Zoobic Safari

December 30, 2012. While others are preparing for New Year, we are set for our last trip this year.

Entrance costs: Adult - P495, Kids between 3ft and 4ft - P395 and Kids below 3ft are free. Thanks to MetroDeal, we are able to get our tickets for only P248. (Zoobic Safari Promo).

How to get there: We're from the South so we decided to go to Victory Liner - Pasay. I expected that since it is a holiday, there will be a huge number of people but I was wrong. However, we still need to line up to buy tickets. We arrived past 7 in the morning. From Pasay, we need to ride a bus going to Olongapo (via SCTEX). However, the next trip will be at 10 in the morning so if we decided to go via SCTEX we're going to wait in the terminal for more than 2 hours. Another option is the Olongapo (via San Fernando - Pampanga). I really cannot distinguish the difference but possibly, SCTEX is a faster way. However, we still avail of the latter option as we don't want to wait in the terminal. We passed by Pampanga and Bataan. It took us almost 4 hours before we reached Olongapo. 

It's almost 12 in the afternoon so we decided to take our lunch. As we continue walking, we saw Wimpy's Restaurant and Ice Cream Parlor. (Wimpy from Popeye)

We ordered Burger Steak and Double Burger combo meal (With Fries and Salad). The patty is different from Angels' Burger (Buy 1, Take 1) :p After that, we look for a jeepney going to SBMA gate. Color Yellow and minimum fare only (P8). Landmark is SM City Olongapo. 

You need to walk and go inside where you will see the Harbor Point, which, according to Google, is owned by the Ayalas. That is where you're going to look for a taxi (with SBMA logo). It will cost you P400 (From SBMA gate to Zoobic). However, I still haggle for lower fare since we are only 2 passengers. The kind driver, Mr. Edwin Mendoza, give in for P350. It's a long-way drive and the P400 fare is reasonable. During the first-half of travel you will think that you're still in the city but as you go along, there you will see tall trees, monkeys in the street sides. Even if signage of Zoobic is visible it will still take about 10-15 minutes before we reached Zoobic Safari. Give your contact number to the driver so he can fetch you after the tour.

There's a parking area on the right and also the ticket booth. There's a designated window for those who avail MetroDeal vouchers. You need to present your ID and they're going to check it.

Then, you need to wait for your guide. They will give you a short-briefing regarding the tour. While waiting, you may take a picture with the White Tiger but of course you need to pay. Below is a picture of a baby tiger. The tour consists of 2 parts: Walk-thru and the Drive-thru

After the briefing, the tour begins. First stop for Walk-thru, Bird Walk.

2. Bird Thrill.

3. Mini Petting Zoo.

4. Serpentarium

Then, we need to ride the Tram for the Drive-thru (P50/person). You may opt to ride with your own car (No additional charge).

5. Forbidden Cave

6. Zoobic Cave

Then, the most-awaited part of the tour is the Tiger Safari (Meet-and-Greet the Tigers or The Tigers: Up-close and Personal). We need to ride a specialized jeepney. I was a little bit disappointed, however, because I expected too much tigers walking around and jumping on top of the jeepney. During our tour, we only saw 2 tigers.

It was just a short-time but very unforgettable. It's not everyday that we can see tigers (Unlike Gov. Chavit Singson). We need to ride the tram again to go to the next attraction. 

8. Close Encounter. We are given a warning that if a tiger raised his tail, it is about to urinate and the smell will take 3-4 days before it goes out.

9. Savannah

Ostrich

Camel

10. Aeta's Trail. One Aeta brother will play a musical instrument and the other one will dance.

11. Croco Loco.

 

Reaching Croco Loco signifies the end of the 2 1/2 hr tour. 11 attractions. Unforgettable experience.

We have a hard time having a signal for Sun Cellular and due to miscommunication with the taxi driver, he left without us. There's no taxi terminal there and it's hard to look for one going back to SBMA. I approached one employee and allow us to go with their service for free. We saved P400 for the fare.

We ate at Ikabud in SM Olongapo. We tried the Deviled Pork which is not so spicy. Their service is poor. The staffs are not smiling at the customers.

 Menu

 Me and Coco

Deviled Pork

For more information regarding Zoobic Safari, please visit their site at Zoobic Safari.