Safari Trip – Pierre Swinkels
The Dutch wiper ride with a House Party past
Operator: Pierre Swinkels (Swinkels Events, Netherlands) · since 2024
Safari Trip Swinkels is a Dutch funfair ride with a long, moving bench of seats. The platform swings from side to side, repeatedly changing its angle as it moves. Behind the safari name is a classic Miami or wiper ride, now operated by Pierre Swinkels. Its wide row of seats and distinctive swinging motion offer a different rhythm from Break Dance or large pendulum rides.
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What to expect
Highlights & records
Historic Miami/wip ride with several operators over the years and the former name House Party.
A trip with a colourful past: Safari Trip combines the typical Miami swing with an operator history dating back to 1993.
What a ride on Safari Trip Swinkels is like
On Safari Trip, you sit side by side in a shared gondola. The ride's mechanism moves the bench repeatedly from side to side, changing the pressure on your body as it goes. Unlike rides with individual, freely rotating gondolas, everyone experiences the same basic motion here. Sideways swinging, music and views of the spectators are what make this trip special.
This type of ride is typical of Dutch fairgrounds. Its compact design means it can fit in places where there is no room for large pendulum rides. The riders are clearly visible on the platform, so spectators can follow the ride's movements. This also makes Safari Trip easy to spot from a distance.
Video
General
- Manufacturer
- De Jong / C.A.H. (Netherlands)
- Model
- Miami / wiper ride (Wip)
- Year built
- 1993
- Original name
- House Party
- Also known as
- House Party
Ride
- Height
- 8 m
Vehicles & capacity
- Gondolas
- 1
- Riders per gondola
- 20
Set-up & transport
- Footprint
- 16.5 × 3.7 m
- Power rating
- 100 kW
The history of Safari Trip: from House Party to Swinkels
The ride dates from 1993 and was initially known as House Party. Jack Kunkels is documented as its first operator. It then travelled with van der Marel for many years, followed later by Maurice Bakx and Sergio Reijnders. Since 2024, the ride has been associated with Pierre Swinkels. This is why older photos and reports show the same ride under different names and with different operators.
In 1994, a fire partially damaged the ride. It was first put into storage and later rebuilt under van der Marel. Its presentation also evolved over time. New illuminated signs on the platform and front are documented for 2026. Safari Trip thus combines a long technical history with an exterior that has been refreshed repeatedly.
Timeline
Started out as House Party in 1993; partially damaged by fire in 1994, put into storage and later rebuilt under van der Marel. Pierre Swinkels since 2024. New illuminated signs on the platform and front in 2026.
- Operator
- Pierre Swinkels (Swinkels Events, Netherlands)
- With operator since
- 2024
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
- Last known season
- 2026
Previous operators
1993–1994 Jack Kunkels; 1994–2018 A. C. van der Marel-Scheffer; 2019 Maurice Bakx; 2020–2023 Sergio Reijnders.
Who is Safari Trip Swinkels for?
Safari Trip is for visitors who enjoy quick changes of direction and the ups and downs of a moving bench of seats. The experience is less about extreme heights and more about constantly swinging from side to side. If you are looking for a gentler carousel, watch how the ride works before boarding. The staff at the ride can tell you about the access requirements and the current fare.
An off-ride video shows what makes this ride special. The wide gondola moves as one, making the surroundings appear to tilt again and again. You can find other rides in the same category in the ride overview.
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