safari tour lakeland fl

Thank You to Our Local Sponsors

Drive-thru Safari Tours available in your own car at Safari Wilderness in Lakeland

Nestled on over 260 acres of land in Lakeland, you’ll find one of the most unique and memorable experiences in Florida at Safari Wilderness.

Look a zebra in the eye Feed a llama from your hand See the huge horns of the Watsui cattle Get licked by a water buffalo Hold hands with a ring-tailed lemur

I’ve been to Safari Wilderness 3 times – with my family on their Christmas Critter Safari, and again on two field trips with school – and each time was unique and amazing. A visit to Safari Wilderness in Lakeland is nothing like a zoo or theme park. It is natural, it is peaceful, and unlike any animal encounter we have ever experienced before. Animals roaming freely beside you on this Lakeland safari adventure will be a memory to last a lifetime!

While their traditional safari tours are on a large open-air vehicle with a guide, for a limited time Safari Wilderness is offering a guided drive-thru safari tour from the comfort of your own vehicle. You’ll get to be out in nature, relax, see native and exotic animals up close and personal, learn about what you are experiencing, and most importantly be in a safe environment while social distancing. You’ll also be supporting Safari Wilderness and helping them continue caring for their animals, their staff, and their conservation efforts. This is a one of a kind drive thru safari park that calls Lakeland home.

All drive through tours will be conducted by reservation only and will last approximately one hour.

If you’re searching for a drive-thru safari near you in Central Florida, be sure to check out Safari Wilderness Ranch.

Location: 10850 Moore Road, Lakeland, FL 33809 ( MAP IT ) Safari Wilderness Ranch is conveniently located approximately 4 miles north of I-4 between Orlando and Tampa in Central Florida.

Hours:  9 am – 5 pm | Last drive-thru safari booking is at 4 pm

Drive-Thru Safari Cost: $100 per vehicle on weekdays | $125 per vehicle on weekend. Food buckets are $10 each.

Vehicle Requirements: Vehicle size must be full-sized SUV or smaller. No motorcycles or commercial vehicles allowed.

How to Book: Visit the Safari Wilderness website or call ( 813) 382-2120 .

Tips for your Visit:   BRING YOUR CAMERA!  Every single photo in this post is mine, there are no professionally done stock photos here. If you’ve got a real camera that zooms more than a phone camera, I highly recommend taking it with you.

Book your tickets online here for Lakeland’s only drive-thru Safari.

Photos at safari wilderness ranch.

Videos at Safari Wilderness

If you’re interested in a longer visit to Safari Ranch in Lakeland, FL, you can get plenty more details on their website – safariwilderness.com . Prices start at $119 per person, and all safari experiences require an advance reservation. In addition to the vehicle safari, they also offer safari adventures with experienced guides where you can see the property by ATV, kayak, camelback, or riding a horse or llama. Optional add-ons include feeding the lemurs and feeding guinea pigs.

Book your Lakeland Safari tickets online

Interested in other safari experiences? Check out Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari , located just over an hour from the Lakeland area.

About the Author: April Mucci

April is the owner of LakelandMom.com. She has lived in Lakeland since age 2 and is passionate about our community and connecting families with local resources. She is a mom to 2 boys (12 + 15) and a mini goldendoodle, wife to Matt. She loves reading, saltwater fishing, concerts and live performances, and working on Lakeland Mom!

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Check out our full Outdoor Fun Guide for more outdoor things to do in Lakeland, Polk County, and Central Florida.

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Safari Wilderness Ranch

• 10850 Moore Rd, Lakeland, FL 33809
• (813) 382-2120

You don't have to fly all the way to Africa to go on safari! Located in a 260-acre wilderness area in Lakeland, halfway between Tampa and Orlando, Safari Wilderness  offers an intimate, up-close encounter with herds of free-roaming exotic animals in a breathtaking natural setting that rivals the African savanna.

Safari Wilderness is not a zoo. Unlike the beaches and theme parks, there are no crowds or lines - just your small group of adventurers and an experienced guide driving a custom safari vehicle, fitted with a shade canopy and stadium seating. This experience is authentic, engaging and educational for all ages!

Tours are by safari vehicle, kayak or camelback. Add-on experiences include lemur, budgie and guinea pig feedings. Tours are available daily by reservation only.

• Map Show Map

Safari Wilderness Ranch

Review Highlights

“ We even had the opportunity to lean out of the vehicle to feed the water buffalo who came over to say hello! ” in 15 reviews

“ We did the guinea pig feeding which was fun, and plan to do the lemur feeding next time. ” in 18 reviews

“ JJ and Art provided lots of information about the different animals, the SWR operations, even how they came to be keepers. ” in 13 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

10850 Moore Rd

Lakeland, FL 33809

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Got a question about Safari Wilderness Ranch ? Ask the Yelp community!

Recommended Reviews

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Overall rating

I left a review back in December and it somehow got deleted. I got bit by one of their lemurs during the feed the lemurs excursion. It did not bite hard or even break the skin. But my doctor said to call and find out if they vaccinate their lemurs for rabies. I called and the woman who answered not only refused to answer my question, but also proceeded to yell at me. So, I ended up having to go through the series of Rabies vaccines. The woman who answers the phone should be fired for her horrible treatment of customers.

Safari Wildlife is a fun family adventure...we took the car tour and throughly enjoyed it. Eddie was our guide and he was a wonderful, friendly and knowledgeable guy. We learned about many animals, and fed camels, goats and wild pigs. It's a great trip for those who don't want to do a ton of walking. The tour takes an hour give or take a few minutes... We go each year when we have out of state visitors.

This truly was a fun experience. Art, our guide, was knowledgeable and had some funny dad jokes along the way. The best part was watching him fight the ostrich to get through the gates, haha! We paid $150 for a bag of food and a whole car and we had about 7 cars in total on the tour. The animals come right up to your cars a lot of the time and you can tell the animals are well cared for. Feeding the camels was so much fun! When you first get there there will be an open gate, if you have a reservation go through that gate to the next gate and wait there, otherwise you may miss your reservation window waiting too long at that gate. The only off putting part was that they took a picture of our ID and our credit card. Overall... I would recommend for a nice family morning/afternoon.

This was our favorite place. We booked the safari tour in their bus. We were the only ones to book during that time so it was basically a private safari. All the animals came right up to the bus and we were able to feed them. The land was so large and so many types of animals to see and feed. They also do ATV tours and tours in your own car, but highly recommend doing their bus. We added on the lemur experience at the end and they were so cute to feed and watch.

If you love animals, this is the place for you! I recommend taking the safari vehicle tour, where you'll learn all about the animals you see, AND you can feed some of them by hand. I never thought I'd be feeding and petting a water buffalo, but I did, and it was great fun. The adventure lasts about two hours. I also did the cheetah encounter, and although it is pricey, I felt the experience I gained mad it worth it. How often do you get to feed a cheetah (with tongs)? Bring your own water, and have a day you'll never forget.

Please, visit it will not disappoint..feeding the camels, and Lemurs were very enjoyable..Jj was top notch..

Art did a great job guiding us on the very personalized ATV tour. Highly recommend for an up close experience with all the animals. Worth every penny!!!

See all photos from Renee V. for Safari Wilderness Ranch

my sister was visiting from Oklahoma so I treated her to a camel trail safari ride and an encounter with lemurs. We so enjoyed our outing even though it rained. Our guide, J.J. was brilliant with all her knowledge she has in her head, it was amazing. the camels were happy and sweet but they do not like the rain but were troupers anyway. Feeding the lemurs were such a thrill as they were so adorable and gentle. We were wet but still had a blast. This is much more enjoyable than going to the Disney parks. Highly recommended.

if you book with them and cannot show up for any reason, they will take your money even if you try to cancel days before booking. paid over $500 for atv tour. got sick and live 1,000 miles away. gave over 2 day's notice. no one would pick up phone. said they are not supposed to refund or even reschedule. person screamed at me that it's all over the site. did i read it??? only called me back when i posted a negative review. be 100% sure you can go otherwise your money is gone!

This was the most wonderful experience. Our tour guide, Art, was the best. Very knowledgeable and knew his animals. Aside from the pestering ostriches, he kept us safe and laughing. I felt like I was in Africa. I highly recommend this safari to everyone and will be sharing my trip with all.

19 other reviews that are not currently recommended

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Take a wild ride at safari wilderness ranch in north lakeland.

Asian water buffalo come to mingle with visitors to Safari Wilderness in Lakeland.

A lemur greets a visitor at Safari Wilderness in Lakeland.

Get to know – or even ride – a camel at Safari Wilderness in Lakeland.

Baby ostriches stay close to mom at Safari Wilderness in Lakeland.

All manner of beautiful beasts come to greet the tour bus at Safari Wilderness in Lakeland.

By VISIT FLORIDA staff

A large, purple tongue hangs patiently as a nervous teenage hand drops a snack into it.

The tongue belongs to a domestic Asian water buffalo. The hand belongs to Bailey Hallett, 14, of Carmel, Ind., who was visiting her grandmother in Auburndale.

The snack? A giant protein stick.

“It was fun getting to feed them,” Bailey said.

The two were enjoying a two-hour tour of Safari Wilderness Ranch in North Lakeland , a 260-acre expanse devoted to wetland species and cattle of all types.

For $75, up to 20 people can hop aboard a refreshingly breezy converted bus to see uncontained lemurs, cattle, eland, zebra, fainting goats, ostriches, llamas and so much more face to face.

Safari Wilderness, in the middle of the Green Swamp, is home to the second-largest collection of oryx in North America and two of the largest herds of water buffalo and defassa waterbuck in the U.S.

With the wide open spaces, you can see the full wingspans and flight spans of birds and the ballet-like leaps of springbok.

You can feel the excitement as the long-horned Watusi cattle and zebra slowly inch their way toward the stopped tour bus filled with young couples, young families and senior citizens. This is precisely the moment for which they came to Safari Wilderness.

The more adventurous can opt to experience the safari by camelback ($150), accompanied by an animal keeper and a tour guide.

“Not only do you get the experience of riding a camel, but you also get the benefits of the guides telling you all the funny personalities of the animals. They’re very knowledgeable,” said Kathryn Bunting, of Orlando, who received the trip as a birthday present.

Safari Wilderness is the brainchild of Lex Salisbury, who co-owns it with Steve Wehrmann. Salisbury envisioned a game ranch where animals could roam free and interact with visitors, similar to San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, Calif.

“After seeing animals in big, open spaces in South Africa,” said Salisbury, “I thought, ‘Wow, I could do that in Florida.”

Safari Wilderness opened its doors in 2012, with a maximum capacity of 500 persons at a time.

“The idea is to put people close to animals,” said Salisbury. “The impact is you have a wilderness experience, with an expert guide telling you what you’re looking at.”

The employees’ passion is one of the big attractions to the ranch.

“Mr. B! We’re so happy to see you, Mr. B,” yells tour guide Kala Nelson as she greets one of the barasinghas.

You can imagine then the excited dialogue between guests and tour guides about the zedonk and donkra -- results of a zebra and donkey mating -- and the ostrich who refuses to move from in front of the bus.

The atmosphere obviously is relaxed. One tour starts a few minutes later to answer a guest’s question. There’s no timetable to how long guests take to feed animals. Animals are unpredictable, which makes it all the more fun.

“There’s no script. It’s real. If you want to stop and take pictures, you stop and take pictures,” Bunting said.

Many of the guests want the natural experience to continue and opt for a 20-minute camel ride when the safari ends, or an opportunity to hand-feed grapes to the very friendly lemurs, who will lick the grape juice off your hands if you let them.

Still in its infancy, Safari Wilderness has lots of potential for growth. Construction is under way to create islands to house more animals. Salisbury also mentioned offering horseback safaris and a fishing experience in the future.

“This is awesome,” said Linda Martin, who lives about 60 miles away in Winter Park and plans to bring her adopted grandson back to Safari Wilderness. “I’ve been to Animal Kingdom twice, we’ll definitely be back here again. I like the real nature feeling.”

When you go… Safari Wilderness Ranch Where : 10850 Moore Road, Lakeland. When : Tours available at 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Call : 813-382-2120 Web : safariwilderness.com

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STRATEGIC ALLIANCE PARTNERS

ATV SAFARI TOUR

Quick Details

• Users Ages: Ages 16+
• Clock Duration: 1.5 Hours
• Users Capacity: Groups of up to 5 guests.

Explore with a Safari ATV with Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland, FL!

Driving a safari ATV will give you a sense of freedom and exhilaration while viewing hundreds animals in natural herd configurations on vast landscapes. The tours are approximately one hour on the ATVs and an introductory walking tour of the animals and a finale that includes private feeding of Eland or waterbuck herd for your group from a customized safari vehicle.

Groups of up to five guests over 16 years of age will be able to join an ATV Safari led by an experienced naturalist guide through our 260 acre ranch. The ATVs are brand new olive colored Honda units powered by a quiet and fuel efficient four cycle engine, speed limited to under 15 mph. This allows us to comply with international safety specifications and to allow game viewing without alarming our animals.

• Chevron down ATV Safety Video

• Chevron down Reservation Information
• Reservations are required. No cancellations. All sales are final.
• Daily tour times at 9 AM, 1 PM, and 3 PM
• Gates open 30 minutes prior to tour times.
• Parking cost is $12 for vehicles and $15 for buses.
• Tours go out rain or shine.
• Questions? Call (813) 382-2120.

Optional Add-Ons

• Chevron down Feed Ring-Tailed Lemurs

You can enter the ring-tailed lemur habitat with a guide and hand feed grapes to a troop of playful prosimians. Ring-tailed lemurs are very polite. They will line up to gently touch your hand with theirs, carefully removing a grape from your fingers. They tilt their heads back, so as not to lose one drop of grape juice!

• Chevron down Premium Cheetah Encounter

Our cheetah encounter is for people who really love cheetahs. Our professional cheetah keepers will take you along in their daily animal care routine and you will see the animals up close. You will be helping us feed the cats and will the assume the role of an assistant zookeeper.

The customized experience lasts at least 30 minutes. This experience is not available for drive-thru safari goers. This activity is by special request and reservation only.

Related Activities

• Clock 1 Hour
• Users All Ages

Drive-Thru Safari Tour

Explore our 260 acre ranch from the comfort of your own vehicle! Explore our exotic animal reserve while maintaining social distancing. Get out in nature, relax, learn about, and interact with a variety magnificent wild animals in a safe environment. Optional add-ons available. Book online!

Our guides work rain or shine; tips are appreciated.

• Our best and most exciting tour!
• Clock 2.5 Hours

Custom Vehicle Safari Tour

Join us on Florida’s premier open air vehicle safari wilderness tour! Each of our customized safari trucks is equipped with stadium seating and a full-coverage canvas shade. Riders will have the opportunity to feed the animals from the Safari Truck. Optional add-ons available. Book online now!

• Clock 2 Hours
• Users Ages 5+

Kayak Safari Tour

Navigate through our freshwater areas by kayak and enjoy spectacular, up-close encounters with our wetland species such as common and Defassa waterbuck, red lechwe, and more! Optional add-ons available. Book online!

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Safari Wilderness – An African Safari in Florida!

An Africa Safari in Florida? Yes, really, and right in the heart of Central Florida. And, not a theme park imitation. An actual safari. Safari Wilderness is an authentic safari experience that enables you to ride through 260 acres of land where the animals roam free. Safari Wilderness is the only place in Central Florida where you can experience African animals in this setting. If an environment so realistic to home were not for the native species and Cyprus trees, you would have no idea you are in the middle of Central Florida .

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our  disclosure and privacy policy  for more information.

This is not a sponsored post but we were invited to visit Safari Wilderness.  All the opinions are those of Brit on the Move™. And, you know the deal. I will tell you the good, the bad and the ugly.

The History of Safari Wilderness

Opening to the public on March 1, 2012, Safari Wilderness is the brainchild of Lex Salisbury, who has over 35 years of experience with exotic animals. Lex worked in zoos worldwide and was the former President and CEO of Tampa ‘s Lowry Park Zoo. Having traveled the world and taken many trips to Africa , Lex wanted to bring the safari experience to those that may not have the opportunity to travel to Africa. Safari Wilderness is Lex’s second safari ranch. He also owns the sister ranch Giraffe Ranch in Dade City , Florida. What he’s created is magical.

The Location

Safari Wilderness is in Lakeland, which is in Central Florida . It sounds like an ordinary location; only it’s not. Safari Wilderness is in the heart of The Green Swamp . Totaling 110,000 acres or approximately 870 square miles.  The Green Swamp is the second-largest swamp in Florida after the Everglades. Spannings five counties: the Peace River’s headwater, Withlacoochee River, Ocklawaha River, and Hillsborough River. The swamp is home to many indigenous animals, birds, and reptiles you will encounter on your trip. You may see alligators, bobcats, raccoons, or a whole host of the 500 species in Florida.

Safari Wilderness is located at at:10850 Moore Rd. Lakeland, FL 33809

The Animals of Safari Wilderness

There are over 450 animals on-site from 50 different species. Many animals can’t be housed in traditional zoos because they live in large groups and require a lot of space to roam freely. Safari Wilderness is home to many exotic hoofstock species. For example, scimitar-horned oryx (a species that is extinct in the wild), defassa waterbuck, zebra, camels, ring-tailed and red-ruffed lemurs, red lechwe, nilgai, kudu, watusi, to name a few.

The Experiences at Safari Wilderness

There is more than one way to enjoy Safari Wilderness: a camelback and kayaking to the traditional safari vehicle. We opted for the Customized Vehicle Safari and have no regrets!

The Customized Vehicle Safari

The tour starts with you boarding a custom converted bus . The bus does have a canopy for shade, and it’s comfortable with lots of viewing space. After you have boarded the bus, your guide will give you a brief history of the place and explain the safety rules. From there, off you go on your wild adventure!

I want you to close your eyes for a moment.

Imagine arriving at a mysterious gate soon to open. You don’t know what’s behind the gate because you can’t see. Your heart starts beating. Someone in our group yelled, “Jurassic Park,” which is an accurate analogy of how it feels. Just on a tad smaller scale. As the anticipation builds, you enter and get your first glimpse of the pastures.

Lamas and an ostrich immediately meet you. You may have seen both up close, but these guys come right up to the vehicle. You can feed and pet them! This is not your ordinary safari experience. And, for the record, these are not domesticated animals. Instead, they have become accustomed to the tours and the treats in store.

Our tour guide, Art, lovingly referred to the female ostrich as “Mama” because she’s the mother of the two brothers running around across the other side of the pasture. You’ll meet her kids in person later. Mama is a sassy and pushy young lady! She followed us all over the tour, insisting on more treats. She’s quite the character, running behind the vehicle to the next stop knowing there are treats. Mama does nip, but it’s nothing to fuss about, as confirmed by one of the guests who had the privilege.

Meet Mama – The Unofficial Tour Guide of the Day

Then there are these guys, the llama everywhere, including border control. Yep is a run where various animals roam to keep things in order between the double-wide fence. The llamas are comical. Almost all of them need dental work! That’s a joke, but they do have ugly crooked teeth!

As you proceed further into the tour, you encounter various animals like the eland, red lechwe, sitatunga, waterbuck, balasingham, axis deer, fallow deer, nilgai, and more; unique and endangered species in large herds!

Defassa Waterbuck

The defassa is a large waterbuck with a brown-gray coat that emits an oily secretion from its sweat glands, which acts as a water repellent. Native to Africa south of the Sahara, they usually live in herds near water. Males of all species have long, heavily ridged horns that curve backward and upward.

Watusi Cattle

This is not an ordinary cow, nor is it an American LongHorn. Another African native is well-known for their larger-than-life, upturned horns, which can each reach up to 5 ft in length. Watusi has many patterns and may be solid or spotted in color.

Grant’s Zebra

There are dozens of zebras running through the pastures in herds. We got to meet this little fellow who was only a day old:

The zebras are fertile! There has been almost a baby a month this year, and one of the females was heavily pregnant, expecting an October baby.

Did you know that baby zebras can walk within ten minutes of birth? They must be able to walk so that they can move with the heard. If not, they risk abandonment.

What You Need To Enjoy A Safari

Water buffalo.

Before this experience, if you had told me that water buffalo are adorable, I would have raised an eyebrow. Having got up close and personal with them, I found them endearing and cute. Sure, they are a few thousand pounds of force, but Kelly from Visit Central Florida said it best. The buffalo come running up to the vehicle like kids to an ice cream truck. They are not aggressive; they drool all over you as you give them treats, and they enjoy petting. You should know cute as slobbery as they are; their hair feels like a thistle brush mat – it’s not soft or fluffy.

Meeting the water buffalo was the highlight of the tour for me. They have so much personality, and it was such an unusual experience. I wonder if my new neighbors will mind if I get a pet water buffalo?

Mama’s Mate and Kids

Mama’s mate did come up and say hello, but he was nowhere near as interested in us as his partner. Size-wise, they are similar; the only real physical difference is color. Personality-wise, it’s apparent that Mama is the boss.  Well, the kids of these two are a whole different story. Much like any kids, they are naughty, full of energy, and tried very skillfully to escape as we left. The two juveniles had us all in stitches as they crept up behind us as we began to move. They were kept away with treats!

Here is Mama with her other half approaching:

Here is one of Mama’sboys hanging with the zebras:

We saw many other species during our safari. The ones above are just a few that stood out or that we interacted with. Here are some photos of the other species you will run into:

Camel Expedition

You probably think of the Middle East or Africa when you think of riding a camel. I’ve been lucky enough to experience this in several locations, most recently in Dubai . I never for one minute thought someone could experience this in my backyard. And, until now, I did not know there was such a thing as a camel ride in Florida – much less a camel safari.

Safari Wilderness developed the only full-on camel backed game-viewing safari outside of Africa.

Can you imagine touring 260 acres of wilderness on the back of a camel? Having ridden them, I can’t because it takes some getting used to riding them, but this should not dissuade you. If camel riding is on your bucket list , book the camel safari.

Image courtesy of Safari Wilderness

If you want to do both the customized vehicle safari and ride a camel, you can choose to do a mini camel trek. Wilderness Safari has both dromedary (one hump) and Bactrian (two humps) camels.

Even if you don’t ride the camels, you will get to meet them at the end of your tour and pet them. They are pretty friendly and enjoy the attention.

Drive Through Safari

As we all know, most businesses need to adapt to the Pandemic . Safari Wilderness is no different. Given social distancing requirements, they now offer a drive-through safari! Drive through the 260-acre ranch from the comfort of your vehicle.

These tours are conducted through reservation only and will last approximately one hour. Visitors will be experiencing and viewing the exotic animal reserve while maintaining social distancing. 

The best part? This tour is $125 per car. So it’s an affordable way for you to do the tour!

A new offering is the guided all-terrain vehicle (ATV) safari! Groups of up to 5 guests over 16 years of age will be able to join an ATV Safari led by an experienced naturalist guide through the ranch.

On this safari, you will get a sense of freedom and exhilaration while viewing hundreds of animals in natural herd configurations on vast landscapes. The tours are approximately 1 hour on the ATVs and an introductory walking tour of the animals. A finale includes private feeding of eland or waterbuck herd for your group from a customized safari vehicle.

Kayak Safari

If you are in the mood for some light exercise while also getting your safari on, kayaking might be for you. You will kayak through the ranch only via the waterways like the vehicle drive. Like the camel safari, this is a unique perspective that is adventurous and educational!

Midway through your kayak safari, you will navigate to the lemur island, where you’ll hand-feed grapes to two different species of lemurs. This experience lasts about an hour and a half.

After all the safaris, you’ll tour the smaller animals on sites such as the lemurs, the giant tortoise, or the coatis. From here, it’s off to meet the camels.

Host an Event at Safari Wilderness

Safari Wilderness is perfect for any occasion, from weddings, birthdays, showers, and business events. The venues can host any event you can imagine. There is ample space to accommodate any group, but there are also a couple of sites to choose from, and all have stunning views!

The Safari Lodge

An elegant 13,000 square foot Safari Lodge. The lodge has a soaring 226’ceiling, large picture windows, and looks over herds of African antelope, including scimitar-horned oryx, a species extinct in the wild. The lodge is heated and air-conditioned, with a verandah surrounding the lodge and a large open, covered area. Don’t be fooled by this photograph. The lodge is not dressed here as no events are in progress. Pay attention to the dramatic size of the rustic charm, and imagine the potential.

Whenever I see a well-done barn or lodge, I immediately think of weddings. Even if you are a city sleeker, there is something eternality romantic about barns and lodges alike.

The Treehouse

For a more dramatic setting, ask about the elevated Treehouse , which provides a 360-degree treetop panoramic view of the wildlife. The Treehouse overlooks a gorgeous lake and landscape with roaming herds. It is located in the center of the reserve and enclosed gardens.

The Verandah

The Verandah is located on the north end of the Safari Lodge. A 1,500 square foot, covered, open-sided facility with concrete floors and its equipped with picnic tables. The Verandah has a direct view of the African veldt, and antelope/lemur island, along with a vast walkthrough aviary and lemur habitat.

Stay On-Site At Safari Wilderness

Over the years, guests have asked Safari Wilderness if they could spend the night. Now they finally can! Safari Wilderness glamping tents opened on December 15, 2021. You can read all about what it’s like to stay overnight with the animals in a traditional African tent here:

Glamping In Florida At Safari Wilderness

What You Need to Know

• Kids are more than welcome to join. Be sure to check the age requirements based on the safari you select. There are some age restrictions for some activities.
• Tours go out, rain or shine. If a trip is available and you book it, you’re going out no matter what. Well, except for a hurricane!
• Reservations are required; you cannot just show up, period, so plan and reserve.
• You will need good sunscreen regardless of the tour option you select. There is no shade on the pasture. The ssafari’s customized vehicle has a canopy, but the sun will still reach you.
• Tours last approximately two hours but vary based on which one you choose.
• You can add on several experiences, such as feeding the lamas or guinea pigs.
• There is a gift store on site that is full of memorabilia. The gift shop also sells sunscreen and water. You need both, so get them here if you forget to bring yours.
• Be aware that there are no bathrooms once you’ve left the main lodge. The staff on-site will remind you but know you’ve got at least a two-hour ride ahead of you before you’ll get the chance to go again.
• Pricing depends on which activities you decide to do. Check with Visit Central Florida for deals and packages.
• Due to county restrictions, there are no signs to guide you to the location. Make sure your GPS is up and running before you get into the swamp, as cell service was one bar at best.
• A nominal fee is required to park on-site.
• The staff love and care for these animals; it’s apparent in how they treat them.
• No animals were cohered into interacting with visitors. Likewise, the animals are not relying on a tour for food.

Closing Thoughts

A common thought in the travel community is to explore your own backyard before exploring others. I’m a firm believer in this concept and enjoy all that Florida offers. What amazed me about this experience is how rare and unique the experience is. Further, I’m still scratching my head about why we have not stumbled across this wonderland before now.

Safari Wilderness Ranch is not a theme park experience. It is not a zoo, nor is it packed with the typical lines we expect from Floridan attractions. A visit here gets you up close and personal with the exotic game that runs wild. This is your opportunity to interact with the game that you otherwise would not have the chance to. This is an experience that guarantees you’ll see and meet the residents in person.

Safari Wilderness is a Florida agri-tourism project accredited by the Zoological Association of America (ZAA) and licensed by the USDA.

Last and not least. Thank you to Kelly from Visit Central Florida for introducing us to this fantastic experience. And, a massive thank you to Safari Wilderness for hosting us. Art, thank you for sharing all of your stories and humor with us. We enjoyed our time with you and thoroughly enjoyed meeting your furry, wooly, hairy, and feathered friends.

Looking for more posts on Central Florida? Start here:

• Bartow Florida – A Sleepy Town Making a Comeback
• Lakeridge Winery – Florida
• Streamsong Resort – Why You Need to Stay and Play

We participate in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to pay us fees for linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites.

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Deals for humans

Florida resident deals, military, first responder, and teacher deals.

(Four-person max, discount can be redeemed by booking over the phone or being refunded with proof of membership upon check-in. Combos and Half-Day Adventures are excluded.)

FHIA (Florida Hospitality industry association) DEALS

(Three person max)

AAA, TRAVEL AGENTS, SENIOR DEALS

(Discount can be redeemed by booking over the phone or being refunded with proof of membership upon check-in.)

THINGS TO DO

drive-thru safari park

Some road trips take you across the country, but ours will take you across continents., your safari adventure will be the wildest car ride yet..

Travel down gravel paths within our Drive-thru Safari Park and discover more than 150 native and exotic animals roaming freely. During your journey, you’ll have the opportunity to observe a variety of animals often only found around the world. Enjoy identifying species from as far away as the African savanna to others from the deciduous forests of North America, all from the comfort of your own car. (*Please note that your vehicle must have a top and that vehicles like convertibles or motorcycles are not allowed through the Drive-thru Safari.) ‍ Expanding across 170 acres of untouched scenic landscapes, our wildlife and safari park presents a unique opportunity to bring you up close and personal with wild animals such as giraffes, zebra, eland antelope, scimitar oryx, American bison, mouflon sheep, and more! As you travel down our four-mile “unbeaten path,” you and your family can enjoy an exploration just feet away from animals you normally only see on TV.

FUN TO BE HAD BEYOND YOUR DRIVE-THRU SAFARI.

The fun you’ll have isn’t confined to your car. Take your adventure to new heights and feed giraffes on our elevated giraffe feeding platform. (Talk about the perfect Facebook profile picture!) ‍ After you’ve had your “four-wheel-fun” inside our drive-through animal park, stretch those legs inside our Gator Park. Admission to our Gator Park is included in the price of our Drive-thru Safari Park tickets and allows your family to view more than 200 additional animals, as well as enjoy a variety of educational animal shows. Our drive-thru safari park is just a short drive from Orlando’s biggest attractions. Enjoy the scenic views of Florida’s natural beauty from the comfort of your car. It’s the perfect family-friendly activity for animal lovers of all ages.

know before you go

(All items served with your choice of 2 sides)

Chomp House Burger - Your choice of toppings

Chicken Tenders - Your choice of sauce

All Beef Hot Dog

The Wild One - 1/2 lb burger, pork, bacon, cheese & BBQ sauce

Pulled Pork Sandwich - Tender pulled BBQ pork on a bun

Philly Cheese Steak - Sliced sirloin, grilled onions & peppers and white American cheese

Grilled Chicken Sandwich - Your choice of toppings

Ham or Turkey Wrap - Soft wrap with lettuce, onion, tomato

Vegetarian Options:

(All items served with your choice of 1 side)

House Salad - Toppings cheese, tomato, cucumbers, croutons, *Add chicken

Veggie Burger - Blackbean patty with your choice of toppings

Platter Options:

(All items served with your choice of 2 sides & a piece of garlic toast)

Gator Platter - Fried gator nuggets served with aioli

Catfish Platter - Fried catfish fillets served with aioli

Swamp Platter - Fried catfish and gator served with aioli

Florida Platter - Fried gator, grouper, and shrimp served with aioli

Kids Menu Items:

(All items served with your choice of 1 side, 1 cookie, and 1 small drink)

2 Pulled Pork Sliders

Chicken Tenders

2 Beef Sliders

Baked Beans

Mac 'n' Cheese

French Fries

Premium Sides:

Onion Rings

Cheese Curds

Fried Pickle Chips

Coffee, Hot Tea, Hot Cocoa

*Ask about our daily chef specials

Family-Friendly Activities at Our Wildlife Park

Feed and learn more about baby animals at our petting zoo. Kids will love exploring our covered playground. Bird lovers will enjoy our Hawk Swamp, where owls often roost in the cypress tree-covered boardwalk.

Fun Facts About Our Drive-thru Safari

• We have more than 150 exotic animals and native wildlife
• You’ll see 170 acres of untouched, scenic landscapes
• You can drive your own car down a four-mile unbeaten path

Airboat Tour Times and Best Times to Ride

Our first airboat tour leaves at 9:00 a.m. and our last airboat tour leaves at 4:30 p.m. In the summer months, the best time to book your airboat tour is at 9:00 a.m. During winter, 12:00 p.m. is an ideal time to ride.

Gator Park and Airboat Tours

Continue your adventure at our Gator Park before or after your airboat ride. You can hold a baby alligator or experience any of our animal encounters. Admission is included with each airboat tour. Make sure you visit our gift shop to pick up your souvenirs.

Reservation Availability

We are available to make reservations Monday through Saturday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. The park is open Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Admission to Gator Park

Any Drive-thru Safari park ticket (regardless of a Florida resident status) includes admission to the Gator Park.

Directions to Wild Florida coming from Disney:

• Go east on U.S. Highway 192 for about 20 miles to Saint Cloud.
• Take a Right on Vermont Avenue heading south for 12 miles. Vermont will become Canoe Creek Rd after a few miles.
• Turn Right on Lake Cypress Road heading west for 2 miles.

            OR

• Go east on Osceola Parkway to the Florida’s Turnpike and go south (right).
• Take the Turnpike to the next exit, #244 (Kissimmee-St. Cloud), for St. Cloud, and turn east on U.S. Highway 192 (left). Exit #240 is a SunPass Only exit and does not accept cash or credit cards.
• Stay on U.S. Highway 192 for 5 miles and turn south (right) on Vermont Avenue for 12 miles. Vermont will become Canoe Creek Road after a few miles.
• Turn right on Lake Cypress Road heading west for 2 miles.

Directions to Wild Florida coming from Orlando:

• Go South on the Florida Turnpike to exit #244 (Kissimmee-St. Cloud) for St. Cloud, and turn east on U.S. Highway 192 (left). Exit #240 is a SunPass Only exit and does not accept cash or credit cards.
• Stay on U.S. Highway 192 for 5 miles and go south (right) on Vermont Avenue for 12 miles.
• Vermont will become Canoe Creek Road after a few miles.

Directions to Wild Florida coming from Melbourne:

• Go west on U.S. Highway 192 for approximately 40 miles to Saint Cloud.
• Take a left on Vermont Avenue heading south for 12 miles. Vermont will become Canoe Creek Road after a few miles.

To ensure a hassle-free trip to and from Wild Florida, consider scheduling your ride with Uber. Using the Uber app, you can book your transportation in advance, allowing you to enjoy your visit without worrying about parking or navigating. This convenient option provides a reliable and stress-free way to manage your travel plans, making your experience at Wild Florida even more enjoyable.

Come early!

Our park opens at 9:00 a.m. and there’s a lot to see. When traveling with a group, we recommend arriving early so you can experience everything our gator park, drive-thru safari, animal shows and encounters have to offer.

Book your excursions ahead of time

Make your travel experience a good one by planning ahead! You can purchase tickets for each of our attractions online, in-person, or by phone prior to your arrival.

Plan meal times and regroup

Lunch is a great time to rest, refuel, and regroup. You can bring in your own picnic baskets or savor some of the best barbecue and food the swamp has to offer from the Chomp House Grill. Wash it down with our Swamp Slushy – a frozen blend of mango, orange and passion fruit and you’ve got what we like to call a well-balanced meal.

Savor the delight of a refreshing Wild Florida icy slushie or indulge in the creamy goodness of an ice cream cone.

What to Do After Visiting Our Gator Park

More adventure awaits! Once you’ve taken in all of the sights, sounds, and wildlife encounters at our alligator park, take a ride on one of our airboat tours. Our world-famous airboat rides take you through the Headwaters of the Everglades, giving you an unforgettably close encounter of Florida’s native wildlife.

If you’re hungry, check out the Chomp House Grill and fill up on anything from catfish and burgers, to fresh salads and veggies.

When you’re ready to head home, don’t forget to stop by our gift shop. You might even spot a baby alligator on your way out.

What to Do After Your Wild Drive

Take your adventure to new heights. Stop and hand feed giraffes on our elevated giraffe feeding platform. This activity is family-friendly and a guest favorite.

Admission to our Gator Park is included in the price of our Drive-thru Safari Park tickets . Your family will find more than 200 additional animals, as well as enjoy a variety of educational animal shows.

Safety Precautions

Safety at Wild Florida is our number one priority, and we are committed to the health, safety and well-being of our guests, staff and animals. No job is so important and no service is so urgent that we cannot take time to perform our work safely to prevent accidents or injuries to our guests and animals. Here are a few safety points and plans for our guests and animals.

We provide life jackets and ear protection for all guests. Children five and under are required to wear a life jacket. For guests six years old and over, life jackets are available along with ear protection, but they are not required.

• Wild Florida has a stellar reputation when it comes to our airboat tours. Our vessels are U.S. Coast Guard approved and inspected on an annual basis. On the vessels are life preservers for each guest, fire extinguishers, a flare gun and a throw ring if necessary.
• In case of an emergency, we have an accident plan.
• We have an incident report if needed.
• Our loading dock is ADA Compliant.
• There is always a way to communicate to home base and/or 911 anywhere on site or while out on an airboat tour.

Airboat Operations

• One of the many things that sets Wild Florida apart from other competitors is our beautiful Gator Park. You can get up close and personal with many different animals including alligators, zebras and exotic birds. Our park is inspected and approved by Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) , United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) , and Florida Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) , which makes it a safe and enjoyable experience.
• In case of a snake bite, we have a snake bite protocol.
• Our animals are checked regularly by a veterinarian.
• We have a veterinarian on call at all times.
• We have an accident plan for emergencies.

See a side of Florida you won’t see at the parks. Experience untouched landscapes and acres of wildlife. Whether you’re an adventure travel enthusiast, a group of avid bird watches, or a family on their dream vacation, you’ll leave with unforgettable memories at Wild Florida.

At Wild Florida, we have an on-site restaurant where you can dine during your visit. If you’re curious to try a taste of the swamp, stop by the Chomp House Grill. Whether cooling off with our signature Swamp Slushy or chowing down on some of the best barbecue around, a visit to Wild Florida isn’t complete until you’ve had a treat from our restaurant.

Whether you are an adventurous carnivore who wants to try our Swamp Platter featuring gator and catfish or you enjoy lighter fare like salads and fresh veggies, the Chomp House Grill has something to please every palate. Can’t find anything on the menu to your liking? Talk to our Executive Chef, and she can whip something up for you.

Enjoy our great food in a rocking chair on our patio, in the air-conditioned comfort of the Cypress Ballroom or in our shaded Gator Pavillion along the shore of Lake Cypress.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is your Gator Park located?

Our gator and wildlife park is near many of Central Florida’s most popular attractions. Most attractions are less than 1-hour away from us.

Can we feed the alligators?

If you’re looking to get even closer to our alligators, book one of our Gator Feeding Encounters.

How much are tickets for the Gator Park?

Tickets to our Gator Park are $15 for adults and $12 for children. Florida residents enjoy $8 admission for adults, and $6 admission for children.

Can you book an animal encounter with any animal?

We have a selection of animal encounters that you can choose from. You can get up close to albino gators, sloths, giraffes, reptiles and more.

Do I get admission to the Gator Park with purchase of a Drive-thru Safari Park?

Yes, any Drive-thru Safari park ticket (regardless of a Florida resident status) includes admission to the Gator Park.

Do I need my own car for the Safari?

Yes, you will need your own car for the Drive-thru Safari Park.

How much does the drive-thru safari cost?

For out-of-state visitors, each ticket is $34 for adults, and $24 per child. Florida residents can purchase tickets for $24 per adult and $19 per child.

Does the drive-thru safari include a guided tour?

Our drive-thru safari is self-guided and you’re able to drive at your own pace.

Can you feed the animals?

While you can’t find the animals on the drive-thru safari trail, you are able to hand feed giraffes on our elevated feeding platform. We encourage you to visit after your drive.

Are you nearby Central Florida attractions?

Wild Florida’s drive-thru safari is near many of Central Florida’s popular attractions, with most local attractions being a 30-minute to 1-hour drive away.

Are all of the wild animals from Florida?

You’ll find both exotic animals and native florida species on your drive-thru safari adventure.

What time does the park open?

The gates to our drive-thru safari will open at 9 a.m. and close at 6 p.m. with the last car allowed in at 5 p.m., Monday through Saturday.

What else is included in my drive-thru safari park ticket?

Admission to our Gator Park is included with each drive-thru safari park ticket. At our Gator Park, you can find even more exotic animals and you can even participate in one of our animal encounters.

Do you offer small group tours?

Our group rate is available to groups of at least 10 people.

Do you provide guided tours?

If you are interested in a guided tour, consider booking a VIP Safari Tour . There are also plenty of opportunities to learn from our wildlife specialists in our Gator Park. Attend one of our exotic animal shows to learn about exotic and native Florida animals.

How do I book a group tour?

Please contact us by filling out the form on this page to begin booking your group trip.

What amenities do group tours include?

Large groups can take advantage of several spaces throughout Wild Florida. Your group can have access to our 2,200-square-foot, air-conditioned Cypress Ballroom, 1,500-square-foot Gator Pavilion overlooking Lake Cypress or a collection of picnic tables on the shore of the lake.

Wild Florida offers group tours near Central Florida’s most popular attractions and we often meet visitors from all over the world who are visiting Florida on holiday or on business trips. You’ll find that we are just minutes away from Orlando’s popular resorts and parks.

Drive to your adventure

Book now to experience a journey through the wild side.

Additional Activities

GIRAFFE PAINTING EXPERIENCE

$145 Per Person – Suitable for all ages.

VIP SAFARI TOUR

$175 Per Person –   Ages 12 and up. Limited to 4 guests per booking.

FLORIDA RESIDENT DRIVE-THRU SAFARI PARK

Florida Residents – $24 per Adult / $19 per Child – Ages 13 and up are adults. Valid Florida ID required at check-in.

Similar Articles

Jun 14, 2021, our drive-thru safari is expanding with more animals and adventure, mar 27, 2023, get close to a florida gator when you visit our drive-thru safari park, jan 15, 2020, 9 exotic animals you can see in our drive-thru safari park, half-hour airboat tour.

Must check in 45 mins prior to tour departure time.

Reservations are required. Photos not included.

*Any Drive-thru Safari park ticket (regardless of a Florida resident status) includes admission to the Gator Park.

Florida Resident One-Hour Airboat Tour

Reservations are required. Proof of Florida residency required upon check-in.

One-Hour Airboat Tour

One-hour private tour, one-hour private evening airboat tour, drive-thru safari park.

Last entry is at 5:00 pm. Admission to our Gator Park is included in the price of our Drive-thru Safari Park.

‍ Last entry is at 5:00 pm. Admission to our Gator Park is included in the price of our Drive-thru Safari Park.

VIP Safari Tour

Start with an interactive experience feeding Wild Florida's tallest residents, Walter and Leroy. Afterward, you'll experience a 60-75 minute Drive-thru Safari tour, followed by a visit to our Gator Park to meet our ambassador alligator, Fluffy, and feed the alligators in our Gator Pond before concluding your journey with lunch and a signature slushy at our Chomp House Grill.

Reservations are required. Admission to the Drive-thru Safari and Gator Park is included. Your booking will be rescheduled for another date if you are late. Larger parties can be accommodated, call our Reservations Department for more information.

* All programs involving live animals are subject to change due to weather, availability, or unforeseen circumstances. Thank you for understanding.

Giraffe painting experience

During this encounter, you’ll be provided a blank canvas to paint with one of our giraffes on our giraffe feeding platform. You’ll also be given giraffe feed to further engagement by touching and feeding our giraffes while contributing to the Giraffe Conservation Foundation through a portion of your ticket price in this exclusive, limited, three-guest per encounter time.

Reservations are required. Admission to the Drive-thru Safari and Gator Park is included. Your booking will be rescheduled for another date if you are late. ‍

Customer Reviews

Things to do, buy tickets.

Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland offers close encounter with lemurs

LAKELAND, Fla. - They come from the Island of Madagascar, but this endangered primate can also be found on islands right here in Polk County.

Safari Wilderness Ranch has its own lemurs.

"We have lots of lemurs in social groups, troops they're called," shared Lex Salisbury, the owner of the ranch. "They live in these female-dominated societies, and we have them out on islands which are good ways of containing them. They live in the trees."

READ: The Lizard Lounge in Tarpon Springs is home for invasive species

Visitors can see the lemurs as a part of the different tours of the ranch, but there is also a chance to have an up-close encounter with some of these special souls.

"Lemurs are primates like we are, and they're from Madagascar," shared Salisbury. "They're very polite, we have a very safe education experience where you can feed lemurs."

The interactive experience with the lemurs allows visitors to approach, feed and interact with the playful primates in person.

READ: Immersive art experience in St. Petersburg is now called FloridaRAMA

"They have hands like we do," said Salisbury. "They're very interesting and very beautiful."

You can learn more about the lemurs in person on a visit to the venue.

Safari Wilderness Ranch is located at 10850 Moore Road in Lakeland .

To learn more about the ranch and how to book your own visit, click here .

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