safari in north texas

The North Texas Safari Park is a family friendly park located in beautiful Bonham, Texas!

Come stop by and see us at north texas safari park.

We want you to have the experience of a lifetime. See the many animals from different parts of the world, including Africa, Asia and Australia!  Our Mission here at North Texas Safari Park is for you to enjoy our animals, while caring, promoting educational purposes, conservation and monitoring these wonderful species.

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Top 12 Must See Drive Through Safaris in Texas

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Looking for a drive through safari in Texas? Or want to know all the dive through safaris in Texas?

This might come as a surprise but you can experience an African safari right here in the great state of Texas!  Granted, very little tops seeing these majestic creatures in their homeland but if you’re looking for a Texan substitute, we’ve got a list of all the places you can find a drive through safari in Texas.

Looking for more Texas fun? Check out this list of the best amusement parks in Texas !

Before heading out on your adventure to explore drive through safaris in Texas, please call to verify operating hours, animal availability, and all the other fun details!

Drive Through Safaris in Texas

Natural bridge wildlife ranch , san antonio.

Explore 450 acres of Texas Hill Country during this 1.5 hour Texas drive through safari featuring animals from all over the world.  Each car is provided a bag of animal feed with the cost of admission.  The animals in the ranch will come to your vehicle to eat and allow you an up close view of their beauty. You will see buffalos, zebras, and ostriches during your adventure.

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Visitors can even explore the wildlife ranch on foot. You can relax at the on-site cafe and visit the lemur habitat and the giraffe center. Finish off your day by stopping at the gift shop for a nice souvenir of your day.

Aggieland Safari , Bryan

Want to visit a “traditional” zoo and experience a drive through safari in Texas all at the same time?  Aggieland Safari in Bryan is the place to be!  Admission includes entrance to their 250+ acre drive-thru safari.  For a small additional fee, you can receive a bucket of feed to share with the over 100 animals that call Aggieland Safari home.  Experience a personal visit from each of the animals on the safari without ever having to leave your car.

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But the fun at Aggieland Safari doesn’t stop there!  Admission to their Adventure Zoo is included as well.  This 20-acre area is meant to be explored on foot but still provides the opportunity for up-close experiences.  Want to feed a giraffe?  You can do that here.  Want to feed a tortoise?  You can do that too.  There’s also a bird aviary, a camel trek, a petting zoo, a kid-friendly playscape, a covered pavilion, and a gift shop!

Rocky Ridge Drive Thru Safari , Eustace

Enjoy a 1 hour drive through a safari right in the heart of Texas with a visit to Rocky Ridge Drive Thru Safari. View the park from the comfort of your own vehicle while traveling through this 200 acre wild animal refuge. The park features over 25 species of animals from all over the world.

With animals like buffalo, llamas, zebras, and even gazelles, this drive through safari in Texas is the perfect afternoon activity with family!

​ Franklin Drive Thru Safari , Franklin

Your entire family will have fun playing, feeding, and interacting with animals from across the globe at this drive through safari in Texas. Franklin Drive Thru Safari has over 100 acres filled with more than 1,000 animals. The petting zoo is amazing with new animals consistently being adopted. As you drive through the safari, you will see over fifty different species of animals meandering around the ranch. ​ Franklin Drive Thru Safari even has a ten-acre area for walking. There’s so much to do: visit baby giraffes, camels, anteaters, or kangaroos; purchase a cup of peanuts and make friends with the park monkeys;  take a private tour with the trained staff; visit the adorable baby room to play with exotic babies animals like coatimundis and lemurs, or explore in your car to feed camels and zebras right from your vehicle.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center , Glen Rose

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is one of the largest drive through safaris in Texas.  The ranch consists of over 1,800 acres and features nearly fifty different species among the 1,100 animals on the property. You can spend hours driving through the park looking at all of the different animals.

But the fun doesn’t stop there!  You can go on a bike tour or even a murder mystery tour.  Fossil Rim Wildlife Center also has photo workshops, an on-site cafe, and overnight lodging [bunkhouses, anyone?].

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In addition to being a drive through safari in Texas, they are also the biggest cheetah breeding facility in the world.  Between eighteen and twenty cubs are raised here every year.  Many endangered species, such as the scimitar-horned oryx, have also been reintroduced to the wild thanks to the efforts of the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center.  They are truly a drive through safari dedicated to the well-being and conservation of their animals!

Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari , Jacksonville

Visit this 5-mile drive through Texas safari to see Rupert the camel and Minnie the yak. Your two-hour drive includes a free feed bag, 300 acres, 35 species, and 700 animals. Make friends with capybaras, zebras, alpacas, bison, and more as they approach your vehicle.

There is also a fenced-off enclosure with six alligators you can feed. The variety of wildlife present at Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari is simply amazing.

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There is an open habitat with two dozen endangered and exotic species and open savannahs. Drive along the different roads to spot an African longhorn cow, an Indian antelope walking across a lush field, or a mother and her calf grazing by the pond. You and your family will make great memories feeding, photographing, and observing these gorgeous creatures.

Grapeland Safari , Grapeland

The Grapeland Safari offers 59 acres and 25 different species. Grab a bucket of feed, drive through this Texas safari, and enjoy these amazing creatures. Your kids will love the petting zoo. They can visit numerous animals including zebras, axis deer, emus, and yaks. Bring your grill and spend some quality time together enjoying a cookout in the picnic area.

The guests of honor at the Grapeland Safari are their camels.  They feature two different types of camels: Dromedary and Bactrian.  Each has its unique features [one hump or two?] and both types at Grapeland Safari are a hit with visitors due to their incredibly friendly nature.

Exotic Resort Zoo , Johnson City

Instead of driving through this Texas safari, you can relax and enjoy all 127 acres from the comfort of a tram. You will learn about the forty different species and 600 animals including the kissing camel [named Gomar], ostriches, and blackbucks.

There are endangered and exotic animals too. You can feed the friendly animals right out of your own feed bucket. Your family will laugh as thirty or forty animals surround your tram hoping for tidbits.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Exotic Resort Zoo, Inc. (@exoticresortzoo)

After your tour, visit the two petting zoos, the fishing pond where you can catch and release the fish or spend the night in a cabin and enjoy a roaring campfire. Visit the charming gift shop for a memorable souvenir, the private penned areas, and the caged enclosures. The tour guides will ensure you know a lot more about the animals when you leave than when you arrived.

Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari , Jefferson

The Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari is home to over eighty animals. During your visit, you’ll enjoy wildebeests, camels, donkeys, red deer, bison, and more. The animals roam freely around the 65 acres. Follow the signs to drive to the exotic animals while seeing zebras and fallow deer along the way. 

Your entire family will enjoy the field filled with braying donkeys.  There’s a really good chance that the more social animals will approach your car to say hi!

If you want to get even closer to the animals, visit their on-site petting zoo.  Be sure to stop by their office to purchase buckets of food to share with the animals.  While you’re there, pick up a branded t-shirt and a souvenir to take home! You can take incredible photographs and visit the petting zoo.

North Texas Safari Park , Bonham

If you want to view exotic and endangered species from the comfort of your car, then North Texas Safari Park is the best drive through safari in Texas for you! Located about an hour north of Dallas, this drive through safari in Texas has all sorts of animals.

Experience more of the animals by partaking in their optional activities like feeding the giraffes, exploring their exhibit dedicated to Australian animals, petting animals in the petting zoo and more!

Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park , Jefferson

See exotic animals in their natural setting right in the middle of East Texas at this drive through safari.  Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park consists of 125 free-range safari acres. Drive the 3 mile loop in the comfort of your own vehicle while you see the animals naturally and up close.

With over 20 years of experience caring for exotic animals, this ranch works hard to ensure the wonders of the animal world are well preserved. Make sure you bring a camera to capture the incredible animals and bring home unforgettable souvenirs!

Buena Vista Wildlife Safari and RV Park , Evant

This drive through safari in Texas is a little different than others.  The entire safari is housed inside of a RV park. Their goal is to not only provide amazing animals for your viewing pleasure but to provide an overall family adventure – an economical one at that!

With over 23 animal species from 10 different countries, there are plenty of animals to see!

Have you visited a drive through safari in Texas?  Leave a comment below!

Montoya (Monty) Hudson is the founder and primary voice behind The Spring Break Family. She has created informative travel content for families since 2018 by providing practical advice, easy to follow itineraries, and addressing the real challenges of family travel. Since the creation of her family travel blog, she's inspired thousands of families to travel the world with their kids.

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Texas Safari Parks & Wildlife Parks

Texas is home to some great adventures, one of which are wildlife parks. Here’s our list of the best Texas Safari and Wildlife Parks, Preserves, and Tours. Visitors will be astonished by the original and innovative way of meeting, mingling, petting and seeing wildlife at any of the safari and wildlife park in Texas which offer an unsurpassed adventure in meeting wild animals and a one-of-a-kind, lasting, exciting memory in getting to know the wild. Visit one of the Texas Safari and Wildlife Parks and create you own exciting adventure. Incorporate a Texas Safari or Wildlife tour into your next family vacation.

North Texas Wildlife & Safari Parks

Fossil rim wildlife center (glen rose).

The 1700 acres lets you interact with deer, rhinos, giraffes and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Drive through the 9-1/2 mile tour. You will see long distance views of savannah-like pastures, forested areas and hillsides for the animals to roam. Fossil Rim is a great family experience. This park is a spring break favorite, but beware… in my experience, the lines can get really long during school breaks!

In-Sync Exotics (Wylie)

As a non-profit organization they are dedicated to the rescue of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic felines and to educate the public about these beautiful cats. The story of each cat is posted on their enclosure, and information about each species is placed near the enclosures so you can learn about the animals that call In-Sync Exotics their forever home.

Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch (Pilot Point)

This is a premiere exotic animal facility where they breed rare and endangered animals and supply them to zoos around the world. They provide animals for Jack Hanna shows and just filmed a Dirty Jobs episode with Mike Rowe. You can even get lunch there and watch the bears play!

East Texas Wildlife & Safari Parks

Cherokee trace (jacksonville).

Nestled in the lush piney woods of East Texas, this drive-thru safari is a home to an amazing variety of wildlife. See over a dozen exotic and endangered species that thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. Enjoy a self-guided drive through the hills & savannahs of this 300-acre preserve.

East Texas Gators & Wildlife Park (Grand Saline)

The farm has gator eggs ready to hatch, baby gators and adult gators of all sizes. The alligators have stopped eating until spring…they are laying on the banks of the pond for you to get a good look! Their duck/geese/swan pond has a covered pavilion and is perfect for a relaxing picnic.

South Texas Wildlife & Safari Parks

Grapeland safari park (grapeland).

This is a family owned business on 59 acres where you will see kangaroos, cockatoos, tortoise, llamas, capybaras, and many more. You can drive through in your own vehicle or use their bus for larger groups. You are able to feed the animals with food that is provided for you.

Bayou Wildlife Park (Alvin)

Your tour on special trams takes you over the 80 acres of prairie and woods with the guide delivering an exciting and interesting talk while you feed the animals. There are 50 species of animals and birds totaling 500 in number.

Central Texas / Hill Country Safari & Wildlife Parks

Aggieland wild animal safari (bryan).

How would you like to go on a safari? Sounds fun. With your ticket you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with hundreds of animals throughout their 250 acres. Make sure you purchase a bucket of feed. The animals will love you for it. After your Drive-Thru Safari hop out of your car and visit with 150 mammals, birds and reptiles in the 20 acre zoo.

Topsey Exotic Ranch (Copperas Cove)

Located on 350 acres of free-range safari, allowing the guests to experience wildlife in a natural setting. Their mission is to provide the animals who call Topsey Exotic Ranch home with the highest standard of care and husbandry practices, while providing the guests with a fun and unique way to experience wildlife in an up-close and natural way.

Y.O. Ranch Headquarters (Mountain Home)

View and photograph animals from around the world either on a Bus Tour, Private Tour, or their Deluxe Tour which gives you more time on the ranch. Their guides are fun and informative with fascinating facts about the animals. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring your binoculars if you wish.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (Between San Antonio& New Braunfels)

Wildlife Ranch offers the opportunity to view, photograph and feed animals. See species from all over the world from the comfort of your own vehicle. The oldest safari ranch in TX with 400 acres and 4 miles of exciting animals in the beautiful hill country. Read about our trip through  Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch .

Exotic Resort Zoo (Johnson City)

A small family owned wildlife preserve with over 500 animals and 80 different species. The preserve is home to several endangered species that now have a chance to increase their numbers. You can ride on a trailer through the 137 acres. Hundreds of exotic animals from antelope to zebras will come up to the trailer to be feed and petted. Read about our  fun experience at Exotic Resort Zoo .

If you want to get outside and experience some exotic animals, check out our map of Texas wildlife and safari parks .

Author: Simon Trask

Simon loves Texas and the Great Outdoors. From East Texas pines to West Texas mountains, he calls North Texas home but is always ready to float a river in Hill Country or go fishing on the Gulf Coast. Simon loves camping and road trips as well, whether it's cruising Highway 287, 82, 69 or 281, that's the true way to see what Texas is all about!

How Marfa Came To Be

A history buff’s guide to the alamo, bnsf railroad and gunter, texas, pet a baby croc in texomaland , texas guide to the 2024 total eclipse.

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Kids Love Feeding the Animals

Eland this close, drive - thru adventure, the texas zoofari park is open for the 2024 season. get your tickets.

Spend an hour or stay the day! Your paid admission grants access to the Safari Drive-Thru & Safari Village Walk-Thru for the entire day. Present your receipt to re-enter the park.

Guests coming to our park allow us the opportunity to make an impact on saving species globally,”

- Eric Mogensen, CEO of Virginia Safari Park

Tickets & hours

Our 2023 hours.

March 24 - October 31, 2023 - Open Daily 9 AM - 5:30 PM (Last admission 3:30 PM)

November 1 - December 31, 2023 - Open Daily 9 AM - 4 PM (Last admission 2 PM)

Open 363 Days a Year! * Closed Thanksgiving Day - November 24, 2023 & Christmas Day- December 25, 2023

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Attractions

Plan your group visit.

School & Camp Groups

Book a class or camp field trip for 15 or more participants. Homeschool groups are also welcome. See all your options and reserve your slot. Learn more

Group Visits

Texas Zoofari Park offers group outings for scout troops, churches, retirement communities and others. Make a reservation at our special rates. Learn more

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North Texas Safari Park

Location & Hours

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2920 US Hwy 82 W

Bonham, TX 75418

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How long does the tour take?

I would say two hours or less. The next time we go, I'm going to plan on about that much time.

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Overall rating

We visited today as a party of two cars (3 adults 4 kids) We were able to park a car and jump in one together. Every single staff member we encountered was so friendly and ready to explain every animal. They were very knowledgeable and engaged the kids. Bathroom by gift shop was very clean, as was gift shop. We enjoyed the variety of animals, we took our time and were there about 2 hours. The sloth experience was very cool getting to see such beautiful animals up close. We will def be telling family and friends about this gem about an hour from frisco.

We absolutely loved this park! It was our first time to go, and we're so glad we went. It has a small drive-through area and a somewhat bigger walk-through area. The walk-through area has plural things to do, including feeding some of the animals, and it was a great experience for our family. We will definitely go again and although it was a two hour drive for us one way. It was worth the happy adventure!

See all photos from Vicki T. for North Texas Safari Park

This safari park is AWESOME!! Part of the park you drive through, part of the park you walk through. It included SO many animals including a baby kangaroo that you could hold! Sloths you could hold and feed. Giraffes you can feed lettuce to! Red tailed lemur, tons of red kangaroos, ostrich and emus, macaws and toucans. It's really awesome!! We came through after camping and had our camper with us, but there was plenty room for us to drop the camper and drive through and hook back up afterwards. All ages are welcome!

See all photos from Ashley M. for North Texas Safari Park

Really well done! This man and wife show is amazing! Can't imagine how much work it is to run your Safari Park, but thank you, our whole family enjoyed it! The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, and you get as much feed as you want. We enjoyed the giraffes the most and it was fun to feed them the lettuce. Yes, they let you feed them lettuce for $5 for three leaves (not three heads, three leaves - ouch!). It was interesting to see their long black tongue grab the leaf right out of your hand. The sloth was another great attraction and the perfect photo opportunity. We enjoyed the camels, kangaroos and ostrich too! Good family fun!

See all photos from Frank S. for North Texas Safari Park

Staff is super friendly. Animals appear to we very well taken care of. Every are is very clean. Doesn't take hours to see. They even have dinosaur replicas.

Super cute Safari.. not too far outside of Dallas. The drive thru part is pretty short but there's still plenty of animals that will come to your cars (gazelle, water buffalo, ostriches, emu, reindeer(!), fawns, deer.... and the walk thru part is super cool and interactive. They have camels, kangaroos (moms and JOEYs), sloth (mom and baby), lemur (adult and baby), giraffe (you can purchase lettuce to feed), etc. staffs are super friendly and the owner is sooooo friendly and nice!!!! You can even hold a baby Joey inside the gift shop, and the restroom is sooooo clean. The only downside is the drive thru part is short and no food there (they do sell water and snack but make sure to pack lunch/food). But overall, we love our visit and highly recommend this place!!!!

See all photos from Char T. for North Texas Safari Park

TL;DR if something goes wrong during your visit you are basically S.O.L. The purpose of this review is to share what can go wrong when you sign away all of your rights (via waiver) when entering an establishment like NTX Safari Park and the management decides they don't want to do what is right to protect the interests of its guests. As we entered the park, we were told that the gate (where you enter the drive through portion) closes in 20 seconds so to proceed through quickly with that in mind. As the gate opened and we started to proceed, our vehicle was immediately rushed by half a dozen of their animals and barricaded in. I knew that the gate closed quickly so I had 2 options: run over (and injure and/or kill) some of their animals or hope the gate had functioning sensors on it so that it wouldn't close on my vehicle. I tried honking the horn (numerous times) but the animals wouldn't move (my assumption is they are under-fed and were very hungry, it was the beginning of the day). Side note: there is a sign that says something to the effect of "don't feed the animals until you are past here" about 50 feet (on the left of the path) right after you enter the gate (we did abide by these instructions). The gate swung closed on the side of my vehicle and the commotion of this scared away the animals so we were able to proceed with this portion of the tour. After completing the drive through portion (before proceeding to the walk through portion, more on this later) I pulled over to assess the damage. I immediately went over the the entrance/ticket area (where we signed the waiver) and notified the owner (Terry). He assured me that someone would come speak with us and get our information. He also said "there are cameras everywhere so we will be able to review the footage to confirm your story". I welcomed that and said it would be very obvious what happened upon review of the video. We continued our visit and found the rest of the experience to be really enjoyable and pleasant (clean, friendly employees, etc.). When we were getting ready to leave, I went back up to the ticketing area to ask Terry what he wanted to do about this incident. He took down my information and assured me that someone would be in contact soon to "make things right". After not hearing from them for nearly a week, I called and spoke with Terry (the owner) and he said to send him an estimate for repairs and he would "get me taken care of". After sending him the estimate, he replied with a copy of the waiver I signed and the following: "Here is the waiver form you signed the day of your visit to the park. We did review the security footage of your visit and the gate happens to be in a blind spot. We  had 2 employees that saw the incident happen. They both said they didn't see any animals in front of your vehicle at the time the gate shut. You were told at the time of paying at the entrance, you would have 20 secs before the gate would shut automatically and not to stop and feed animals until you reached the sign that states feeding zone." I am sharing this for a couple reasons. #1 I think we all sign waivers but should think more about what could happen. In most cases even if we do sign a waiver like this, the owners/management will be honest, ethical, and do whats right as thats how most people are. #2. The owners of NTX Safari Park have made it clear they don't operate under these same principles/standards. Do you really want to risk something like this (or worse, you or your children are attacked by an animal) when the owners have proven that they will not act in good faith to remedy the situation? I guess that's up to you to decide.

Small and a little expensive.Great for little kids.The property is laid out nice and well kept.The staff are very friendly and you can tell they love the animals!The animals are well taken care of.This is a nice place for the animals to live.My favorite was feeding the giraffe and holding the baby Joey!!!

See all photos from Susan H. for North Texas Safari Park

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YOU'RE THIS CLOSE

Do you have Mother's Day plans?

We have the perfect Mother's Day adventure gift planned for you with a very exciting special addition tour!

Click here to learn more!

CHOOSE YOUR SAFARI

Self-Guided Tour

Take your own vehicle on a driving safari through our 500-acre wildlife park. See and feed over 500 animals from 40 different species at your own pace. 

Guided Tour

Join one of our Safari Animal Rangers and meet animals from around the world. Learn unique facts and hear personal stories from your Ranger Tour Guide.

Giraffe VIP Experience

Start your tour with an intimate encounter with giraffes led by one of our Safari Animal Rangers! Then, enjoy a guided tour of our 500-acre park. 

Group Adventures

In the comfort of your own caravan or bus, witness animals from around the world, visit giraffes, meet a troop of ring-tailed lemurs, enjoy lunch, and shop.

Educational Adventures

Take your class on a real safari where there's a learning adventure around every corner. Students will love being close to animals wilder than they are!

ADD AN EXCURSION

Prehistoric Experience

Walk amongst dozens of dinosaurs that move, breathe, and can't wait for you to maybe get a little too close. This excursion is sure to be memorable!

Aviary Experience

The only thing better than seeing our birds is feeding them! Come inside with food on popsicle sticks that dozens of budgies look forward to enjoying.

Conservation

The conservation of animals and ranchland is of utmost importance to us at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. We actively collaborate with organizations worldwide to promote a sustainable future for both animals and the land they inhabit.

Wild About Education

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is the perfect place to go on safari. But it's also a place to learn about the wonderful, wild world of animals.  Click on the articles below or on "Read More" to learn something you didn't already know! 

Wild Nature Institute for Education

Teacher's Prompt: Conservation

Horns & Antlers

Your Next Wild Adventure

Tickets and hours, other services.

Sharkarosa Zoo is self-guided with informational signs and staff to help you along the way. There are also educational presentations every 20 minutes throughout the day in various locations. While you are here please be sure to enjoy our petting zoo and covered picnic areas.

Creatures Great and Small

"it's been a unique experience every time we go there." julie h., let's explore.

HOURS: Friday, Saturday & Sunday 9 A.M – 4 P.M

Our mission is to provide the North Texas community with the opportunity to experience rare, endangered and exotic wildlife in a unique and personal setting. What better way to learn about conservation than by seeing it up close and hands on?

So Much to See

Our facility sits on a beautiful 126 acre ranch and offers field trips, private tours, a walk-thru petting zoo, an outdoor dining areas and snack bar to help make Sharkarosa Zoo your next wild adventure!

Always Growing

Our facility is always growing! On a typical day Sharkarosa is home to 180+ animals. We are not by definition a “rescue” organization. However, we do assist with exotic animal rescues by lending experience, needed supplies or housing. Please see the Donations page to find out how you can help us with these ongoing projects.

Open To Public

Open to the Public Days are every Friday, Saturday and Sunday as long as the weather permits. All other events require an advanced reservation. Please browse our Visitor’s Guide for information on how to book a private tour, field trip or party. 

Want to have a birthday party at Sharkarosa Zoo? We can make that happen. Contact us for information.

Stay Up to Date

Our Facebook page is the best place to keep up with what’s going on here at the zoo.

You can find information about early closures due to weather, special hours, and exclusive deals.

We are always working hard to care for our animals so there isn’t always someone available to answer the phone.

Our Facebook page has the most up-to-date information.

Enjoy Sharkarosa Today

We love our animals.

Stop by for a visit today! Our Animals love to see NEW people.

Sharkarosa Zoo is a 501(c)(3) non-profit ranch licensed and regulated by the USDA.

About Sharkarosa

Sharkarosa Zoo is self-guided with informational signs and staff to help you along the way. There are also educational presentations every 30 minutes throughout the day in various locations. While you are here please be sure to enjoy our petting zoo and covered picnic areas.

The Bear’s Den Snack Bar and Gift Shop is open from 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

(We accept CASH, VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER)

Private Tours, Animal Encounters, Field Trips, A Petting Zoo, Food, An Amazing Gift Shop And More

Dear Guests…

The Sharkarosa Zoo was built to raise funds for the preservation of exotic wildlife and to work closely with charitable and educational groups.

The Zoo was also created to say Thank You to all the people throughout the years who believed in me and made this dream possible.

Especially, my family & those special friends whose loyalty and devotion helped me make it through the hard times.

No matter who you are, it’s the people who believe in you that make the difference.

So, my thank you to those special people is the Sharkarosa Zoo.  I hope you enjoy it and what it stands for.

Thank you for your faith,

Scott Edwards Owner, Sharkarosa Ranch

Check out our outdoor dining areas and snack bar.

Animal Encounters

Your opportunity to engage with an exotic animal.

Petting Zoo

Get a chance to pet and feed some of your favorite animals.

Ticket Prices

Hours: friday, saturday & sunday 9 a.m - 4 p.m, adult (13yrs+), children (3-12), children (2 & under), seniors (65+), *military/first responders free, *parking $5, season passes.

*Season passes are good for 1 year from date of purchase

Pack Pass (Family of 4)

(2 adults, 2 children) *Each additional family member added $35.00

Travel the World

Private Tours

Includes a walking tour of the facility for up to 15 individuals..

Schedule a private tour with us and take your family on an adventure that includes the animals of Madagascar, Africa, Asia, North and South America, China, and Australia to name a few! 

***Private Tours are only available Monday through Thursday.***

$300 for 1-15 people • $10 per person over that. *This includes anyone age 3 and older. $100 deposit due at time of booking

Field Trips

Our field trips can be scheduled Mon-Thurs with start times of 9:30, 10:30, or 11:30.  Each field trip starts with a sixty-minute walk-thru tour of our facilities with one of our expert staff members.

During the second hour, free time is given to enjoy your picnic lunch in our front courtyard, visit our petting zoo where the kids have an opportunity to brush some of our residents, visit the playground, or, should you choose to, visit the gift shop for that souvenir for the day.

Students $8 each Teachers/Staff: $8 each *we comp one teacher for every 20 students. Bus Drivers: Free Chaperones: $15 per person All field trips require a $300 non-refundable deposit to confirm your reservation. All payments must be collected before you arrive. We do not accept personal checks. Parents CANNOT pay at the gate the morning of the field trip. Sharkarosa is not open to the public during field trips therefore the ticket window is not open and there is no employee scheduled to take individual ticket sales. Please let me know if you have any other questions or concerns.

Perfect for group outings.

Visit Sharkarosa and discover a different world.

Please take a moment to read the following:

Absolutely NO throwing or kicking rocks.

Children under the age of 13 must be with an adult at all times.

No smoking or vaping on ranch property.

Feeding  animals is to be done in designated areas and the animals may only be fed animal feed provided by Sharkarosa.

Shirt and Shoes required at all times.

No pets allowed.  Service dogs, as defined by the ADA, are permissible.

Service Animal Defined by Title II and Title III of the ADAA service animal means any dog that is individually trained to do work or perform tasks for the benefit of an individual with a disability, including a physical, sensory, psychiatric, intellectual, or other mental disability.

Absolutely NO climbing fencing, exhibits or equipment.  

No littering, please use trash cans provided.

We ask that all guests to our park be respectful of the animals.  Please do not chase, pick up, poke, yell at or in any way taunt any of our animals.  

PROHIBITED ITEMS:

Bubble gum, balloons, firearms, weapons of any kind, glass containers, alcoholic beverages.

Failure to follow any of the above rules WILL result in immediate removal from Sharkarosa.

**Prices subject to change without notice.

Our animals can't wait to see you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions.

We make every effort to stay open despite the weather. Light rain will not affect our being open. Cancellations are made only when it becomes unsafe for guests to park in or move about Sharkarosa Zoo.

We are Open to the Public Friday, Saturday and Sunday year-round, weather permitting. Open to the public days require no reservation. The entrance gates open at 9:00 a.m. and close at 4:00 p.m. Upon your arrival, you will be shown the schedule of presentations and notified which events or activities are about to start.  Stay until you've seen everything you wanted to see or stop to have a picnic lunch in our front courtyard. If you're coming at the end of the day, we suggest arriving no later than 2 pm to ensure you get at least a taste of everything. 

We always recommend bringing: sunscreen, bug spray, and comfortable shoes.  Open toed shoes are not recommended. On Open to the Public Days and Field Trips, our gift shop will be open with items to purchase. If it looks like rain, please bring the appropriate attire (rain coats, rubber boots & umbrellas)

Unfortunately, no.  Our field trips and private tours are held during the week and must be booked in advance with the office.  

Yes!  Children ages 2 and under are free admission.  However, please be mindful that are still included in your headcounts when making arrangements with us.  

Unfortunately, no. Guests arriving late forfeit any portion of the tour they might have missed.

The use of dining areas is restricted to field trips, events and Open to the Public Days. If you would like to book an event in which you can bring a lunch, please browse through the rest of the Visitor Section. No exceptions will be made.

No. For the safety of our animals, all feed is provided by the ranch and their diet is strictly regulated by our veterinarian. 

Yes, we do provide very full service bathroom, porta potties, a full hand-washing station and water fountain. The bears den has a diaper changing station and there is another restroom next to the playground.

We want your time with us to be an incredible adventure! Guests that are unable to cooperate with the guidelines set forth by the Sharkarosa staff will be asked to leave and, if necessary, will be escorted from the premises.

Need more help?

How can you help, visit sharkarosa and discover your next wild adventure.

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• [email protected]
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📣Attention guests!📣

With this winter weather and freezing temperatures we will be focusing all of our attention on our animals during this critical time. We will be closed this weekend and on Monday. We will not be open for Martin Luther King day. Thank you for your support during this time. 

Saturday, Oct. 21

Guest appreciation day.

FREE admission. Just pay $5 for parking!

Gates open at 7:30pm, general admission is $5, parking is $5/vehicle, wear a costume to receive a free bag of feed! Haunted hay ride is $20/person, limited to first 135 registrants, must sign up at ticket window, rides leave a 8pm, 8:30pm, and 9:00pm. Please arrive on time to departure location. Haunted hay ride lasts approximately 30 minutes, traveling through our safari area, and camels.

Riders will experience many frights along the ride that will thrill all ages, each rider will be provided with a flashlight to use during the ride. Feed bags are available to purchase, $3/each, before and during the ride. Parental caution advised for hay ride participants, children 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult. Tickets MUST be purchased in person ONLY.

We will be closing early on Saturday, August 19, and Sunday, August 20 due to the extreme heat to focus on our animal care. We will be selling our last ticket at 1pm and gates will close at 2pm. Thank you all for understanding.

We are closed today due to severe storms. Come see us tomorrow!

We are excited to see what happens when the sun disappears! Come find out how the animals will behave with us! Gates open at 12pm, the estimated time of total darkness is around 1:45pm, the park will close at 3pm. During peak eclipse hour we will be feeding our Lions Tigers Bears (oh my) and our Hyena! Predator feedings are at 1:30pm (lion tiger), 1:45pm (bear), and 2:00pm (hyena)

🐰🥚 Join us for an egg-citing Egg hunt in our open field across from the zebras.  Tickets are just $5, and there are 9 special eggs hidden with tickets that will send you to our Carrot Pull station at 1:30 PM! 🥕✨ Pull a carrot from the bin and discover what you’ve won—it could be a season pass! 👀🙌🏼 

Closed This Holiday Weekend

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These Are the Best Drive-Thru Safaris in Texas

By Catherine Wendlandt and Geneva Diaz March 21, 2022

Image: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Remember going to the zoo as a kid , 

wandering past exotic creatures that you’d only ever seen in movies like The Lion King ? All the magic and joy in the air, as you stand just outside enclosures of zebras, monkeys, and wildebeest, peering inside, ice cream cone in hand?  Well, at our state’s many drive-through safaris, the roles are reversed. Animals peer in to your vehicle as you hold in hand food meant for them alone to eat.

At these safaris, you can learn about animals from all over the world as they roam freely like they would in the wild—but, you know, all from the comfort of your own car and only a couple hours from home.

Here are seven drive-thru safaris worth a road trip from Houston.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Franklin Drive Thru Safari (@franklinsafari)

Franklin Drive Thru Safari

Franklin | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. | $20; Kids 2 and under free

Drive time from Houston: 2 hours

This 100-acre park is home to 500-plus animals. Watch for more than 50 different animal species on the mile-long drive. There’s also a 10-acre walking section where you might spot kangaroos, anteaters  camels, or Natalia, a baby giraffe. Get a feed bucket for $5, or make friends with the monkeys with a $2 cup of peanuts. You can go on a private tour of the park, but manager Amber Clay says most people’s favorite part is the Baby Room, where guests can play with some of the park’s exotic babies, such as lemurs and coatimundi, for an extra $20.  

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Grapeland Safari

13440 Us Highway 287 N, Grapeland | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $15.95; kids 1 and under free Drive time from Houston: 2 hours Nona Herring has been in the drive-thru safari business since the 1980s, when her family used to own a safari park outside of Tyler. Since 2005, she’s run the 59-acre Grapeland Safari, halfway between Crockett and Palestine. Bring your binoculars, get a cup of feed (free with admission), and try to identify the 38 species in the park and petting zoo: zebras, emus, axis deer and yaks among them. You can also bring your grill and have a cookout in the safari’s picnic area.

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Exotic Resort Zoo

235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City | 9 a.m. to 5 p.m | $17.95; $14.95 for kids Drive time from Houston: 3.5 hours Cars aren’t allowed to drive through this 127-acre ranch, but take a tour on one of its five trams to learn about the 500 animals and 40 species here—blackbucks, ostriches and Gomar, the kissing camel. The animals are friendly, especially when you’re armed with a $6 feed bucket (not included in the price of your ticket) . Owner Marilyn Bacque says that at any given time there could be 30 to 40 animals surrounding the tram, “begging for tidbits.” After your tour, check out the park’s two petting zoos, or stay the night in one of the ranch’s eight cabins and enjoy evening campfires and the catch-and-release fishing pond.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Fossil Rim Wildlife Center (@fossilrim)

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

  2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose | 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. | $24.95 per person; $19.95 for kids;  2 and under are free Drive time from Houston: 4 hours  This 1,800-acre ranch is an oasis for 1,100 animals from almost 50 different species, but it also happens to have the largest cheetah breeding facility in the world, raising 18 to 20 cubs each year. It takes a couple hours to drive through the park, but there’s so much more on offer here, including 14 different tours (a bike tour and a Murder Mystery tour), photo workshops, tasty burgers at the Overlook Café, and even cool accommodations like the lodge, cabins, and bunkhouses. While Fossil Rim offers an almost unending list of educational activities for its guests, the center’s main focus is on conservation of species in peril. They’ve even reintroduced species back into the wild, like the scimitar-horned oryx in Chad in 2016. 

The price is $24.95 per person for a one hour, self-guided drive-thru experience. One cup of animal feed is included with the ticket. The price for a Public Guided Tour on one of Fossil Rim's touring vehicles is $39.95 per person for guests age three and older. Each person will get one cup of animal feed. Note: Due to the pandemic, all tickets must be booked online prior to your visit. Please check the website for any updates before your visit.

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Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari

  1200 CR 4405, Jacksonville | 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. | $18.95; $13.95 kids; 2 and under free Drive time from Houston: 3 hours On your drive through Cherokee Trace’s 5-mile trail, be on the lookout for Minnie the Yak and protect your feedbags from a camel named Rupert, a “professional thief” who will stick his head into your car and gobble the whole bag down. With 700 animals, 35 species, and 300 acres, it takes about two hours to go through the whole thing, but your feedbag is free, so go ahead and make friends with the bison, alpacas, zebras, capybaras and more. Cherokee Trace even has six alligators, which live in their own fenced-off enclosure and, yes, you can feed them.  Hours change depending on the time of year, so be sure to check the website before you go.

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Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio | 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. | $28.99; $19.99 kids; 2 and under free Drive time from Houston: 3 hours Life at Natural Bridge is a moving picture, says wildlife specialist Tiffany Soechting, with 500 animals and 40 species roaming freely throughout the 450-acre ranch.  It takes about 1.5 hours to drive through the conservation-minded ranch (you can drive-through again for free too), and about half of the species here are endangered, including a herd of scimitar-horned oryx, the gibbons and reticulated giraffes. In 2017, its staff went on a multi-national research expedition to South Africa to learn more about giraffe breeding in the wild, and are working to produce more outreach programs here in the U.S. Don’t forget to check out the petting barnyard and the great burgers and queso at the Safari Camp Grill. Hours change depending on time of year, so be sure to check the website before you go.

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Blue Hills Ranch (@bluehillsranch)

Animal Encounters at Blue Hills Ranch

2032 Blue Cut Rd N., McGregor | By appointment only | $60 per person Drive time from Houston: 3 hours Boasting 150 acres of bluebonnet hills, and just 15 minutes outside of Waco, is Blue Hills Ranch and Giraffe Sanctuary. Not only is this place the perfect destination for animal-lovers, but it’s also a prime location for a dream wedding surrounded by four-legged friends. Choose to stay overnight at the RV park, or rent an animal or pirate-themed cabin for the whole family to enjoy a weekend getaway. On the private tour called Animal Encounters , you’ll meet giraffes, zebras, kangaroos, otters, mini cows, and can even bottle feed the baby animals. Please note that tours are by appointment only and are booked up to 60 days out. If you’re just coming to take pictures, you will still be charged full price. Anyone under 18 must be accompanied by an adult.

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15 Drive-Through Safaris in Texas

Texas is home to some of the most unique drive-thru zoos in the country! From petting zoos to exotic animal safaris, these drive-thru zoos in Texas are sure to delight animal lovers of all ages.

Whether you’re looking for a fun family activity or an educational outing, you find the best drive-through zoo in Texas which will offer a one-of-a-kind experience that can’t be found anywhere else. 

READ NEXT: Best Zoos in Texas

Best Drive-Through Safari in Texas

Below is the ultimate list of the best drive-thru zoos in Texas and all the wonderful activities they have to offer.

Looking for more Texas adventure? Check out this list of the best amusement parks in Texas .

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – San Antonio, Texas

Drive through 450 acres in the comfort of your vehicle while enjoying the rolling hills, live oak trees, creek beds, and beautiful live oak trees. The ranch features over 500 animals that span 40 different species, including several endangered species. 

Admission offers multiple trips through the safari as every trek offers different adventures in the free-roaming environment.  

Guests can tour in their vehicle or book a guided tour that takes guests on a safari in either the Safari Rover or Safari Shuttle.

Note that there are many discounted days for admission during weekdays. Be sure to check the calendar for detailed information regarding hours and pricing. Guests can also purchase a feed bucket at the gate.

Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari – Copperas Cove, Texas

Enjoy a Texas safari as you drive along 350 acres. With more than 50 species of wildlife at this safari park, visitors can feed the animals in their natural settings.

READ NEXT: Best Texas Roadside Attractions

Sanctuary Serengeti – West Point, Texas

This is a smaller drive-thru zoo that will take approximately one hour. Animal sightings include lemurs, llamas, goats, pigs, zebras, and buffalo. Open only on Saturday and Sunday. 

Buena Vista Wildlife Safari – Evant, Texas

For a unique experience, visitors can book an overnight stay at the RV Park or rent a cabin. 

Spend the day exploring and feeding the goats, chickens, pot-bellied pigs, alpacas, llamas, and more. The park features over 23 animal species from 10 different countries.

Exotic Resort Zoo – Johnson City, Texas

Located on 137 acres, this zoo features 700 animals and 45 different species of animals, including some species which were at one time endangered. 

When you purchase tickets, you have the option of a Drive-Through or a Guided Tour. Reservations are not required.

Franklin Drive Thru Safari – Franklin, Texas

This drive-thru adventure park sits on over 100 acres and has exotic animals from around the globe.

Guests can take a self-guided safari or book a VIP private tour. The tour is for those wanting a more in-depth experience and information on the animals. 

Blue Hills Ranch & Giraffe Sanctuary – McGregor, Texas

Blue Hills Ranch has over 150 acres of gently rolling hills and 4 beautiful ponds that provide the perfect backdrop to world-class sunsets. Relax under the barn, while being surrounded by our amazing animals who call this land home.

Although this isn’t a true drive-through zoo because you are unable to drive your vehicle, I still wanted to include it on the list. However, you book an RV hookup or cabin. Once on the property, you will encounter free-roaming animals that include giraffes, zebra, camel, emus, bison, and more.

The ranch also offers unique experiences such as swimming with otters and bottle-feeding giraffes.

Aggieland Safari – Bryan, Texas

Travel through our 250-acre safari land and see many different animals along the way. The safari park is packed with scenic views, dozens of animal species, almost 700 wild animals, and fantastic, knowledgeable Zookeepers.

Guests can also enjoy the animal encounters will you get to meet animals like giraffes and kangaroos and get a more detailed look at how they live. 

Before leaving, stroll through the 20-acre adventure zoo. Here you can feed animals at the interactive exhibits. 

Aggieland Safari also has a safari dining, gift & souvenir shop. 

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – Glen Rose, Texas

A Texas-size safari sits 2 hours from DFW but makes you feel like you are on a different continent. It’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. 

This drive-thru park is a great place to see exotic animals in their natural environment. Each car can purchase one bag of feed for the animals. Be sure to bring binoculars so you can view the animals at the overlooks.

The park consists of a 7 miles drive with over 1,000 animals and expect to spend several hours driving through the park. They have a gift shop and restaurant about halfway through the drive.

Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru Safari – Eustace, Texas

This East Texas wildlife park has 200 acres that are home to over 25 species of animals spread across the diverse terrain of Rocky Ridge.

The self-guided tour allows guests to view and feed the animals, enjoy scenic views, and photograph an abundance of wildlife all from the safety of their vehicle.

North Texas Safari Park – Bonham, Texas

North Texas Safari Park is the place to encounter exotic and endangered animals all from the comfort of your car. It’s located about an hour north of Dallas, making it an easy day trip with the family.

Visitors can enjoy the petting zoo, explore the dedicated Australian exhibit, and feed a giraffe.

Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari – Jefferson, Texas

Over 80 animals roam free on 65 acres. Animal encounters include wildebeests, bison, red deer, donkeys, camels, zebras, and more. 

Your entire family will enjoy this Texas safari and even get a chance to feed some animals from the comfort of your car. Guests can also enjoy taking amazing photos, purchasing a souvenir, and visiting the petting zoo. 

Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park – Jefferson, Texas

You don’t have to fly to Africa to go on a Safari. This wildlife has plenty of exotic animals and up-close encounters with the wildlife. 

The 3-mile driving trail takes you along 125 beautiful acres in East Texas. You will even see the picturesque view from one of the highest points in Marion County all from the comfort & safety of your vehicle. 

Grapeland Safari – Grapeland, Texas

Drive thru the 59-acre park to see a llama, zebras, aoudad sheep, camels, Tibetan yaks, buffalo, waterbuck, sulcata turtles, wallabies, kangaroo, beefalo (yes, that’s a thing), fallow deer and more.

The park also offers a gift shop, picnic area, pony rides, train rides, reptiles presentations, and a petting zoo.

Sharkarosa Zoo – Pilot Point, Texas

The zoo sits on 126 acres where guests can drive their vehicles on a self-guided drive, and enjoy a walk-thru petting zoo, private tours, field trips, and an outdoor dining area.

They feature over 180 different kinds of animals in their natural habitat. Animals include beefalo, alpaca, monkeys, lemurs, macaw, Sedona, horses, big cats, albino eastern grey kangaroo, bears, sloths, wallabies, and more. 

These are the best drive-thru safaris in the lone star state that the whole family will enjoy. Many of these allow you to purchase a bucket of feed and enjoy the safari from the comfort of your vehicle. You’ll feel like you are in South Africa, viewing a dozen exotic and wide variety of animals. 

About Chastity Velasquez

Chastity Velasquez is an outdoor enthusiast based in Fort Worth, TX. Chastity enjoys sharing affordable travel tips and bringing new places to life through her fun writing style. When she’s not writing or planning the next vacation, you can find her hiking, sipping on sweet tea, cheering on her son at his sporting events, or spending time with her husband.

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12 Best Drive-thru Zoos in Texas

As a parent, you know how important it is to keep your kids entertained and having fun! Luckily, there’s no shortage of exciting activities here in the Lone Star state. If you’re looking for an educational adventure full of wild creatures and new experiences, then you have to check out some of Texas’ best drive-thru zoos! Your children get to observe amazing wildlife up close from the comfort and safety of their own car. From tractor rides and petting zoos to interactive exhibits and special events – each site offers something unique that all members of the family can enjoy!

Table of Contents

There are many beautiful things about Texas; one of them is that you can experience a safari drive-thru right in the state. Looking for a wild adventure full of exotic species and majestic creatures? Here is a list of some of the best drive-thru zoos in the Lone Star State:  

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (New Braunfels)

This 450-acre ranch offers an up-close view of different species of animals, including zebras, buffalos, and ostriches. Your car will get a bag of animal feed which you can offer the animals to get them to come to your vehicle. The self-guided drive will also take you through live oak trees, rolling hills, creek beds, and endangered species. You can drive in your own car or book a guided tour on the Safari shuttle or Safari rover.  

The ranch also has a gift shop where you can shop for souvenirs and a cafe where you can enjoy coffee.  Located at 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266. It’s the perfect stop on your way to Schlitterbahn , Gruene , or San Antonio . 

Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari

Another great drive-thru zoo you will find in Texas is the Topsey Exotic Ranch, where you will find 50 species being managed in a natural setting. You should know that Topsey Exotic Ranch is an ‘enter at your own risk’ drive-thru, so it’s essential to stay careful. Also, it’s best not to feed the animals off your hands. Located at 945 Co Rd 118, Copperas Cove, TX 76522. 

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose

This is one of the largest drive-through safaris in Texas and features about 1,800 acres with 1,100 animals of different species. The self-guided tour at this zoo is a beautiful experience that the entire family will not forget.  

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center also offers overnight lodging, photo workshops, bike tour, and murder mystery tour. The drive-thru is the biggest cheetah breeding facility, as 17-20 cubs are raised yearly. One of the best parts of this ranch is the different educational activities they offer guests. Located at 2299 Co Rd 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043.

North Texas Safari Park, Bonham

This is a perfect safari for the whole family to watch endangered species from the comfort of your vehicle. Visitors can also feed the giraffe, explore the petting zoo, and explore the area designated for Australian animals. Located at 2920 US-82, Bonham, TX 75418. 

Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari, Jefferson

Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari has over 80 animals of species like camels, red deer, bison, and wildebeests. The animals will come to your car to say hi, and you can purchase food you can share with them. You can also visit the on-site petting zoo to get closer to the animals, get a bucket of feed from the entrance and take photographs with braying donkeys. Located at 1782 US-59 N, Jefferson, TX 75657.

Exotic Resort Zoo (Johnson City)

Exotic Resort Zoo is home to a wild variety of animals ranging from camels to kangaroos and ostriches. Your guided tour will help you get to know about all 40 species of animals here, including ostrich, kissing camel, and blackbuck. If you prefer to tour on your own, you’ll get the option too.  

Exotic Resort Zoo has eight cabins where you can spend the night and have conversations around the campfire. Different animals will surround your camp, and you can offer them food from the feed bucket. Kids will love exploring the two petting zoos and catching fish at the catch-and-release pond in this Texas wild animal safari. Located at 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, TX 78636.

Aggieland Safari

Aggieland Safari is often known as the Serengeti of the South and offers the opportunity to see 500 animals up close. With a small fee, you can receive a feed bucket you can give out to the animals right from your car. There is also the Adventure Zoo, a 20-acre field with animals you can have better interaction with. Aggieland Safari is one of the top drive-thrus in the Lone Star State. Located at 18075 FM974, Bryan, TX 77808.

Cherokee Trace Drive-thru Safari

Explore the 300 acres of this drive-thru to see Rupert the camel, Minnie the yak, the six enclosed alligators, and other species of animals like zebras, alpacas, and bison. The drive-thru zoo has over 700 animals; you can meet them all if you take the two-hour drive around the safari. You can observe the African longhorn, take a photograph with the Indian antelope, and take the 2-hour drive to go through the whole drive-thru. Located at 1200 Co Rd 4405, Jacksonville, TX 75766.

The Grapeland Safari, Grapeland

Drive through this safari to see gorgeous creatures on 59 acres of land. You will see different species of animals, including axis deer, emus, and zebras. Kids can tour the petting zoo, take photographs with the friendly camels and relax at the picnic area. We recommend you bring your binoculars to get a good view of the 38 species on the field and the petting zoo. You can also bring your grill and enjoy a great lunch at the picnic area. Located at 13440 US-287, Grapeland, TX 75844.

Franklin Drive-Thru Safari

This exotic adventure lets you meet different animals in their natural habitat. Franklin Drive-Thru Safari is one of the best wildlife parks in Texas, and you get to meet critters, donkeys, lemurs, aviaries, sloths, and dingos. You can also lure baby giraffes, play with the park monkeys, or explore the charming baby room, where you’ll find exotic baby animals like coatimundis for an extra $20. The safari has a walking section for guests who want better animal interaction.  

Franklin Drive Thru offers VIP private tours where visitors can gain in-depth knowledge about the animals on the field. Don’t forget to purchase feed buckets to attract and feed the animals. Located at 4324 West Highway 79, Franklin TX 77856.

Sanctuary Serengeti

Sanctuary Serengeti is like an actual sanctuary for a wide variety of animals, including lemurs, zebras, llamas, goats, and pigs. It reopens January 2024. Located at 250 Plum Church Rd, West Point, TX 78963.

Blue Hills Ranch & Giraffe Sanctuary

Although this Blue Hills Ranch doesn’t allow visitors to drive through in your car, there’s the option of getting into the ranch safari vehicle. You will see animals like lemurs, emus, bison, zebras, and kangaroos. Visitors can also enjoy other experiences like swimming with otters, bottle-feeding giraffes, and staying overnight at the RV park.  

Blue Hills Ranch is also a popular location for people who want to have their wedding while surrounded by 4-legged guests. Tours here are by appointment, and if you want to come here, booking up to 60 days before your trip is best. Located at 2032 Blue Cut Rd N, McGregor, TX 76657 near Waco . 

Bottom Line

Texas has some of the most beautiful drive-thru zoos in the country, and a visit here is sure to be a delight for the whole family. Meeting the gorgeous animals in their natural environment is sure to be a thrilling experience. 

Need a Weekend Getaway? Texas Has You Covered!

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Unfortunately, there are a lot of things that can go wrong on any trip. Be prepared for the worst with travel insurance. We use Travelex or Safety Wing (often cheaper).

Book Flight s

I use Skyscanner to find flights. I use it so much, I wrote an entire guide to finding cheap flights with Skyscanner !

Book a Place to Stay

I recommend using Expedia.com or Hotels.com for most hotel bookings. I prefer to book directly with Marriott when I stay there because of their excellent military discount.

If you prefer staying in a vacation rental instead, I recommend VRBO .

Rent Clothes

Rent clothes for your trip with Travel Style Expert for only $50 a month! The first 30 days are free!

Choose Activities and Tours

To find great activities in any area I use Get Your Guide and Viator . If we are visiting a city with lots of popular attractions I always check CityPass and GoCard to see if they have discount cards available. Groupon also tends to have a lot of local travel deals.

When I want to book a full-on multi-day tour I use TourRadar . They’ve got fantastic weekly deals. If I am going somewhere in Mexico or the Caribbean I use Apple Vacations .

Rent a Car or Take a Lyft

More often than not Lyft is cheaper than Uber. Use my Lyft link for an $18 credit ! For a car rental in any country, I recommend Hertz or Discover Cars .

Save Money on Gas

Upside , a free app gets you cash back on gas! Use promo code RV2Q2 to get an extra 15¢/gal bonus on your first purchase .

I use iVisa to get all of my Visas.

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• Photo Gallery
• Our Animals
• Map of Park
• VIP Photographer Tour
• Birthday Parties
• School Field Trips
• Summer Camp
• Special Exhibits
• Cabin Rentals
• Upcoming Events

You're in for a Wild Ride at Our Drive-Thru Zoo in Jefferson, TX

Calling all animal lovers, future zoo keepers camp june 18th - 20th sign up deadline is may 25th., encounter exotic wildlife without taking a flight.

There's no need to search far and wide for a place to see exotic animals. Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park, LLC offers residents and visitors of the Jefferson, TX area the chance to have up-close encounters with a wide variety of wildlife. Our drive-thru zoo & drive-thru safari allows you to remain in the comfort of your vehicle while viewing our animal enclosures. With more than 20 years of experience caring for wildlife, we have the skills needed to keep our animals comfortable and happy. Call 903-665-4093 now to plan your visit to our wildlife park.

Special Events

Unleash Your Inner Party Animal

Host your next birthday at our zoo, make your visit fun and educational.

Want to impress everyone }|in your vehicle when you visit our drive-thru zoo? Check out the following trivia about some of our animals: Which of our herbivores is also the third largest of its species? The African-spurred tortoise Which of our animals is considered critically endangered? The addax Which of our animals live in herds of ten to twenty and have teeth that never stop growing? The capybaras Now you're ready to spout off your new knowledge and sound like a pro zoologist during your tour. Visit our local family-owned zoo today.

Welcome to Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park located 6 miles North of Jefferson Texas. Join us on a Drive- Thru safari adventure featuring over 50 species of native wildlife & exotic animals from all across the world. Take a tour on over 3 miles of all-weather roads & cover over 125 acres of beautiful East Texas scenery consisting of pastures, creek bottoms, Hardwoods, rolling hills & the heart of East Texas pine plantation. You will even see the picturesque view from one of the highest points in Marion County. All of this is done from the comfort & safety of your own vehicle. Enjoy feeding & viewing our native & exotic animals in their own environment. You can enjoy our animals year round through the various stages of antler development on our males to baby season on our females. Come take a drive on the wild side.

Plan your next special occasion with us

There's no shortage of reasons to visit our wildlife park. You can plan a school field trip at the zoo for your students, give your child a zoo birthday party or book a cabin rental to stay on property. Plus, we host Zoo Boo weekends around Halloween. Ask about our first responder and teacher discounts by calling 903-665-4093 now.

Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park