ACTIVITIES TO EXPERIENCE
Some other cool stuffs that you could enjoy with your friends, family and loved ones at the Subic Safari are Savannah, Aeta’s trail, Dear Deer, Hiphop Bunny, Sky Safari, and Eggziting Story.
The Aeta’s Trail
The Bird House
Gecko at the Serpent’s House
I absolutely wanted to try their Sky Safari where you are in a zipline and you will be able to see the wonderful view of the nature and animals of Zoobic Safari but the ticketing officer had told me that it is currently closed due to pandemic.
Moving on, it was a lovely experience being with the animals in Zoobic Safari. I totally appreciate the role they play in our environment, as well as the entertainment they could bring to humankind.
If you have the chance, I wish you can visit a zoo like what I did, as it would show you the other side of the world. Simply, it could make you happy and allow you to learn new things.
I hope you enjoy reading this article of mine. See you on my next adventure!
