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GET TO KNOW US
ABOUT us
Safari Niagara’s vision is to provide people of all ages and abilities the opportunity to meet animals and birds up close. It is hoped that such interaction with nature will inspire future conservationists and naturalists. In a world where children experience fewer exchanges with nature, Safari Niagara provides an unprecedented opportunity for kids to view, experience and learn about many animal and bird species that share our planet while engaging in a fun and rewarding adventure.
Safari Niagara, a 150-acre, privately-owned and operated nature park, is home to more than 1000 animals of native and exotic mammals, reptiles and birds.
HISTORY
Building Safari Niagara
The seed for Safari Niagara was planted by the late Stephen J. Tykolis, who moved his family of seven children to Stevensville from Welland in the 1950s.
Upon retirement in 1990 from his family businesses, Stevensville Lawn Service and Stevensville Garden Gallery, “Papa Steve” began a small hobby farm of domestic animals, which he enjoyed sharing with family and friends.
After his death in 1992, three of Papa Steve’s children, Terry, Marianne and Tim, were left in charge of business operations and, as a tribute to their dad, constructed a small-scale public zoo of the cherished feathered and furry friends inside the garden centre. Visitors loved seeing the animals and birds up close, which inspired the acquisition of more species, including more exotic species such as primates and reptiles. The little zoo also became somewhat of a sanctuary for exotic species whose owners could no longer care for them. In seeing the interest and excitement the little zoo was creating, it wasn’t long before a hobby farm of larger animals began inhabiting the parcel of land behind the garden centre.
The population and variety of animals “out back” slowly grew into a full-fledged zoological facility, which remained private while the Tykolis family worked with a professional development team to create a master plan for the facility to be constructed in phases. The first phase was completed and culminated in the grand opening of “ZOOZ” on May 18, 2002.
The year 2009 marked the beginning of a new era for the facility as it evolved into “Safari Niagara”. It was a new dawn of opportunities for future expansion, which has included more educational exhibits, updated and new animal environments, new exciting activities, and amenities, including food and concessions.Safari Niagara has been and will continue to be a wonderful destination for children of all ages and abilities to get “up close” to more than 1000 animal species while enjoying time outdoors with family and friends. The park is completely interactive with free educational animal shows & tours, animal feedings, Papa Steve’s Family Farm and numerous activities.
THE PARK
Visitors of all ages and abilities can experience the park’s inhabitants on their own or through:
- Free, educational shows and presentations
- Educational, narrated tram rides/tours
- Interactive, educational demonstrations including: Wonders of Flight, Interactive Reptile Show, Hippo and Giraffe Encounter, Rhino Talk and Zooniversity
- Papa Steve’s Family Farm
- Behind the Scenes Tours
- Corporate/Group Trips
- Educational Class Trips
- Popular activities such as Sky Quest Ropes Course and Bounce-A-Rooz jumping pillows throughout June 1 – September 4, weather permitting.
- Outdoor amphitheatre that is host to live concerts and events.
- Shaded Picnic Areas
- Counter-Service Restaurant
- Retail Gift Shop
GOOD OLD DAYS
Born in Pine River, Manitoba in 1920, Stephen J. Tykolis came to Niagara when he was 17 years old. He married Yolande and moved with his seven children to Stevensville in 1955. Mr. Tykolis was an entrepreneur and worked hard to achieve his dreams. With the help of his family he built a successful landscaping business, Stevensville Lawn Service, and greenhouse and retail operation, Stevensville Garden Gallery. He loved his community and the people in it. His philosophy in life, according to his children was “everything is achievable if you worked hard enough”. In retirement Mr. Tykolis didn’t go fishing, he honed his love for animals. He started a private hobby farm for his personal enjoyment. Soon he discovered that family and friends shared his love and curiosity of animals.
NEXT GENERATION
Mr. Tykolis passed away in December of 1992 at the age of 72, however his legacy lives on through his children in the form of Safari Niagara. In memory of their father, his children, Terry, Tim and Marianne, developed his hobby farm into a small petting zoo and eventually the full-scale animal adventure known today as Safari Niagara. The park is dedicated to his passion for sharing the wonders of wildlife while providing a learning and fun experience for all ages and abilities.
awards & accomplishments
- 2018 Certificate of Excellence – Trip Advisor
- 2017 Business Excellence Awards – Fort Erie Attractors Award
- 2017 Certificate of Excellence – Trip Advisor
- 2015 Travellers Choice – Trip Advisor
- 2014 Travelzoo Excellence Award – Attractions and Activities
- 2014 Traveller’s Choice Awards – Top Zoos in Canada – Trip Advisor
- 2014 Trip Advisor – Certificate of Excellence
- 2014 – Support Group Award – Cystic Fibrosis Canada (Ontario Chapter)
- 2013 – Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards – “Tourism Enterprise” Award
- 2011 – Greater Fort Erie Chamber of Commerce – Large Business of Excellence
- 2006 – Fort Erie’s Finest – “Family Entertainment” – Readers Choice Award
- 2006 – Niagara Entrepreneur of the Year Awards – Nominated for “Emerging Entrepreneur and “Family Enterprise” categories
- 2005 – Audited by the World Society for the Protection of Animals and of the 16 zoos audited, Safari Niagara was one of four zoological facilities in Ontario that scored a passing grade.
- 2005 – Fort Erie’s Finest- “Best Summer Fun Spot” – Readers Choice Award
- 2004 – Fort Erie’s Finest – “Family Entertainment” – Readers Choice Award
- 2003 – Progressive Development Award – Awarded by Niagara Falls Tourism
- 2002 – Fort Erie’s Finest – “Family Entertainment” – Readers Choice Award
- 2002 – Progressive Development Award – Awarded by Niagara Falls Tourism
our vision
Our Vision
At Safari Niagara we strive to educate people of all ages and abilities about wildlife conservation.
Our Mission Statement
By uniting people with animal and plant life and sharing our commitments to conservation, education and sustainability we empower advocates of change to transform behaviors and strengthen our earth’s biodiversity.
A little More Information
A visit to Safari Niagara may spark a flame for future conservationists and naturalists. Providing the platform for a one-to-one connection with nature can inspire any individual, especially a child. In a world where children experience fewer exchanges with nature, Safari Niagara provides an unprecedented opportunity for kids of all ages and abilities to view, interact with and learn about the different species that share our planet, all while engaging in a fun and rewarding outdoor adventure!
The Tykolis family began operating its first business in 1967. Over the years, innovative thinking and careful investment developed into an entirely new and industry distinct business, Safari Niagara. In memory of their late father’s love for animals and after more than 10 years of planning and development, a once flat, clay tract of land in rural Stevensville has been carefully converted to green space complete with hills, trees and lakes. Since opening, Safari Niagara has become known in Niagara as one of the area’s best and safest places for families, students and corporate groups to experience nature together.
Business Excellence Award
Whatever awards won, the ultimate success of Safari Niagara comes with the impact it has on its visitors. It is assumed that over the past seasons of operation at least one person has entered the park unaware of the importance of nature and preserving the environment. It is safe to say that after spending the day at Safari Niagara, that person left the park with a new perspective on the unique relationship he or she has with our planet and how vital it is to respect it completely.
Park Hours
- Mon - Sun
- Closed
Office Hours
- Mon - Fri
- -
- Sat - Sun
- Closed
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