Pokémon GO Safari Zone: dates, which Pokémon will be available and how to get tickets for the Liverpool event in Sefton Park

Fans of popular augmented reality game Pokémon GO will be able to enjoy the app's first UK Safari Zone event later this year when it calls into Liverpool's Sefton Park.
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Hundreds of players are expected to flock to the 235-acre park to participate in the Pokémon Go Safari Zone event from Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April.

During the event, players will have the chance to capture rare Pokémon, including one never before seen in the UK.

What is a Safari Zone event?

(Image: Niantic)(Image: Niantic)
(Image: Niantic)
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According to Pokémon GO's fan-created Wiki, Safari Zone events give "trainers" (the game's players) a chance to "catch region-exclusive Pokémon that aren't 'native' [to the] region where the event is hosted."

In Pokémon GO, you use your mobile phone while traversing the real world. Through the game, you'll bump into virtual representations of the collectable creatures overlaid on a map, which you can then capture and train up to partake in battles.

To encourage travel, certain Pokémon are only available in specific parts of the world, but during Safari Zone events, they can become available in the area in which the event is hosted.

Trainers in attendance also have a chance to take on unique and powerful Raid Bosses (special battles that encourage teamwork and gift players special rewards upon victory) that only make appearances at these events.

When and where is the Liverpool event?

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Hundreds of players are expected to flock to the 235-acre park to participate in the Pokémon Go Safari Zone event from Friday 17 April to Sunday 19 April.

Liverpool's Safari Zone will be the first such event to take place in the UK.

How much do tickets cost?

While excitement among players is high, the event hasn't gotten off to the smoothest start.

Unlike the base game of Pokémon GO, which is free to play, Safari Zone events are ticketed occasions.

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Angry fans have accused the game’s developer Niantic of breaching advertising rules, and posted hundreds of complaints online after ticket prices were found to be 40 per cent higher than the amount that had been publicised.

General admission tickets were advertised at £12 while early-access tickets, which allow participants two additional hours of gameplay, were said to cost £18.

However, when customers attempted to purchase tickets they were confronted with prices which failed to take into account a booking fee or VAT. Once these additional charges are added, the cost of an £18 ticket jumps to £25.20.

One fan said: “I felt like the information had been withheld. Nowhere, before today, [was any price specified] other than £12 or £18.”

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“I only noticed when I was putting in my payment details and noticed the total came to £25.20.”

A spokesperson for Niantic said: "Previous advertising for Pokémon Go Safari Zone Liverpool tickets didn't include the service fee and VAT costs. We're updating the tickets."

The spokesperson added that meant early access tickets would be £21.60 and general admission would be £14.40 once VAT has been added. There is also £3.60 service fee to add to each ticket.

What special Pokémon can we expect to see?

The Safari Zone event carries a maritime theme, and so Trainers will have access to plenty of water-type Pokémon, including Krabby, Dratini, Chinchou, Unown V, and Oshawott.

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Niantic have confirmed that the Pokémon Relicanth - typically available only in New Zealand, Samoa, and some other islands in the southwest Pacific - will also be appearing in the wild, "so be sure to catch one if you haven’t already."

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