African Lion Safari and Places in Between - MBG plus Cats

2022 Places Ontario Series.

MBG's 3rd Canada Day was spent exploring Cambridge and Hamilton. The main part of the trip was the African Lion Safari and went exploring nearby attractions and places in between. 

Kick-starting the school summer break, the family decided to have a 3-day trip to Cambridge. There is no itinerary planned for this trip, the kind that is laid back and goes where the wheels take us which is kind of fun and easy. For this trip, we decided to take our Mings on their first-ever vacation! Cookie the Ball and Coco the Bear has no part in the planning. They were taken against their will lol but they enjoyed the car ride and the thrill of a new place. 

Cookie sat with me at the front, behaving and curiously pooing her head out of the bag whenever she can. She did not sleep through the journey but was calm and just kind of dealing with the situation lol. Coco on the other hand was like a chicken on a hook waiting to get eaten by a shark! Loud meow, scratches, and lots of icky situations at the back seat with Biw. Overall, the Mings were a great company for a long drive with all the fuss, meow and calm, and chaos in between.

Day 1. Westfield Village and the Hotel.

Homewood Suites was our home for 3-nights. The hotel is pet-friendly so we are not anxious to leave them when we roam the city. Coco went on a full-room exploration the moment she got out of the bag, Cookie, on the other hand, secured a hiding spot to fit her fluffy fatness.

The hotel is not centrally located but a strip mall with lots of places to eat, a convenience store, and even an animal hospital is conveniently located just a few steps away. We had our lunch at one of the Indian restaurants there and the food was oh so yummy!

After the enjoyable lunch, we decided to hit the road again going to Westfield Heritage Village. The Village is open until sundown but the establishments close at 4 pm. We arrived past 4 pm and already closed, we were let in for the exterior sightseeing and nature trail. 

The trip to the Village is a nostalgic walk back in time, I mean I didn't live in that era for me to have a sentimental longing for that past but there is something about old buildings and antiques that just took me back as if I existed there, lived on that certain point in time. 

The short nature trail in the village makes for a nice wake-up call to the present. Insects abound but lovely trees are all around.  There were scattered old houses, tables, oaken chairs, makeshift fireplace,s and hidden mysterious routes we did not care to walk.

Day 2. African Lion Safri.

The African Lion Safari was more than just the Game Reserves tour that is heavily marketed on their website. The day spent there was never boring, informative and lots of fun activities for the family. The Safari Tour Bus was my favorite, Marlon liked the scenic train ride and Gabby loves everything, especially the Parrot presentation. 

Game Reserve.

The Game Reserves is a drive-through experience on a 9-km trail of 7 large different reserves. You can enter the reserves in two ways, by the Safari Bus which comes in an additional fee not included in the entrance tickets, or with your own vehicle. We chose the first for a hassle-free experience. 

It was nice to appreciate the animals enjoying their habitat, unashamed, free, and unbothered by glaring tourists. They even cross the roads as they please, sleep through the camera clicks, and continue on with the days ahead.

On crazy days, they say the King of the Jungle and his lioness would pay a visit by the vehicle window, the day we came was a lazy day for them I guess. They were contentedly perched on the slab of rocks, enjoying the sun and making eye contact with the trespassers.

On even crazier days, rhinos will charge at ongoing vehicles. The baboons will stage a fight on your car roof, sometimes they will just sit tight and delay you for hours.

The Game Reserves in the African Lion Safari are as close as the African safari and reserves could get. This trip made me dream even more about visiting the Serengeti and Ngorongoro of Tanzania and the Maasai Mara of Kenya. 

Scenic Train and Boat Ride.

A 16-hectare onboard a replica of the 1863 CP Huntington Engine traversing a diverse habitat of birds and animals. I did not expect much of the train ride but it turned out to be a favorite of ours. The wait time is long but worth it. The train travels for 15-min complemented by a cool breeze and a scenic display of nature.

The boat ride took us to a water safari of turtles and fishes. The informative cruise took us closer to exotic primate and their habitat. The boat ride was relaxing, one way to cool off under the glaring sun while enjoying the sound of the water and the scenery.

Wet Play and Parrot Presentation.

The wet area was wide and lots of slides and water fountains of different designs. There were lots of wading pools too. It could have been an enjoyable splash if only the wind is not too cold. Gabby did not stay in the wet area for too long and enjoyed herself at the playground instead.

We then went to the animal center and have seen sloths, armadillos, owls, eagles, yak, and loads more. The parrot presentation is also enjoyable, there was a scheduled reptile race which regrettably we were not able to watch.

The African Lion Safari was an overall delightful experience. There were lots and lots to do if only time and energy could keep up lol.

Day 3. Chasing Antiques and Waterfalls.

Our last day in Hamilton was spent chasing Antique finds and waterfalls. We went to a Sunday-only antique fair at Aberfoyle. My vintage heart was happy and sad at the same time. I love antiques and anything that is a representation of the world before me. But I am superstitious and a scaredy-cat that I always thought spirits of their past owners inhabit antique pieces lol. I regret not buying but I'll regret it more if I did.

The afternoon before heading back home was a walk to find a hidden gem of waterfalls. Located in the Spencer George Conservation area, tucked between trees and scaling rocks is Webster Falls. Beauty in her simplicity, elusive and an exquisite sight to behold.

We had an amazing Canada Day trip to Cambridge. The Mings too, I believe had a memorable first vacation ever. We can't wait to explore more of Ontario and of Canada. Truly amazing is the world we live in!

*MBGXCambridge*    *TheMarcosesXOntario*     *2&1/2GypsiesXCanada*

Jul 1-3, 2022. Happy Canada Day, eh!