If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life, step back in time and learn what it really means to be ‘wild’, visit Knepp Safaris near Horsham in West Sussex.
In 2001, Chares Burrell made the bold decision to revert his 3,500 acre estate, which had been beef and arable farmed by his family for over 220 years, into a re-wilding programme. Introducing only longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies, Tamworth pigs and fallow and red deer to imitate the combination of animals that would have grazed this land thousands of years ago, all other wildlife has since inhabited the estate naturally.
Photo: Charlotte Dear
The estate is still farmed but in a holistic and natural way, producing organic, free-range beef. But it is now also one of lowland Europe’s largest privately owned re-wilding projects, a scientific experiment in an endeavour to discover wildlife and ecosystems at their most natural, notice how they differ from those of traditional farming methods and share the experience with the public. Today, husband and wife team Amy and Paul Nightingale run the safaris and campsite from their home on the estate. Amy qualified as an ecologist in 2011 and relished the chance to become a part of this pioneering venture, while Paul is a carpenter with a passion for the natural world.
Depending on the time of year, Amy runs a selection of guided safaris, both vehicle-based and on foot. While early summer is the best time to spot the nationally rare nightingales, mid-summer is the time for bat safaris, dusk tours and a chance to see the project’s signature species, the purple emperor butterfly. Coming up in October are the deer rut safaris, providing perhaps the most dramatic sights of all.
Photo: Charlie Burrell
Despite these seasonal highlights, if you set out on a dawn, dusk or half day safari in this magical estate, you are guaranteed to see something spectacular all season long, whatever the weather. With new species inhabiting Knepp all the time, Amy does not know what to expect from one day to the next and it is this anticipation that makes the safaris so exciting and captivating. As you journey through the acres of open fields and walk under low-lying branches, you really get a sense of what England would have looked like thousands of years ago before our now traditional farming methods ever existed.
Amy will show you everything from slow worms to decomposed deer carcasses and from struggling oak saplings to puddle frogs, explaining the fascinating works of nature at every turn. Half way through your trip, climb up to one of the tree platforms, take in the magnificent view and spot a red deer in the wetland or a buzzard or raven if you’re lucky, while enjoying some delicious organic homemade delights.
Photo: Charlie Burrell
Extend your time at Knepp Safaris by spending the night in the campsite. Built almost exclusively from reclaimed materials by carpenter Paul, the eco-friendly shepherd’s hut, bell tents, yurt or even your own tent, provide a tranquil location to be at one with the surrounding wildlife. Before you go, ensure you pay a visit to the onsite shop where you can pick up some venison steaks and burgers, Tamworth and wild garlic sausages, homemade chutneys and much more to take home with you.
For more information, timings and details of how to book your trip, visit Knepp Safaris.
Tags:
If you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of every day life, step back in time and learn what it really means to be ‘wild’, visit Knepp Safaris near Horsham in West Sussex.
In 2001, Chares Burrell made the bold decision to revert his 3,500 acre estate, which had been beef and arable farmed by his family for over 220 years, into a re-wilding programme. Introducing only longhorn cattle, Exmoor ponies, Tamworth pigs and fallow and red deer to imitate the combination of animals that would have grazed this land thousands of years ago, all other wildlife has since inhabited the estate naturally.
Photo: Charlotte Dear
The estate is still farmed but in a holistic and natural way, producing organic, free-range beef. But it is now also one of lowland Europe’s largest privately owned re-wilding projects, a scientific experiment in an endeavour to discover wildlife and ecosystems at their most natural, notice how they differ from those of traditional farming methods and share the experience with the public. Today, husband and wife team Amy and Paul Nightingale run the safaris and campsite from their home on the estate. Amy qualified as an ecologist in 2011 and relished the chance to become a part of this pioneering venture, while Paul is a carpenter with a passion for the natural world.
Depending on the time of year, Amy runs a selection of guided safaris, both vehicle-based and on foot. While early summer is the best time to spot the nationally rare nightingales, mid-summer is the time for bat safaris, dusk tours and a chance to see the project’s signature species, the purple emperor butterfly. Coming up in October are the deer rut safaris, providing perhaps the most dramatic sights of all.
Photo: Charlie Burrell
Despite these seasonal highlights, if you set out on a dawn, dusk or half day safari in this magical estate, you are guaranteed to see something spectacular all season long, whatever the weather. With new species inhabiting Knepp all the time, Amy does not know what to expect from one day to the next and it is this anticipation that makes the safaris so exciting and captivating. As you journey through the acres of open fields and walk under low-lying branches, you really get a sense of what England would have looked like thousands of years ago before our now traditional farming methods ever existed.
Amy will show you everything from slow worms to decomposed deer carcasses and from struggling oak saplings to puddle frogs, explaining the fascinating works of nature at every turn. Half way through your trip, climb up to one of the tree platforms, take in the magnificent view and spot a red deer in the wetland or a buzzard or raven if you’re lucky, while enjoying some delicious organic homemade delights.
Photo: Charlie Burrell
Extend your time at Knepp Safaris by spending the night in the campsite. Built almost exclusively from reclaimed materials by carpenter Paul, the eco-friendly shepherd’s hut, bell tents, yurt or even your own tent, provide a tranquil location to be at one with the surrounding wildlife. Before you go, ensure you pay a visit to the onsite shop where you can pick up some venison steaks and burgers, Tamworth and wild garlic sausages, homemade chutneys and much more to take home with you.
For more information, timings and details of how to book your trip, visit Knepp Safaris.
Tags:
