virginia safari park vs natural bridge zoo

Experience the Unique Virginia Safari Park

There is so much to do when you visit Natural Bridge, including exploring the Virginia Safari Park ! This Natural Bridge zoon is drive -thru a zoo with hundreds of free-roaming animals.   This unique experience gives you the opportunity to  get up close and personal with the animals and feed the m  right from your car.  From a farm petting zoo to penguins to rhinos,  this safari park packs a lot into a day at the zoo .  

You can easily spend an entire day at the safari, but you’ll need to fi ll  the rest of your trip to  the Blue Ridge  Mountains . Get our complimentary Vacation Guide to start planning your wildest getaway yet!

GET THE VACATION GUIDE TODAY!  

Everything  Y ou  N eed to  K now  About   Virginia Safari Park  

What to  expect.

The  park  is 180 acres with the main attraction being the  3+ mile  S afari  D rive-thru.   There is also the Safari V illage which is more like a traditional zoo where you walk around and view the animals.  

What Can You  Do?  

When you first enter the park, buy some animal feed  and hit  the  Safari Drive-thru. Feed the free-roaming animals like camels ,  elk , and  ostriches.   This can take a while because the animals are known to lay in the middle of the road for as long as they like.  Once you make it through, park  your  car  and enter the S afari Village. You’ll have the chance  to feed gira ffes and budgie s, observe the tiger territory, pet farm animals, visit the penguins, and walk among kangaroos! For an extra fee, you can also have an up-close encounter with rhinos, sloths, or penguins. If you get hungry, there is a café with concession stand food.

How Much Is It?  

Adults are $29.95, while seniors 65 and older sa ve two dollars on their tickets. Kids between the age s of two and 12 are $21.95, and k ids under two are free. Prices can vary by the season, so be sure to check their website for any changes to their tickets.

When Can You Go?  

Virginia Safari Park is open seven days a week from March t hrough  November.  Hours vary based on the season, but the park always opens at 9 a.m. and closes anytime between 4:30 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. The last car is typically admitted an hour and a half before closing.   C heck  the hours  and get details before your visit .  

What Else Do You Need to Know?  

Your  ticket is  g ood all day, so you can leave the park for lunch and come back.  For  the Safari Drive-thru, a ll cars must have doors, and doors must remain closed. You can’t bring in your own animal feed or any pets.  

Relax at the Natural  Bridge Hotel

After you take a walk on the wild side, you’ll want a place to rest. Natural Bridge H otel is perfect because we’re just five miles from Virginia Safari Park! To make the most out of your adventure with the family , we recommend our Family Fun Outdoor Package . This package includes overnight accommodations, breakfast each morning , and two adult and two  child   tickets to the Natural Bridge State Park and the Caverns at Natural Bridge. If it’s just you and that special someone, we have several   other packages available.

We offer comfortable  Main Inn Rooms ,  Premium Second-Floor Balcony Rooms ,  Guest Rooms on Cottage Hill , and Veranda Rooms . With more than 150 rooms to choose from, you’re sure to find  the  one  for you !

Check our availability to start planning your adventure in Natural Bridge!

Natural Bridge Zoo

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Natural Bridge Zoo - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Mon - Fri 9:00 am - 5:00 pm
• Sat - Sun 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
• (0.14 km) Burger's Country Inn
• (4.52 km) The Inn at Forest Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (1.86 km) Herring Hall Bed and Breakfast
• (1.40 km) 1926 C&O guest cabin
• (4.29 km) Natural Bridge/Lexington KOA
• (1.55 km) Natural Bridge General Store and Cafe
• (1.88 km) Red Fox
• (1.48 km) Cedar Creek Cafe
• (14.89 km) Foot of the Mountain Cafe
• (4.46 km) Pink Cadillac Diner

Virginia Safari Park

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 09:00 - 17:00
• (0.61 km) Natural Bridge/Lexington KOA
• (7.94 km) The Inn at Forest Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (13.86 km) Brierley Hill Bed and Breakfast
• (13.76 km) The Georges
• (1.04 km) Budget Inn
• (0.97 km) Pink Cadillac Diner
• (13.42 km) Niko's Grille
• (13.76 km) Bistro on Main
• (4.68 km) Natural Bridge General Store and Cafe
• (13.63 km) The Palms Restaurant
• (0.68 km) Great Valley Farm Brewery
• (5.77 km) Natural Bridge State Park
• (13.68 km) Lexington Carriage Company
• (1.68 km) Halcyon Days Cider
• (14.21 km) Virginia Military Institute

An Historic Virginia Bed & Breakfast

Natural Bridge Virginia Hotel Bed & Breakfast: The Inn at Forest Oaks

Virginia Safari Park

Unlike any zoo you’ve ever been to, this is 180 acres of drive-through Safari adventure, featuring 1000 free-roaming animals. Llamas, camels, antelope, deer, bison, ostrich, elk, zebra, and more might approach your vehicle looking for a bucket of feed. Safari Village also includes 10 acres of walk-thru exhibits.

virginiasafaripark.com 229 Safari LN, Natural Bridge, VA 24578 540-291-3205

Virginia Safari Park

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Virginia Safari Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
• (0.61 km) Natural Bridge/Lexington KOA
• (7.94 km) The Inn at Forest Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (13.86 km) Brierley Hill Bed and Breakfast
• (13.76 km) The Georges
• (1.04 km) Budget Inn
• (0.97 km) Pink Cadillac Diner
• (13.42 km) Niko's Grille
• (13.76 km) Bistro on Main
• (4.68 km) Natural Bridge General Store and Cafe
• (13.63 km) The Palms Restaurant
• (0.68 km) Great Valley Farm Brewery
• (5.77 km) Natural Bridge State Park
• (13.68 km) Lexington Carriage Company
• (1.68 km) Halcyon Days Cider
• (14.21 km) Virginia Military Institute

Dozens of Animals Taken From Virginia Roadside Zoo as Part of Investigation

Court documents show that over 100 animals – both living and dead – have been taken from a roadside zoo in western Virginia

NATURAL BRIDGE, Va. (AP) — Over 100 animals –- both living and dead -– have been taken from a roadside zoo in western Virginia, according to court documents, as part of what state authorities are calling a criminal investigation.

One search warrant executed Wednesday at the Natural Bridge Zoo in Rockbridge County shows that 89 living animals were seized, while another 28 deceased animals were removed, The Roanoke Times reported.

The office of Attorney General Jason Miyares is conducting the investigation, with help from the Virginia State Police. The warrant said that it had been issued in relation to the care of and cruelty to animals.

The attorney general’s “Animal Law Unit offers support and prosecution of animal cruelty cases upon request of a local Commonwealth’s Attorney or law enforcement agency,” Miyares spokesperson Victoria LaCivita said in an email Friday. “Because this is an ongoing criminal investigation, we cannot comment further.”

LaCivita did confirm that one of the dead animals taken was a tiger that had to be euthanized with consent of the owners to humanely end its suffering. Other live animals that were taken away included lemurs, macaws, pythons and llamas, according to the warrant, filed Friday in the county’s circuit court. Many crates and animal carriers were taken into the zoo.

A phone call to Natural Zoo Bridge went unanswered Saturday, and there was no immediate response to an email seeking comment. The zoo has already been closed for the winter.

Photos You Should See - April 2024

Mario Williams, an attorney for the zoo’s owner, questioned the probe, telling WDBJ-TV earlier in the week that the zoo would seek to halt any permanent seizure of the animals, which he said would be unconstitutional.

Copyright 2023 The  Associated Press . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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Tags: Associated Press , animal cruelty , politics , business , Virginia

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Virginia Safari Park

229 Safari Lane, Natural Bridge, VA 24578 Phone: (540) 291-3205

www.virginiasafaripark.com

180 Acre Drive-Thru Adventure featuring over 1,000 free roaming animals from around the world. Come feed, pet, and enjoy!

Drive through or take a public tractor-driven wagon.

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Natural Bridge State Park

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Natural Bridge Zoo

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

NATURAL BRIDGE ZOO: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Mon - Fri 09:00 - 17:00
• Sat - Sun 09:00 - 18:00
• (0.09 mi) Burger's Country Inn
• (2.82 mi) The Inn at Forest Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (1.17 mi) Herring Hall Bed and Breakfast
• (0.87 mi) 1926 C&O guest cabin
• (2.68 mi) Natural Bridge/Lexington KOA
• (0.97 mi) Natural Bridge General Store and Cafe
• (1.18 mi) Red Fox
• (0.93 mi) Cedar Creek Cafe
• (9.31 mi) Foot of the Mountain Cafe
• (2.79 mi) Pink Cadillac Diner

Virginia Safari Park Frequently Asked Questions

We encourage you to review our FAQs before you call Virginia Safari Park. Many of your questions may be answered below.

Are pets allowed?

No pets are permitted on the property. This is for your animal’s safety and ours.

Are drones allowed?

Drone usage is NOT PERMITTED on property. This is for the safety of our animals.

Do you have wheelchairs for rent?

We do not have wheelchairs to rent at this time. Most of the park is a drive-thru, but the Safari Village is paved and has benches along the way. If there are people in your party who need wheelchairs, you are welcome to bring your own to the park.

Can we walk through the park?

For safety purposes, guests are not permitted to exit their vehicles while in the Drive-Thru section of the park. You are welcome to enjoy our 10-acre Village Walk-Thru area after your drive-thru to stretch your legs and see other animals not found on the drive-thru safari. Admission to both the Safari Drive-Thru and the Village Walk-Thru is included in the price of your ticket.

What types of vehicles are allowed?

All vehicles must have enclosed tops and solid slide doors. While in the drive-thru area, vehicle doors should remain closed at all times. Softshell/fabric Jeep doors are not substantial protection for the drive-thru and will not be permitted into the safari.   RVs up to 42' long can drive through the park without any difficulties. RVs are subject to a vehicle search for pets/animals before entering the park.   The following vehicles are not allowed in the Safari Drive-Thru: Motorcycles, convertibles, open top jeeps, vehicles without doors and tow-behind trailers.   Guests arriving on motorcycles may make arrangements to ride in another guest's vehicle.

Can you ride in the back of a pick-up truck?

No. Riding in the bed of a pick-up truck is not permitted.

How do we feed the animals if driving a minivan?

Minivan doors and back hatch doors must remain closed while in the Safari Drive-Thru section of the park. You may feed the animals through your front windows or side windows if they open. Remember, you may drive through the park as many times as you like, giving minivan passengers in the back of the vehicle the opportunity to move to the front seats to feed the animals.

How can we get our own wagon?

Privately booked wagons are booked 4 to 6 weeks in advance through our sales department with a minimum of 15 paying people and a $100 non-refundable deposit due at the time of booking on MasterCard, Visa. Please see Group Rates for more information.

How many people can fit on a wagon?

Our wagons hold up to 35 people.

Do you offer group rates?

Discounted rates are available for groups of 15 or more people. Please see Group Rates for more information.

Do you have a carload rate?

We do not have a carload rate. The admission is per person in the vehicle.

Are you open on Sundays?

We are open seven days a week, mid-March thru November. Please see the visitor information page for the full calendar of hours of operation.

Are the animals out in the rain?

The animals live outside year-round, rain or shine. They may choose to seek shelter in a heavy downpour or inclement weather.

Is there a restaurant on the property?

The Watering Hole Cafe is located across from the Safari Junction wagon station in the Village area. See dining for details .

Can we bring a grill to use at your picnic shelter?

No. We do not allow grills to be used in any area of the park or within the picnic shelter.

What else is there to do in the area?

There are several attractions in our area. Please see Directions & Area Links for more information .

Are there any campgrounds in the area?

There are many local campgrounds in the area, including KOA, Jellystone, Cave Mountain Lake, Glen Maury Park, and Lake Robertson.

May we feed the animals?

Yes! Buckets of animal feed for the Safari Drive-Thru are available for purchase at the time of admission, as well as inside the gift shop. Feed buckets are for the Safari Drive-Thru and are not permitted in the Village Walk-Thru. Additionally, feed sticks for the Budgie Aviary and romaine lettuce cups for the Giraffe Feeding Station may be purchased in the Village Walk-Thru. Please see Visitor Information for details. NO OUTSIDE ANIMAL FEED OF ANY KIND IS PERMITTED.

Does the animal feed contain peanuts?

No, the animal feed does not contain peanuts but is manufactured in an agricultural facility that may process peanuts or peanut shells.

Is smoking permitted?

Smoking is not permitted anywhere on park grounds, including inside vehicles in the parking lot or Safari Drive-Thru. There is one designated smoking area located at the entrance to the Village Walk-Thru.

Are balloons allowed at the Virginia Safari Park?

No. Balloons are not allowed at Virginia Safari Park as they pose a threat to our animals who may accidentally eat the balloons, which could lead to a fatal outcome.

All persons entering Virginia Safari Park do so at their own risk. We will not be responsible for injuries to any individual or damage to any vehicle.

By entering the Virginia Safari Park, all guests, patrons, employees, and volunteers agree that photographs and videos of animals and other property at the Virginia Safari Park may not be used for commercial profit (i.e., financial gain), for publicity, or for any other purpose that commercially exploits the photos and videos.

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