ZooSafari and Fasanolandia near Monopoli: a guide to a perfect family day out!
If you’re organising a A holiday in Monopoli with children, there is no shortage of family-friendly activities to enjoy in the area around the city. Among these, one of the best known is undoubtedly the Fasano ZooSafari, a large wildlife park that combines nature, animals and fun, and which also includes Fasanolandia, the adjacent amusement park. The location is particularly convenient for those staying in Monopoli: Fasano is, in fact, just a short distance from the town, making it easy to organise a day trip from Monopoli, combining a visit to the park with other experiences to enjoy in the Itria Valley. In this guide, you’ll find some tips for organising a day out at the ZooSafari near Monopoli, find out how the visit works and choose the experiences best suited to your family.
ZooSafari Fasano: where is it and how far is it from Monopoli?
The Fasano ZooSafari It is situated in Fasano, in the heart of central Puglia, in a strategic location between Monopoli, Alberobello and the Itria Valley. The park can therefore easily be included in an itinerary to explore the area. For those staying in Monopoli, getting to the ZooSafari by car is straightforward and allows you to spend a whole day there without having to change accommodation or travel too far from your base. It’s one of the excursions you can include in your itinerary, especially if you’re travelling with children and want to alternate days at the beach with some different experiences.
What is the Fasano ZooSafari?
The Fasano ZooSafari It is a large wildlife park set in lush green surroundings. The park covers approximately 140 hectares and is home to more than 200 species of animals. What makes this experience unique is that part of the tour takes place whilst you remain in your own vehicle, driving through the safari area and observing the animals along the route. The safari can be undertaken in car, bus or camper van, in accordance with the park’s regulations. Among the animals you may encounter are giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, elephants, rhinos, hippos and numerous other species.
It is precisely this way of visiting that makes the ZooSafari: a different experience from a normal zoo: along one section of the route, it is the visitors who enter the area dedicated to the animals.
How does a visit to ZooSafari work?
The tour is not limited to the Safari route. After the first part by car, you can in fact continue on to the pedestrian areas, where there are further trails dedicated to animals and a range of activities. The park currently has five areas dedicated to wildlife, in addition to Fasanolandia, the Sea Lion Aquarium and other entertainment areas. Opening times for individual areas may vary depending on the day and the season.
- The Car Safari
This is the highlight of the tour. You follow a route through the park, observing the animals from inside the vehicles. For children, this is often the most exciting part of the day: giraffes, zebras, elephants and other large mammals can be seen along the way, set in a natural environment very different from that of a traditional city park. - Pedestrian areas
Once the safari is over, the tour continues on foot through the various areas of the park. Among the experiences recommended by ZooSafari are the Monkey Village, the Lake of the Large Mammals, the Tropical Room and other wildlife trails. This second part of the day allows you to observe the animals at a more leisurely pace and to alternate between nature-based experiences and entertainment activities.
Fasanolandia: the ZooSafari amusement park
Next to the ZooSafari is Fasanolandia, the amusement park set amongst greenery, which rounds off the experience with rides, shows, museums and family-friendly areas. The park offers more than 20 attractions, with attractions suitable for both children and those seeking more thrilling experiences. Among the attractions highlighted by the park are the Ferris Wheel, Eurofighter, Brucomela and African River. Fasanolandia also includes the Fantasy Theatre, the Sea Lion Aquarium and various themed areas, making a visit to ZooSafari an even more rewarding experience.
Sea Lion Aquarium: another experience not to be missed
Among the attractions of the complex is also the Sea Lion Aquarium, dedicated to seals, sea lions and penguins. The park offers educational sessions focused on learning about the animals and their biology, adding an informative element to what is otherwise the most entertaining part of the day. Families may therefore find it useful to check the timetables for the various activities on arrival and plan their day so that they can take part in the experiences that interest them most.
ZooSafari and Fasanolandia: how long does it take? If you only want to visit the Safari trail, it will naturally take less time than a full day spent exploring the whole complex. For those setting off from Monopoli and wanting to experience ZooSafari and Fasanolandia Without rushing, however, it is advisable to consider a full day. The park itself recommends planning your visit carefully, as the various areas have different opening hours and some experiences take longer than others. The Lake of the Large Mammals, for example, is listed by the park as one of the activities that takes the longest.
ZooSafari with children: tips for planning your day out
The ZooSafari is particularly interesting for a A holiday in Puglia with children, because it allows you to mix up animals, nature, shows and attractions. To make the day more enjoyable, it’s best not to try to see everything in a rush, but to organise your activities by prioritising those that interest the family most.
- Coming soon, especially on the busiest days.
- Check the following at the entrance: schedule for the day and the opening hours of the various areas.
- Find the shows and activities you want to see straight away.
- Make sure you plan in some breaks, especially if you’re travelling with young children.
- Wear comfortable shoes: the walking section involves quite a bit of walking.
- Bring water, sun cream and everything you need to spend several hours outdoors.
The park also points out that queues may form on busy days and advises visitors to arrive early on days marked as particularly busy.
When is the best time to visit the ZooSafari from Monopoli? ZooSafari is a particularly interesting destination during the warmer months, when you can make the most of the numerous outdoor activities. The park’s programme, however, may feature days with different areas and attractions. On some days you can visit all the areas, whilst on others access may be limited to the wildlife areas or the Safari trail alone.
For this reason, before planning your trip, it is always advisable to check the official ZooSafari calendar and check which areas will be open on the chosen day.
ZooSafari: what should you bring?
As this is an activity that involves spending several hours outdoors, it’s worth taking a few simple precautions.
- comfortable shoes;
- water;
- a cap on the hottest days;
- sun cream;
- clothing suitable for the season;
- a pushchair, if needed, for younger children.
The complex also features catering facilities and designated break areas, whilst the park has self-service areas where visitors can heat up their packed lunches.
How much does the ZooSafari cost?
The ZooSafari prices Prices may vary depending on the type of experience, the day of the visit and the areas included in the ticket. Furthermore, the schedule may offer different options: on some days, access is granted to various areas of the complex, whilst on others only the Safari route may be available. For this reason, rather than quoting prices that may change over time, we recommend that you check the official fares before departure, especially if you’re planning a trip for the whole family.
How do I get to ZooSafari from Monopoli?
For those staying in Monopoli, the easiest way to get to the ZooSafari is to take the car and head towards Fasano. Monopoli is ideally situated for organising excursions into the hinterland and the Itria Valley: Fasano is, in fact, in a strategic location between the coast and the villages of central Apulia. The park is situated in Via dello Zoosafari, 72015 Fasano.
ZooSafari and Fasanolandia near Monopoli: a day out enjoying nature and fun! The real advantage of choosing this excursion whilst on holiday in Monopoli is the chance to experience a day that’s completely different from a typical beach holiday. In the morning, you can set off from Monopoli and enjoy the Safari trail, observing the animals amidst the greenery. After the wildlife tour, you can continue through the pedestrian areas and, if the schedule allows, enjoy the attractions at Fasanolandia, the shows and the Sea Lion Aquarium.
It is therefore a trip that allows you to combine nature, animals, fun and discovery, with activities that may appeal to both children and adults.
What is there to see around the ZooSafari?
One of the appealing features of the ZooSafari’s location is that it allows you to plan a more extensive itinerary in the surrounding area. If you have several days to spare, you can combine your visit to the park with a tour of some of central Puglia’s best-known attractions.
- Alberobello and the trulli
After a day at ZooSafari, you could go on another excursion to Alberobello, famous for its trulli and the distinctive landscape of the Itria Valley. - Polignano a Mare
If you’d like to alternate between nature and fun by the sea, you could head to Polignano a Mare, with its historic centre overlooking the Adriatic and its famous cliffs. - Fasano and Savelletri
You could also spend some time exploring Fasano e Savelletri, ranging from the historic centre to the countryside, farmhouses and the coast. It’s a way of discovering another side to the area surrounding Monopoli. - The Itria Valley
If your stay is for several days, you could also include some of the villages in the Itria Valley, amongst trulli, olive groves, farmhouses and historic town centres characterised by typical Apulian architecture.
Why include ZooSafari in your Monopoli holiday itinerary? A holiday in Monopoli is not just about the sea and the historic centre. The town’s location makes it easy to reach many of the attractions in central Puglia and to plan a holiday filled with a wide variety of experiences. The Fasano ZooSafari near Monopoli It is particularly appealing to families, but can also be an enjoyable stop for those travelling in groups who wish to spend a day enjoying nature and having fun.
After a day spent enjoying the animals and attractions, you can return to Monopoli and treat yourself to a stroll through the historic centre, a dinner featuring Apulian cuisine, or a relaxing moment by the sea.
Plan your holiday in Monopoli with a day out at ZooSafari! The ZooSafari and Fasanolandia They are one of the easiest day trips to fit into a holiday in Monopoli, especially for those travelling with children. The chance to combine the Safari trail, the animal enclosures, the Sea Lion Aquarium and the attractions at Fasanolandia allows you to plan a full and varied day out. The official calendar also allows you to check in advance which areas will be open on your chosen date.
And after the trip? You can return to Monopoli and carry on exploring the town, starting from the Porto Antico and the seafront from the beaches to the region’s many culinary experiences.
Monopoli can be your base for exploring Apulia – a region of seaside resorts, villages, nature, traditions and entertainment.
FAQ – ZooSafari and Fasanolandia near Monopoli
- How far is the ZooSafari from Monopoli?
ZooSafari is situated in Fasano, a short distance from Monopoli, and is easily accessible by car. Its location makes it ideal for a day trip whilst staying in Monopoli. - Is the ZooSafari suitable for children?
Yes. The park features animal-themed trails, pedestrian areas, educational activities, shows and attractions at Fasanolandia, offering a variety of experiences for children and adults alike. - Can you drive your own car into ZooSafari?
Yes. The Safari route can be travelled by car; the park also states that it is possible to travel through it by bus and campervan. - How long does it take to visit the ZooSafari and Fasanolandia?
To enjoy both experiences at a leisurely pace, it is advisable to set aside a whole day. The various areas have different opening times, and some activities take longer than others. - Is Fasanolandia connected to ZooSafari?
Yes. Fasanolandia is the theme park next to ZooSafari and rounds off the visit with rides, shows, museums, exhibitions and other activities. - Do you need to book in advance to visit the ZooSafari?
The official website currently states that no booking is required for entry. However, it is advisable to check the calendar, the available areas and any specific instructions for your chosen day before setting off. - What other places can I visit from Monopoli?
Monopoli is a good base from which to explore numerous towns in central Puglia. Places to visit include Polignano a Mare, Alberobello, Fasano, Savelletri and the villages of the Itria Valley.
