Irma Heger pits her car against the mischievous monkeys at Knowsley Safari Park.

WITH the dark winter days drawing ever nearer, what could be nicer than to go on safari?

But if your budget doesn't stretch to a trip to Kenya, there's always Knowsley Safari Park, just eight miles east of Liverpool.

It turned out to be the perfect day out with grandma, our new baby and our two-year-old girl.

You don't have to rely on good weather -- as you go "on safari" in your own car -- and the sight of wild animals at every bend in the road guarantees a high 'wow' factor for young and old.

If you go at this time of year, it's relatively quiet, too, with only a limited number of cars tootling around the reserves with you.

Still, it's a far cry from the early days, when the 13th Earl of Derby established a menagerie here.

In those days, it was open to the public for parties of no more than six, and only on written application to the Earl.

Today, anybody can buy a ticket, which includes a free tape or CD to play in your car, giving you a guided tour as you drive round the five acres.

I found the information on the tape fascinating. For example, I bet you didn't know that the lions are each fed a pig's head after visitors have all left the park?

Apart from these majestic creatures, emus come up to your car, alongside zebras, deer, wallabies, wildebeest, white rhinos, bisons -- the list goes on.

The advice is to keep your windows closed -- and never leave your car, of course -- as some of these animals are quite curious.

The tigers -- one of the endangered species -- are behind a fence these days, though, because they posed a threat at the gates and would sometimes bite through tyres!

But what all of these animals have in common is that they are highly impressive.

The White Rhino -- the second-largest mammal in the world -- for instance, looks like a dinosaur throwback, with its thick folds of skin and enormous horns.

The herd here is said to be able to contribute significantly to the world's captive population, so providing a safety net for the species.

That's especially good to know as it is thanks to human beings' poaching of their horns that they have been almost exterminated.

The aim of Knowsley is to display all these exotic species in near-natural surroundings, which adds to the safari feel.

They share their habitat with local wildlife, as the park encourages the natives such as geese, hares and squirrels to make themselves at home, too. All this stopped me from having those guilty feelings I normally get at a zoo, when you see stressed out animals pacing their cages for your amusement.

There was none of this anxious behaviour in the baboon reserve or monkey jungle -- far from it. This part of the park was one of the highlights for us . . . if not our car.

There is a car-friendly route around this area, but as we don't feel too precious about our Punto, we risked the drive straight through the 100-strong colony. They clearly saw us coming a mile off.

The little rascals -- many with babies -- quickly attached themselves to the back and bonnet of ours and every other passing vehicle, much to the delight of our two-year-old. However, the animals then proceeded to attempt to dismantle car parts.

We left the area with our rear windscreen wiper hanging off and many cars went home with only half a number plate.

The tape tells you these baboons' aim in life is social climbing and gaining respect of their peers. I think they do this by comparing piles of car parts. Whoever has collected the most "trophies" when the gates shut is boss-monkey for the day.

At the end of the three and a half mile route, you'll find the elephants and giraffes, also behind fences.This is where you can stop your car and stretch your legs while admiring these magnificent beasts.

Then it's off to the on-site funfair. For a small fee, you can have a go on roller coasters, a giant slide or a pirate ship.

Included in the price is admission to the reptile house and a combined sea lion and parrot show.

I didn't hold out much hope for the latter, but they actually did some amazing tricks.

The sea lions, too, showed off their intelligence and agility to great effect. Little ones will enjoy the Lake Farm, too. There are actually no animals to pet, but having become a bit of an expert in children,s animal farms/petting zoos, I can highly recommend this one.

Knowsley puts the finest of the species on show. Some handsome lamas, a fine-looking and fat pig, lovely goats -- our daughter had a whale of a time here. Of course, we couldn't leave before we had sampled the cafe and I can thoroughly recommend the chips and burger on the menu. It's a spacious and clean place, though the bolted-down plastic seats don't do a lot to create a safari atmosphere.

It was a different matter in the parks shop.

All manner of wild animal-inspired products tempt the visitor . . . inflatable plastic elephant chair anyone?

The only drawback of our visit was the fact the park closed too early for our liking.

We could have happily spent a few more hours exploring.

We made our way through the exit gates at 4.30pm, urged on by loudspeakers telling us we really had to leave now.

Clearly, it was time for the lions to be fed their pigs' heads . . .

Knowsley Safari Park

Prescot

Merseyside

Tel: 0151 430 9009

www.knowsley.com

email <mailto:safari.park@knowsley.com>safari.park@knowsley.com

SAFARI PARK FACT FILE

The park is open every day except Christmas Day.

Until 1 February, it opens at 10.30am, with last entry at 3pm.

Tickets are £8 per adult, £5 for children and OAPs, children under the age of three go free.

Family tickets cost £20

How to get there

Directions: Follow the M62 up to junction 6, then go on the M57, up to junction 2.

The park is clearly sign-posted from there.