After years of touring round the USA, each with my household and with out, I’ve run throughout many drive via zoos, safari parks, and wildlife preserves. As conventional zoos have transitioned to animal conservation and training over leisure, there was a shift to bigger, extra pure animal habitats and enclosures. The great factor about drive via safaris and zoos is that almost all have acres and acres of land for animals to roam in a way more pure setting.
I consistently battle with the advantages of zoos versus the detrimental impacts of holding animals in captivity. Though I do know many have completely different views, I see many advantages of those safari and wildlife parks from seeing the easy pleasure on a toddler’s face once they see an animal in person who evokes a lifelong curiosity in animal preservation, to the necessary analysis that these parks present in understanding animal conduct and saving them from extinction.
That mentioned, I do suppose we have to be cautious about which institutions we assist, which is why I’ve included solely the zoos and safari parks which are accredited members of the Affiliation of Zoos & Aquariums or the Zoological Affiliation of America.
Drive By way of Zoos & Safaris
I’ve deliberately ignored just a few safari parks, even ones that I’ve visited as a result of better analysis confirmed that they weren’t accredited by a kind of two widely known organizations. (I discovered this text useful in understanding the several types of accreditation and what it means.)
As of this writing, this listing is barely of drive via zoos and safaris which are accredited AZA or ZAA institutions or overseen by authorities wildlife entities. I’ve included drive via safaris and wildlife parks the place you may both self-drive your individual car or take a safari tour or safari journey via the animal habitats.
Lion Nation Safari, Loxahatchee, Florida
Based in 1967 because the first drive-through safari park in the USA, Lion Nation Safari is the most important attraction in The Palm Seashores. This park is residence to greater than 1,000 animals, which will be considered alongside the 4-mile-long drive-through protect and walk-through habitats on the 320-acre park. Animals from six completely different continents will be discovered at Lion Nation Safari, together with lions, white rhinos, chimpanzees, zebras, giraffes, and extra.
After taking a scenic drive via the protect, company can benefit from the rides and sights at Safari World. These embody a ship journey on the Safari Queen, a paddleboat, miniature golf, a carousel, a Flying Elephant journey, and the Rio Grande Practice. Safari World additionally contains Safari Plunge water slides, so company can actually make a day of their go to.
Lion Nation Safari is positioned at 2003 Lion Nation Safari Street, Loxahatchee, Florida 33470. Editor’s word: I used to be supplied with a complimentary tour at Lion Nation Safari, and I’ve additionally visited alone. All opinions are my very own.
Disney’s Animal Kingdom, Orlando, Florida
Kilimanjaro Safaris is one in every of many sights at Animal Kingdom in Walt Disney World. Ticketed company can journey a guided safari car via the Harambe Wildlife Reserve, residence to 34 species over 110 acres of plains, forests, and rocky wetlands. It is a fast 18-minute journey during which company will see animals comparable to a hippopotamus, giraffes, lions, elephants, rhinos, cheetahs, crocodiles, elephants, hyenas, zebras, and extra.
Animal Kingdom is positioned at 2901 Osceola Pkwy, Orlando, FL 32830.
Six Flags Nice Journey & Safari, Jackson, New Jersey
Six Flags Nice Journey & Safari is an amusement park and animal protect mixed. Friends can discover this 350-acre protect, containing 1,200 animals from six continents together with elephants, rhinos, tigers, giraffes, and lions. This drive via safari takes 1.5 to three hours to finish and covers the Americas, Afrikka, Wild Plains, Serengeti Grasslands, Black Bear Ridge, Kingsland, Tigris Asiana, and extra.
Six Flags Nice Journey & Safari is positioned at 1 Six Flags Blvd., Jackson, NJ 08527.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, Halifax, Pennsylvania
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is a 150-acre wildlife park and zoo in Central Pennsylvania. You possibly can roam via the numerous wildlife habitats to see giraffes, tigers, zebras, baboons ostriches, gibbons, kangaroos, lions, and rather more. Then, journey a Safari Tour and hand-feed wildlife comparable to bison, water buffalo, yak, eland, and watusi.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is positioned at 760 Tobias Street, Halifax, PA 17032.
Cacoctin Wildlife Protect, Thurmont, Maryland
Whilst you can’t drive your individual automotive on this drive via zoo, you may take a one-hour journey journey on a safari car via the Cacoctin Wildlife Protect, which showcases unique animals from six continents throughout twenty-five wooded acres and 4 completely different paddocks. The Safari journey options African Zebra, North American Bison, Dromedary Camels, Asian and African Antelope, large birds like Ostrich and Emu, European deer, Eurasian wild sheep, and weird cattle, donkey and goat breeds from world wide.
Cacoctin Wildlife Protect is positioned at 13019 Catoctin Furnace Street, Thurmont, MD 21788.
Virginia Safari Park, Pure Bridge, Virginia
Guests of Virginia Safari Park can drive their very own automobiles over three miles of a maintained gravel highway to see and feed the animals on the 180-acre property. These encounters embody elk and deer, that are free to roam and work together with guests and one another all through the property. Virginia Safari Park additionally affords giraffe feeding, a petting zoo, and an opportunity to see tigers, penguins, and kangaroos in reveals on the walk-through safari. Please word that the Virginia Safari Park is NOT related to the Pure Bridge Zoo, which can also be positioned in Pure Bridge in Shenandoah Valley.
Virginia Safari Park is positioned at 229 Safari Lane, Pure Bridge, VA 24578.
African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton, Ohio
African Safari Wildlife Park is residence to giraffes, zebra, alpaca, bison, elk, and extra. African Safari Wildlife Park affords each a drive-through and walk-through safari choice. One cup of animal meals per automotive is included with admission. The park will not be open year-round, so verify the web site for present opening dates and hours.
African Safari Wildlife Park is positioned at 267 S. Lightner Street, Port Clinton OH 43452.
The Wilds, Cumberland, Ohio
The Wilds spreads throughout 9,000 acres and is residence to uncommon and endangered species from across the globe residing in open-range habitats. This land that was as soon as dedicated to strip mining is now a non-public, non-profit safari park that mixes conservation science and teaching programs. Friends may get pleasure from immersive experiences comparable to zip line excursions, horseback driving, fishing, and extra.
Open-air safari excursions take two hours and embody a guided tour on an open-air car with stops at Lake Path and the Carnivore Middle. Animals embody giraffes, cheetahs, white rhinos, camels, trumpeter swans, zebras, oryx, and extra.
The Wilds are positioned at 14000 Worldwide Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732.
Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari, Ashland, Nebraska
The Lee. G. Simmons Conservation Park and Wildlife Safari can also be a wildlife protect and a part of Omaha’s well-known Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium. The Wildlife Safari Park affords a four-mile, drive-through North American wildlife expertise. On this safari, you may see bison, elk, wolves, prairie canine, deer, eagles, pelicans, and extra up shut and private. There may be additionally a viewing deck overlooking the 40 acres of woodland hills and open grasslands that make up the Bison Plains. As well as, a nature-based playground affords alternatives to discover, play and be taught.
The Lee G. Simmons Conservation Park & Wildlife Safari is positioned at 16406 N. 292 Road, Ashland, Nebraska 68003.
Lee Richardson Zoo, Backyard Metropolis, Kansas
The Lee Richardson Zoo is residence to 300 native and unique animals over 50 acres. The zoo is free to pedestrians or guests will pay to drive via the park to see the wild animals. Every animal is an envoy for his or her wild counterparts selling the understanding and conservation of wildlife and wild locations. Animals embody lions, alpacas, addax, Amur leopards, camels, bison, ferrets, bobcats, elk, giraffes, jaguars, sloth bears, and a lot extra.
The Lee Richardson Zoo is positioned at 312 E Finnup Drive, Backyard Metropolis, KS 67846.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Middle, Glen Rose, Texas
Fossil Rim Wildlife Middle affords a 1,800-acre wildlife middle with self-driven or guided safaris. Altogether they keep 1,100 animals of fifty completely different species together with bison, cheetah, wildebeest, emus, kudus, giraffes, zebras, wolves, rhinos, and extra in a pure surroundings.
Not like different safari drive-thrus, Fossil Rim has a concentrate on conservation and so they have even efficiently reintroduced an oryx species again into the wild in Chad. Fossil Rim can also be the most important profitable breeding facility for the endangered cheetah on the earth. Thus far, they’ve had over 200 cheetah cubs that are important for his or her conservation efforts.
Fossil Rim Wildlife Middle is positioned at 2155 County Street 2008, Glen Rose, Texas 76043.
Pure Bridge Wildlife Ranch, Texas
Pure Bridge Wildlife Ranch affords an African safari, Texas-style, and is one in every of Texas’ most acknowledged household leisure sights. Guests can be part of a guided tour or drive their very own car via 450 acres of rolling hills, creek beds, and reside oak bushes. The safari trek covers over six miles of the scenic Texas Hill Nation and takes roughly an hour to an hour and a half to drive via. Friends could have a special journey on every go to, witnessing the conduct of over 500 animals from 40 unique, native and endangered animal species worldwide.
After the drive, households can stroll via the giraffe barn and meander over to Lemur Island, the habitat of the Ring-Tailed Lemurs.
Pure Bridge Wildlife Ranch is positioned at 26515 Pure Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266.
Bearizona Wildlife Park, Williams, Arizona
One hour south of the Grand Canyon’s South Rim, Bearizona covers roughly 160 acres. Guests can drive via greater than three miles of Ponderosa Pine Forest, viewing North American animals in pure habitats as they go. There are additionally extra animals in Fort Bearizona, a 20-acre walk-thru space, in a zoo-like setting.
Bearizona Wildlife Park is positioned at 1500 E Rte 66, Williams, AZ 86046.
Camel Safari, Bunkerville, Nevada
Camel Safari affords guided safari excursions that embody company driving both on the again of a camel, aboard our Safari Tram or on ATVs to view 40+ camelids up-close. Positioned an hour north of Las Vegas, Camel Safari additionally affords night VIP Sundown Safaris that embody animal encounters whereas having fun with a surprising Mojave Desert sundown and roasting marshmallows for s’mores over a fireplace.
Guided safaris are 2-hour interpreted excursions.
Camel Safari is positioned at 2725 Rivercliff Street, Bunkerville, Nevada 89007.
San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park, San Diego, California
The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Park, positioned 35 miles away from the San Diego Zoo, affords a wide range of drive-through safari tour choices together with a caravan, cart, and behind-the-scenes safari. Simply word that you just can’t drive your individual automotive via this Wildlife Park. Along with the tour choices, you too can get pleasure from experiences like zip lining, journey programs, and even sleep in a single day within the park on a tenting journey. Animals embody rhinos, camels, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, gorillas, rhinos, lions, tigers, zebras, and extra.
The Safari Park is positioned at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Street, Escondido, California 92027-7017.
Safari West, Santa Rosa, California
Coined the Sonoma Serengeti, Safari West is a Wildlife Protect and African tent camp absolutely accredited by the Affiliation of Zoos and Aquariums. Safari West’s 400 acres are residence to just about 1,000 animals, together with African antelopes, primates, and predators, plus a wide range of avian life from across the globe. As an alternative of driving their very own automotive via this safari, company can join guided excursions on retro-fitted safari automobiles.
Safari West additionally affords distinctive “glamping” lodging inside the protect utilizing custom-built tents imported from Botswana, which overlook a view of grazing antelope and giraffes. Twilight eating and wine-paired adventures can be found in addition to eating on the onsite Savannah Café.
Safari West is positioned at 3115 Porter Creek Street, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. Editor’s word: I used to be supplied with a complimentary tour and in a single day keep at Safari West. All opinions are my very own.
Wildlife Safari, Winston, Oregon
Wildlife Safari is residence to America’s most profitable cheetah breeding program, with over 235 Cheetah cubs. Additionally it is residence to over 500 animals of many various species together with elephants, lions, bison, elk, wildebeest, brown bears, zebra, giraffes, hippos, rhinos, tigers, and extra. Wildlife Safari is devoted to the preservation and training of native and unique wildlife.
The drive-through safari takes roughly one to at least one and one-half hours to drive via. The safari takes you previous ostrich, Watusi cattle, lions, zebra, hippos, oryx, rhinos, giraffes, and elephants. Then you’ll go the land of bears, bison, and elk inside the sprawling canyon forests of North America. Lastly, you’ll journey via the cheetah breeding grounds and previous Sumatran Tigers, all from the consolation of your individual car.
Wildlife Safari is positioned at 1790 Safari Rd, Winston, OR 97496.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park, Washington
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is a 723-acre wildlife park that includes a tram tour that takes guests via a 435-acre free-range space. Tram excursions run 40 minutes and are led by a naturalist via meadows and forests with herds of Roosevelt elk, moose, bighorn sheep, caribou, and extra.
Animal strolling excursions, keeper talks, Children’ Treks, and mountaineering trails are all out there. The Zip Wild Deep Forest Problem affords 5 exhilarating zipline programs via a tree cover.
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park is positioned at 11610 Trek Dr E, Eatonville, WA 98328.
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