Smitten by my first trip to Taiwan in June 2012 (and also losing my gamble to the wife), I’ve been pestering her (yes she handles all our trip itineraries and bookings) to plan a trip back to ‘Formosa’ – the Portugese name for Taiwan, which means ‘Beautiful Island’ – a name that doesn’t even do justice to the region and her people.
Our maxim when we travel is the ‘3Es’ – Experience, Exposure and Education. We travel so that we open the pages of what our world has to offer in terms of culture, heritage and natural scenery. Taiwan fits this bill completely. Not only does it offer visitors a diverse range of experiences from its rich geography, it is also safe, modern and clean. Her people are civic-minded and warm. Our visits to Taiwan have convinced us that Singapore’s service standards have much room for improvements. Anyway, back to our trip.
The first stop for our 2nd visit to Taiwan in December 2013 was the Leofoo Resort (關西六福莊) located in Hsinchu County, Taiwan. It’s a resort with a difference – built around a safari (yes, you read correctly) with free ranging lions, rhinos, zebras, camels, ostriches and giraffes…you name it. Yes, to some extent, we can’t get enough of our safari experience at Bali so now, we’re back Safari-ing! What a way to start!
We arrived into Taipei Taoyuan International Airport at the crack of dawn and our helpful taxi driver, Mr. Hung Lee sent us directly to the resort. As our room was not ready for check in till 2pm, we took the free shuttle service to the Leofoo Village Theme Park (六福村主題遊樂園) – a family themed park with rides that are suited for young children. It is a small-scale amusement park located near the Leofoo Resort. Though it does not have rides pack high on G-forces, it has a mid-sized petting zoo and more than 30 fun rides and activities divided into 4 theme areas, “Wild West”, “South Pacific”, “Arabian Kingdom” and “African Safari”. We spent 4 happy hours there, took a quick lunch before taking the shuttle bus back to the resort.
With big, clean and comfortable rooms and a safari view (that’s the biggest selling point of Leofoo resort), you will see giraffes peeking into your room, rhinos sauntering past your window amidst packs of pink flamingos sun tanning in the distance. Africa? No, welcome to Taiwan. At the time of our booking, the Congo Rooms (with 2 double beds) were already fully sold, so we topped up to book the Kenya Greenery Room which comes with a loft (3 double beds altogether, sleeps 6) and views of the safari. Check out the sights from our balcony!
During our stay, we paid for several optional day tours and activities. First, lemur feeding. Totally safe and guided by the animal warden, our intrepid 5 y/o gamely and excitedly jumped at the chance to go into the Lemur enclosure to feed, mingle and get up close to the Lemurs for 30mins. They are a frisky bunch which jumped onto her ranger hat and shoulders to snatch the food but she handled it calmly and bravely. That, is our girl.
We also paid for a ride in a private Safari 4WD right into the habitat of these free ranging animals! Our trek began with the feeding the rams and sheep but slowly we crept closer to the enclosure with the lions, bisons, zebras etc. It was enjoyable for children to see these animals within meters, right before their eyes!
A year ago, we visited Mara River Safari Resort in Bali, which was more rustic. Leofoo Resort, in contrast, has a more commercial feel and has the trappings of a typical touristy Taiwanese resort – clean, safe and child friendly. If you want a unique safari experience for the kids without having to go to Africa, then this is a good alternative. It’s an educational, enriching and a memorable start to our 2nd Taiwan vacation.
Dave’s Survival Tips to Leofoo Resort, Guanshi
1. Plan your flight timings well – The resort admits guests only after 2pm and the drive from Taoyuan Airport to the resort takes only slightly over an hour. If your flight arrives in the early morning (like ours did), have your breakfast at the airport, arrange for your driver to pick you up and send you direct to the resort, deposit your bags with the concierge then purchase the theme park tickets, catch the shuttle to the theme park (5 mins ride) and enjoy the theme park with your family first before heading back for check in. This will maximize your stay there. There is a small café at the resort for your lunch and dinner.
2. Bring a camera with a long zoom – Because you can get quite close to these animals, having a long zoom will enable you to get that rare chance to photograph their features up close. Also, if your child is doing the Lemur visit, a long zoom will allow you to catch the action up close.
3. Repellent? – We brought them along and I don’t remember using them as this safari resort is more ‘desert’ than it is ‘jungle’ (unlike the Mara River Safari Resort in Bali).
4. Taxi Driver – One thing that will make or break your Taiwan vacation is the quality of your personal taxi driver. Reliable and popular taxi drivers are often booked out way in advance so plan your holidays ahead and book them early. You can reach our driver, Mr. Hung Lee via his FB page – Tour Taiwan.
5. Taiwan is chilly in December as it’s Winter. Do bring along your cold wear.
Leofoo Resort Guanshi 關西六福莊
Leofoo Village Theme Park 六福村主題遊樂園
* ‘Banana’ – a colloquial term used in Singapore to describe someone who is Chinese by descent but very westernized in his thinking (Yellow on the outside, White on the inside). To read another parent blogger’s review of the Leofoo Resort, pop over to our friend, Sengkang Babies’ Taiwan Post. Stay tuned for more Taiwan Trip Reports coming up!
Oh.. I’m so tempted to bring my kids there. So close up with the animals.
Hi Jolin, yes…Taiwan is great for kids! Hope you’ll go there soon one day soon!
Hi, really liked your pics! 🙂
We are going to taipei early december…is it as cold as I see your girl wearing puffer jackets?
Hi ckoyen, we were there in December and it’s Winter. The mornings before noon and the nights were quite chilly – it was around 17c-19c with wind. Our daughter wore the puffy jacket so to acclimatise to their winter but in the afternoon it was much warmer. Go prepared.
Wow, love the giraffes, and how near you can get to their faces! Usually that’s miles away for shorties like me.
And the bedroom looks so cool – you could have each sprawled out on one double bed each!
I want to go to Taiwan!! The last photo is simply mesmerising.
Thanks Lyn…yes, Taiwan is just simply wonderful…surprisingly wonderful.
Wow, this is even more amazing than Maya River Safari in Bali. Definitely will plan a trip there. Great photos as usual David.
Thanks Susan! LeoFoo is a tad more commercialized than Maya River Safari in Bali.
Great photos! and thanks for the linkup, glad the whole family enjoy the “Safari” experience.
We note that the Resort rate has “fluctuated” over the last few years as it become more popular 🙂
The only thing I miss is a swimming pool 🙂
cheers,
andy
I love your Taiwan travel blog! So far it’s the best amongst the rest in terms of the details that you put in. This is timely as I’m planning a trip to Taiwan with my 2 yr old. Will you be uploading the rest of your trip details soon?? Please do… can’t wait to read them.. Thanks for all the info..
Hi Munhin!
welcome to our blog and thanks for your generous compliments! We do have several other Taiwan posts lined up but need time to publish them. Stay tuned! In the meantime, if you need a good Taiwanese driver-guide to pick up from the airport and bring you around to sightsee, please drop me an email. I have some good ones to recommend. All the best for your trip-planning! 🙂
Hi Angie and David!
As usual, I will always refer to your blog whenever I need reviews/recommendations for overseas trips! Looking forward to more of your Taiwan posts. Zi Hao and I are still deciding between HK Disneyland (too crowded!) vs Leofoo. Anyways, thanks for the detailed travel guide and great photos for our viewing!
Hi David,
Thanks for the wonderful post.
Planning to visit Taiwan this coming mid-End Oct. How is the weather there during that period cos i bringing 3 kids 6 .5 and 2 .
Did you book the resort stay directly online or thru others.
Mind sharing with me your Taiwan itenary so can reference as it our first visit.
Thanks
Hi CJ
thanks for dropping by our blog. Really happy that you found our post useful. It should be Autumn in OCT over in Taiwan, weather should be nice but starting to be chilly at night. We booked the Leofoo Resort via the hotel’s own website directly after comparing with other 3rd party hotel booking websites. Remember to book a family room since you are travelling with 3 kids, it’s more spacious. Please drop us an email at [email protected] so I can share our itinerary with you. We have a good local driver guide to recommend too! 😀
Hi David!
Your stay at Leofoo looks amazing! I’ve filled out the “contact us” page to learn more about your itinerary of your 2nd trip to Taiwan. Hope you received it! I am planning a trip this fall to Taiwan and would love to get some ideas to go! Thanks!
Hi Eve
thanks for leaving us the compliment! We’ve replied you via the contact form too. Have fun with your trip planning! 😀
Hi David,
It was a awesome post. I’m planning to go with my son in mid October and would like to get ur itinerary as well as ur recommendation for drivers too. Thank u
Hi Dorine
good morning! Thank you for the compliments. We have emailed you the itinerary and driver’s details. Enjoy the trip planning! 😀
Hi,
Really loved reading your blog posts on Taiwan.
Could I have details on driver pls?
Planning on Leofoo and Flying cow ranch with extended family and 3 kids under 4yo!
thanks
carol
Hi Carol
thanks for your compliments on our Taiwan posts! We are glad to hear you enjoyed reading them. For the driver, please search for ‘Tour Taiwan”s FB page (https://www.facebook.com/hongtourtaiwan), like their page and communicate with them via FB messenger. They’ll be able to help plan your itinerary and guide you around. Have fun with your trip planning and see you around on the blog!
Hi,
I m planning to go Leo foo this Dec. Few question that hope u can advise:
1. Kenya greenery room is at level 2 with balcony which cater for 6 in the room. How is the view as saw some review that the view was not good, any tips to share when booking or check in?
2. I have 3 adults 2 kids n 1 toddler, wondering I shld book 2 Congo room or get kenya greenery room.
3. Can share ur taiwan trip itinerary?
Hi GP
thanks for dropping us a note. You must be excited about your upcoming Taiwan trip.
1. The Kenya Greenery room has 2 double beds at the loft and 1 below (total 3) so it will fit your family. As we were there for only 1 night, we were not too particular about the view. It is VERY cold once dusk falls in Dec so you won’t be out at the balcony. Our friend Bumble Bee Mum has written a more detailed post about how to pick a room with a view at Leofoo Resort. Do hop over to read it here: http://bumblebeemum.net/2015/06/19/leofoo-resort-guanshi/
2. The choice of rooms depend on room availability during your period of travel and your budget. We booked directly on the resort’s webpage.
3. You can look up our Taiwanese driver, Mr Lee’s FB page at ‘Tour Taiwan’ (https://www.facebook.com/hongtourtaiwan?fref=ts). They will plan the itinerary based on your requirements and interests, including picking your family up from airport and bring you on a fuss-free multi-day sightseeing excursions for a reasonable fee.
Enjoy Taiwan! 😀
Hi David, Angie,
I have finally convinced Al to holiday in Taiwan!! Yay! Took me two years after showing him your pics from your Taiwan trip:)
We have only 5 days and hoping to go in December. Which places would you recommend?
Love reading about your travels 🙂 always heart – warming to see you enjoy the world as a family.
Karen
Hi Karen! Great to hear from you! Do give us a call…let’s meet up!
Is 1 night stay at the resort enough or do I need 2 nights stay?
Hi Clarice
thanks for dropping by our blog. We stayed 1 night at the Leofoo resort and found it sufficient. It depends on what time you arrive at the resort, we arrived in the morning, went to Leofoo Theme Park before checking in around 3pm. So we had full day there and found it was enough.
Hello, if i were to reach 10.30am at taoyuan airport, i move straight to leofoo. will u choose to go theme park or stay at the resort to go for safari tour, feed the animals? i only stay 1 night. next day gonna check out and head to cingjing.
Hi Eunice
thanks for dropping by the blog. I think your schedule is similar to ours. We arrived at Taoyuan Airport and transferred directly to Leofoo Resort. Room was not ready upon check-in so we took the shuttle bus over to the Leofoo Theme Park and spent 3 hours there. Returned to resort around 4pm, got our room, freshened up and had dinner. Next morning, woke early to join the first safari tour, fed animals etc before checking out at 11am to head to CingJing. Hope you’ll have an enjoyable vacation in Taiwan!
Hi Angie/David,
Chanced upon ur website when googling for Leofoo Resort… Lovely photos and great tips indeed! 🙂
I am doing a last min planning for our Taiwan free and easy trip for this Dec… going with my hubby n 2 kids (10 n 14yrs) n sis and a 83 yr old mum (though advanced in age but fairly mobile).
We r not firmed yet on itinerary… As it’s late, the Leofoo Resort are mostly booked so likely we are not staying at the resort… If 1 day is enough for the Leofoo Theme park, we may just allocate 1 day for the visit…
Was told it is cold in dec and so to avoid high mountainous areas like Alishan, Cingjing etc… Is that true? Are you able to share your itinerary as well as recommended accommodations for ur trip? Do u engage diff drivers for diff parts of ur trip?
Many thanks! 🙂
May
Hi May!
Thanks for dropping by our blog. Yes 1 day at the Leofoo Theme Park is more than enough and we wouldn’t recommend CingJing in Winter. It was really frigid cold and some of the Minsus there do not have hot water heater or electric blankets. I’ve given you more details via email. Do have a great time in Taiwan 😀
Good day Ms. Angie. My family and I are planning to visit Leefoo Village by May 12th this year. May I request for your iterinary and refer a good local driver that will pick us up in Taipei? Thank you so much and your blog is indeed very informative.
Hello Jayson
thanks for dropping by our blog! We always recommend this local driver-guide to our family and friends, and all came back with positive feedback. Do private message, Xiao Lee 小李 on his Facebook “Tour Taiwan Hong Lee” and he will be able to customise an itinerary based on your family’s requests and needs. Have a good trip!
Hi, its a great blog you have here. And its really heart warming to know that you replies to your reader! Hope you’ll keep postong!
Cheers!
Thanks for your encouragement Ira!
Hi Angie and David,
Does Kenya room have 2 bathrooms or is it just one?
Hi…from what we recall there’s only 1 but do check with the hotel directly for updated facts. Thanks!
Hi, I read on their web that they have this Adventure to Beast Island, if my son is 9 years old at the point of riding, do you think he is allowed?
If we arrive Taoyuan Airport at 1pm flight you think we can accomplish all the activities at the resort or it will eat into the next day?
And your blog is really informative 👌
Thank you/Linda
Hi Linda,thanks for visiting. This is a new ride which we have not experienced. Best if you can enquire with the resort themselves. Regarding your 2nd query, I honestly think it would be a rush. YOu may want to maximise your stay there by extending into another day and do remember to prebook activities early. Thanks for your affirmation on our blog.