VISITORS are being invited to join an ‘African Summer’ of live celebrations at Longleat to mark the 50th anniversary of its safari park.

Among the highlights between July 23 – September 4 will be the ‘Pride of Longleat Parade’ with floats featuring some of the park’s most famous residents including monkeys, penguins and an original safari boat driven by meerkats.

The parades also include a giant ‘walking’ lion puppet created by the team behind the hit ‘Warhorse’ theatre production, a troupe of African dancers as well as donkeys, Jacob’s sheep, runner ducks and African pygmy goats.

This summer, Longleat is also unveiling a brand new augmented reality attraction called ‘Air, Land and Sea’.

Set around a mysterious watering hole in Longleat’s new Longhouse building, ‘Air, Land and Sea’ will transport visitors to a world of digital animal adventure.

The park is also showcasing ‘On The Wild Side’, which is a series of stunning new images which have been specially commissioned by Longleat to mark the 50th anniversary from the award-winning photographer, cameraman and TV wildlife presenter Simon King.

Longleat’s African Summer launches on July 23 and is on daily until September 4. For more information, go to www.longleat.co.uk.