Catching Pokémon
in the Montreal Safari Zone

What is a Safari Zone?

A Safari Zone is essentially an international Pokémon event that can take place anywhere in the world. Depending on the event, certain Pokémon will be featured for a limited duration.

For example, this specific event featured Flygon, Yanma, Unown ( spelling out the word QUEBEC), Tropius, Ninjask, and Ponyta (i.e. mostly things that are fast).

Montreal Safari Zone

From September 20 to September 22, 2019, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve at beautiful Parc Jean-Drapeau (on Saint Helen’s Island and Notre Dame Island) became the Safari Zone.

Yes, most of the park was reserved just for Pokémon-related activities. And it was a massive area.

The 3-day event was very well-received and attended by tens of thousands of trainers from all over the world. The objectives were simple: have fun, catch Pokémon, shout and scream when you catch a shiny, and make new friends.

Safari Zone events are always planned in detail. For instance, food trucks and hydration stations were scattered throughout the Safari Zone, ensuring that all players had a great time.

And while the Safari Zone had been a huge international event hosted all over the world, this was the first time one was held in North America.

Saint Helen’s Island, Notre Dame Island, and the Safari Zone

Saint Helen’s Island and Notre-Dame Island were comprised of trees, shrubs, plants, and beaches, among others. Everywhere I went, there was a nice piece of nature to enjoy.

In addition to the Pokémon-themed music, Pokémon-related displays were scattered throughout the island.

Circuit Gilles Villeneuve—the track encircling Notre-Dame Island—offered plenty of exercise for those who wanted to go for a walk or jog.

In all honesty, despite seeing some of the best attractions that Montreal had to offer, the Safari Zone was one of my favorites.

Even though I went by myself, I met many interesting people during the event.

I relaxed by the small beach, traded Pokémon with other trainers, and explored the beautiful park. Overall, my amazing time here definitely felt like a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Outside of the Safari Zone, I was still able to meet people from all over the world who came to the city just for the event. I’m not sure if there will be another Safari Zone in Montreal for years to come (or ever again), so it definitely was a worthwhile and unexpected adventure.