Porsche has created an unexpected new attraction at its factory site in Leipzig, Germany, opening a children's 'safari' experience on the company's 1.32sq km (0.5sq mi) off-road course.
Open from 9 July until 3 August, the Porsche Safari will take children aged 8-11 on a 2.5 mile (4km) tour of the site, where they will explore the area's diverse habitat over the course of four hours.
Porsche is pitching the experience as an "outdoor classroom", with two different programmes related to Germany's school curriculum. Two different tours will be available, with one focusing on the area's birdlife and another on the reserve's aurochs and Exmoor ponies. Porsche is working with the Leipzig Alluvial Forest Station on the experience.
"As a nature conservation station and out-of-school education site, inspiring children and young people to be interested in nature is close to our hearts," said Forest Station chair, Detlef Bäsler.
"In collaboration with Porsche, we can expand our offering and offer an attractive programme to young explorers."
The move, says Porsche, is part of the German car manufacturer's efforts to improve its environmental approach, which has seen a whole nature reserve grow around its off-road area. As well as being home to its ponies and aurochs, the reserve is also home to a range of wild animals, such as birds, deer, bats, badgers and frogs. The course is also home to 3 million honey bees – a key part of Porsche's sustainability initiative.
The safari experience is also part of Porsche's commitment to youth development. Other programmes include its work with German football team RB Leipzig to support youth football and courses it offers at the Porsche technology workshop.
"It is important to us that we have an ongoing commitment to the environment and education," said Gerd Rupp, chair at Porsche Leipzig.
"We have a specialist partner at our side in the form of the Leipzig Alluvial Forest Station and we look forward to opening up the natural areas at our plant to children and young people for Porsche Safari."
