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Eudora farms drive-thru safari opens.

Photos and article by Valerie Sliker, courtesy Wagener Monthly

Right about the time we all grew weary of being stuck in the house during the time of coronavirus isolation, Mark Nisbet came to the rescue by opening his drive-thru safari one year earlier than he had anticipated. Social distancing requirements were easily met as families drove through the exotic animal sanctuary, enjoying the spring weather while petting and feeding the animals. Over 1600 vehicles came through the safari during the Mother’s Day grand opening weekend.

Eudora Farms Drive-Thru Safari is open from Wednesday through Sunday, 10:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. at an introductory rate of $20 per vehicle. $5 cups of animal food may be purchased in addition. The farm is closed Monday and Tuesday. As guests drive their own vehicles through the drive-thru safari, they enjoy close encounters with zebras, camels, antelope, water buffalo, emu, llamas and Willie, the extraordinarily large African Watusi. 

Guided tours are available and include interactive and educational opportunities at the introductory cost of $10 per person. The rate will increase this summer. The guided tours include a tour of the giraffe barn and a visit with the Lemurs in addition to the guided, educational drive-thru. When social distancing is no longer required, guests will ride a horse-drawn wagon through the safari for their guided tours.

The farm currently has no concessions, so bring your own water and a picnic to enjoy at the picnic tables provided. Baby animals are enclosed in a petting area nearby and guests can enjoy Parakeet Adventure where over 200 parakeets are housed.

The current farm is the first part of phase one for the Safari. Future plans include better signage, a gift shop with restrooms and an educational area, beautiful, grand entrances, and maybe an app for animal education as you drive through. Nisbet acquired more animals soon after he opened and has plans to acquire many more.

By Summer, a walk-thru trail should be available with about six exhibits along the route where guests can see ring tailed lemurs, African servals, binturongs, a tortoise, and kangaroos.  This will be a leisurely trail with benches where people can sit and relax. All of this will be hands-off, but eventually will include some interaction with guided encounters. 

The desire to have animals has always been a driving force for Mark Nisbet. His history with animals goes back to his childhood when he managed to keep pet rabbits and chickens on the balcony of his family’s apartment in Morganton, NC. As the son of a teacher, importance was placed on education and conservation.

Nisbet earned a degree in sociology at Elon, accepted a job with LabCorp and moved to South Carolina. He began looking for some place rural to raise his show dogs and found this place in Salley with a tiny, old house and thirty acres, mostly wooded. He and his wife began clearing the land and restoring the house.

“We were thinking of getting ostriches and emus,” Nisbet said, “but they were too expensive at the time. We saw miniature donkeys in a periodical and decided to get one. We started learning about the animals and ended up getting a camel. At first, friends came out to see the camel, then churches would ask us to have camel rides at their VBS programs. Then we started doing festivals on the weekends.

“The farm sort of developed without intention,” Nisbet smiles. “We started doing field trips for school groups. I had to learn how to drive horses, tack up draft horses, hook up the wagons for the classes. The good Lord puts you in positions that are the right thing for you, but you might not know anything about how to do it.” Nisbet continued to include education and conservation with every field trip he hosted and in his exhibits at the festivals.

LabCorp went through several merges and eventually Nisbet was let go. His focus fell fully on the farm. “We developed a ten-year plan to possibly have an interactive animal exhibit. The festivals began requesting petting zoos and the fair in Columbia County lost their animal exhibit vendor and we got that job. Still have it, twenty years later. That was when we realized we might be able to make a living doing what we enjoy.”

Eudora Farms eventually had exhibits in fairs across the country for seven months out of the year. They’d start in Florida in February and March, then go to upstate New York and the New England states, finishing up the season in August and September here in the south.

In March of 2020, they were all set up at the Florida fair at Okeechobee; all the vendors were set up, the town had invested a lot of money and the fair was ready to start. They had been hearing bits and pieces about the coronavirus COVID-19, but didn’t expect to have to shut down. Ultimately the decision was made to not open. Then the fairs in NY and New England closed. Nisbet is still waiting to hear if the southern fairs will open in August and September.

During the off periods while working the fair circuit, Nisbet would work on the ten-year plan for the 2021 safari drive-thru, acquiring more land, clearing it, fencing it, seeding it and acquiring more animals.  When COVID-19 shut down the economy, Nisbet was sitting on 125 acres, 100 of which were seeded and ready, beautiful rolling hills just needing some fencing. He had 80 – 100 animals with a few ostriches and black buck antelope on order.

“With everything shut down, I wanted to continue to provide work for some of my folks, so we kept working on the safari out of pocket. My kids came home from college and could help out. We figured it would be short term and the fairs would open again in May. That didn’t happen. We tried to keep moving forward, but my savings were dwindling fast. We began to think about opening the safari much earlier than anticipated.”

Nisbet put a rush on finishing the giraffe exhibit and a few other things so they could open. He set their opening day for Mother’s Day 2020. “Suddenly we began to get publicity, news stations and Facebook, the magic of social media! It coincided with a time when people didn’t have anything to do and they needed to get out of the house.

“When you hit your darkest times, there are a lot of variables trying to stop you. But like the Bible says, in those times you’re close to getting overwhelmed with favor from God, you have to stay true to your dreams and push on.

“So, we opened a year early. A few cars came through and we thought that was good. Suddenly, we started seeing a lot of cars coming in, a couple hundred. Then word of mouth spread and the next day we had close to 800 cars come through with a 1 ½ hour wait to get in. The third day was basically the same thing, so it was awesome.”

Nisbet felt sure business would slow down now that businesses are reopening and people have other things they can do outside of isolation; however, the following weekend was busier than the first. There was a three hour wait to get in and they had to turn away new arrivals due to traffic issues.

Nisbet concluded our talk with a drive-thru tour and a visit to the lemur exhibit. “We’re still in the process of doing things to better the park,” he said. They’re struggling figuring out the logistics, where and when their handful of employees are needed and how to manage the crowds. They need to update their website, manage their Facebook and Instagram accounts, and try to answer hundreds of messages and phone calls. “It’s a bit overwhelming. But it’s been very good for local businesses, especially the gas stations and restaurants. It’s good to be a part of a small community, it gave everybody a little boost.”

Nisbet’s sons Travis and Triston and his daughter, Shelby work at the farm along with several other employees, and he could not have done this without them. He is very appreciative of their help. The farm is USDA licensed and inspected.

For more information, call 803-606-6325 or visit Eudora Farms .

Currently, the safari drive can last about an hour, more when crowded. Introductory rate to drive-thru on your own is $20 per vehicle and you may purchase food for the animals at $5 per cup if you'd like.  Guided, educational tours are available upon appointment and at $10 per person. No concessions yet, so take a picnic. Picnic tables provided.

Find them on Facebook .  Located at 219 Salem Ln, Salley SC , 29137.

Drive-Thru Safari

• Annual Pass
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Plan Your Visit

• ELECTRONIC GIFT CARDS
• ANNUAL PASS
• SAFARI PARK
• Events and Specials
• SCHOOL FIELD TRIP
• BIRTHDAY PARTY
• PRIVATE TOURS
• ANIMALS FOR HIRE

PRIVACY POLICY

Hours of Operation

Get directions, animal fact sheet, eudora farms map.

Drive Thru Safari

Eudora Wildlife Safari Park, home to over 300 exotic animals, is located in Salley, South Carolina.  Eudora Wildlife Safari Park allows you and your family to drive through the safari and see animals you normally don’t see every day.  All of the animals that live at Eudora Wildlife Safari have their most recent vaccines, and we are USDA inspected and approved.  Our 3 mile drive-thru safari park is the perfect experience that builds memories to last a lifetime.  We also allow you to hire our animals for birthdays and other special occasions.  As you drive thru the park, make sure to take a lot of pictures and share them to Facebook.  And if you see Mark, be sure to say “Hello!”.

• Comments: 2

Comment on Facebook

We had a great time at Eudora today!

• Comments: 3

When is closing today

Enjoyed our visit there today

Sarah Engle

• Comments: 12

18. Friday - Sunday for now, until we pickup then more hours will be available.

How do you apply

What age do you have to be?

What days and hours and how much is pay ???

Interested !!

Too bad i don’t live closer!

I messaged you Eudora Wildlife Safari Park .

Miranda Hutto

Aizia Perkins

Heather Whittle for Madison Whittle

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• Comments: 11

That’s the BEST thing! Learn all about the animals and leave the driving to them!

How do we book the wagon ride instead of driving our own vehicles through? Eudora Wildlife Safari Park

Absolutely worth it. A great way to experience this amazing park.

We loved the wagon ride. Emily was the best. Very patient with the children.

We did one last weekend!! It was GREAT!!!!

I've been wanting to go for a while now. Hollywild was similar ,but they had old school buses that would take people on the safari.

Loved this!!!

Stacey Barrows

Kaitlyn Durco Shumake Nick Shumake Steve Paul !!

Trey Edwin Gleaton III

Amanda Smith Jessica Deas

• Comments: 7

Great to know! What facilities are there? Table, shelter, bathrooms, all or anything else?

It is very nice there I have been several times I love the giraffes

I wish you paid your employees more

Lee Mcgee we need to go here on your next day off

Samantha Benenhaley

Doug D. Yates

Angie Swiecki Lacie Mishoe Hernandez 💙

• Comments: 0

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Home » Best Safaris Near Me – Drive-through Safaris in the US

Best Safaris Near Me – Drive-through Safaris in the US

With so many finding respite in the presence of wildlife, many travelers may wonder “Where are the best safaris near me?” Across the country, there are opportunities everywhere to see animals—zoos, nature centers, national parks, and wildlife preserves.

While many safaris (or game drives) are self-driven, this post will also share destinations where visitors can enjoy a guided animal safari. All these places will offer something on par with an African safari but are hosted closer to home, right here in the United States.

Safaris in the USA

For those looking for a safari experience close to home, each region hosts a variety of great options. Additionally, each park offers a genuine safari adventure, complete with roaming animals, open lands, and some type of drive-through navigation.

SAFARIS NEAR ME

Select a region or scroll down to view all.

Pacific Southwest Rocky Mountain Midwest Northeast Southeast

Be aware that some safari experiences are for adults only, while others are more for families. It is important to note, that for the safety of the animals, each one has a strict no-pets allowed policy. Sorry, Benji, you must stay in the hotel room.

Safaris Near Me >> Pacific Coastal

Along the country’s Pacific coastline, travelers will find a variety of wildlife experiences—ranging from a safari featuring Africa’s most endangered creatures and a mock hot air balloon safari to a farm offering time with Zodiak bears.

Safari West – Santa Rosa, CA

Located 12 miles north of Santa Rosa, Safari West is a wildlife preserve offering conservation safaris and tented glamping. Over 900 animals from over 90 different species freely roam the 400-acre property—Safari West is about as close as you can get in the U.S. to a traditional African safari .

Climb aboard one of the custom safari vehicles to explore the Sonoma Serengeti where you can see zebras, giraffes, ostriches, antelope, and more. What’s special about Safari West is that the experience can be modified to fit the needs of both adult-only trips and families with children.

For example, if you book a private safari, wine, beer, and appetizers can be added to the tour for an extra cost. For families, the Cozy Cottage has sleeping capabilities for six, with a king bed and a double bunk bed.

To check prices or to make reservations, click here >> Safari West

B. Bryan Preserve – Point Arena, CA

In Point Arena, guests can appreciate a slice of Africa on the Mendocino Coast at B. Bryan Preserve , which focuses on the breeding and conservation of Africa’s most endangered species. These include very specific herds of zebra, antelope, and giraffe. A variety of tour options are available for booking, including self-guided car safaris, VIP tours, and guided tours.

Hand-feeding the giraffes is always a highlight on each visit. If a daytime visit just isn’t enough, the property hosts three cottages and one carriage house—each offering a full kitchen and a private hot tub.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park – San Diego, CA

Sister attraction to the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park allows visitors to choose from a number of different safari opportunities. Home to over 3,600 animals, some unique wildlife excursions are available, such as a Flightline safari and a tethered balloon safari. Take note, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is primarily a walk-through sanctuary. Safari tram tours are another option but are an additional cost.

Northwest Trek Wildlife Park – Eatonville, WA

With a focus on wildlife from America’s Northwest, the Northwest Trek Wildlife Park offers three methods of exploration—walking paths, Wild Drives self-drives, and Keeper Adventure Jeep Tours. Photography safaris are another option.

The park’s free-roaming area comprises 435 acres for herds of elk, bison, moose, caribou, deer, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats. There are no opportunities for 1:1 animal interactions, so no feeding or petting is allowed.

Wildlife Safari –  Winston, OR

Open year-round, Wildlife Safari is a fun-filled family attraction where you can observe over 500 animals roaming freely from Asia, Africa, and the Americas. The park is over 600 acres and it takes about one to two hours to complete the 4.5-mile drive.

If you or a loved one has a favorite animal, Encounters allow you the opportunity to spend quality time with one! There are daily meet and greets with tigers, lions, red pandas, elephants, giraffes, bears, hippos, cheetahs, and more.

The Hampton Inn & Suites Roseburg is a comfortable option for nearby lodging.

Olympia Game Farm – Sequim, WA

If your family loves animals, then the Olympia Game Farm welcomes visitors with year-round game drive tours. The farm offers 84 acres of terrain full of wildlife, such as llamas, elk, zebra, deer, yaks, American bison, and Zodiak bears. The tour takes about an hour. Additionally, there are certain times when you can feed animals wheat bread that is supplied by the farm.

Safaris Near Me >> Southwest

If you find yourself in Texas looking for wildlife experiences, you’re in luck. The state offers an abundance of safari opportunities, everything from traditional hunting safaris to family-friendly self-driven tours.

Exotic Resort Zoo – Johnson City, TX

Geared toward children and family vacations, the Exotic Resort Zoo offers two options for a kid-friendly safari—a guided tractor ride or self-drive. If wildlife fuels your family’s travels, then consider a stay on one of the property’s safari cabins that feature two resort-style swimming pools. Overnight stays include complimentary zoo experiences.

Johnson City is also the home to the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park, Pedernales Falls State Park,  Lyndon B. Johnson’s Boyhood Home, and the Texas White House. Also, there are several nearby wineries to tour—making it the perfect place for an extended weekend or vacation. Pair up the Exotic Resort Zoo with a stay at the Carter Creek Winery Resort & Spa for a relaxing retreat.

Cherokee Trace – Jacksonville, TX

This 300-acre animal reserve offers self-drive safaris and the chance to hand-feed dozens of endangered animals and 25 exotic species from around the world. It takes about 1-2 hours to tour Cherokee Trace , however, the admission price permits as many drives as time allows. The majority of the wildlife is hooved animals, mostly deer, zebra, and antelope.

Aggieland Safari – Bryan, TX

Deemed the “ Serengeti of the South ,” Aggieland Safari allows guests to get up close and personal with free-roaming wildlife in over 250 acres of grassy plain pastures. During a self-safari, visitors may interact with local residents including bison, ostrich, zebras, antelope, wildebeest, and more.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – San Antonio, TX

Experience the essence of an African Safari—Texas style! The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch has over 700 animals and 45 species spread out over 450 acres of Texas Hill Country. The self-drive route lasts six scenic miles and passes over creek beds, rolling hills, and oak tree forests.

The drive takes about 1-2 hours but admission offers multiple trips if time allows. Feed is available for about $5 per bag. Guided safari tours are also available in a custom-built Safari Rover or Safari Shuttle and can be booked online.

Families may enjoy pairing up Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch with The Resort At Schlitterbahn , one of America’s most popular and largest waterparks.

Star S Ranch – Mason, TX

With the goal to create a true Texas safari, the 14,000-acre Star S Ranch is geared toward hunting African wildlife . In fact, the Star S Ranch hosts the largest herds of African wildlife, outside of Africa. With the Star S Ranch private airport, Hunter’s Lodge, and four casitas, this is as close as you’ll get to a traditional game safari, on this side of the world.

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – Glen Rose, TX

Dedicated to conservation, the Fossil Rim Wildlife Center considers the 1,800-acre property more of a sanctuary, rather than just another drive-through safari. The 7.2-mile route allows guests to interact with approximately 1,100 different roaming animals.

While there are a number of African Plains game , opportunities to see giraffes, cheetahs, and rhinos are visitor favorites. There are multiple visiting options available. These include self-driving tours, public guided tours, privately guided tours, twilight tours, photography tours, or behind-the-scenes guided tours.

Out of Africa – Camp Verde, AZ

Going beyond the concept of a basic drive-through park, Out of Africa strives to replicate a real African bush safari. Located in the beautiful Black Hills of Camp Verde, the wildlife preserve offers animal shows, specialty encounters, and organized feeds.

A 30-minute narrated African Bush Safari tour is included in the price and showcases herd-style animals that free roam including water buffalo, giraffes, zebras, antelopes, and ostriches. An upgraded, longer tour aboard a SuperMog is another option.

To customize your visit, the preserve has a variety of different opportunities, including bundle packages, Zip lining, VIP tours, and more private experiences.

Bearizona Wildlife Park – Williams, AZ

Drive through the Arizona ponderosa pine forest to enjoy the local North American wildlife from the comfort of your own vehicle. Guests of Bearizona Wildlife Park are welcome to drive the 3-mile route at their own pace.

Featured animals include bears, wolves, bison, elk, and other hooved animals. Admission includes unlimited passes through the route however you cannot leave and return.

Bearizona is a popular stop for motorists as it is one of the best attractions along historic Route 66 . Also, it’s near Grand Canyon National Park , making the Grand Canyon Railway Hotel a perfect accommodation option.

Safaris Near Me >> Rocky Mountains

While most of the Rocky Mountain region is full of rugged landscapes, Nevada’s desert-like climate is the perfect destination for a camel safari.

Camel Safari – Bunkerville, NV

Located about an hour north of Las Vegas, Camel Safari offers two-hour desert safaris by camel, ATV, or by tram. Exotic enough to be seen on “ The Bachelorette ” those that can’t make the trip to Morocco may appreciate the next best thing.

Budget Tip : The Camel Safari – Safari Tram Ride and Zoo Tour from Las Vegas makes it easy and affordable to visit.

Yellowstone Bear World – Rexburg, ID

Idaho’s most popular wildlife attraction is Yellowstone Bear World . This wildlife safari is often visited by travelers from West Yellowstone and Jackson Hole. As you drive your own vehicle through the park, you’ll encounter the very best Rocky Mountain animals including, elk, bison, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goats, and of course, both American black bear and grizzly bear.

One nice characteristic about this particular safari is that large vehicles, such as RVs and motorhomes are welcome to drive the route. While there are more private wildlife experiences offered at an additional cost, general admission also includes the amusement rides, the petting zoo, and as many drives through the park that day as your time allows.

Safaris Near Me >> Midwest

Surprisingly, Ohio hosts some of the most authentic safari experiences that travelers can find in the USA. Just be aware, many parks and outfitters work seasonally.

The Wilds – Cumberland, OH

If you’re an American who will never be able to check an African safari off your bucket list, then this is the travel experience you’ve been looking for. The Wilds is probably one of the most authentic safari experiences available in the USA.

Knowledgeable guides take guests on a two-hour adventure through open habitats to see cheetahs, rhinos, giraffes, zebras, and much more. The conservation center also has opportunities to make your safari complete, with overnight yurt stays, 3-course dinners, and specialty off-roading drives to scout for animals. For family vacations, there are cabins and a 12-person lodge is also available.

Other than hand-feeding the animals, most guests agree that the highlight is sitting around the campfire as night falls, watching the watering hole for wildlife enjoying a bottle of wine.

Generally, safaris operate from May through October, however, there are winter tours too. This would be an amazing honeymoon, engagement, or anniversary trip idea because overnight yurt stays are 21+ only.

African Safari Wildlife Park – Clinton, OH

With the warning of “not for those who like pristine vehicles,” the 100-acre African Safari Wildlife Park offers a chance to come face to face with various hoofed animals. Visitors can self-drive the route as many times as they’d like but the journey is expensive, so be sure to bring a heavy wallet.

Unfortunately, the park only provides one cup of animal feed per group (not per individual) and all other attractions or cups of feed are an additional charge. Visitors can’t help but notice the placement of the car vacuums at the exit for an additional fee of $2.00.

Buffalo Safari Jeep Tours – Custer, SD

One reason travelers decide to take a Buffalo Safari Jeep Tour is to give themselves a break from driving and let someone else play tour guide. Many families appreciate the opportunity to sit back, enjoy the ride, and listen to narration from a local guide.

On this 1.5 to 2-hour safari, guests set out in search of buffalo, deer, longhorn sheep, prairie dogs, elk, and pronghorn. Take note, going off-road seems to depend on where the animals are congregating. Therefore, off-roading is not a guarantee. If wildlife is along the main road, that’s where you’ll spend the majority of your time.

Budget Tip: Pair this safari with the Mount Rushmore and Black Hills Tour with Two Meals and a Music Variety Show tour. Stay at the Bavarian Inn , a European-inspired boutique mountain resort.

Eureka Springs Safari Park – Eagle Rock, MO

Offering a 4-mile drive-through safari and a petting zoo, Eureka Springs Safari Park is home to over 500 animals from all over the world, representing 56 species. Visitors can see camels, emus, kangaroos, deer, and buffalo. There are opportunities to hand-feed select animals. When seasonally available, VIP ATV tours are also an option. Eureka Springs Safari Park is the sister park to Branson’s Promised Land Zoo, both of which are faith-based attractions.

Branson’s Promised Land Zoo – Branson, MO

From the comfort of your own vehicle, families can set off on a 45-minute drive-through safari to feed a variety of farm and hooved animals. Many visitors take advantage of the VIP experience to enjoy a tram tour and 1:1 interactions with specialty animals such as baby kangaroos, lemurs, or spider monkeys. Affiliated with Eureka Springs Safari Park, Branson’s Promised Land Zoo is also a faith-based attraction.

After the safari, keep the outdoorsy feel going by staying at the Lodge of the Ozarks which captures the spirit and the beauty of the great outdoors.

Springfield Wild Animal Safari – Strafford, MO

This 5-mile drive drive-through safari allows guests to choose their own adventure, whether by private car, rented safari vehicle, or open bus. Set among 350 acres, visitors will note no cages, only free-roaming wildlife and beautiful scenic views.

Visitors of Springfield Wild Animal Safari love the opportunity to feed and interact with unique wildlife like zebras, emus, and llamas.

Budget Tip : Be sure to stay in the same room as Elvis Presley at the Best Western Route 66 Rail Haven .

Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari – Ashland, NE

The 440-acre drive-through Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Park allows visitors to explore several different animal lands. Considered a self-safari, the featured wildlife includes antelope, deer, sandhill cranes, and a large buffalo herd. A short walk takes guests to see the wolves’ woods exhibit. The Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Park is open from April through October.

Lee Richarson Zoo – Garden City, KS

Although technically not a safari, the Lee Richardson Zoo deserves a feature for being the only self-drive zoo in the country. Additionally, this is a great attraction option for those on a tight budget. Admission to the zoo is always free for pedestrians and the self-drive is only $10 per vehicle. Even further, throughout the year, the zoo offers Wild Wednesdays which is the drive-through that is also free for all guests.

Safaris Near Me >> Northeast

The Mid-Atlantic region has some great safari opportunities but all parks operate seasonally. Please be sure to check websites for hours of operation. Some parks offer both walking and driving wildlife encounters.

Keystone Safari – Grove City, PA

See over 100 grazing animals at the Keystone Safari , an interactive, 144-acre drive-through safari park. As all of the animals are considered non-dangerous, visitors are welcome to purchase animal feed to lure the animals right to their car windows. Standout animals include zebras, bison, and emus.

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park – Halifax, PA

Pennsylvania’s rolling hills are a great place to enjoy an American-style safari . Visitors can climb aboard an open-air cruiser with a knowledgeable guide to learn fun facts about wildlife. Many of the 150 acres simulate the animals’ natural habitats.

Each tour lasts about 45 minutes and guests are welcome to purchase special feed to lure the animals to the cruiser. Take note, in April and November guests are allowed to use their own vehicle to enjoy the safari.

Six Flags Great Adventure & Safari – Jackson, NJ

Using your own vehicle, visitors can see over 1,200 animals from six continents including tigers, lions, elephants, rhinos, and giraffes. There are 11 sections to explore, with each different land highlighting its native animals. Almost all animals roam freely with only the predators kept safely behind fences. The 5-mile route traverses 350 acres and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Catoctin Wildlife Preserve – Thurmont, MD

African zebras, camels, and American bison are some of the wildlife you’ll encounter at Catoctin Wildlife Preserve. Guests explore 25 wooded acres in an open-air safari cruiser with opportunities for photography and animal feeding. The safari lasts about 45 minutes to one hour, depending on the wildlife encounters.

Safaris Near Me >> Southeast

Maybe chalk it up to year-round visiting weather, but the Southeast region of the U.S. boasts some of the best safari experiences in the country.

Virginia Safari Park – Natural Bridge, VA

On a mission to allow guests to see animals in a more natural environment, the Virginia Safari Park hosts 180 acres of free-roaming animals. Safaris are self-driven and guests are welcome to stop and feed the animals at their leisure. Located in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley, this safari experience is consistently ranked as one of the best safari experiences in the country.

Some bonuses of this park include the freedom to drive through as many times as you’d like, a free guidebook , and the ability for guests to ride in the back of pick-up trucks. Pair this experience with the best historical sites in Virginia .

Pine Mountain Safari – Pine Mountain, GA

If you love exotic animals, then a day at Pine Mountain Safari is a walk on the wild side! From your own vehicle, guests can come face-to-face with 75 species of animals across a 250-acre park.

The route is 2.5 miles route is an opportunity to encounter zebras, emus, ostrich, American bison, watusi, and many other animals in a natural habitat. Feeding is permitted within the park with provided feed only.

Lion Country Safari – Loxahatchee, Florida

Offering Florida’s only drive-through safari experience, Lion Country Safari claims to be the first cageless zoo in the United States. The route is divided into seven habitats across 600 acres featuring hundreds of animals. The park also has the largest herds of zebra, rhino, and giraffes in the country. Boasting both a free audio guide and an online guidebook , it is easy to see why Lion Country consistently ranks as one of the best safari experiences in the United States.

Kilimanjaro Safaris (Disney) – Lake Buena Vista, FL

Located in Disney’s Animal Kingdom , Kilimanjaro Safaris simulates an 18-minute expedition through the lush African savannah. Thirty species of African wildlife roam freely through 110 acres, while an expert safari guide points out animals and shares fascinating facts.

The open-air safari is part of the experience at the Animal Kingdom. To check current prices or to make reservations, click here >> Animal Kingdom Lodge .

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Aggieland Adventure Zoo & Safari Park!

Modified: Dec 6, 2020 by Jill Jarvis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

Take a drive to Aggieland Adventure Zoo and Safari Park! Just under two hours from Houston, find a 250 acre drive-thru safari and 20 acres of walk-through zoo !

Just look at the pictures from Fun2Go Misters !

Almost everything is included in admission, but not the animal feeding experiences. For this you can purchase the feed onsite.

In the Aggieland walk-through zoo, there are exhibits housing over 150 mammals, birds, and reptiles. In the Aggieland drive-through safari, you can see hundreds of animals and feed them from your car.

There is also a covered pavilion where the giraffes might just pop in while you relax.

Look at the photos below! Also, you can find more Houston area farms HERE !

Aggieland Adventure Zoo & Safari Park:

Address: 18075 FM974, Bryan, TX 77808

More Houston Area Farms :

More Farms and Zoos

About Jill Jarvis

Jill Jarvis is the owner of JillBJarvis.com, a BigKidSmallCity.com and Things to Do in Houston, with Kids, blog!

She is the mom of five and started the website years ago... when she was tired of constantly cleaning up the same mess in the family room.

Another mom showed her that you could just go do fun things in Houston, without hours of planning.

This inspired the blog and changed everything about how she enjoyed life in Houston, with kids!

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6 drive-through zoos and safaris in florida.

Family trip: Lion Country Safari

By Jill Martin

Sure, there’s plenty of wildlife in Florida, but have you ever viewed a giraffe from the comfort of your car?

You won’t find big screens or bags of popcorn at these drive-ins, but they're action-packed and provide lots of entertainment. Silence your cell phone and enjoy the show at these drive-through zoos in Florida.

1. J. N. “Ding” Darling National Wildlife Refuge , Sanibel Island

Sunbathing gators, green herons, white ibis and a crocodile call this four-mile Wildlife Drive home. Roseate spoonbills can be found here year-round.

2. Lion Country Safari , West Palm Beach

Florida’s only drive-through safari boasts 800-plus animals, including wildebeests, rhinos and the world’s largest herd of captive zebras. But the giraffes steal the show at Lion Country Safari.

3. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge , Titusville

Amazing wildlife viewing is easy with the self-guided map that lists numbered stops along Black Point Drive. See gators, otters, turtles and hundreds of bird species, including eagles.

4. St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge , near Tallahassee

Rated five stars by birders, this seven-mile drive through zoo takes you past pinelands and salt marshes to Florida’s second-oldest lighthouse. Look for black bears, turkeys, deer and whooping cranes.

6.  Wild Florida , Kenansville

Features more than 200 animals, including exotics like zebras, sloths, lemurs and Watusi, and a walk-in bird aviary with pheasants, parrots and other birds from all over the world. Also: airboat tours, a drive-through safari park and animal shows.

Video tour of St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge

Places to remember.

Tallahassee

Sanibel Island

West Palm Beach

Strategic alliance partners.

Additional animal encounters available during checkout! NEW - Sloth and tortoise feedings!

WILDLIFE DRIVE-THRU SAFARI

Quick Details

• Clock Duration: 1 hour
• Bus Per Vehicle: All ages
• Bus Vehicle: No motorcycles or commercial vehicles

Enjoy Giraffe Ranch from Your Car!

For a limited time, Giraffe Ranch will be offering a unique experience in response to COVID-19. We now offer guided wildlife drive-thru safari tours on our ranch seen from the comfort of your own vehicle. These tours will be conducted through reservation only and will last approximately one hour. Visitors will be experiencing and viewing our exotic animal reserve while maintaining social distancing. Get out in nature, relax, learn about what you are experiencing, and most importantly, be in a safe environment. When you reserve with us you will be helping us continue caring for our animals, our staff, and our conservation efforts.

• Chevron down Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of animals do you have?

Giraffe Ranch has hundreds of animals representing 70+ different species all housed under huge, ancient oaks and grass lands in this beautiful environment that is right out of an African safari. Because our property consists of about 50 acres of pristine wilderness, we’re able to house a variety of exotic species such as giraffe, zebra, bongo antelope, otters, lemurs, hippos, pere’ Davids deer, warthogs, monkeys, and more! You’ll also have a chance to see a variety of native wildlife.

I do not want to pay for a tour; can I just come and feed the animals?

No. The optional add-ons are only available with the purchase of one of our safaris.

Which tour time is best to view the animals?

All of our tour times are great! The animals that we house here are specifically chosen because they do well in central Florida’s climate.

Where do your animals come from?

Because we have so much space for our animals, babies are a very common thing! Most of our animals are born onsite. We buy, sell, and trade with other licensed facilities.

What should I wear?

Although not required, we recommend close-toed shoes. We go rain or shine, so dress appropriately for the weather.

Can I bring my pet?

We do not allow any unauthorized animals on the premises, which includes our driveway and parking lot. Please leave all dogs, cats, and other furry critters at home.

Will I see every animal during the tour?

Our guides make every effort to encourage our residents to greet our tour groups but the distance at which they are viewed can vary due to the large areas our animals inhabit.

Other things to know

We do not do special pricing for children, infants, seniors, etc.

RELATED TOURS

• Clock 1.5 hours
• Users Per Person All ages

Custom Safari Vehicle Tour

Just like an African Safari, our custom vehicle safari is fully guided on our 4 wheel drive safari vehicles. Participants will enjoy views of zebra, tapir, deer, and more!

• Users Per Person Ages 14+

Segway Safari Tour

Segway Safaris are akin to walking safaris done in Africa, minus the sweat and effort. Using this method of transportation, you can stand at eye-level with zebras, pygmy hippos, and more!

• Users Per Person Ages 3+

Camel Safari Tour

Come experience a Camel-Back Safari! Become a part of the herd and rediscover the experiences our human ancestors had. Led by two experienced tour guides/camel handlers.

Plan A Trip To The New 85-Acre Drive-Through Safari Park In Wild Florida

Marisa Roman

A New Jersey native with over 15 years of writing experience, Marisa has studied at both New York University and Florida International University. She has lived all over the country, including a decade stint in South Florida. Marisa is well-versed in exploration as she travels a good majority of the year in her self-converted Sprinter van. Her articles have been featured in various notable publications over the years, she has a published collection of short stories, and three completed screenplays under her belt.

More by this Author

Lions, and tigers, and bears, oh heck yes! Okay, maybe that’s not how that goes, but when you visit Wild Florida’s new drive-through safari park, it might just be. Just because you can’t leave the continent on a whim doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t be able to enjoy all the fun and excitement that comes with travel. There is a brand new safari park in Florida that will rival any trip across the Serengeti, and you get to enjoy it from the comfort of your own car. Check it out…

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The Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium In Florida Is Offering Free Livestreams Of Otters

Have you tried this safari park in Florida yet? Share with us what it was like and all the animals you saw in the comments section! Or if you’re looking for more information about this wild safari, such as hours of operation and ticket prices, visit the website or Facebook Page .

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

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14 September 2020

Safari into the Northern Serengeti

Our Safari into Northern Serengeti from Gibb’s Farm commences with a short scenic flight over the vast plains of the Serengeti and the changing landscapes. From the window seat, we viewed the scar-marked Maasai boma, soared over the mouth of Ol’doinyo lengai (the Mt of God), and landed on the red clay airstrip in the middle of the bush, scattering herds of wildlife to start our adventure.

Our Safari guide, Freddy, met us with the well-equipped and very comfortable Thomson Safaris vehicle and a packed lunch, so we set off to explore straight away. 100’s of 1000’s of herding wildebeest and zebra spread over the vast grasslands indicated that we had not missed the crossing of the Mara. We spent the afternoon exploring the layout of the land, taking innumerable photos and listening to a plethora of fascinating information from Freddy. What amazing knowledge he has. We were in awe. 

A well-spent afternoon in the dry air and baking sun, taking in the surrounds and getting covered in a fine layer of Serengeti dust, the sun was started to dip as we headed for the campsite. From un-marked tracks in tall grasses, we rounded a bend to see the majesty of the Bedouin village that was to be our base for the next couple of days. WOW. To think that all of this is has to be bought in and then taken back out. Plush rugs, comfortable lounge chairs and couches, cushions and artworks. A very splendid glamping experience. 

On arrival, we were met by the team with their smiling faces and we were assured of the Covid-19 preparedness and lengths taken to ensure everyone’s safety. Luggage was sprayed as were our shoes and lower legs and we sanitised our hands and had temperatures taken. We were then given a briefing which was thorough and the advice that the team had been in the camp for 16 days of quarantine prior to guest arrivals. All very professional.

We were then given an ice-cold beer. Exactly what was required to wash away safari dust. A lovely dinner was served and then we were early to bed. Surprisingly comfortable beds with snuggly warm layers of duvet it was not long before we were fast asleep. There were a couple of times that I was aware of the presence of grazing herd animals outside our tent during the night but not disturbed by it, strangely comforted.

The next day after departing before sunrise we were off on safari and capturing images of more wildlife and landscapes and just being in awe. There was movement in the Wildebeest herds and anticipation as they migrated towards the river’s edge. We joined the charge and jostled for a place amongst the 6 vehicles and were able to see the crossing that was exciting, exhilarating, nerve-racking and scary all at the same time. It was a whirlwind of emotions and a great spectacle. I was most pleased that the appetites of the fat Nile crocodiles were well sated and so they were not chasing the wildebeest but took mild curiosity as they continued to sun bask. 

After hot showers back at the camp and another great meal accompanied by a nice bottle of Shiraz, we sleep well. We did hear in the early hours of the morning, a lion roar but it was some distance from us.

At dawn, after a breakfast of fresh coffee, pancakes and bacon, we departed with packed lunches for our drive back to Gibb’s Farm.

Not far from the campsite we came across a lioness hunting and we stopped to watch the stalk, chase and catch. Pure athleticism of the lioness what a perfect design.

The safari from Northern Serengeti to Ngorongoro took us through varied terrain with a variety of wildlife. From large herds of elephants to a swarm of hippos jostling for position in shrinking water holes. There were 1000’s of images taken.

It was lovely to arrive back at Gibb’s Farm and check-in for long hot showers to wash away the dust, refreshing beverages served as sundowners whilst watching the sunset over the coffee plantations and deep restful night sleep.

As we download the images we have been reliving all aspects of the great adventure had such an amazing experience. It really was incredible.

Farm Tails ... read stories from Gibb's Farm

Top travel trends in 2023

What are the top travel trends for 2023? At Gibb's Farm, we are noticing a sharp interest in reconnection, family, wellness, and farm to table dining.

Recipe: Chilled Avocado Soup

Chilled Avocado Soup

Waiting for the rain

There are two rainy seasons in Tanzania, and we are waiting for the short rains called the Vuli, which usually occur in late October and into November.

Rethinking Tourism on World Tourism Day

Recipe: Mushroom Risotto

This creamy and tasty mushroom risotto is a quick and tasty meal created by Vasti, our head chef! The following recipe makes one portion.

Recipe: Mushroom Cappuccino Soup

Our mushroom project is going really well. Vasti, our head chef, has been whipping up some fantastic recipes with the latest harvest. Here is our Mushroom Cappuccino Soup!

Grow your own

Growing your own food is very rewarding. There is nothing quite as delicious as crops fresh from a garden that you have grown.

Recipe: Stuffed Pumpkin Flowers

Chef Vasti shared her stuffed pumpkin flower recipe! This dish is popular with our guests and now you can make it at home.

Climbing Mount Kilimanjaro

Gibb's Farm managers, Nick and Sally fulfilled a life-long dream of summiting Mount Kilimanjaro - and they did just that! Learn more about their experience

Celebrate Gibb's Girls

The 8th March 2022 was International Women’s Day and the theme for this year was “Break the Bias,” this month we are recognizing the girls and women of Gibb’s Farm.

Red Maasai Sheep

Introducing Rusty and Rosie, our Red Maasai Sheep!

Recipe: Coffee Chocolate Brownies

Did you know our coffee chocolate brownies are the best you will ever taste?

Farm fresh dining at Gibb’s Farm

Our food philosophy is founded on farm fresh, organic cuisine prepared daily right here on the property.

Recipe: Coffee Chocolate Mousse

Our Coffee Chocolate Mousse is a delectable dessert combining two of our favourite ingredients: coffee and chocolate.

Recipe: Pasta with Carrot Top Pesto and Grilled Baby Carrots

Our Pasta with Carrot Top Pesto and Grilled Baby Carrots recipe is vegetarian and utilises the entire carrot from the top to the tip.

Recipe: Rhubarb Crumble Pie

This Rhubarb Crumble pie is fast becoming a firm favourite at Gibb’s Farm. It is a great dish to complete a dinner party and with the granola topping, we think that it is perfect for breakfast as well!

Tanzanite – precious gems from Tanzania

Learn more about these gorgeous gems

Five favourite things about Gibb’s Farm

Here are our five favourite things about staying at Gibb's Farm in Tanzania.

Slow Safari

Take it slow while on safari in Tanzania

Purposeful travel

Our guide to giving

Our guide to giving highlights the best ways to give back to the Tanzanian community when you visit

Hearty pumpkin soup

Perfect for Thanksgiving!

World Mental Health Day

World Mental Health Day is on 10 October, and this year it is particularly important as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Ngorongoro elephants

Tembo is the Kiswahili word for Elephant. The Ngorongoro elephants are attracted to Gibb’s Farm and can be frequently heard trumpeting nearby.

A bird watcher's paradise

Tanzania is truly a bird watcher’s paradise; over 1000 bird species have been recorded from water birds, forest birds, savannah birds to seabirds.

Gibb's Farm Lemon Tart

This relatively simple to make, zesty, lemon velvety tart recipe made with the lemons from the farm has always been a Gibb’s Farm guest favourite.

A sense of occasion

Special occasions deserve to be celebrated, and what better way to celebrate than by making unforgettable memories at beautiful Gibb's Farm.

Earn your keep

Roll up your sleeves, put on a pair of rubber boots and join us in the farmyard during your stay.

10 Swahili phrases to learn before you visit us

Even a little Swahili goes a long way!

Welcome Nick and Sally

A very warm welcome to our new management couple.

No churn vanilla ice cream

Recipe: Farm fresh no churn vanilla ice cream

Helping hands safaris

Kindness is magic. Sprinkle it everywhere.

Spend a day at Lake Manyara

Journey through this iconic treasure of Tanzania with us

Sustainability & Eco Projects

Our farm is a model for sustainable and respectful practices

Awards & Accolades

Awards and accolades. Thank you to each and every one of our loyal supporters!

Life handed you lemons? Grab gin!

A gin and tonic to safari is like water to sailing

Zawadi Boutique

Take a special souvenier home with you

Famous Yoghurt and honey bread

Recipe: Our famous yogurt bread (served with farm butter)

A unique honeymoon in East Africa

Celebrate your love in legendary style with a romantic honeymoon in Tanzania

Ngorongoro Crater

10 Facts you didn't know about the Ngorongoro Crater

A sense of history

The sense of history is palpable as you stroll through the gardens

Gibb's Farm - Check Availability

Gibb's farm - rates & availability, online enquiry.

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Governing the City: St Petersburg and Catherine II’s Reforms

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St Petersburg was unique. As far as administration is concerned, it was the unique composition of the population of the city which was most significant. The most obvious point of distinctiveness of St Petersburg compared with other Russian towns was the presence of the following: the court and courtiers; large numbers of bureaucrats, officials and clerical staff who were employed in the offices of state; the wealthiest nobles and their serf retinues; army and naval officers resident in the city between campaigns or employed in ministries; foreigners in many professions; the scholars, scientists and artists associated with the academies; a small number of very wealthy merchants. Contemporary statistical information on city population in late eighteenth-century Russia has to be treated with caution but it at least demonstrates something of the oddity of St Petersburg. In 1801 it has been estimated that the ‘townspeople’ of the city (the merchants and the artisans, the meshchane ) numbered some 38,000 persons, but they were collectively outnumbered by 13,200 members of the nobility, 26,100 servants, 39,100 soldiers and officers and over 50,000 peasants. 1 In addition, the transience of the population of the city was also distinctive, not only in the number of wealthy nobles who retired for the summer months to their country estates, and in the movement of foreign and Russian merchants back and forth from the city but also the army of transient peasants and workers who supplied a city without a natural economic hinterland with foodstuffs, hand-made goods and labour.

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G.E. Munro, ‘The Development of St Petersburg as an Urban Center during the Reign of Catherine II (1762–1796)’ (PhD thesis, North Carolina, 1973), p. 280.

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George Munro, ‘The Charter to the Towns Reconsidered: the St Petersburg Connection’, Canadian-American Slavic Studies , XXIII, 1 (1989) 17–35.

Article   Google Scholar  

H.F. von Storch, The Picture of Petersburg (London, 1801), p. 88.

D.I. Bagalei and D.P. Miller, Istoriia goroda Khar’kova za 250 let ego sushchestveniia (s 1655 po 1905-y god) , I (Khar’kov, 1905), 110.

A.A. Kizevetter, Gorodskoe polozhenie Ekateriny II 1785 g . (Moscow, 1909), pp. 358–62.

R.E. Jones, ‘Catherine II and the Provincial Reform of 1775 – a Question of Motivation’, Canadian Slavic Studies , IV (1970) 511.

See J.M. Hartley, A Social History of the Russian Empire 1650–1825 (London and New York, 1999), pp. 94–6.

A. Voronov, Istoriko-statisticheskoe obozrenie uchebnykh zavadenii S. Peterburgskago uchebnago okruga s 1715 po 1828 god vkliuchitel’no (St Petersburg, 1849), p. 69.

45. RGADA, fond 16, delo 523, f. 5, report by M. Dolgorukii and A. Naryshkin from St Petersburg, 1785.

47. P.G. Kicheev, Iz nedavnei stariny – razskazy i vospominaniia (Moscow, 1870), pp. 99–103.

W. Bruce Lincoln, ‘N.A. Miliutin and the St Petersburg Municipal Act of 1846: A Study in Reform under Nicholas I’, Slavic Review , XXXIII (1974) 49–68.

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© 2003 Palgrave Macmillan, a division of Macmillan Publishers Limited

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Hartley, J.M. (2003). Governing the City: St Petersburg and Catherine II’s Reforms. In: Cross, A. (eds) St Petersburg, 1703–1825. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781403937469_7

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Isaakievskaya Ploshchad (St. Isaac's Square)

St. Isaac's Square has long been one of the main public spaces of St. Petersburg. Some of the greatest works of Russian architecture of the 19th and 20th centuries are located here, including St. Isaac's Cathedral, the Mariinsky Palace, the Hotel Astoria and the Hotel Angleterre. Also, because of the location of the city's Legislative Assembly within the Mariinsky Palace, it has the unofficial status as the main administrative area of St. Petersburg.

The history of this square began in the 1730s and 40s. The area was originally assigned for trading, with a marina planned on the Moyka, warehouses along Bolshaya Gostinaya Ulitsa, and stalls selling salt along Voznesensky Prospekt. However, in the 1760s more grandiose structures began to appear in the area. On the south side of the square the Palace of Field Marshal Ivan Chernyshev was built beyond the Moyka River. On the north side, St. Isaac's Cathedral was reconstructed to designs by Antonio Rinaldi - this was the third cathedral in the area, the first having been adapted from one of the original warehouses. In fact, the "eternal construction" of St. Isaac's Square lasted around one hundred consecutive years.

In 1796, after the death of Catherine II, Emperor Paul ordered the transfer of all the marble from the project to the construction of the Mikhailovsky Castle. As a result St. Isaac's Cathedral was finished with clay brick and the unimpressive structure was received poorly. In 1816, Alexander I commissioned Auguste de Montferrand to erect a new temple. Forty years later the temple was complete. Urban legend has it that Montferrand predicted he would die soon after the temple was complete and deliberately dragged out the construction. This, in the end, is exactly what happened. However, the time and effort shows through, and St. Isaac's Cathedral is the fourth tallest cathedral in the world after the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, St. Paul's Cathedral in London, and St. Mary's Cathedral in Florence.

In 1839-1844, Russian court architect Andrey Stackenshneider was commissioned by Nicolas I to build the magnificent Mariinsky Palace for his daughter Maria. At the same time, the Blue Bridge spanning the Moyka was extended to 99 meters, making it the widest bridge in St. Petersburg. A large portion of the bridge is incorporated within St. Isaac's Square and can go unnoticed. In the years 1856-1859, an equestrian monument to Nicholas I was erected in the center of the square. The statue's engineering is unique due to the fact that the rearing horse's feet are the only two points of support for the entire sculpture.

In the beginning of the 20th century, the diverse architectural ensemble of St. Isaac's Square began to be filled with new styles. In the south-eastern side of the square, the Hotel Astoria, an excellent example of St. Petersburg Art Nouveau, was built by the architect Fyodor Lidval. At around the same time on the opposite side of the square a new German Embassy was designed by the distinguished German architect and industrial designer Peter Behrens. This building's muscular neoclassicism was widely criticized at the time, but proved a prototype for what became the official architectural style of the Soviet Union under Joseph Stalin (the building was also purportedly greatly admired by Adolf Hitler).

In 1923 the square was renamed after one of the first Soviet diplomats, Vaclav Vorovsky, assassinated that year by a White emigre terrorist at the Conference of Lausanne, but in 1944 it returned to its historic name. During the Siege of Leningrad, a kitchen garden was laid out in the center of the square where vegetables were grown to feed the inhabitants of the war-torn city.

It is important to note that during its existence St. Isaac's Square has repeatedly been victim to St. Petersburg floods, as its location is close to the narrowest part of the Neva River. At such times, St. Isaac's Cathedral often became an island in a sea of water. Consequently in 1971, on the Moyka Embankment next to the Blue Bridge a "scale of Neptune" was installed - an obelisk that records the levels of major urban floods.

Today, the colonnade of St. Isaac's Cathedral offers a superb panoramic view of the square and all of downtown St. Petersburg.

Accommodation near the St. Isaac's Square

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