jungle safari lake geneva

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Drive-Through Animal Park General Admission

Experience Safari Lake Geneva from the comfort of your vehicle. Purchase a bowl of grain and feed animals from your window. Drive-through as many times as you’d like. The animals roam free, so each time is a unique adventure. Get your ticket today and enjoy a safari from your car !

About Safari Lake Geneva

A short five miles from downtown Lake Geneva is a drive-through animal park unlike anything else in Chicagoland! We’re not a theme park or zoo, but a unique wildlife preserve that is home to animals from around the world. Our drive-through safari is consistently ranked as one of the most exciting things to do in Lake Geneva!

Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned business and the brainchild of Wisconsin’s foremost exotic animal expert, “Jungle” Jay Christie. Christie had long dreamed of creating a refuge for the world’s diminishing breeds that allowed animals to roam vast acreage. The result is a conservation park for animals in Wisconsin that allows them to interact with other animals, often in herds, much as they would in their ancestral homelands.

A short five miles from downtown Lake Geneva is a drive-through animal park unlike anything else in Chicagoland. We’re not a theme park or zoo, but a unique wildlife preserve that is home to animals from around the world. Our drive-through safari is consistently ranked as one of the most exciting things to do in Lake Geneva!

Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned business and the brainchild of Wisconsin’s foremost exotic animal expert, “Jungle” Jay Christie. Christie had long dreamed of creating a refuge for the world’s diminishing breeds that allowed animals to roam vast acreage.  The result is a conservation park for animals in Wisconsin that allows them to interact with other animals, often in herds, much as they would in their ancestral homelands.

Learn More About our Drive-Through Animal Park

A Top-Rated Safari in Your Car Experience in Lake Geneva!

Best seen with Kids. Went with Grandkids. You drive through in your car. Windows open, bowls of animal food at ready. Animals stick their heads right in window and nosh- very entertaining! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

What a great place! Animals are everywhere. Greatly exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this place, well worth the cost of admission. You must buy food, the experience isn't complete without it! We will be back.

What a wonderful opportunity to come face to face (literally) with a variety of beautiful animals! We purchased buckets of food to feed the animals as we drove through. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we circled through a second time!

A rare experience to see so many animals at such a close range. Feeding the giraffes was a wonderful experience. It is a very well taken care of facility and the employees are wonderful. Grandkids loved it. What a wonderful experience!

As 3 grown adults- we didn't know what to expect, but we had the best time! Many laughs and great memories. The animals were awesome! We also looked at the animals in the pens. A different and exciting experience, very enjoyable!

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Safari Lake Geneva

ONLINE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Just a short drive from Lake Geneva is an unforgettable animal adventure that the whole family will enjoy! Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned conservation park where you can experience herds of exotic animals from the comfort of your own vehicle -- just like a real African safari! When you purchase our specialized animal food to feed some of our friendly mammals and birds, you support wildlife conservation around the world. 

Come discover why Safari Lake Geneva was voted Best Family Fun and Best Outdoor Activity by the readers of Lake Geneva Regional News!

Be sure to reserve online HERE today!

• TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60022-d12583464-Reviews-Safari_Lake_Geneva-Lake_Geneva_Wisconsin.html

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Hello! I'm Ashton.

Insider tips and recommendations on Where to Eat, Where to Stay and What to Do in Lake Geneva, Williams Bay and Fontana, WI.

Adult , Fall , Family , Lake Geneva, WI , Spring , Summer , What to Do · March 20, 2023

Explore the Wild Side of Lake Geneva with Safari Lake Geneva

Safari Lake Geneva is a unique and exciting adventure located ten minutes from downtown Lake Geneva, WI. This top attraction offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with wild animals in a drive through safari experience that should not be missed!

Safari Lake Geneva offers visitors an unforgettable experience by providing up close encounters with some of the wildest animals in a drive-thru safari. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just seeking an exciting escapade, you’re guaranteed to walk away with memories that will last a lifetime.

After this post you will know all about the best safari experience in Lake Geneva and what to expect during your drive-thru safari tour. Get ready to discover the wild side of Lake Geneva!

This post is all about Safari Lake Geneva.

The Best Safari Experience in Lake Geneva

The drive-thru experience at Safari Lake Geneva is set on a 250-acre ranch, with over 50 different species of animals roaming freely. From the comfort of your own car you will get to see animals such as bison, zebras, elk, llamas, camels, giraffes and more. The animals are accustomed to humans, and come up to your vehicle to say hello (and hope you have some food for them!).

The best part of Safari Lake Geneva is the flexibility it offers. You get to explore the safari at your own pace, making stops along the way to take photos or observe the animals. It’s a perfect way to connect with nature and try something new. I like it because it gives my husband and I a break to just sit and relax in the car while doing a fun family activity!

Drive-Thru Safari: What to Expect

During your drive-thru safari at Safari Lake Geneva, you should expect to see animals in their natural habitat as they roam freely on the land. The sights and sounds of nature surround you as you slowly make your way through the park. The animals are curious and may even approach your vehicle looking for food!

Online tickets are required to be purchased in advanced and fair warning- this attraction get booked out quickly during peak spring/summer months, so if you have a specific date in mind book early. Here is the link to purchase tickets .

You reserve tickets for a set time and have to arrive within the hour to start your tour. So you if purchase 9am tickets, you have to get there between 9 and 10am and can take unlimited loops through the safari after entering (however 1 was enough for us and plenty of fun!).

The cost is per person, not per vehicle and prices are below (confirm on their website to ensure no changes).

Adult (Ages 16 and older):  $21.95 Child (Ages 3-15):  $14.95 Infant (Ages 2 and younger):  FREE

Bowl of Animal Feed (42oz.) available for $5

Insider tip: I felt that some of the animals, especially the ostriches, can get a bit aggressive. Nothing to bad, but they stuck their whole head in the car to grab the food so I would have an adult hold the feed (and not a small child).

There are 2 fancy port a potty type bathrooms onsite but no food or drink . I suggest stopping for a coffee before hand because not much is around if you need some caffeine before getting started. Click here for all the best coffee shops around!

As you drive through the safari, keep your camera ready to capture the rare and unique creatures you’ll see. From zebras and giraffes to bison and elk, you’ll get to see a wide variety of animals that you wouldn’t typically find in Lake Geneva. 

Safari Lake Geneva is an excellent opportunity to explore your adventurous side while getting up close and personal with wild animals in a safe, controlled environment. With tons of exciting encounters to experience, this attraction is a must-see for anyone visiting Lake Geneva. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Safari Lake Geneva adventure today!

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The Adventures of a Wisconsinite and Her Family

Experience “Jungle Jay’s” Safari Lake Geneva

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Looking for something fun to do with the family and yet, want to be safe? We have the answer! Touring around downtown Lake Geneva as an animal lover means you are only five minutes away from a paradise. It features an animal adventure experience like no other in and around Wisconsin. Safari Lake Geneva is neither a zoo nor a theme park but a natural wildlife preservative that is home to animals from all around the world. By far, it is categorized as one of the most unique and fun places to visit whenever you are in Lake Geneva. This animal haven is a family-operated business and is considered as one of Wisconsin’s most exotic by animal expert “Jungle” Jay Christie.

Safari Lake Geneva  

Christie’s love of animals has always pushed him to help them, especially breeds that are on the brink of extinction. It was a dream he had always held dear to his heart, so when the reality of Safari Lake Geneva came into existence, it gave him that peace of mind he was always searching for. As for Safari Lake Geneva, it is not the contemporary animal preservative you are used to. Initially, the animals are given the privilege of moving around freely while the people who visit are confined to “cages” or cars. It is a reverse experience. This space gives animals the chance to interact with other animals just as they would in their own home at different locations around the world.

Seated on over 75 acres of lush, pristine wildlife space, animals live in a free-range lifestyle uniquely designed to house animals of all kinds. The safari trucks used to guide you through the sanctuary while you basked in an environmentally-friendly educational session, but they adapted quickly to a COVID-19 friendly model. You now drive your own vehicle through the park, to avoid contact with other people. You will have the opportunity to be up close and personal with the animals as they will even move over to you, where you can feed them or pet them. Have no fear for the safety of the animals! The route you drive over is graded and graveled – helping ensure you stick to the strict 2-mile per hour speed limit, lest you want to risk your transmission by going faster.

The sanctuary has been open since August 2016 and has, over the years, made the space safer for not only those who come to visit but the animals who live there and want to be assured they are protected. So, as you stroll around town, here’s why you should take a little trip to Safari Lake Geneva…

Flexible Booking & Tour

Unlike many other attraction sites, booking your grand tour is quite easy and flexible. You easily order your tickets online as well as reserve your time slots. They also offer flexible options when it comes to budgeting for your entire family. The prices are affordable, and packages are open to small and larger groups ( school groups with chaperones ). You can order feeding cups and animal feeding online as well, so you can have the opportunity of a close connection with the animals. The “cups” are more like 40-ounce buckets, full of a nut-free, corn-based pellet that all animals you encounter will enjoy.

Enjoying the Haven

The experience can be totally contactless if you don’t want to feed the animals, or you can be up close and personal with the animals should you decide to order feeding and cups. There are 20 species of animals listedin the haven you can learn about to include bison, llamas, camels, yaks, and various types of birds. A lot of these animals have been rescued from all across the US, and absolutely none of the animals have been hunted from overseas and brought to the shelter. The team ensures all the animals are in good shape so you can rest assured of interacting with healthy animals. We make a printable checklist for you to keep track of which animals you have met. There may be a few surprises, as free-loaders from nature might stop in.

Print off your own copy here:

Life at the Sanctuary

The tours are specifically timed to keep the animals from being overfed. Their feed is a blend of natural foods and designed especially for each animal. However, it is highly prohibited to give them feed that is not recommended or issued by the sanctuary. The animals are tended to daily and are given their medical check-ups periodically. Their habitats are designed to be as accommodating as possible so they can feel at home in an open space. During our visit, we were told that the Zebra was on a special diet and we were asked to not feed him.

Safari Lake Geneva is an Ideal Adventure

I can’t help but think of all the kids this fall who are now homeschooling or distance learning. Being less than two hours from Madison, this would be both fun and educational. It will be a fun experience for the entire family, and worth the drive. Keep in mind that it is closed over the winter so check their website for hours of operation or to book your visit.

Places To Stay Nearby

Other places in lake geneva we love:.

• The Candle Mercantile – A Flavorful Haven Of Scent
• Simple Cafe Lake Geneva is Anything But Simple
• Lake Geneva Hunt Club and Chef Ryne Harwick
• A New Lake Geneva Restaurant: Sopra

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Safari Lake Geneva - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Safari Lake Geneva Review

Safari Lake Geneva reshaped its business in 2020. Beginning May 1, visitors can now drive through the park, rather than walk through it or pay for a tour. This new endeavor of theirs has received plenty of attention! Their Facebook page has links to several short segments from news channels informing the public on this new attraction. So we went online to schedule a visit. Like any new attraction, the shine most likely won’t last long, but this is definitely a place worth supporting, and a great way to get the kids out of the house (adults too!). We had a chance to talk to owner “Jungle Jay” – Jay Christy – and he’s a very nice guy. If you’ve visited previously, check out the new drive through! And if you haven’t visited, check out our Safari Lake Geneva review below.

• Social Distancing – We never thought we’d start out a review this way, but it’s true. Safari Lake Geneva can be open when many zoos can’t. That alone made the 3-hour round trip worth it for us on a Sunday afternoon! You stay in your car for the entire ride. Their walk-through section is currently close. There is a small parking lot, and they have portable bathrooms if needed – they’re actually very nice like you’d see at a concert, not just a port-a-potty.
• Animal Feedings – We bought five buckets at $5 each. We had five of us in our car, but our three girls did most of the feeding. At the end of our 1.5 hour visit, we had only a tiny amount of one of the buckets remaining. We fed alpacas, bison, camels, donkeys, emu, nilgai, ostrich, water buffalo, watusi, and zebu. They do have a zebra, but you cannot feed it (different diet than the other animals).
• Unlimited loops – We drove through three times, and had a different experience each time. Sometimes the animals were resting in the middle, while at other times they would be grouped together.
• Friendly Staff – Sometimes at zoos you run into difficulties getting the attention of staff members, or them being rude. This place has limited staff, but they were all super friendly. Once you’re in the drive-through area, it’s pretty much self serve, so you aren’t dependent on staff. At other parks, the exiting gate kept malfunctioning on us – we didn’t have that problem here.
• A bit small for the price – A quick cost analysis shows that among a sample size of six or seven Midwest drive-through safari parks, Safari Lake Geneva is pretty much right in the middle for price. For adults, these range from $11-$24, and Safari Lake Geneva is at $18.95. However, this drive-through loop is considerably smaller than the ones we’ve visited (African Safari in Port Clinton, Ohio; Lee G Simmons Conservation Park, Ashland, Nebraska). I think $12-14 is probably more reasonable. However, I will say that the animal feed buckets were much cheaper here.
• Scenery – When I read about this place online, and how they turned it into a drive-through park, I assumed it had some pretty nice Wisconsin scenery around it. I was a bit disappointed to see no ponds or creeks running through it.
• Pathways – I need to be careful on this last criticism, because we visited in their first month operating as a drive-through. However, the paths were a bit uneven and rocky. At one point you’re going straight downhill, so if you’re in a smaller car, bottoming out seems inevitable on the rocky path. But as mentioned in the first sentence, I would imagine they continue to adapt, and potentially pave the pathway in the future.

Thank you for reading our Safari Lake Geneva Review! Check out more about this zoo here ! You can also watch a brief news segment highlighting Safari Lake Geneva here .

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This Exhilarating Drive-Through Safari Is A 1.5 Hour Drive From Chicago

Just imagine wandering through the plains with a Giraffe bending its neck toward you or gazing at black-and-white-coated zebras frolicking through the grasslands.

Lake Geneva is notably one of Chicagoans’ favored small-town getaway destinations— a scintillating lake, charming shops downtown, and sumptuous eateries. However, even with all those alluring attractions , the city has something even more enticing—the exhilarating Lake Geneva Safari.

Just imagine wandering through the plains with a Giraffe bending its neck toward you or gazing at black-and-white-coated zebras frolicking through the grasslands. Lake Geneva Safari is truly like nothing else.

Most animals are restricted to small enclosures at zoos and theme parks, and visitors only catch small glimpses through a clouded window. However, during Geneva Safari, visitors get to see the animals roaming freely. The wildlife sanctuary allows herds of animals to wander and interact with one another on a vast acreage as you slowly drive through the exploration.

Founded by “Jungle” Jay Christie, a renowned exotic animal expert in the state, the park is a family-owned business. Visitors can see the world’s diminishing animal breeds in their natural habitats and promote conservation efforts to protect these endangered species.

Some animals at Lake Geneva Safari you’ll see include an Addax , Alpaca, Arabian Camel, Emu , Plains Bison, Plains Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, Yak, and more. It’s essential to note that this is a drive-through safar i; nevertheless, you can purchase a bowl of grain and feed animals from your window.

The safari officially reopens on May 1st; online reservations are required. The soundest part? You can drive through as many times as you like. Learn more about it at Lake Geneva Safari.

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"The perfect location:" Safari Lake Geneva, featuring more than six dozen animals, to open in August

Safari Lake Geneva, featuring more than six dozen animals, to open in August

WALWORTH COUNTY -- Wisconsin has never offered what is on its way to Walworth County. Within weeks, a safari park is set to open, and the man leading the effort is none other than 'Jungle Jay,' the former Racine Zoo CEO.

Safari Lake Geneva

It will be located in Bloomfield Township in Walworth County. "A reception area here where people can meet some of our smaller, friendlier animals," said 'Jungle Jay' Christie. Christie spent 16 years as CEO of the Racine Zoo, and now, he's the founder and owner of Safari Lake Geneva -- Wisconsin's first safari park.

Jungle Jay Christie

"It really is a dream come true," said Christie. Safari Lake Geneva involves 75-acres of land on Litchfield Road, soon to be inhabited by more than six dozen animals roaming fairly freely through fields. "In many respects, it's a conservation center for the survival of species that are imperiled for any number of reasons," said Christie.

It will also be an interactive opportunity for visitors to get up-close-and-personal exposure and education during hour-long wagon tours. "Various forms of pigs, and sheep and goats. Also ratites, which includes ostriches and emus, and their South American counterpart, the rhea," Christie said.

Christie says his extensive experience and expertise ensures a safe safari experience for both guests and animals alike. Safari Lake Geneva is scheduled to open August 1st -- with an admission price that is yet to be determined. "We were quite happy when we found not only the perfect property, but the perfect property in the perfect location," said Christie.

The park will not have air conditioning. But it will have some animals with whom folks can get up-close-and-personal, before they go out on safari. The Safari Lake Geneva website is set to go live Wednesday, July 6th.

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Safari Lake Geneva Nearing End of Abbreviated First Season

Bloomfield---An open-air zoo located south of Lake Geneva is starting to draw crowds. 

Safari Lake Geneva Park owner Jungle Jay Christie spent 16 years with the Racine Zoo before leaving to pursue his dream of giving visitors an up close look at exotic hoofed and winged creatures the world over. "They come from all around the world," says Christie. "Every continent is represented with the exception of Antarctica." 

Groups of up to 25 travel in carts across the 75 acre preserve and many of the animals come right up to be hand fed a special blend in each tourist’s bucket.  Giant Bison, miniature horses, ostrich’s, zebras, and large horned watusi cattle from east Africa all belly up to the bars of the wagon. "In most cases you can get much closer to the animals than you cat get in the traditional zoo," Christie says. 

The park opened in late August with about 70 animals, but Christie hopes to eventually have 150 on hand. It's the only one of its kind in Wisconsin, according to Christie. 

Safari Lake Geneva is open through the end of October. The animals have heated shelter but many from high mountain ranges are already well adapted to Wisconsin winters. 

Admission is just under $25 for adults and half-price for children.

David Cole General Manager 262-564-3030

David McGrath News Director 262-564-3880

Greg Berg Fine Arts Director 262-564-2336

Russ Weller GRRS and HD2 Director 262-564-3744

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Jungle Bells Hay Ride at Safari Lake Geneva

Enjoy a winter wonderland like no other with a 45 minute hayride through the countrysideon one of Safari Lake Geneva's custom built wagons on Saturdays and Sundays from November 30, 2019 through the end of December at 2:00 and 4:00. This is NO ORDINARY HAYRIDE! Their resident animals are on hand to spread some holiday cheer and you're sure to spot them as you dash through the snow. You may even feed the animals, as a cup of animal feed is included with each ticket.

Complimentary refreshments. Tickets are $14.95 for adults and $12.95 for kids 3 and older.  Reservations are required. 

For a list of other fun things happening in the Lake Geneva, visit the Best of Lake Geneva's Event Calendar.