Monday, December 10, 2012

Zoobic Safari and Ocean Adventure : Review

Itenerary:

From: Bani, Pangasinan (via Agno > Zambales > Olongapo)
To: Subic Bay Freeport Zone
      Zoobic Safari
      Camayan Beach Resort
      Ocean Adventure

Distance: +/-250 km

Our first stop is Zoobic Safari. We departed at 4:30am. We reached our destination at around 9am. The road was fine, I can say it's nice to drive going there. Not much traffic. We were using a GPS but it can't find the place. We had to ask people for directions instead.So you may want to put in "Subic freeport zone" instead and then follow the signs. We were starving when we got there so we ate first. Just right next to the parking lot is the information building or what they call the Safari Hall where you can eat, relax, etc..You'll get your tickets here.

So we got our tickets and here are the rates and what's included. You can check their site here: http://www.zoobic.com.ph/rates

Day Tour Entrance Rate
Php 495    -     Adult
Php 395    -     Kids 4 ft. and below
Free          -     Kids 3 ft. and below
Note:  Purchase tickets online to avail 10% discount

Inclusions:
  • 11 attractions (Zoobic Park, Rodent World, Serpentarium, Forbidden/Zoobic Cave, Tiger Safari Ride, Close Encounter, Savannah, Animal MuZOOeum, Aetas' Trail, Hip-Hop-Bay-a-Wak, Croco Loco) for approximately 2 1/2 hours
  • Zoo Guide
So, before you go to the tour your guide will brief you first with the do's and dont's during the tour. You will be grouped according to the time you entered. I will the list the attractions we went to in order. Here's a map by the way.



WALK-THRU : 30-40 minutes walking inside the Zoobic Park, Rodent World and Serpentarium.


Zoobic Park and Rodent World
Here you'll see different kinds of birds like kalaw, Philippine eagle, owl, parrots, ostrich, cassowary, etc.. You can feed the tiny parrots for 20php. They're very friendly and they'll come to you as long as you have food in your hand. The food will be provided by them. You have to watch your step here coz they're really tiny and they eat in the ground. They will land anywhere in your body where they see food, even in your shoes. You'll also see the mouse deer or what they call "pilandok", the potbelly pigs just roaming around the park, donkeys, a lion, bear cat, camels, goats, monkeys, albino caribou, ducks, albino carabao, and many more. They allow you to pet and feed the "kids" (baby goats). I think it's for free.






















*** I apologize for the poor quality of the picture since they're just taken from a phone.


Serpentarium
You'll get to see an indian and burmese python, boa, small snakes from around the world, blue-tounged skink, speckled kingsnake, argentine black and white tegu, lizards, iguanas, monitor lizards, turtles, and others.












I think, if I remember it right, after the visit in Serpentarium, the next one will be the Animal Show and Parade. You'll see trained animals putting up a show with their trainers. It's like a 20-30min show.

After that you'll go to the next location either by your own vehicle or the Zooper train which costs 50php/person.



 Forbidden/Zoobic Cave
 They have preserved animals here. Tigers, lions, deers, and others. It doesn't smell good in here and it's dusty so it's really hard to breathe. It's pretty much the same as the Animal MuZOOeum. There was also a hanging bridge and some mechanized animals that's moving, some rubbers that hangs like snakes to scare you off.





Aetas' Trail / Hip-Hop-Bay-a-Wak

You'll see two Aetas dancing, the other two was playing the guitar and some instruments. They do the butterfly dance and their war dance. They give you some history of their kind as well while you sit and watch them. Let me warn you, they will surprise you with a loud shout so watch out. :)





After this then you'll pass by the Hip-Hop-Bay-a-Wak

 Nothing much in here. Either you walk thru here or walk the other path way.

Tiger Safari Ride
I didn't enjoy this much because the driver is like in a hurry. He stops only for like 5secs and then move on. I suggest you buy the chicken to feed the tigers so the driver won't keep moving. It's gonna cost you 200php. You can ask the other members in your group if they want to share. Another thing is that the road is bad. It's like driving in a mountain trek. If it rains it sure will be muddy in all around the place. I just didn't expect it to be like that. You need either a seat belt or hold on tight but there's no seat belt since it's a jeepney so hold on tight! You'll have a problem taking pictures or videos as well when moving. Here's your ride. :) It's a long caged jeepney. Don't worry it's secured as long as you don't stick out your hand. :P






At the back of Tiger Safari is where they breed Tigers. You'll see a lot of tigers in their cages. This is the Close Encounter. They put in I think around 8-10 tigers in the safari while the others are caged. They put in a new batch after a couple of hours or a day I guess. I don't know how they put them in their cage though.




NOTE: Make sure you don't get pissed on by the tigers. They say the smell of their piss can last for a week or more even if you take a bath.
There's also a big lion at the exit but it's not open for viewing yet. It's really huge!


Savannah
An animal sanctuary of farm and exotic animals such as wild boars, potbelly pigs and guinea fowls. Many wild ostriches roam free here as well.




Croco Loco
 Crocodiles! They're really huge and scary! You can feed them for 50php using a fishing stick. They'll give you a quarter pound chunk of a fresh chicken. You'll hear them snap when they try to grab your bait.



This is the last part of the tour. After that you'll ride back to the main hall. It took us like four or five hours to complete the tour. So make sure your tummy is stuffed. But don't worry you'll have mini stop before going in to the Tiger Safari and there are stalls selling souvenirs too.








Our next stop was Camayan Beach Resort and Hotel. We stayed here for the rest of the night. It was a tiring day and it's a good time to relax in the beach. So here are the expenses. You can check for other rates here: http://www.camayanbeachresort.com/index.php?p=home


Online Booking
Deluxe Room
Room Charge per night: 4,950.00 php (10% service fee included)
Additional:
Kid(s) (3 to 12 y/o)  - 150php
Breakfast at "The Reef" restaurant included.

This is the entrance of the resort.


The room that we got. It has hot and cold shower but tub and veranda.

The veranda facing the beach. There are monkeys trolling around the trees so don't leave your things in the veranda coz they can climb up there.





This is The Reef restaurant. The food is great! It's an open resto so expect flies around your table.
 



This is the beach. Not much of an attraction but it's ok.


I'll post the Ocean Adventure soon. I'm tired already.. lol