The Cairns Wildlife Safari Reserve is located in the Tablelands between Kuranda and Mareeba. We enjoyed the breakfast with the lions and then entry into the park and were very impressed with the friendly service of the reception and food staff who welcomed us warmly into the park.

The food was outstanding, we were not expecting a chef to personalise our order and bring it to the table. The lady serving us made sure we all had plenty of food and drink and answered our questions. The lions certainly knew it was feeding time and we got some awesome photos and videos of them having a morning snack. The feeder was very knowledgeable and patient with all our questions.

We thought the best part of the day was over but we were equally rewarded with the other elements to the park. We watched the hippos munching, the otters eating (who ‘box' for their food on command), the brown bears playing like children in the pool, the cheetah and spider monkeys sleeping. It was an absolute treat to be let into the dingo cage to play with the three one year pups. And I have never before patted a one tonne Rhinoceros. We didn't spot the tiger, the pigmy hippos or the lemurs but I'm sure if we had stayed for their eating times we would have seen them, but we were off to Hartley's Crocodile Farm for the afternoon.

So maybe we will come back another day to see the afternoon feedings. We were all very impressed with the large spaces that the animals have to move around and the information the keepers gave on each animal. We also liked the care taken to keep each animal entertained within the enclosures. Highly recommended!

Anna