Badoca Safari Park – a family outing from Lisbon
Attractions for children in Lisbon and in Lisbon area come in quite a variety. However, if during your holiday in Portugal you have already been to the Lisbon Zoo and the Aquarium and the youngsters seem to be bored with museums and/or beach activities, there is a solution. With a hire car in Portugal at your disposal, in less than 2 hour drive from the Portuguese capital you will find a safari park and a very children friendly one.
See a selection of pictures on the right side of this page (click on the arrows on the picture).
Badoca Safari Park – directions from Lisbon
In order to get from Lisbon to Badoca Safari Park, in the very heart of Alentejo region, you need to cross over the Tagus River, direction south.
The easiest and the quickest way is to cross the “Old Bridge”, the Ponte 25 de Abril and continue on the A2 motorway southbound. After around 60 miles (100 km) drive from the centre of Lisbon, you need to leave the motorway at the junction 9 to Grândola/Sines/Santiago de Cacém and follow the IP8/IC33 road for some 22 miles (35 km) more in direction to Sines.
The total distance to Badoca from Lisbon city centre is of around 87 miles (140 km) and can be covered in 1,5 – 2 hours in normal traffic in a hire car.
If you are planning a one day outing from Lisbon to Badoca, it may be convenient to leave Lisbon early, especially during the weekends. In the summer time, the Ponte 25 de Abril bridge can get quite clogged on Saturday and Sunday mornings with the locals heading massively to the popular beaches of Costa da Caparica on the southern coast of Tagus estuary, or to other popular beaches of Setúbal region.
Once you have crossed the bridge, a smooth and uneventful trip is to be expected. Take the opportunity to appreciate the Alentejo landscapes – rice fields in the River Sado estuary and endless plains of cork oaks and olive groves where water is scarce.
The motorway toll charges from Lisbon to Grandola are less than EUR 8 (in 2012).
African wild life in Portugal – Badoca Park species
The natural conditions of the Altentejo region, flat and very dry in most of the areas, were seen as a great advantage for the creators of Badoca Safari Park. Only a short drive away from the ever-green capital of Portugal, you have a unique opportunity to appreciate many exotic species of animals in an African savannah-like surroundings and with all the commodities of the western world.
On the large, over 220 ac area of dry plains and shaded cork oaks and eucalyptus groves you will find zebras, giraffes, dromedaries, different sorts of buffalos, goats and deers (or “bambies” as younger children insist on calling them) and ostriches, coexisting peacefully. The animals walk freely together or separately in herds and the human intervention is minimal. No fences are visible and the animal “homes” blend in the surroundings, naturally.
Only the three Badoca Bengal tigers, for obvious reasons have to be kept separate from other wild life, but even they enjoy a large area of natural vegetation and a lake and seem really happy lounging peacefully in the sun.
Many of the safari animals are Badoca-born, which is the greatest indicator of the animals’ well-being.
No need to worry about getting you hire car scratched or dusty: the safari ride is done in tractor-pulled wagons, on scheduled hours, to make sure the Badoca animals are not distressed by the excessive number of visitors. You will be assigned an exact time of your visit to the safari zone, at the entrance.
The train, driven by the park guide stops in a comfortable distance from the flocks of animals and while the guide talks about each species, many animals will approach curiously the train and be seen from a few meters distance. Some of the species, especially ostriches, are very curious and will peak into the train looking for food. Deers, buffalos and zebras can actually be petted, although the latter have bad fame as finger-nibblers.
Bigger animals, as giraffes and dromedaries are more reserved and do not come as close.
There are no two exact same safari trips in Badoca Park, nor it is a drive-through zoo. Every ride is adapted to the animals “mood” and their well-being is respected; if some species show more playful at the given time, the guide will get closer and spend more time around them, if other seem in distress, a bigger distance will be kept.
In 2012, the ticket prices for Badoca Safari Park are: EUR 16.50 for adults and EUR 14.50 for children. Young children up to 4 years of age are not charged entry fee. The park is open daily, from 9.30 to 20.00. Parking of your hire car, right at the gate of Badoca Safari Park is free of charge.
Nature experience for children in Badoca Safari Park
Apart from the safari area, children will find plenty of opportunities of even closer contact with the animal world in the Badoca Park. Just by the entrance, the exotic and birds of prey section welcomes the visitors and twice a day feeding and a show of the Badoca birds can be seen. In a separate accessible area, the colorful araras fly free and interact playfully with people, many times landing on their heads or shoulders.
In the mini-zoo area, all sorts of farm animals are the delight of younger children. Ponies walk freely in this area and pose patiently for pictures. Horses, donkeys, sheep, goats and even lamas are fenced off but they are friendly and used to human presence and although the warnings advise against, it is hard to keep children from petting them.
On the Primate Island, a little bit further into the park, live baboons and chimpanzees.
Meet the lemurs – the Badoca Park’s prime attractions
Lemurs, many times mistakenly taken for monkeys, rodents or even cats, are a distinct species of primates. Your kids will surely know that the lemurs come from Madagascar, so as King Julian and other unforgettable characters of the DreamWorks’ hit “Madagascar” movie.
After visiting Badoca Safari Park you will also know a lot about lemurs. A dedicated programme “Interaction with lemurs” is Badoca Park’s prime attraction, extremely popular amongst young children. During about 30 minutes visitors of all ages are invited in small groups to the Lemur Island, where they are immediately surrounded by the playful animals and get to pet and feed them. The care takers are present at all times and provide comprehensive information about the specie.
The lemur programme in the Badoca Safari Park is optional and charged at EUR 12 per adult and EUR 10 per child.
Fun for the whole family at Badoca Park
Although the park’s prime attraction are, obviously, the animals, younger kids will surely enjoy the African village in Badoca Park: African huts, swings and giant wooden figures of animals where they can crawl up into, for fun and picture taking.
The older children are going to love the African rafting – a rather bumpy ride down an artificial river in a round “raft”. The raft ride is available only for children at least 1.10 m tall and you should expect some water splashing along the way, but getting slightly wet actually feels good in hot Alentejo weather. The African rafting in Badoca is included in the entrance fee but queues are frequent.
For whole families there are horse-drawn carriage rides at an extra charge of EUR 4 for adults and EUR 3 for children. If you are more adventurous and the day is not too hot, try the family trampoline: a combined harness with bungee lines and trampoline exercise for four people at a time, price EUR 3 per person.
See the temperature chart for Alentejo, Portugal.
Badoca Park – where to eat?
If you are spending the whole day in Badoca Park, the available eating solutions should leave your kids very happy, as they include mostly fast food and ice cream. Water vending machines are distributed across the whole park, but food stands are to be found only in the central part of the “village”. The prices of simple snacks are acceptable as for a tourist spot and the menu consist of burgers, pizzas and sandwiches and, occasionally, veggie soup, just enough to go through the day. A restaurant with a panoramic view of the safari area and some choice of grilled meats is also available, yet it is rather costly and usually overcrowded.
Many visitors to Badoca opt for bringing their own supplies to be had in one of the many picnic spots. Consider, though, if you are willing to travel with food. In the hotter days food cooler is required!
As an alternative, you can try regular restaurant or coffee shops in the nearby towns. The entry ticket is valid during the day of purchase, so you can leave the park and come back. Keep in mind, though, that no restaurants are to be found at a walking distance but the nearest bigger town, Santiago do Cacém requires only a 5-10 minute drive.
Santiago do Cacém in Setúbal district
Santiago de Cacém, the largest town near Badoca Safari Park is a quiet place with some interesting historic heritage.
In the past, because of the towns location close to the coast line (round 17 km distance) wealthy local land owners would establish in Santiago do Cacém, escaping the heat of Alentejo inland plains in the summertime. The old, well preserved manor houses can still be seen in the town amongst newer architecture.
A picturesque castle of Moorish origins rises on the top of a hill overlooking Santiago do Cacém and the surrounding area. With a cloudless weather you will get stunning views of the sea and of the coastal city of Sines.
The town’s main church also bears witness to the disastrous 1755 Lisbon earthquake that also affected further areas of the country.
In the Quintinha Windmill of Santiago, on days with fairy wing the traditional process of milling cereal can be seen.
Santiago do Cacém top ranked historic attraction, however is a Roman excavation site of Miróbriga where you can visit the ruins of a temple to Venus and the Roman baths.
Today’s Santiago do Cacém is a pleasant, welcoming town with tourist information in the town´s centre and a number of reasonably priced restaurants and cafes.
Santiago do Cacém is in 18 km distance from Sines, the flourishing harbor town on the Atlantic coast.
See the map of Alentejo.
Some of the best of the Setúbal Coast beaches
On your way back to Lisbon from Badoca Safari Park, if time allows, try some of the finest of the Setúbal region beaches. Within a short drive from Santiago do Cacém a number of excellent beaches is available for you and your family to relax after a day of safari adventure.
On the coast north of Sines, beautiful beaches of golden sand and dunes are to be found, amongst them Praia da Fonte do Cortiço, Praia Areias Brancas, Praia do Monte Velho, Praia da Lagoa de Santo António and Praia de Melides. It takes around 20 km to reach Lagoa de Santo André beach from Santiago do Cacém.
Around 40 km up north from Santiago do Cacém by the N261 road, you will find the Comporta beach.
One of the longest sandy European beaches, Comporta bears the Blue Flag for high safety and environmental standards and even in the busiest summer season rarely gets anywhere close to being crowded. Excellent wind and sea conditions allow practice of all sorts of water sports and wide range of facilities (restaurants, ws’s, locker rooms, beach chair rental) make Comporta beach a family-friendly location for holiday-makers.
North of Comporta stretches the Troia Peninsula, a strip of white-sand beaches separating the Atlantic from the Sado River estuary. Troia is a place of singular natural beauty and a prime location for luxury holiday resorts.
A ferry service connects Troia to Setúbal from where you can continue your trip back to Lisbon. The ferry arrives in Doca do Comércio in Setúbal. The remaining distance from Doca do Comério to Lisbon city centre is of around 50 km, by the 25 de Abril bridge.
Taking the ferry from Troia to Setubal on the way back to Lisbon you spare time and gas.
The price of the ferry trip is EUR 12 for the vehicle and additional EUR 2,75 for adult passengers and EUR 1,35 for children under 10 years old.
Distances from Badoca Safari Park to the nearest beaches
See below the approximate distance from Badoca Safari Park to the beaches of Santiago do Cacém area:
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Praia de Areias Brancas beach: 8 km
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Praia da Fonte do Cortiço beach: 10 km
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Praia da Lagoa de Santo André beach: 12 km
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Praia do Monte Velho beach: 9 km
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Praia de Melides beach: 16 km
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Praia de Comporta beach: 42 km
- Distance from Badoca Safari Park to Troia: 56 km
