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USA TODAY 10Best
Where the wild things roam: 10 best safari parks in the US
Best Safari Park (2024) March 13, 2024
Safari and wildlife parks allow visitors to get up close and personal with some of the world's most rare and endangered animals. And the most outstanding safari parks — like these 10 that have been selected by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the country — aim to educate visitors about the animals and the threats their natural populations face, as well as encourage conservation efforts.
No. 10: B. Bryan Preserve - Point Arena, California
The B. Bryan Preserve on California's Mendocino Coast has a mission to breed and preserve African hoofstock. Visitors to this Point Arena wildlife park have the opportunity to observe rare and endangered animals, including antelope, zebra, kudu, and giraffe in large, open fields similar to their natural habitats. Available by reservation only, car safaris and guided tours give visitors an up-close view of each species.
No. 9: Keystone Safari - Grove City, Pennsylvania
Keystone Safari, an interactive zoo and adventure park in Grove City, Pennsylvania, is devoted to protecting wildlife, including rare and endangered animals. The 144-acre park has both walk-thru and open-area drive-thru sections where visitors can view animals, including guanacos, donkeys, ponies, Highland cattle, emu, zebras, deer, yak, turkeys, and more.
No. 8: Bearizona Wildlife Park - Williams, Arizona
Visitors to Bearizona, situated on 160 acres of land near the town of Williams, drive through more than 3 miles of ponderosa pine forest on a safari to see North American animals in natural habitats. After the driving portion of the park, guests can head on foot through Fort Bearizona, where winding walkways lead past smaller animals on exhibit. Guests can interact with animals in the Bearizona Barnyard petting zoo or learn more about the animals on display during daily keeper chats.
No. 7: Lion Country Safari - Loxahatchee, Florida
Palm Beach may be far away from the wilds of Africa, but it’s also home to Florida’s largest drive-through safari, the AZA-accredited Lion Country Safari. Established in 1967, this safari park invites visitors to observe and interact with nearly 1,000 animals divided between seven sections. Guests might spot storks, wildebeest, and impalas on the Serengeti Plains, observe a pride of lions in Gorongosa Reserve, or see giraffes and endangered rhinos in Hwange National Park.
No. 6: The Wilds - Cumberland, Ohio
An AZA-accredited branch of the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium, The Wilds helps visitors gain a fresh perspective on endangered species through a series of immersive experiences within the nearly-10,000-acre park. Rare and endangered animals from around the globe — particularly Africa and Asia — live in open-range habitats that visitors can explore via open-air safari vehicle.
No. 5: Safari West - Santa Rosa, California
A bit of Africa in the heart of California’s wine country, Safari West welcomes guests to the "Sonoma Serengeti," where a 3-hour riding and walking adventure takes them through the 400-acre preserve. Giraffes, zebras, oryx, gazelles, antelopes, buffalo, wildebeest, and many other species number among nearly 900 animals that call the park home. For an even more in-depth safari experience, visitors can choose to stay the night in a luxurious safari tent and fall asleep to the sounds of nocturnal animals.
No. 4: San Diego Zoo Safari Park - Escondido, California
At the AZA-accredited San Diego Zoo Safari Park, visitors can observe rhinos with their young, watch an elephant herd splash through a pond, or see lions basking in the sun. A tram transports guests through the 1,800 African-themed acres that more than 300 species call home.
No. 3: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - Glen Rose, Texas
Open to the public since 1984, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center's key mission is to protect and grow the populations of indigenous and exotic endangered and threatened species through captive breeding programs. During their visit, people of all ages can drive along the 7.2-mile Gosdin Scenic Drive to admire these animals in natural settings. Animal species include emus, zebras, rhinoceros, giraffes, and more. At the Children's Animal Center, you can also see tortoises, goats, and macaws.
No. 2: Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge - Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Dedicated to providing a safe haven for abused, abandoned, and neglected big cats, Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge is a 459-acre sanctuary located in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. Visitors can view over 100 animals, including lions, tigers, leopards, and bears. Regular admission includes an hour-long tour on their open-air tram and a self-guided Discovery Area. Other experiences offered include behind-the-scenes tours, curator talks, and virtual tours.
No. 1: Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park - Ashland, Nebraska
An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park invites visitors to drive along a 4-mile route through habitats populated by native North American plant and animal species, including American elk, bison, waterfowl, and white-tailed deer. At Wolf Canyon, guests can hop out of the car to see grey wolves and American black bears or walk through the half-acre Eagle Aviary.
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This Magical Drive-Thru Safari Park In Ohio Is An Unforgettable Adventure With Gentle African Animals
By: Author Jasper Miller
Posted on July 17, 2024
Ever dreamed of a place where you can experience the magic of an African safari without leaving the heartland of America?
Well, buckle up and get ready for an adventure at African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio .
This one-of-a-kind destination offers a unique drive-thru safari experience that will leave you and your family grinning from ear to ear.
Imagine winding through the park as gentle giraffes, curious zebras, and majestic bison saunter up to your car, eager for a snack and a friendly hello.
Intrigued yet?
Beginning your journey at the African Safari Wildlife Park feels like stepping into a world where the African savannah meets Midwestern charm.
As soon as you drive through the gates, you’re greeted by a landscape teeming with life.
Rolling down your windows, the smells and sounds of the park envelop you, creating an immersive experience that transports you far away from the usual hustle and bustle.
Each turn of the path brings a new surprise, whether it’s the sight of a towering giraffe stretching its neck to munch on leaves or a charismatic alpaca trotting over to investigate your vehicle.
Feeding the animals is the cherry on top of this wild adventure.
For a small fee, you get a cup of feed that feels like a golden ticket to a furry wonderland.
The animals are absolute charmers!
Their gentle approach will make you feel like you’re part of an exclusive club, where everyone has a soft spot for snacks.
You might find yourself giggling as a bison, with its massive head, gingerly nudges your car window, all for a little treat.
It’s an experience teetering between sheer excitement and heart-melting cuteness.
Beyond the thrilling drive-thru safari, the park has even more to offer!
Stretch your legs in the walk-through safari area where you can get up close and personal with some of the park’s most charming residents.
Picture yourself strolling alongside kangaroos and a rainbow of birds that look like they flew straight out of a fairy tale.
It’s like stepping into another world, but without the jet lag.
Next, we’ve got the petting zoo – the ultimate paradise for younger visitors (and let’s be honest, it’s a blast for adults too).
Here, friendly goats and sheep are practically waiting with open hooves for a good scratch behind the ears.
It’s impossible not to fall in love with their adorable antics.
Pro tip: bring your camera.
This place is an Instagram goldmine.
You’ll want to capture every smile, every laugh, and every “aww” moment.
The park also boasts a variety of seasonal events and activities.
During the warmer months, guests can enjoy live educational shows featuring some of the park’s most fascinating inhabitants.
Learn more about the animals’ natural behaviors, habitats, and conservation efforts, while getting up close and personal with creatures like reptiles, birds of prey, and more.
Halloween brings a spooky twist with the Safari Boo event, where kids can trick-or-treat through the park in costume, enjoying themed decorations and activities.
Related: Places to Visit in Ohio
Related: Kid-Friendly Activities in Ohio
Related: Famous Attractions in Ohio
Food and refreshments are available on-site, making it easy to spend an entire day exploring the park.
Grab a bite to eat at the Safari Grill, which offers a selection of burgers, hot dogs, and other casual fare.
There are picnic areas available as well, perfect for those who prefer to bring their own snacks and enjoy a leisurely meal surrounded by nature.
Be sure to check out the gift shop before you leave, where you can pick up a memento of your visit or a souvenir for a loved one.
The staff at African Safari Wildlife Park are dedicated to ensuring that every visitor has a memorable experience.
Friendly and knowledgeable, they’re always on hand to answer questions, provide information about the animals, and ensure that the park runs smoothly.
Their passion for wildlife and conservation shines through in everything they do, making the park not just a fun destination, but an educational one as well.
Accessibility is another key feature of the park.
Whether you’re traveling with young children, elderly family members, or individuals with mobility challenges, the drive-thru format allows everyone to enjoy the safari experience comfortably.
The walk-through areas are also designed to be easily navigable, with well-maintained paths and plenty of benches for resting.
Planning your visit to African Safari Wildlife Park is a breeze.
The park is conveniently located in Port Clinton, making it an easy day trip from major cities like Cleveland and Toledo .
Ample parking is available, and ticket prices are reasonable, especially considering the range of experiences on offer.
It’s advisable to check the park’s website or Facebook page for the latest information on hours of operation, special events, and any seasonal promotions that might be available.
For those looking to make the most of their visit, purchasing tickets online in advance can save time and ensure a smooth arrival.
As you make your way through the park, the sense of wonder and excitement never wanes.
Each encounter with the animals feels like a new discovery, and their individual personalities shine through in their interactions with visitors.
From the playful antics of the goats in the petting zoo to the regal grace of the giraffes, every moment spent at African Safari Wildlife Park is a reminder of the beauty and diversity of the animal kingdom.
Reflecting on the experience, it’s clear why African Safari Wildlife Park holds a special place in the hearts of so many visitors.
The chance to connect with animals in such an intimate and personal way is a rare gift, and the park’s commitment to conservation and education adds an extra layer of meaning to the adventure.
Whether you’re a seasoned safari-goer or new to the world of wildlife parks, this destination promises an unforgettable journey that will leave you with stories to share and memories to cherish.
If you’re ready to embark on this wild adventure yourself, visit the African Safari Wildlife Park’s website or Facebook page for more information.
Use this map to plan your route and ensure you don’t miss a single moment of the fun.
Where : 267 S Lightner Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452
Doesn’t an adventure to the African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio sound like the perfect way to create unforgettable memories?
Savvy Travel Advice
The Wilds Animal Park: An African Safari Experience in Ohio
Last updated: December 4, 2021 - Written by Jessica Norah 22 Comments
The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America, set on about 10,000 acres of land in Southeast Ohio. The Wilds safari park is home to a number of rare and endangered animals from around the world, including cheetah, rhinos, camels, antelope, zebra, and giraffes, as well as a number of local native species.
Visitors can not only do regular bus safaris to see the animals, but The Wilds in Ohio also offers horseback safaris, fishing safaris, ziplining, a butterfly habitat, education programs, summer camps, and overnight lodging. This non-profit open-habitat safari park is a pretty amazing place given that this is reclaimed land which was strip mined for coal from the 1940’s to the 1980’s, which destroyed most of the natural wildlife and resources in this area.
If you are in Ohio, this is definitely a place to consider adding to your itinerary. We’ll give you all the information you need to plan a trip here and tell you about our own experience visiting The Wilds animal park.
Table of Contents:
Basic Information for Visiting The Wilds in Ohio
Here is all the info you need to start planning your trip to The Wilds in Ohio.
What is the Address of The Wilds?
14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio 43732
How to Get to The Wilds Ohio?
The Wilds is located outside the small town of Cumberland, Ohio and the best way to get here is by car. I could not find any public transportation options but you could of course book a taxi or Uber if needed.
It is approximately 75 miles (1.5 to 2 hour drive) from Columbus, OH, 20 miles (35 minute drive) from Zanesville, OH, and 140 miles (2.5 hours) from Cleveland, Ohio. You can find directions online provided by The Wilds depending on your location. Note that there is a $6.00 parking fee to park at The Wilds unless you are a member.
When is the Best Time to Visit The Wilds?
The best time to visit The Wilds for most activities is from May through September. The Wilds is typically open for its regular visitor season daily from 10am to 4pm May through September and then weekends only in October.
Recently, The Wilds has also started the Winter at the Wilds Tour that allows for pre-registered guests to visit and tour The Wilds from November to March. While many of the regular tours are not available during the winter, the Winter at The Wilds tour is run twice a day. These are more intimate tours with up to 6 people.
What Safari Tours are Offered at The Wilds?
The most popular activities not surprisingly are the Wilds safari tours, and most people take one of the group safari tours that are led by knowledgeable guides. The main tours are given in an open-air bus with a canopy, and there are a couple of places the bus stops where you do a bit of walking.
Tours last approximately 2 hours, but I would allot at least 3 hours for your visit as you’ll need to get the shuttle to and from the parking area, may want to visit the butterfly habitat or other exhibits, and there are also places to shop and eat.
If you interested in a more intimate experience, you can reserve a Wildside Tour and get a more exclusive safari experience with an Animal Management specialist amongst a smaller group (these are typically offered in an open-air pickup truck) and you get to see some of the daily happenings at The Wilds such as an animal medical procedure, help in feeding the animals, or an ongoing conservation project.
All of the tours at The Wilds take you through all the open-range enclosures where you’ll get to see many of the animals roaming in the fields as well as stops at Lake Trail and the Carnivore Center. You also have access to the Butterfly Habitat which you can explore at your leisure before or after the safari tours. On the weekends during the summer months, these tours are also offered at sunset and include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café.
Check out The Wilds website for current tours and tour prices , with the open-air bus tours (May through October) currently set (as of October 2021) at $35.00 per person. Wildside Tours (and Winter at the Wilds tours) are currently priced at $137.50 per person for non-members.
Note that all tours must be booked online in advance prior to visiting.
Other Activities at The Wilds?
In addition to the main animal safari tours, there are a number of other visitor activities offered at The Wilds. You can easily spend a full day or a full weekend at the Wilds. These include fishing, horseback riding, sunset tours, and ziplining. The Wild Zipline Safari provides the opportunity to view parts of the large preserve and some of the wildlife from above across 10 different ziplines (a shorter version that includes only five ziplines is also available).
For those who live nearby or have more time for a visit, the Wilds also offers educational programs, WildeCamps, and Family Camp weekends during the summer months. They can also accommodate a wide range of events from corporate retreats to weddings to birthday parties.
The Wilds has also been recognized one of Ohio’s Most Important Birding Areas by Audubon. It is a good place to see a number of birds, including raptors, grassland nesting birds, and ospreys. The Wilds has made a birding station located at Jeffrey Point accessible to the public and it is open 24/7 for no charge.
Accessibility at The Wilds
The visitor areas at The Wilds are generally accessible for those with reduced physical mobility and those in wheelchairs and meet ADA guidelines. There are tour buses and shuttles that can accommodate those in a wheelchair, and you can denote that you need a wheelchair space when you book your ticket.
Most of the tour is spent inside the bus but there are stops where participants can disembark to see the parakeet aviary (a short distance) and the carnivores’ enclosures (a slightly longer distance).
As with most places, it is wise to call in advance to discuss any special accessibility needs before booking.
What Dining Options are there at the Wilds?
Food and snacks are available for purchase at the Safari Snack Depot, Terrace Grill, and Overlook Café. Note that many of these close during the winter months. Food available includes hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken, ice cream, snacks, soda, coffee, and beer and wine. Evening safari programs during the summer often include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café.
Can you Stay Overnight at The Wilds?
You can stay within The Wilds parkland or you can stay in a nearby town. The Wilds as you might imagine are in a very rural location but there are towns with lodging within 20 miles of the park.
Staying Overnight in The Wilds park
You have a few options if you want to stay overnight at The Wilds, including staying in a luxury yurt or a large family-friendly cabin.
The yurts are currently adults-only (21+) and are located within the park at Nomad Ridge and are built on large platforms with screen windows, bamboo floors, wooden doors, a private bathroom, and an observation deck for private wildlife viewing.
There are also several cabins that have been recently built around Straker Lake within The Wilds which provides another option. These can accommodate up to 6 persons and are perfect for families or small groups.
If you are coming with a big group or family, you might also consider The Lodge which is a large 6-bedroom cabin complete with a fully-equipped kitchen, bathrooms, television, Internet, washer and dryer, gas fireplace, outdoor fire ring, games, books, canoes, and fishing and boating equipment.
If you book a reservation in one of the yurts or The Lodge, you’ll receive discount pricing on many of the tours and activities offered at The Wilds. We did not stay in any of these lodging options, but we did see them while we were there and both options looked quite nice.
NOTE: No pets are allowed on The Wilds property, including in any of the lodging, for obvious reasons. They may also not be left in your vehicle, so please be sure to leave your dogs at home. Service animals are of course welcome.
Staying Outside The Wilds
If you are looking for nearby lodging outside the park , you can find a range of options in the nearby cities of Caldwell, Cambridge, Zanesville, and Marietta. The closest lodging is in the town of Caldwell which has several motels and hotels. Some recommended properties are as follows:
- Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham , Caldwell – a 2* well-reviewed good value hotel offering en-suite rooms with inclusive continental breakfast. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. Free on-site parking. About a 25 minute drive from The Wilds.
- Best Western Caldwell Inn – This hotel offers a 24 hour front desk, indoor swimming pool, free Wifi, fitness center, and free breakfast. Note that the included breakfast is often served at the nearby family-owned diner (walking distance) Lori’s Restaurant. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. A 25 minute drive from The Wilds.
- Baymont by Wyndham , Cambridge – a 2* hotel offering en-suite rooms which also feature a microwave and free on-site parking. Breakfast is included. Just over 30 minutes drive to The Wilds.
- Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites , Zanesville – found in downtown Zanesville, this 2* hotel offers rooms with coffee makers and refrigerators. Free parking is available, breakfast is included, and there’s an indoor hot tub. Offers wheelchair accessible rooms. Around 30 minutes drive from The Wilds.
- Comfort Suites , Marietta – conveniently located for the Interstate, this 3* hotel has an indoor heated pool and a fitness centre. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. It’s also pet friendly (fee applies). Free parking is available nearby, and rooms have microwaves and fridges. Around a 50 minute drive from The Wilds.
You can see more options and compare prices here .
Need More Information to Plan Your Trip to The Wilds?
The official official website for The Wilds is a very useful to find information or book tickets, but you can also call them at 740-638-5030 or check out their active Facebook page where you can see recent photos as well as potentially find a discount code or win a free visit.
If you want to explore the area around The Wilds more fully you check out other things to do nearby around Zanesville, Ohio and wider tourism information for the state of Ohio .
Our Experience Visiting The Wilds
I grew up near The Wilds and it is by far the largest tourist attraction in our local area, but for some reason or another I had never visited while I was growing up. During college, I knew several people who did research practicums and internships here given the amazing educational and research opportunities that are available here to local students.
In fact, I went to the same college as Jack Hanna , a famous zookeeper and animal expert who has worked with and promote The Wilds. I guess it is one of those things where you look back and realize that you never visited many of the cool places in your own backyard after you have left.
So on a return visit to Ohio to see my family in winter 2014, I made sure that I had time to include a visit to The Wilds. It was definitely time I finally made it here! After that winter 2014 visit, I returned again in the summer of 2017 to experience one of the open-air tours that was not offered when I visited in the winter in 2014. So I’ll break this down by The Wilds winter visit first and then a bit about the summer open-air safari experience.
Winter at The Wilds Tour Experience
I made a reservation in advance for the Winter at the Wilds tour which is the only tour that is regularly given during the winter months. Ethan and I visited in November 2014 and it was a cold day and so we were bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves for our visit. We arrived at the parking lot (there is a $6.00 parking fee) and we were met within a couple of minutes by someone from the park management team and then our guide who was a member of the animal management team.
The Winter at the Wilds tour is similar to the regular Wildside Tours given during the rest of the year. However, instead of an open-air vehicle, we were in an enclosed heated vehicle, but we were able to roll down the windows as needed to take photos so that was not a problem and we needed the heat! While you cannot get out of the car within the open animal enclosures, you’ll get to walk around in other areas such as around the Carnivores Center and if you visit the barns during the winter.
A Bit of Ecology & Conservation at the Wilds
Our first stop was actually not to see wildlife but to see a restoration project being conducted by the Wilds Restoration Ecology department. Friendly Rachael and Kelsey who were hard at work in the wetlands area, talked to us about conservation within the wetlands and they showed us a neat water system they use to monitor and maintain water in the wetlands area.
This is a good reminder that a visit to the Wilds does not just have to be about the animals, but there is almost 10,000 acres of land here and all kinds of ecosystems. Strip mining negatively impacted much of the land and streams in this area and it is amazing to see the revival that has come about because of the hard work by the folks at the Wilds. If you are interested in ecology, botany, water management, birding, insects, etc. let your guide know as there are many different types of environmental projects happening here at any given time!
The Big Cats and Dogs
The next major stop on the tour was to the Wilds’ Carnivore Center. Here you can get out of the car and walk around and see the animals from various viewing points. During our visit, there were painted dogs, dholes, and cheetahs.
Be careful to stay back if you get near the African painted dog enclosures as they are not friendly puppies! I had never seen a dhole before but I remember my friend in college talking about these while she worked at the Wilds. They are super cute canines that are native to Asia and look quite a bit like a fox.
Breeding programs and research at the Wilds is geared towards helping the survival and conservation of these threatened and endangered species. The Wilds has been successful with its cheetah program as the first cheetah cubs were born here in 2010!
The Open Range Animal Pastures
The rest of our visit focused on driving through the open range enclosures, which contain the vast majority of the animals at the Wilds. These include camels, bison, zebra, Southern white rhino, wild horses, ostrich, giraffes, and various types of deer and antelope. You are also likely to see some of the native species that roam around the Wilds such as local deer, birds, or coyote.
If there are certain animals that you are very interested in seeing or want to learn more about, just tell your guide so they can better allocate your time as there is a lot of open space. As animal management specialists who work with the animals, they can help give you the best chance to see the animals you want to see and also give you more time with them if they can.
During any tour, since the animals live in large open enclosures you’re likely to see many of the species up close while others are likely to be hidden a bit in the trees or near the lake where you might not get an up close view. For instance, we only got distant views of the ostriches who preferred to hide themselves amongst some trees on the opposite end of the lake from us.
We got a good look at most of the animals and we were able to get within touching distance (no touching!) of several animals who largely ignored our vehicle. The Sichuan takin are interesting animals that I have never seen before and there were a lot of these critters along with a number of deer, horses, and antelopes. Some of the deer were losing their antlers or were in the process of doing so which occurs in the winter months. The type of camels at the Wilds are quite funny to watch as they are very curious and will get very close to the vehicle. When they walk, their two humps of fat flop around quite a bit on the older camels.
Typically, visitors would have the opportunity to tour some of the winter facilities for the animals on a Winter at the Wilds tour to see animals that need to be kept inside on cold days such as the giraffes. But a white rhino baby had just been born a day or so before our visit and so we were unfortunately not able to visit the barns. The animal management team did not want anyone disturbing the new rhino calf and there had not been a press release yet about the new baby. Although this sadly meant we could not visit the animals that were in the winter housing and barns that day (rhinos, zebra, giraffes), it is a remarkable event as the calf was the first fifth generation white rhino born outside of Africa and is a testament to the breeding and conservation program at the Wilds.
Summer at the Wilds Open Air Safari Tour Experience
In the summer of 2017, I returned again to the Wilds with my husband Laurence. This time we did an open-air animal safari tour. These are the most common type of tour that people take on a visit to the Wilds and are typically available from May to September. The tour took two hours and was in an open-air bus.
It was definitely a different experience to visit on a hot summer day, and it was nice to not be all bundled up in a winter coat and gear. It was also nice to see the green grass, full trees, and local wildflowers.
In terms of the animal, we saw many of the same animals I had seen in 2014; however, we also got to see a few animals I had not been able to see on my winter visit such as the parakeets in the small aviary, the giraffes, the white rhinos (although at a distance), and the ostriches. We also got to see the tankins really up close as they were fighting, playing, and mating near our vehicle!
Overall Thoughts on Visiting the Wilds in Ohio
Overall, we had a fun time on both our safari tours at the Wilds. We learned a lot, saw lots of animals, and received a warm welcome from our knowledgeable guides and other staff. A great advantage to visiting in November was that we had the park to ourselves since there are relatively few visitors during the winter months. The only disappointment during that visit was not being able to see the giraffes or rhino, but we totally understood that the health of the newborn rhino calf took precedence over our visiting the animal barns!
During the summer tour, it was nice to see the Wilds all green and alive. It was also nice to see some of the animals like the giraffes and rhinos that I had missed on the previous winter tour. The open-air safari bus makes for a nice way to experience the park and see the animals, and reminded my a bit of my safari experience in Africa. Another good thing about the summer is that there are more food facilities open so you have more opportunities to get a snack or have a meal.
Overall, I would definitely recommend a trip to the Wilds if you find yourself in this part of Ohio. Not only is it a great place to view wildlife, but the organization is a top-notch research and conservation facility committed to a number of good causes. For me, this was a great chance to visit a cool place that I had missed growing up in this area!
Are there places near where you have lived that you never took time to visit and then regretted it once you left? Planning your own trip to the Wilds and have a question? As always, feel free to ask us questions about our visit to the Wilds in Ohio or share your own experiences in the Comments section below!
**Disclosure: Just so you know, we received complimentary tours at the Wilds as press. However, as always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our Ethics Code about how we work.**
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Emma Post author
June 10, 2023 at 7:01 am
Hello All. It is now 2023 and I am just now becoming aware that this place even exist, hopefully it still does. I am very interested in visiting there. Is the reservation still operating? I imagine Covid played an enormous role in why it seems the comments went silent. Also is the climate uninhabited by primates? I absolutely love the great Silverbacks and the chimps. Is this climate not suitable for them? Do you plan on ever having them?
Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author
June 14, 2023 at 7:50 am
Yes, The Wilds is alive and well, and you can certainly come and visit. COVID-19 certainly was not great for the park but all is now open and most of the services have returned to normal. The summer season tends to be the busiest and most popular time to visit as it is a nice time to do the open-top buses or the Wildside Jeep or truck rides.
I don’t personally work for The Wilds, I am just a travel writer but I did grow up near The Wilds and have visited several times now over the years.
So there are no primates such as chimpanzees or gorillas at The Wilds. The focus of The Wilds is mainly on conservation and research and most of the animals are ones that can live in open enclosures, basically fields, such as the rhinos, horses, camels, zebra, giraffes, ostrich, etc. Primates would require large enclosures/tress etc. and it would probably not be a great fit for them here. At The Wilds, they do have a couple of enclosures for predators (e.g., painted dogs, dholes, and cheetah), but most of the rest of the animals can roam fairly freely in the open fields. There is also a barn area to keep animals protected and warm in the winter as needed.
In terms of climate, I would say that Ohio is probably not a good fit in terms of the natural habitat for chimps or gorillas. We recently were in Uganda which has both mountain gorillas and chimps and the reclaimed coal fields in southeastern Ohio is a pretty different climate and habitat than most of the places you would naturally find these animals.
As far as I know, there are no plans to have primates but you can of course ask yourself if you visit for any plans and reasoning on their part! The Columbus Zoo, the sister organization to The Wilds, has several primates in its care, although I don’t believe they have any chimps.
Hope that helps and hope you are able to enjoy a visit to The Wilds soon!
Best, Jessica
Becky Malterer Post author
March 30, 2023 at 8:31 am
Have the animals ever attacked anyone?
March 30, 2023 at 9:36 am
As far as I know (I don’t work here), there have not been any serious injuries of visitors caused by an attack by an animal at The Wilds.
When you visit, you are in a bus or Jeep for most of the visit when in the areas where the animals live and roam. The carnivores are behind fences. So visitors are fairly well protected from the animals and most of the animals (e.g., giraffe, cattle, zebra, ostrich) here rarely attack humans anyway. However, they are still wild animals and of course visitors should always be careful and aware during their visit and follow all the staff instructions.
Hope that helps and hope you enjoy your time at The Wilds if you decide to visit!
Jack Alloway Post author
July 15, 2021 at 4:32 pm
I was down in about 10 or 12 years ago and it was a beautiful place and it sounds like you people have done a lot more with it I’m looking forward to coming back down and staying the weekend. Thank yo
July 16, 2021 at 4:01 am
Hope you get a chance to return to The Wilds. Yes, it has changed quite a bit from 12 years ago!
tom hamm Post author
February 29, 2020 at 3:37 pm
look like a great place to visit. Would like to make a trip there in the spring or summer of 2020.
March 1, 2020 at 4:31 am
Yes, Spring or early Summer is a great time to visit The Wilds. It is nice to go when it is warm out but not super hot.
Enjoy! Jessica
Kurstin Chandler Post author
January 6, 2020 at 1:47 pm
Hi, interested in visiting your place.
January 6, 2020 at 1:58 pm
Hi Kurstin, If you are interested in visiting The Wilds now, or between November and April, they are only open to the public for their Winter at the Wilds tours. These need to be booked at least 72 hours in advance of when you want to visit. So I’d go onto their website or give them a call to schedule one of those if of interest. You can find links and their phone number above in the post.
But if you are visiting in the Spring/Summer months, then there are more daily tour options that will be available and you don’t have to book in advance (although still a good idea if you know when you want to do the tour).
Terri Mitchell Post author
April 13, 2019 at 6:56 am
Thank you for your comprehensive review! Just caught the end of Jack Hanna’s wildlife safari insisting The Wilds. I found your site when I searched for info. Happily it sounds like this is a trip that all ages can enjoy and we can camp too! Thanks to your thorough review we’re planning our own visit to The Wilds this summer!!! Happy Travels
April 13, 2019 at 12:10 pm
Hi Terri, Glad you enjoyed our review of The Wilds, and do let us know if you have any questions about planning your trip to The Wilds. Yes, Jack Hanna was very much involved in the planning and conservation efforts at The Wilds (he is a former director of the zoo in Columbus Ohio) and has been a long time ambassador for the park 😉 Best, Jessica
Mark Staib Post author
March 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm
I have a scout troop ,and we are interested coming down and camping either there or near by. We will want to tour and zip line. We would be arriving July 21 and have all of the 22nd to do all of the above.Please let me know if this is do able and how much it would cost.
March 28, 2019 at 4:42 pm
Hi Mark, That sounds like a fun scout trip. You’ll need to call The Wilds directly to get pricing and to book the trip for your group, phone number is (740) 638-5030. Best of luck, Jessica
DONNA AZZ Post author
July 4, 2016 at 3:37 pm
Hi – we will be visit “the wilds” in two weeks and staying for 2 nights (July 19&20). Are there any suggestions you can give us to enhance our visit?
travelcats Post author
July 4, 2016 at 4:32 pm
Hi Donna, I am sure you will have a great time at The Wilds! The summer is a great time to visit as all the facilities will be open and the animals should be out and about.
I would reserve your tour in advance so you get the dates/times you want. The open-air safari tours are great in the summer and a good value, you can also consider a private encounter or a Wildside Tour if they are within your budget.
As many animals will seek shade and naps in the middle of a summer day, I’d recommend trying to be on the first tour of the day or the last as you may see more animals and also it may be less crowded.
Since you’ll be there for two nights, you have plenty of opportunity to see the full park and choose the time of your tour and also explore at a slow pace. If you are staying overnight in the park, be sure to ask what activities are going on during your stay. Often there are boating, fishing, swimming, ziplining, and horseback riding activities available.
If you are traveling with kids, it can be really fun to teach them about some of the animals and have them try to then spot them during your tour and from the observation deck of where you are staying. If you have a pair of binoculars, these can be fun to bring. I’d also recommend buying a few snacks/drinks to bring with you at a grocery store before getting here so you don’t have to rely on always eating at the park as it can add up.
Have a great trip and feel free to come back and comment about your visit to The Wilds!
AwesomelyOZ Post author
August 3, 2015 at 3:36 pm
That’s so awesome! I love the photos of all the animals, esp the camels 🙂 That was a big boy! Looks like a great safari experience 🙂 Thanks for sharing and have a great one Jessica! -Iva
August 14, 2015 at 6:18 pm
Hi Iva, I think that may actually be a big girl:) It was a fun experience, it was not quite Africa but it is as close as you can get in Southeast Ohio and a great place to visit!
Seana Turner Post author
July 25, 2015 at 1:05 pm
You know, this is why I follow bloggers. I’ve been in that part of the country many times and had no idea this even existed. What a fun place! I think I’d rather roam around on a warm day, but I’ll bookmark it for the next time I’m driving though Ohio!
July 26, 2015 at 7:57 pm
Hi Seana, yes the Wilds is a great place to visit the next time you are in Ohio. It is a bit out of the way but a great place to spend an afternoon!
Mar Ward Post author
July 25, 2015 at 6:26 am
When I worked at the Zoo in Alaska, Jack Hanna was a guest speaker at our yearly fundraiser and talked about the Wilds. Ever since I had wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing your experience and some great photos.
July 26, 2015 at 6:57 pm
Hi Mar! Yes, I almost mentioned Jack Hanna in the post. I went to the same college as an undergrad that both he and his wife graduated from and the Wilds is located only about 20 minutes away. He was director of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio for many years and the Wilds now has a close partnership with that zoo. Jack Hanna has visited the Wilds many times and helped promote it. If you are in the Midwest, you should definitely plan a visit as I think it is still the largest wildlife conservation center in North America.
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American Safari
By Author Hal Brindley
Posted on Published: October 21, 2013 - Last updated: March 26, 2023
Our American Safari itinerary
Travel For Wildlife hit the road for an epic three-month journey to visit some of North America’s greatest wildlife watching hotspots. Here is a complete itinerary of our trip and links to all the posts we created about watching wildlife in the United States and Canada. From snorkeling with beluga whales to hiking with grizzly bears, from the Atlantic Coast, to the Hudson Bay, to the Pacific Ocean, we covered a lot of ground, so strap yourself in and enjoy the ride! Read more about the top wildlife hotspots we hoped to hit on our post Wolves Whales & Bears: The American Safari 2013 Expedition Series .
When designing our American Safari we had a few anchor points that we din’t want to miss. Then we filled in as much as we could along the way. We started from our home in Asheville, North Carolina, spent a few days in the North Carolina outer banks, drove up to Thompson Manitoba where we took a train to Churchill and back, drove to Yellowstone National Park, drove through the Canadian Rockies to British Columbia where we visited some wilderness lodges by boat and by car, then hightailed it back home across the country.
Thursday, July 18. We are now in Rodanthe, North Carolina. Yesterday we had an amazing day full of wolves, whales & bears! Started the day with a dolphin tour from Nags Head Dolphin Watch.
Then we watched baby black bears galore on a black bear tour in the Alligator River NWR. Read our tour review of the Black Bear Tour, Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge .
And finally, a Red Wolf howling with the red wolves in the US Fish and Wildlife captive breeding program. Read our tour review of Howling With Red Wolves for the full story. What a day!
Other fun sightings included two Cotton Mouths (aka Water Moccasins) on the road (a venomous snake)
and a manatee crossing under a bridge! For more, read our post Launching the American Safari at the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge .
Friday July 19. My favorite sighting of the day, baby Ospreys ! Read our post Osprey feeding chicks Nags Head, NC for more photos.
Saturday, July 20. Our last day in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Yesterday we visited the Alligator River NWR again. Favorite sightings were a big male black bear who walked quite close to us, more mother bears with cubs, and another nice sighting of a huge cottonmouth. Today I built a bear sand sculpture to say goodbye to the beach.
Sunday-Monday, July 21-22. We are spending two days driving from the Outer banks of NC to Ely Minnesota. We’ll be camping at some state parks along the way. Can’t wait to get there! Check out some of the cool places we stopped in our post The Long (and Beautiful) Way to Ely, Minnesota .
Wednesday, July 24. Right now we’re in Ely, Minnesota. We’re staying on a house boat courtesy of Timber Bay Lodge and it’s awesome. Tied up on the shore of Birch Lake last night, saw an amazing full moon rise over the water and listened to the loons as we fell asleep. Read all about this great experience on our review Houseboat Rentals, a Dream Vacation on a Minnesota Lake .
Just visited the International Wolf Center! Back to the house boat tonight. To learn more about Ely and a nearby free campsite we loved, check out our post Wolves, Bears and Lakes: a Two Day Trip to Ely, Minnesota .
Friday, July 26. We made it to Canada! Just arrived in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Saw a black bear on the road on the way in! He was a lanky yearling and stood up to look at us before diving back into the woods. 20 minutes into Canada and already saw a bear! Today we visited Fort Whyte Alive in Winnipeg and checked out their bison herd. The cultural programs were especially interesting.
Saturday, July 27. Winnipeg, Manitoba. Had a fun morning at the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre at the Assiniboine Zoo. We were honored to get our tour from the head of conservation and research himself, Dr. Stephen Petersen. Tonight is dinner at Deseo Bistro (courtesy of Tourism Winnipeg . Thanks guys!)
Sunday, July 28. Winnipeg, Manitoba. This morning we visited the Manitoba Museum and saw the world’s largest trilobite . (Cristina posed with her trilobite ring, see more in her post Where the Biggest Trilobite in the World Lives ). We were given a highlights tour and it was surprisingly riveting considering it lasted nearly two hours. We learned one fascinating fact after another. If you get to Winnipeg, take that tour. This afternoon we’re visiting The Forks, meeting with friends from Churchill Wild, and then having dinner with our new friend Stephen Petersen of the International Polar Bear Conservation Centre! All in all we’ve had a great weekend! Learn more about all the fun things we did in our post Wildlife Weekend in Winnipeg !
Monday, July 29. Driving North from Winnipeg. Today we leave our comfy room at the Radisson in downtown Winnipeg and head north into the wilderness. We’ll stop to see the snake dens in Narcisse, then look for a pretty place to camp. I’m hoping to see some moose along the drive! (a wolf would be nice too)
Tuesday, July 30. We spent the night camping at Setting Lake in the middle of nowhere Manitoba and it was beautiful. Along our drive we spotted two more black bears and more than a hundred huge ravens (one at a time) sitting along the side of the road, spread out every few miles.
Upon arriving in Thompson we went for a drive to look for wolves and wound up watching beavers instead!
Wednesday, July 31. Thompson, Manitoba. We had a great tour this morning of the Spirit Way and learned a lot about the steps that Thompson is taking to become “The wolf capital of Canada.” We even spoke about our trip and wolf tourism at the Chamber of Commerce lunch meeting today! Many thanks to Volker Beckmann for his hospitality and to the Lakeview Inn & Suites for the great stay. For more great info about Thompson, read our post How to Get to Churchill Manitoba the Cheapest and Fastest Way .
Thursday, August 1. Churchill, Manitoba. We’ve finally arrived at the northernmost point of our journey! We had a long slow train ride up from Thompson but thankfully we each had our own single cabin courtesy of VIA rail. For more fun info about the train ride, read our post Slow Travel in Manitoba . We had cabins right across from each other and had fun jumping back and forth across the aisle.
It’s a surprisingly cold, windy, cloudy day here in Churchill. Just taking care of chores today and preparing to get out tomorrow. Staying at the Tundra House Hostel thanks to Frontiers North Adventures .
Friday, August 2. Churchill, Manitoba. Wow. What an awesome day. We took a full day Tundra Buggy Tour with Frontiers North Adventures and we saw polar bears galore! FIVE of them! Pretty incredible considering this isn’t even bear season here in Churchill. Check out a photo gallery of all the bears we saw . My favorite sighting was watching a bear climb into the bay and go for a swim. He was rolling around and sticking his paws in the air.
We also saw four Woodland Caribou and tons of birds including willow ptarmigan . Big thanks to Neil for being an awesome Tundra Buggy driver.
Saturday, August 3. Churchill, Manitoba. Today was our first day ever seeing beluga whales in the wild. We went kayaking with Sea North Tours in the Churchill River and saw hundreds. I had one very special encounter!
Read more about Kayaking with Beluga Whales . Can’t wait to snorkel with them!
Sunday, August 4. Churchill, Manitoba. Today we got a rental car from Tamarack Rentals and went for a drive around Churchill. We drove to Cape Merry and watched belugas from shore, down to the weir where we saw harbor seals , and along the bay where we spotted a sleepy polar bear .
Then we took a Fort & Beluga tour with Sea North Tours & spotted a polar bear on the island by the fort, and then had an awesome time watching beluga whales all around our zodiac in the river!
Monday, August 5. Churchill, Manitoba.This morning we did a snorkeling with beluga whales tour with Sea North Tours and it was one of the most awesome wildlife watching experiences we’ve ever had. Our guide towed us slowly from the zodiac and for an hour we were totally surrounded by curious whales, including several small babies! For more info, read our post How to Swim With Belugas in the Wild . It was so moving that when Cristina came out of the water she actually cried. How awesome is that?
Then we drove around in our rental and scoped out more of the roads around Churchill. We sighted two more polar bears and a bunch of great birds. What a day!
Tuesday, August 6. Churchill, Manitoba. Cold rainy day here in Churchill but we had the pleasure of getting a tour with Nature 1st Tours . Paul Ratson is one fascinating fellow to talk to and he showed us all around Churchill. We had our first direct evidence of wolves ! Paul showed us the tracks in his backyard where a large male black wolf frequently visits! We also sighted a few polar bears including a mother with cub. Paul showed us some fox dens but we’re a couple weeks late to see the kits. Dang! I learned a lot about life in Churchill. Thanks Paul!
Thursday, August 8. We’ve had an awesome week here in Churchill, Manitoba. Now it’s time to get back on the train and head to Thompson. We’ll be sleeping on the train tonight.
Friday, August 9. Thompson, Manitoba. Spent the night on the train coming back from Churchill (saw the Northern Lights!) and arrived in Thompson to get a SeaDoo tour of Paint Lake and search for wolves! Dang those things are fast! We covered over 70km and hardly saw a single house. Serious wilderness. We didn’t spot wolves but saw a bunch of eagles & loons and it was super beautiful. Many thanks to Marion of Spirit Way in Thompson
Tuesday, August 13. Riding Mountain National Park. We spent the past four days wandering southward from Thompson, camping at Clearwater Prov Park and then two nights in Duck Mountain Prov Park. Duck Mountain was awesome!
We had a close encounter with a pair of Great Gray Owls as well as sightings of a black bear with three tiny cubs, 2 coyotes , beavers , muskrats , white pelicans , elk , white-tailed deer , and lots of very cute red squirrels .
Wednesday, August 14. Riding Mountain National Park, Manitoba. Wow. What an incredible day. This morning we did a five hour hike to see the cabin of the great naturalist Gray Owl (read our post The Trail to Grey Owl’s Cabin in Riding Mountain National Park ), then we had a super rare sighting of a FISHER at 4 pm! (a large member of the weasel family and an awesome predator). And then for a grand finale we spent nearly an hour watching a Canada lynx hunting by the side of the road!
Does it get any better than this? For more about our lynx sighting, read our post How to Tell the Difference Between a Bobcat and a Canada Lynx .
Friday, August 16. Winnipeg, Manitoba. We’re back in Winnipeg again to do a brief appearance on a live morning television show called the Global Morning Show. If you’re in Winnipeg, tune in around 8:20 AM! Then we drive south to the U.S. of A. on our bee-line to Yellowstone.
Sunday, August 18. Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota. After our TV interview in Winnipeg , we entered the U.S. and drove most of the way across North Dakota. On a whim we stopped in Theodore Roosevelt National Parkk and we loved it so much we stayed two nights! (first north unit, then south unit). It turned out to be an awesome place to watch huge prairie dog towns and lots of bison .
It was nice to spend some time with prairie wildlife before hitting the mountains. Other cool sightings included a coyote , white-tailed deer and wild horses . Also surprised to see a porcupine road-kill in the middle of the prairie! Read our post Searching for the American Cheetah While Camping in Theodore Roosevelt National Park .
Monday, August 19. Yellowstone National Park. We’re very excited to be settled in to our cozy cabin at the Elkhorn Lodge in Cooke City, Montana. Great little hotel, great view, great town. We took our first drive into the park today and sighted loads of bison as well as our first pronghorns ! Yesterday’s drive over the Beartooth Highway was stunning. And of course we visited with the over-tame chipmunks and squirrels at the pull-offs.
Wednesday, August 21. Yellowstone National Park. We’ve spent the past two nights at the Grizzly Bear Lodge in Silver gate and we love this town. Been eating awesome meals at the Log Cabin Cafe, taking care of chores, and visiting the park. We always stay in Silver Gate & Cooked City when we come to see wildlife. Find out why you should to in our post Yellowstone’s Hidden Havel for Wildlife Watchers: Cooke City & Silver Gate . So far in the park we’ve seen loads of bison , some pronghorns , a couple deer and even a couple mountain goats ! No predators yet, but we’re holding out hope for our five day high-country hike that starts tomorrow!
Thursday, August 29. Bozeman, Montana. We had an incredible week hiking to The HooDoo Basin in a remote corner of Yellowstone National Park. Over 6 days we covered 52 miles and climbed 3,500 feet of elevation. It was exhausting but rewarding. We spotted moose and elk along the trail, helped the park service haul a dead bison ,
spotted a mountain goat , and found tracks of wolves and bears constantly (though none were sighted!) A huge thanks to Nathan Varley and his crew (MacNeil, Mike, and Nathan) for all the great meals and for taking such good care of us on the trail. We definitely recommend you use Yellowstone Wolf Tracker for all your Yellowstone wildlife watching needs! Check out more photos from the hike in our post Yellowstone Wolf Adventure .
We spent the past day getting our car repaired in Bozeman and resting up. Now we head north!
Monday, September 2. After a couple relaxing nights camping in the Lewis & Clark National Forest, we took a lap through Glacier National Park. Target species: Mountain Goats and Marmots . We were not disappointed. A hike up Hidden Lake Trail in Logan’s Pass lead us to extremely close viewing of 5 or 6 goats, including nannies with little kids! It was pretty great. I love mountain goats. For more great pics of mountain goats check out our post Mountain Ghosts: a Mountain Goat Photo Gallery !
We also saw our first grizzly bear of the trip in the Many Glaciers area (about half mile away up a mountain!) Last night we drove back into Canada and arrived in Waterton Lakes NP without realizing it was Labor Day weekend. Wow this place is crowded!
Thursday, September 5. Mount Engadine Lodge, Spray Valley Provincial Park, Alberta. A few days ago we took a beautiful back country drive up through the Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve here in Alberta. We stopped at Frank Slide (“Canada’s DEADLIEST Rock Slide!”) and got to watch some very cute Pikas harvesting plants in the boulder field.
Then a drive through a remote pass revealed our first Bighorn Sheep of the trip (read about it in Cristina’s photo of the week post Bighorn Sheep, Rocky Mountains Forest Reserve ).
And finally we wound up at the Mount Engadine lodge. What an amazing, remote and gorgeous spot this is. Best of all, the mud pit in front of the lodge is a favorite haunt for local moose ! We saw two this morning, a big bull who had just shed his velvet, and a cow. Awesome! Read all about it in our review The Mud-Munching Moose of Mount Engadine Lodge, Alberta .
Sunday, September 8. After three great days at the Mount Engadine Lodge (here’s a better look at the lodge in the video below)
we drove up to Banff National Park. Today we hiked around Lake Louise and Morraine Lake. Stunning views! Also excited to see all the wildlife overpasses and underpasses constructed to allow animals to cross the highway safely. Very cool.
Monday, September 9. Banff National Park, Alberta, Canada. Had a fun day at the Lake Louise Gondola and saw a grizzly bear ! Read our post Where to See Grizzlies in the Canadian Rockies: Lake Louise Gondola .
September 11. Yoho National Park. We camped at the stunning Takakkaw Falls campground in Yoho National Park. After the crowds at Glacier and Lake Louise, this remote site was a great relief. Around the campground we spotted some elk and some very cute golden-mantled ground squirrels . Read all about this beautiful park in our post Camping Amongst Glaciers at Takakkaw Falls Campground .
Saturday, September 14. Tweedsmuir Provincial Park, BC, Canada. After several days of free camping in British Columbia’s excellent Recreation Sites, (read our post Free Camping in BC ) we’ve arrived in the Bella Coola area. It’s a remote town at the west coast of British Columbia, one of the few central coast towns accessible by road. Heading back into Tweedsmuir Provincial Park now to look for grizzly bears at the salmon run!
Tuesday, September 17. Tweedsmuir Pronvincial Park, BC. We’re staying at the beautiful Great Bear Chalet and it’s right in the center of the park on the Atnarko River. We’ve seen bunches of grizzly bears already! On Sunday we watched five different bears (two cubs!) from the Belarko viewing platform. Yesterday had a fun time watching and filming Pink Salmon spawn, then our guide and host Jeff Bray took us out to a bunch of his favorite sites on the river and we a very peaceful close encounter with a mother grizzly with cub! Read more about it in our post Bear Encounter: Lessons From a Mother Grizzly .
Sunday, September 22. Nanaimo, Vacouver Island, British Columbia. After two days of free camping in BC rec sites, we hopped on a ferry and landed in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island! True to form it is raining. That’s why they have rainforest here! Many thanks to my old friend Dylan who’s given us a place to shelter from the rain.
Tuesday, September 24. Tofino, Vancouver Island. We’re staying at the awesome Wickininnish Inn . Read our lodging review Visiting Vancouver Island: the Wickaninnish Inn to learn more about this beautiful oceanfront lodge in Tofino. The tide pools here are full of life!
This morning we went whale watching with the Whale Centre . Sighted gray whales , sea otters , harbor porpoises , and stellar sea lions ! Check out all the cool animals we saw in this Wildlife of Tofino Photo Gallery !
Thursday, September 26. Tofino, Vancouver Island. Had a great bear tour with the Whale Centre of Tofino. We saw harbor seals , harbor porpoises (they’re tiny!) and yes, three black bears ! We watched them tipping over rocks along the shore and searching for crabs. It was awesome! Read all about this great bear tour and the whale watching tour in our post Wildlife and Whale Watching in Tofino, BC.
Sunday, September 29. Port McNeill, Vancouver Island. Spent the past couple nights camping in the Pacific Rim National Park and visited the Ucluelet Aquarium , one of the only aquariums in the world that uses a “catch and release” system. They let all the animals go back into the ocean at the end of the season. Read more in our post Is Ucluelet Aquarium the Best Aquarium in the World? It was really cool. Now we’ve just arrived in Port McNeill and catching a boat to Nimmo tomorrow!
Wednesday, October 2. Nimmo Bay, British Columbia. Just completed our second day at Nimmo Bay Wilderness Resort . We spent all day on the water yesterday watching seals , sea lions , porpoises and loads of humpback whales !
The whales were incredibly active, slapping their tales and flippers, breaching and even gape-feeding with their mouths wide open. It was incredible. If you want to see all the incredible wildlife that the Great Bear Rainforest has to offer, then check out our lodging review: Nimmo Resort, a Wilderness Lodge in the Great Bear Rainforest .
October 3-13. Nimmo Bay! We’ve been so lucky to spend two weeks here at the amazing Nimmo Bay and it has been a perfect grand finale to our American Safari. One of my favorite activities was taking a wilderness survival tour with Nikki Van Schyndel (read our review of her book Becoming Wild with Nikki Van Schyndel ) where we got to forage for wild greens on remote islands. Another highlight was having the chance to try out some underwater time-lapse experiments. My first great success was with starfish ! Read our post How to Shoot and Underwater Time-lapse of Starfish for more info on how I did it.
Even more fun for us was getting to watch the many kinds of nudibranchs (brightly colored sea slugs) in the beautiful clear waters. My next successful underwater time-lapse was shooting the very-cool hooded nudibranchs . It’s so great to see all the different creatures thriving in this rich marine habitat! (we saw tons of amazing huge jellyfish too.)
On another boat tour we had some great views of the local Orca pods hunting!
We also spent a lot of time kayaking around the bay and searching for black bears . Read about it in our post A Quest For Bears: Kayaking the Great Bear Rainforest . Over the course of several days we set up our camera trap in a beautiful forest where black bears fish for salmon in the river. Here is some of the cool bear activity we captured!
I even got to take a helicopter ride to search for grizzly bears !
A huge thank you to the wonderful folks at Nimmo Bay. It was our favorite place we stayed on our entire American Safari!
Sunday, October 20, 2013. Back Home! After a five-day drive across the continent we’ve arrived back on the east coast. We sighted elk in Washington, pronghorns in Wyoming, and lots of deer across the midwest. We visited Native American historical sites like the grave of Chief Joseph in WA and the Little Bighorn battle site in SD. Unfortunately national parks were closed and we couldn’t stop in Yellowstone, but we are happy to be back in NC just in time for spectacular fall colors. A huge thanks to all our sponsors who made the American Safari possible! What an amazing journey!
Hal Brindley
Brindley is an American conservation biologist, wildlife photographer, filmmaker, writer, and illustrator living in Asheville, NC. He studied black-footed cats in Namibia for his master’s research, has traveled to all seven continents, and loves native plant gardening. See more of his work at Travel for Wildlife , Truly Wild , Our Wild Yard , & Naturalist Studio .
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The Best African Safari Tours, & Packages: A Comprehensive Guide
Have you ever dreamed of witnessing Africa’s majestic wildlife up close in their natural habitat?
Imagine this, waking up to the serene sounds of the African bush, surrounded by breathtaking landscapes and the promise of unforgettable memories . Africa, a continent teeming with life and wonder, welcomes you to explore its untamed beauty.
However, we know that the vastness of Africa and the myriad of options can make planning a safari overwhelming.
Not to worry because our team of experts are here to simplify your African safari journey through our thoughtfully crafted itineraries and customized experiences.
In this blog post, we’ll cover the best African safari locations , packages, and must-see spots in detail to help you get the best possible African experience- all while traveling responsibly.
6 Must See African Safaris
Let’s explore the best 6 African Safari tours in detail.
Tanzania is the ultimate safari destination, home to some of Africa's most iconic landscapes and wildlife. It’s a place where the drama of the natural world unfolds against a backdrop of endless plains, towering mountains, and rich cultural history.
You can choose from a diverse range of safari experiences, from witnessing the Great Migration in the Serengeti to exploring the Ngorongoro Crater, often referred to as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Whether you’re trekking up Mount Kilimanjaro or relaxing on the scenic beaches of Zanzibar, Tanzania promises an unforgettable adventure.
Highlights
- Serengeti National Park
- Ngorongoro Crater
- Kilimanjaro
- Maasai Culture
Check out our African safaris in Tanzania here .
Kenya is synonymous with safari adventures, offering a diverse range of wildlife, stunning landscapes, and vibrant cultures. From the vast plains of the Maasai Mara, famous for the Great Migration, to the snow-capped peaks of Mount Kenya, Kenya boasts a captivating blend of natural beauty and cultural richness.
- Maasai Mara National Reserve
- Amboseli National Park
- Samburu National Reserve
- Lake Nakuru National Park
- Cultural Experiences
Explore our African Safari Package here .
Botswana is known for its pristine wilderness and exceptional wildlife encounters. The heart of the country is the Okavango Delta, a vast inland delta teeming with life.
This UNESCO World Heritage Site offers unparalleled opportunities for game viewing, with abundant wildlife, including elephants, lions, leopards, and cheetahs. Beyond the Delta, Botswana boasts the Kalahari Desert, home to unique desert-adapted animals, and the Chobe National Park, famous for its large herds of elephants.
- Okavango Delta
- Moremi/Khwai region
- Kalahari Desert
- Chobe National Park
- Luxury Accommodations
- Boat Safaris and Canoeing
- Conservation Focus
Discover Botswana with the best safari in Africa.
South Africa
South Africa offers a diverse range of safari experiences, from the iconic Kruger National Park to the vibrant city of Cape Town. Home to the Big Five and a vast array of wildlife, Kruger National Park is a safari classic.
Cape Town, a cosmopolitan city surrounded by stunning natural beauty, offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Beyond these highlights, South Africa boasts the Garden Route, a coastal paradise known for its lush forests, pristine beaches, and charming towns.
- Kruger National Park
- Garden Route
- Wine Country
- Etosha South
- Etosha East
Zimbabwe & Victoria Falls
- Tour of the Falls
- Helicopter Ride
- Elephant Encounter
- Walking Safari
- Boat Cruise
- Boma Dinner
- Lookout Cafe
- Zambezi Park
- Hwangwe National Park
- Matobo National Park
- The Great Zimbabwe Historical/Cultural Tour
Rwanda, often referred to as the "Land of a Thousand Hills," offers a unique safari experience focused on wildlife conservation and cultural immersion. Renowned for its gorilla trekking, Volcanoes National Park is home to a significant portion of the world's mountain gorilla population.
Beyond gorillas, Rwanda boasts diverse ecosystems, including the Nyungwe Forest, a haven for primates and birdwatchers, and Akagera National Park, where visitors can encounter the Big Five. Rwanda's commitment to conservation and sustainable tourism makes it a compelling destination for eco-conscious travelers.
- Gorilla trekking
- Volcanoes National Park
- Nyungwe Forest National Park
- Akagera National Park
Learn more about the best African safaris in Rwanda with us.
Uganda, often called the "Pearl of Africa," is a wildlife enthusiast's paradise. Home to a diverse range of habitats, from lush rainforests to vast savannas, Uganda offers unforgettable wildlife encounters.
Bwindi Impenetrable Forest and Mgahinga Gorilla National Park are renowned for gorilla trekking, while Queen Elizabeth National Park boasts abundant wildlife, including lions, elephants, and hippos.
Murchison Falls National Park is famous for its dramatic waterfalls and diverse ecosystems. Uganda's warm hospitality and rich cultural heritage complete the allure of this remarkable country making it one of the best safaris in Africa.
- Bwindi Impenetrable Forest
- Queen Elizabeth National Park
- Murchison Falls National Park
- Kibale Forest National Park
- Lake Victoria
Find more about the best Uganda safari now .
Explore African Safari Tours and Packages
Africa offers a myriad of safari experiences to cater to every traveler's desires. From classic game drives to immersive walking safaris, there's an adventure for everyone.
Here are some of the best types 0f Safaris in Africa that you should consider:
- Game Drives : You can explore the vastness of the African bush, searching for the Big Five and other magnificent creatures in this safari. This is an ideal option for first-time visitors who want to encounter wildlife but travel comfortably.
- Walking Safaris : For an intimate safari experience, choosing a walking safari is the best option. You get the chance to see the wild up close under the guidance of highly experienced experts all while gaining a new perspective of the natural world around us.
- Family Safari : Signing up for a family safari is the perfect pick to ensure that everyone in your family equally enjoys your African safari to the fullest. You can choose from a variety of accommodations, activities, and itineraries designed to cater to different age groups.
- Adventure Safari : If you are looking for an adrenaline-pumping adventure beyond wildlife viewing, you can opt for an adventure safari in Africa that combines game drives with hiking, climbing, rafting, or even hot air balloon experiences .
- Photography Safar i: Curated for aspiring and experienced photographers, a photography safari is the perfect way to capture the beauty of Africa through your lens with expert guidance and stunning photo opportunities.
Ready For Your African Safari?
If you’re planning your African safari adventure, consider a team who can be sure to design a personalized itinerary, taking care of every detail of the adventures you want to sign up for.
Our experienced and responsible team will take care of all the planning, so you can focus on creating unforgettable memories.
Contact us today to start planning your African safari with the best African safari packages.,. Experience Africa with Good Earth Tours and travel responsibly!
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Safaris In Tanzania
Safaris in south africa, safaris in uganda, safaris in combo, safaris in rwanda, safaris in kenya, safaris in botswana, trekking in mt. kilimanjaro, trekking in mt. meru, members of the top tourism and sustainable association.
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September Sale Book now for up to 60% off!
8-Day Royal Wildlife Safari in Tanzania
- Introduction
- Day 1 Arrival to Arusha- Kilimanjaro International Airport
- Day 2 Arusha to Tarangire National Park (120km – 2.5hrs drive)
- Day 3 Serengeti National Park
- Day 4 Full Game Drive in Serengeti National Park
- Day 5 Serengeti to Ngorongoro Conservation Area
- Day 6 Ngorongoro Crater
- Day 7 Game Drive in Lake Manyara National Park and transfer to Arusha
- Day 8 Departure
Want to read it later?
Download this tour’s PDF brochure and start tour planning offline
What's Included
- Accommodation
- Additional Services
Where You'll Stay
Hotel Gran Melia Arusha or Similar
Lake Manyara Kilima Moja Lodge or Similar.
Melia Serengeti Lodge member of melia collection or similar
Ngorongoro Lodge member of melia collection or Similar
Operated by
Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris
Number of tours
3 to 81 years old
Response time
less than 1 hour
Lights on Africa Destinations and Safaris, is a Tanzania premier local Company, 100% Tanzanian owned and run, specializing in both luxury and budget safaris, mountain climbing, honeymoons, Cultural tours, Volunteering, beach holidays and more. We have special programs for Students, Honeymooners,...
Your Peace of Mind Options
Cancellation policy.
A transparent overview of applicable fees.
Customer Reviews
- Tour Operator Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris 4.8
- Alka · 30th August 2024 I went on a personal day safari with my spouse in the Ngorongoro Crater. Even though we could only go on a one-day... Show more
- K · 23rd August 2024 I cannot find the right words to describe how thrilled I am to be traveling on safari with 'Light in Africa'. They... Show more
- Seyit · 20th August 2024 We went on a day safari in the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, The tour guides were really professional, kind, and... Show more
Dates & Availability
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- Upcoming departures
- September 2024
- October 2024
- November 2024
- December 2024
- January 2025
- February 2025
- August 2025
- September 2025
- October 2025
- November 2025
- December 2025
- Tuesday 17 Sep, 2024 Tuesday 24 Sep, 2024 English , German, French, Spanish +3 more €6,702 Confirm Dates
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Good to Know
- Currency Sh Tanzanian Shilling Tanzania
As a traveller from USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand you will need an adaptor for types D, M, G. As a traveller from England you will need an adaptor for types D, M. As a traveller from South Africa you will need an adaptor for type G.
- These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
- Typhoid - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Hepatitis A - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Cholera - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
- Tuberculosis - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 3 months before travel.
- Hepatitis B - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 2 months before travel.
- Rabies - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 1 month before travel.
- Meningococcal meningitis - Recommended for Tanzania. Ideally 3 weeks before travel.
- Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
- Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
- For any tour departing before 13th November 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 13th November 2024, a minimum payment of 35% is required to confirm your booking with Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
- Some departure dates and prices may vary and Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
- The following cards are accepted for "Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
- Your money is safe with TourRadar, as we only pay the tour operator after your tour has departed.
- TourRadar is an authorised Agent of Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris. Please familiarise yourself with the Lights on Africa Destinations & Safaris payment, cancellation and refund conditions .
- Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
- Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
Keep Exploring Tanzania
- 10 Best Safaris in December 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in August 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in January 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in November 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in October 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in July 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in June 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in May 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in April 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in March 2024/2025
- 10 Best Safaris in February 2024/2025
- 10 Best Luxury African Safari Tours 2024/2025
- Tanzania from Arusha
- Tanzania Safari
- Small group tour
- 8 days Tanzania
- Operators in Africa
- 8-Day Royal Wildlife Safari in Tanzania Tours in Tanzania
- Tanzania Tours
- Africa Tours
- Safari Tours
- Tanzania tours
IMAGES
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Plan your next visit to African Safari Wildlife Park, the Midwest's original drive-through safari! It's family fun for all ages!
Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park - Ashland, Nebraska. An accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, the Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park invites visitors to drive along a 4-mile route through habitats populated by native North American plant and animal species, including American elk, bison, waterfowl, and white-tailed deer.
This summer we have experienced heavy traffic on the weekends, which have caused long wait times entering the park/drive through. If you would like to discuss your experience more with us, please give us a call at 800-521-2660 or email us at [email protected]. Read more. Written September 18, 2020.
Robert King/Newsmakers. Snakes —. Rattlesnakes are found across the American Southwest in places such as Arizona's Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Reserve (pictured). Of the four species of ...
African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton, Ohio. 166,405 likes · 983 talking about this · 137,141 were here. From alpacas to zebras, you'll meet hundreds of amazing animals in our 65-acre Drive-Thru...
African Safari Wildlife Park, Port Clinton: See 1,080 reviews, articles, and 1,019 photos of African Safari Wildlife Park, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 21 attractions in Port Clinton.
Visit our drive through safari for some wild family fun! Purchase your daily tickets here, and get ready for some safari park action!
The African Safari Wildlife Park is a drive through wildlife park in Port Clinton, Ohio, United States. Visitors can drive through the 65-acre (26 ha) preserve and watch and feed the animals from their car. Visitors can spend as much time in the preserve as they wish, observing and feeding the animals, before proceeding to the walk through part ...
Mar 2, 2024 - Have you ever fed a Camel? Been nose-to-nose with a Bison? If not, you will at African Safari Wildlife Park! From Alpaca to Zebra, we have hundreds of exotic animals awaiting your arrival. The Park...
Reflecting on the experience, it's clear why African Safari Wildlife Park holds a special place in the hearts of so many visitors. The chance to connect with animals in such an intimate and personal way is a rare gift, and the park's commitment to conservation and education adds an extra layer of meaning to the adventure.
The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America, set on about 10,000 acres of land in Southeast Ohio. The Wilds safari park is home to a number of rare and endangered animals from around the world, including cheetah, rhinos, camels, antelope, zebra, and giraffes. We'll give you all the information you need to plan a trip here and tell you about our own experience visiting ...
Explore the wildlife from the comfort of your own vehicle, with our drive through safari experience! From giraffes to zebras, there's tons of animals to keep an eye out for! Immerse yourself in nature and check out our safari park for an unforgettable experience!
If not, you will at African Safari Wildlife Park! From Alpaca to Zebra, we have hundreds of exotic animals awaiting your arrival. The Park is celebrating its 56th WILD Season in 2024. We can't wait to see you at THE Ohio Safari Park! Duration: 2-3 hours.
1.1 km $ • Quick Bites • American • Fast food. Casa Las Palmas. 276. 1.5 km $$ - $$$ • Mexican • Vegetarian Friendly • Vegan Options. Cheese Haven. 103. 1.2 km $$ - $$$ Subway. 10. ... The kids LOVE this ride through the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, OH. You can feed the animals by hand or with the bucket but beware ...
Embark on a safari adventure without the long-haul flight at Ohio's African Safari Wildlife Park. Drive across more than 60 acres (24 hectares) of land to see hundreds of animals roam free and get a close-up view of giraffe, zebra, bison, alpaca, elk, and more.
This summer we have experienced heavy traffic on the weekends, which have caused long wait times entering the park/drive through. If you would like to discuss your experience more with us, please give us a call at 800-521-2660 or email us at [email protected]. Read more. Written 18 September 2020.
31. Map. The Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari has another sister park and is home to dozens of animals from across the globe. The 250-acre safari zone features 120 species, to be exact, ranging from birds, lemurs, wolves, lizards, and wallabies. You can bring your own vehicle or rent a van for the 3.5-mile loop.
They even offer sleepover adventures and camping programs in the park for both kids and adults! Pre-book your tickets online to bypass the line on the morning of your visit: San Diego Zoo Safari Park 1-Day Ticket. San Diego Zoo and Safari Park: 2-Day Entry Ticket. Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027.
0.5 mi $ • Dessert • American. Ciao Bella. 623. 0.8 mi $$ - $$$ • Italian • Tuscan • Central-Italian. The 'Que Barbecue & Brew. 95. 0.7 mi $$ - $$$ • Barbecue • Beer restaurants • Gluten Free Options. ... African Safari Wildlife Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)
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.
Walk-Thru Safari - Discover Nature's Wonders | African Safari Wildlife Park. Put on your walking shoes and book your walk through our safari experience now! Take in the fresh air and keep your eyes open for some wildlife! Check out some of the animals you'll catch a glimpse of at our safari park!
American Safari: Day 1. Black Bear in the Alligator River National Wildlife Refuge, NC. Friday July 19. My favorite sighting of the day, baby Ospreys! Read our post Osprey feeding chicks Nags Head, NC for more photos. Saturday, July 20. Our last day in the Outer Banks of North Carolina.
Home to the Big Five and a vast array of wildlife, Kruger National Park is a safari classic. Cape Town, a cosmopolitan city surrounded by stunning natural beauty, offers a perfect blend of adventure, culture, and relaxation. Beyond these highlights, South Africa boasts the Garden Route, a coastal paradise known for its lush forests, pristine ...
8-Day Royal Wildlife Safari in Tanzania, a 8 days tour from Arusha to Tarangire National Park, Serengeti National Park and 4 destinations. Best Selection - Best Price - Trusted Payments. Shop 2,500 operators ... Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods ...
Calling all seniors! We're pleased to offer $12 admission to guests ages 62 years and up every Tuesday this September and October.