Safaris don't always have to be in Africa, as Ken Bennett discovers. DEEP in the forest of bright green ferns there was a resounding crash, a rustling and, after a short silence, a delighted bellow.

Then, his blue eyes twinkling, a giant bear of a man bounded into the light like an enthusiastic schoolboy, clutching a dancing frond of elderflower.

"Marvellous stuff," he says with undisguised relish. "My favourite breakfast food. It's lovely dipped in hot oil and provides a huge range of healthy vitamins."

I am with David Bellamy, that lovable, extraordinary and knowledgeable man and if he says the unassuming posy of green leaves dusted with delicate white flowers is edible, you believe him.

At 71, he still talks enthusiastically about his pet subjects - botany and the protection of the environment.

His voice lifts the soul and spirit.

Like a modern day Pied Piper, he leads our posse on an enthralling nature and history trail, just opened at Kelling Heath Holiday Park, Weybourne, Norfolk.

He is happy to sing the praises of this place, where the owners, born in the area, have hired a team of environmental experts to create a 250-acre site where humans and their habitats blend in harmony with nature.

Voted Holiday Park of the Year in 2002, Kelling Heath has earned David's prestigious Bellamy Gold Conservation Award for merging four lodges, 36 holiday homes and 420 permanent caravan sites into the lush, surrounding woodland.

The park is also pledged to buy locally-grown produce, employ locals and preach the gospel of conservation.

Every week in the summer there are nature walks, nightjar searches and bat watches led by Jason Kidman, the arboriculture warden, and Jenny Lumb, the events and recreations coordinator, who have affectionately been dubbed Batman and Robin.

There is an Acorn Club for children aged 4-13 with supervised games and pond-dipping sessions, and a Leisure Club where a seven-day pass costs £22 for adults, £11 for children under 18. It also gives access to a 19-metre heated indoor swimming pool, Jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.

Or you could enjoy a free outdoor pool, with its integral paddling section for kids, hard surface tennis courts and table tennis facilities, and an arena for playing the traditional French game of boules.

The focal point at Kelling Heath is the village square, where you can dine at The Forge or an authentic pizza parlour, or sip a pint of Norfolk's Wherry bitter while listening to live music.

Alternatively, many guests in tents or caravans buy groceries from the village store and provide their own entertainment in this most peaceful of settings.

I stayed in a spacious Nightjar holiday home, which sleeps six, with its own kitchen, microwave, cooker, fridge freezer and colour TV. It had a shower, washbasin and toilet.

The Scandinavian redwood lodges are even more upmarket and include washing machine, dishwasher, video and CD player. They are more expensive, but Leisure Club membership is free.

On site there are plenty of opportunities to create your own fun, with an assault course for kids and jogging circuits with stretching and flexing posts.

For the energetic there's also the chance to hire bikes from genial cycling expert Sam Weller.

He organises tailor-made tours to suit your needs including the Huff'N'Puff adventure. This involves a five-mile ride round the stunning countryside and a trip on a steam train from Sheringham to Holt, costing £9.75 for train ticket and cycle hire.

The trains, run mainly by expert volunteers, happily shuffle along the old Midland and Great Northern Joint line known as The Poppy Line because of its colourful scenery.

FACT FILE

* Prices for a week in a Heron holiday home, sleeping six, at Kelling Heath start from £197, with a three-night break costing from £119.

* For more information ring 01263 588181 or click on www.kellingheath.co.uk

* For Sam Weller's on-site cycle options ring 07788-132909 or go to www.cyclenorfolk.co.uk

* Information on the North

Norfolk Railway, 01263-820800, email enquiries@nnrailway.com