African Safari

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African Safari is a drive-through safari park in the hills of Usa city, northern Oita Prefecture, where roughly 70 species of animals roam large naturalistic enclosures. Visitors experience the park by car or aboard the popular 'Jungle Bus', driving through zones home to lions, elephants, giraffes, rhinos, bears and more.

One of Kyushu's largest safari parks, it combines free-range wildlife viewing with hands-on animal encounters in a scenic mountain setting.

The park lets you observe large animals up close in spacious paddocks rather than cages, and the Jungle Bus lets riders feed lions, giraffes and bears through mesh windows for a genuine thrill. It is a standout family attraction in northern Oita.

Combined with a petting zone, cat and dog salons, and mountain scenery, African Safari offers a full day of wildlife experiences accessible from Beppu and Usa Jingu.

The 6-kilometre Safari Road, driven by private car or Jungle Bus, passes through carnivore and herbivore zones with lions, tigers, elephants, giraffes, zebras and rhinos. Hand-feeding animals from the Jungle Bus is the signature highlight.

The Furefure Land petting area, cheetah viewing, and seasonal baby-animal encounters add further appeal.

Drive the safari circuit in your own vehicle or book the Jungle Bus for feeding sessions with lions, bears and herbivores. Visit Furefure Land to pet rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals, and see cats and dogs in the salon areas.

Watch feeding times, photograph the free-roaming wildlife, and enjoy the park's cafes and gift shops between zones.

The Jungle Bus experience, feeding big cats and giraffes by hand, is the must-do activity. The lion and elephant zones on the safari drive are crowd favourites.

Furefure Land's petting area and the cheetah enclosure round out the essential stops for most visitors.

The park's cat salon and dog encounter areas, where you can relax with friendly animals, are less publicised than the safari drive. Seasonal night safaris, offered on select summer dates, reveal nocturnal animal behaviour rarely seen by day.

Quieter herbivore zones early in the day often bring animals closer to the road.

While primarily a wildlife park, African Safari reflects Japan's fondness for immersive, interactive animal experiences, from feeding to petting salons. Staff talks and feeding demonstrations offer informal education.

The park's conservation and breeding efforts connect visitors to broader wildlife-care themes.

Set in the forested Ajimu highlands of Usa, the park makes the most of its hilly, green terrain, with animals ranging over large paddocks against a backdrop of Kyushu mountains. Fresh mountain air and open landscapes enhance the safari drive.

The surrounding rural Usa countryside offers further scenic driving and nearby cultural sights.

African Safari is a premier family day out: children are thrilled to feed lions and giraffes from the Jungle Bus and to pet small animals in Furefure Land. Baby-animal seasons are especially popular.

The drive-through format suits all ages, and cafes and rest areas make a full day manageable with young children.

The park is a daytime attraction and closes in the evening, so there is no regular nightlife. The main exception is the special summer night safari on select dates, which offers after-dark viewing.

Evening dining and lodging are found in Usa, Beppu or Oita city nearby.

The Jungle Bus feeding moments, with a lion or giraffe at the window, make dramatic close-up shots. The open herbivore paddocks with elephants or giraffes against the mountains are scenic wide frames.

Cheetahs, bears and the petting-zone animals also offer good photo opportunities; a zoom lens helps from a private car.

African Safari opened in 1976 as one of Japan's early drive-through safari parks, capitalising on the Ajimu highlands' open terrain. Over the decades it expanded its species, introduced the Jungle Bus, and added interactive zones.

It has grown into one of Kyushu's leading wildlife attractions while participating in animal breeding and welfare programmes.

The park is a well-known family destination in northern Oita and a source of local pride and employment. It fits the regional pattern of nature-based attractions around Usa, alongside the historic Usa Jingu shrine.

Local food stalls and souvenirs at the park reflect Oita's produce and crafts.

Spring and autumn offer the most comfortable weather for the drive and the most active animals, avoiding summer heat that can make wildlife lethargic at midday. Baby-animal seasons in spring are a draw.

Summer night safaris are a special option, while winter visits are quieter with brisk mountain air.

The Ajimu highlands are cooler than coastal Oita, pleasant in summer but cold in winter with occasional snow. The June-July rainy season can affect the outdoor drive, though the car-based format keeps visits feasible.

Spring and autumn provide mild temperatures ideal for viewing and photography.

The park runs seasonal programmes such as summer night safaris, baby-animal introductions, and holiday feeding events. Special encounters and limited-time animal experiences appear through the year.

Check the official African Safari website for the current event calendar and any advance-booking requirements.

Arrive at opening, book a Jungle Bus slot, and drive or ride the safari circuit before midday when animals are most active. After lunch at the park, spend the afternoon in Furefure Land and the cat and dog salons.

Combine with a morning or next-day visit to nearby Usa Jingu for culture alongside wildlife.

Allow three to four hours to enjoy the safari drive plus the petting and salon areas at a relaxed pace. Adding a Jungle Bus ride and lunch can extend it toward a half or full day.

Wildlife enthusiasts and families with young children easily fill most of a day here.

By car, the park is about 30-40 minutes from Beppu and Usa via the Ajimu highlands roads, with ample parking. Public transport is limited, but seasonal buses run from Beppu and Oita on some schedules.

Many visitors combine it with Usa Jingu by rental car, which is the most convenient option.

Inside the park, the safari drive is done in your own car or the Jungle Bus, while the petting and salon areas are explored on foot. Parking connects the different zones.

A private vehicle is the most flexible way to arrive and to drive the safari circuit at your own pace.

There is no train station at the park; JR Usa Station is the nearest rail access, from which seasonal buses or taxis reach the park. Beppu and Oita are the main gateways.

A rental car is strongly recommended given sparse public transport in the highlands.

The park generally opens around 9:00-10:00 and closes in the late afternoon, with shorter hours in winter. The Jungle Bus runs on set departure times that can sell out.

Confirm current hours and Jungle Bus schedules on the official website before visiting, and book popular slots ahead.

General admission is roughly 2,600 yen for adults and less for children, with the Jungle Bus an additional fee of around 1,100 yen per person. Some interactive experiences cost extra.

Prices change over time, so check the official African Safari site for current admission and bus fares.

The park has cafes and restaurants serving casual meals, curry and snacks, plus kiosks near the zones. Options outside are limited in the immediate highlands.

For a wider choice, visitors dine in Usa city, Beppu or Oita as part of the day trip.

On-site dining features casual fare like curry, ramen and animal-themed treats. The surrounding Usa and Oita region is known for local chicken dishes, toriten and dango-jiru.

Seasonal produce and Oita snacks are sold at the park's shops.

There is no lodging at the park itself, so most visitors stay in Beppu, Oita city or Usa. These provide a full range of hotels and ryokan within a short drive.

Beppu makes a convenient base combining onsen relaxation with the safari day trip.

Budget roughly 3,700 yen per adult for admission plus the Jungle Bus, before food, souvenirs and transport. A family day out, including lunch and fuel or bus fares, typically runs 10,000-20,000 yen.

Driving your own car keeps costs lower than repeated Jungle Bus rides.

The park's gift shops sell plush animals, safari-themed goods, snacks and local Oita souvenirs. Photo services capture memorable feeding moments.

Nearby Usa offers regional foods and shrine charms for additional gifts.

Keep car windows closed in the carnivore zones and follow all staff instructions; do not attempt unauthorised feeding from private vehicles. On the Jungle Bus, feed only through the provided equipment and keep hands inside.

Supervise children closely in the petting areas and drive slowly on the safari road.

The safari drive is fully accessible by private car, and the Jungle Bus and main pathways accommodate most visitors, though some petting areas have uneven ground. Parking is close to the facilities.

Check the official site for wheelchair and stroller details, as the hilly site has some slopes.

Signage and some materials are multilingual, and staff can assist with basic English at ticketing and the Jungle Bus, but detailed information is mainly in Japanese. A translation app helps with feeding instructions.

The visual, hands-on nature of the park makes language less of a barrier than at many attractions.

Book the Jungle Bus in advance, as slots fill quickly, and arrive early when animals are most active. A private car gives flexibility to linger in the herbivore zones and to combine the trip with Usa Jingu.

Bring a zoom lens, and consider the special summer night safari for a different experience.

Bring a camera with a zoom lens, cash for the Jungle Bus and extras, and hand sanitiser for the petting areas. Sun protection or warm layers suit the season and the exposed highlands.

Water, snacks and comfortable shoes for the walking zones complete the essentials.

Follow park rules on feeding and behaviour to keep animals healthy, and never litter in the paddocks. Support the park's breeding and welfare programmes by respecting the animals and their space.

Carpooling or seasonal buses reduce traffic in the highlands, and buying local souvenirs supports the regional economy.

Usa Jingu, the head Hachiman shrine, is a short drive away and pairs well with the safari. The Kunisaki Peninsula's temples, Beppu's onsen and Hells, and Yufuin are all within reach.

The rural Ajimu highlands also offer wineries and scenic driving.

The African Safari official website lists admission and Jungle Bus prices, opening hours, seasonal events and access maps, with booking for popular experiences. Usa City and Oita tourism sites provide area information.

Check these sources for current prices, schedules and any advance-booking needs before your visit.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.

This section is being updated and will be available shortly.