safari drive thru in san antonio

Explore the Wildlife Ranch Drive-through Safari

Discover a world of exotic animals on a thrilling drive-through safari adventure in the heart of Texas!

Admission: $28.99 (adults) and $19.99 (kids); Guided Safari Shuttle: $149.99; Safari Adventure Tour: $229.99

More than 500 Miles from you

State Gem: Exceptional experiences within your state that are bucket list-worthy Learn more

Description

At the Wildlife Ranch, guests can enjoy an incredible drive-through safari where they will encounter a variety of fascinating animals from around the world. Choose from three exciting ways to explore the safari: drive through in your own car, join a Guided Safari Trek on a shuttle, or experience the exclusive Safari Adventure Tour with a Giraffe Encounter. Learn about the animals' habitats, conservation efforts, and unique characteristics while taking part in guided tours led by experienced Safari Animal Rangers. No matter which option you choose, an unforgettable adventure awaits you at the Wildlife Ranch.

What's included

Perfect for.

  TikTok videos

• Arrive at the Wildlife Ranch
• Purchase admission or optional guided tour tickets
• Enjoy your drive-through Safari
• Explore the Walk-A-Bout area with giraffes

Location & Hours

26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266

Working Hours

Packing List

• Comfortable clothing
• Water bottle

   4.4  ● Google reviews

Dave Cipriani

2 weeks ago

in the last week

Lyle Sem (The Dirando Group)

Jesse Mendoza

Nearby experiences

Discover Underground Wonders at Natural Bridge Caverns

Drink Beer at Krause's Biergarten

Conquer the New Braunfels Tube Chute on Comal River

Stroll Through the Japanese Tea Garden in San Antonio

Discover the San Antonio Botanical Garden

Experience a Night of Unforgettable Live Jazz at JazzTX

Nearby cities

More in category - for solo, more in category - for two, more in category - for groups, more in category - for families with kids, more in category - for parents and grownups, more in category - outdoorsy, more in category - chill, nearby towns.

•   My Account
•   Things to Do
•   My Bucket List
•   Settings
•   Support
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Services

• San Antonio
• Things to Do
• Restaurants
• Vacation Rentals
• Travel Stories
• Rental Cars
• Add a Place
• Travel Forum
• Travelers' Choice
• Help Center

Fun drive thru safari! - Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

• United States    
• Texas (TX)    
• San Antonio    
• San Antonio - Things to Do    
• Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

We’ve been coming here since our kids were toddlers, and we still love to take them as teens/young... read more

Great way to see the animals up close and naturally. It’s nice you can buy a bag of food at the gat... read more

Fun drive thru safari!

Seeing the wide variety of animals up close was very cool! We took our time driving thru the park and enjoyed all of it. You can see the animals are well cared for and well fed, and roam about freely. They are not shy about having their photo taken! The facilities/gift shop etc were also very nice and looked brand new.

lauries437: Thank you for sharing your experience with us! We take pride in the care of our animals and grounds. We are so happy to hear that you enjoyed your visit and look forward to having you out again!

Great experience and worth the slightly expensive price. You are free to drive through as many times as you'd like once you pay and are inside the park. I would recommend being there when the park opens. The animals are hungry and ready to eat so are more willing to interact with visitors! We arrived when the park opened at 9am and it took about an hour to drive through. We decided to drive through a second time but realized that after being fed for an hour many were not as interactive with us as they had been the first time around. One bag of food was more than enough for the two of us.

Camille87: hank you for taking the time to leave such an informative review! We are overjoyed to hear that you took full advantage of your day pass, making multiple trips through the safari! We hope y'all visit again in the future! Stay Safe!

Husband and I went since I have never been to a drive-thru safari and it was really cool! We went on a Wednesday, so it wasn’t busy. Looked like they had just put out hay, so the animals weren’t super interested in us feeding them, but it was still neat! Wish we could have fed the giraffes, though.

J2588XUelizabethm: Thank you for taking the time to share your visit with us and the community! We do hope you took full advantage of your day pass, and drove through the Safari a second time before your departure, experiencing how differently the animals interact throughout the day.We hope to have you out again!

Do not go here while they are keeping you from feeding the animals. If you cant feed the animals the animals have ZERO interest in you. Infact they are probably afraid of the cars . If you have food the animals put the food above their dislike for vehicles. In any case WE saw nothing except some deer and the giraffes at the opening of the park. DO NOT GO TO NATURAL BRIDGE SAFARI! ITs a complete rip off. IF they had any decency they would just shut it down until they are willing to allow you to feed the animals.

We are sorry to hear that your visit wasn’t what you were expecting. We are proud to offer a safe home-away-from-home for more than 700 animals from more than 40 exotic species, with half of those facing some level of threat to endangerment. We provide our guests with a complimentary Safari Adventure Guidebook to help identify and provide information for each of those vastly different species. We had paused feeding out of extreme caution as there was so much unknown as to the transmission of Covid from humans to animals and it is our responsibility to protect the animals in our care. We made that change known to all visitors BEFORE they entered. As more is known, we have started offering feeding again, as an option to our guests. As a Safari Experience, our animals are wild and free roaming, making their behavior always unpredictable. Unfortunately, it sounds like you maybe did not take advantage of your day pass, making multiple trips through the Ranch, as each trip is truly a new and different experience. We have provided a safe home away from home to species for over 36 years. These animals where born in an environment where they find vehicles to not be a threat. Quite the contrary, be it visitor vehicles or Ranch vehicles, all of which provide the feedings that are given all through each day. Thank you for visiting as each admission helps support our mission to provide a healthy and sound environment and continue our conservation efforts. Stay Safe in these difficult times!

The Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a perfect adventure for young and old alike. You can go there, pay for your entrance, drive through the Wildlife Ranch, and go home without ever leaving your vehicle. The best thing is you don’t have to worry about COVID because you never have to leave your car. There are areas where you can stop and do a walkabout to see Giraffes and some smaller caged animals. The animals you will see Come from many continents and include those that are plentiful like the Wildebeest to the Scimitar Horned Oryx which is extinct in the wild. As you drive through the ranch at 5-miles an hour, there will be places you will have to stop because of animals on the road. Just relax and take in the sights. If you don’t look closely you could miss that animal in the trees. This is a don’t miss attraction.

retphcs: Thank you for taking the time to share your visit with us and the community! We always love hearing from our patrons and look forward to have you out again!

My daughter just turned 3. We drove from north Austin. When we arrived they said they would not provide feed bags. We saw mostly deer. Most were laying down or sleeping. We did get to see a couple other neat animals from afar but it was truly not even exciting for a 3 year. And almost anything excites a 3 year old. We basically drove 1.5 hrs one way to eat a bowl of ice cream. Those ladies at shop were super nice, so that was good. Suggest that you post online and make it very clear that you will not provide feed and that the experience will not be as great as a result.

Hi, TXGAUCK. Thanks for making time to share your perspective with us. As you mention, we have had to withhold the feeding aspect of experiences out of caution for the protection of the animals. (For future visitors reading this, we ask you to visit our website for a full list of modifications we’ve set in place due to COVID-19, which we keep updated on an immediate basis.) In regard to your comments about the types of animals and their interaction, we hope you read your Adventure Guidebook, which offers insight about the four deer species who find a home at the Ranch: Axis, Barasingha, Fallow and Muntjac (pages 8 and 19). Barasingha is classified as vulnerable to endangerment in the wild. We are proud to offer a safe home-away-from-home for more than 700 animals from more than 40 exotic, native and threatened species; including four new species that have been added in the past 6 months. (Page 16 of the Guidebook offers a visual explanation for the types of species within same families.) Please keep in mind that your admission into the ranch includes a full day pass to both the Drive-Thru and the Walk-A-Bout area. We hope you took advantage of your day pass, making multiple trips through the Safari Drive-Thru, as each trip is truly a new and different experience. Again, thank you for making time to share about your experience, and thank you for visiting. Admission helps support our mission to provide a healthy and sound environment for the animals that call Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch home. We so appreciate your support, which helps us to continue our conservation efforts.

Kids Love Feeding the Animals

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

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

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

- Eric Mogensen, CEO of Virginia Safari Park

Tickets & hours

Our 2023 hours.

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

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

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

Photo Gallery

Attractions

Plan your group visit.

School & Camp Groups

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

Group Visits

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

Follow Us on Instagram

Take a Drive-Through Safari at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

San antonio attraction gets you up close to emus, gazelles, wildebeests, and more, by kevin curtin , fri., may 17, 2019.

When it comes to food pellets, zebras have no shame. They'll shove their head right into the open window of your Toyota Corolla and shake you down for the contents of your paper feed bag. More than any other creature at Texas' drive-through safari, the striped African horse flaunts an unabashed love for snacking.

You can interact with 500 animals among 40 different species at the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch on the northern edge of San Antonio, a 75-minute drive from Austin. Ostriches, emus, gazelles, and wildebeests, roam free on the 450-acre property – which visitors cruise through on a paved road. Their roster of wildlife serves as an education on the vast species of African antelope alone: the pinstriped bongo, the screw-horned addax, the dark and mysterious sable, and the oryx with antlers as long as javelins. The park also houses a couple of white rhinoceroses – the second-largest land mammal on planet Earth. Thank God they're fenced away from the road.

Driving through the attraction, which opened in 1984 and is housed on a property owned by the same family for over a century, you notice that Texas ranchland, with its spacious landscape and low-riding flora, looks not unlike an African savanna. The journey through the park takes about an hour – give or take 20 minutes if traffic is heavy or a wildebeest blocks your path.

When you're ready to get out of the car, the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch also contains a "walkabout" where you'll encounter gibbons, alpacas, and lemurs. You'll also have ample opportunity to take a selfie with one of their friendly giraffes.

The beast-to-human ratio is best if you go on weekdays or early in the morning, and if you want to take the experience to the next level, we recommend borrowing a convertible and playing African music on the car stereo.

SUMMER FUN 2019

Summer events calendar, explore the natural beauty of texas at these four state parks, a sampling of summer attractions around texas, restaurant options to pair with smithville’s small-town charm, see all our summer fun stories.

A note to readers: Bold and uncensored, The Austin Chronicle has been Austin’s independent news source for over 40 years, expressing the community’s political and environmental concerns and supporting its active cultural scene. Now more than ever, we need your support to continue supplying Austin with independent, free press. If real news is important to you, please consider making a donation of $5, $10 or whatever you can afford, to help keep our journalism on stands.

Support the Chronicle  

March 29, 2024

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch , Texas road trips , zebra , safari park , Summer Fun 2019

Top 12 Must See Drive Through Safaris in Texas

Note: This post may contain affiliate links! Check our disclaimer if you need more info!

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

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

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

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

Drive Through Safaris in Texas

Natural bridge wildlife ranch , san antonio.

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

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (@naturalbridge.wildliferanch)

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

Aggieland Safari , Bryan

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

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aggieland Safari (@aggielandsafari)

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

Rocky Ridge Drive Thru Safari , Eustace

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

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

​ Franklin Drive Thru Safari , Franklin

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

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center , Glen Rose

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

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

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

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

Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari , Jacksonville

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

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

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cherokee Trace (@cherokeetrace)

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

Grapeland Safari , Grapeland

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

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

Exotic Resort Zoo , Johnson City

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

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

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

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

Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari , Jefferson

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

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

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

North Texas Safari Park , Bonham

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

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

Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park , Jefferson

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

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

Buena Vista Wildlife Safari and RV Park , Evant

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

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

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

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

Similar Posts

Medieval Times Dallas Review: Everything You Need to Know

7 Tips on How to Avoid Pickpocketing in Europe

London with Kids: Itinerary & Recap

Where to Stay in Rome With Kids: 5 Best Neighborhoods for Families

Why We Don’t World School Our Kids

12 Top Things to do in Huntsville TX

Privacy overview.

• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Additional menu

The Family Vacation Guide

12 of the Best Drive Thru Zoos & Safaris in the US

posted by Charmaine Cortes on December 23, 2022 // last updated on June 12, 2023

To get a one-of-a-lifetime safari experience, you do not have to travel long distances or go overseas. There are plenty of drive-thru zoos in the US that enable you to encounter exotic species from the safety and comfort of your own car.

If you are an adventurer looking forward to experiencing wildlife, here are our recommendations for the best drive-thru zoos, safaris, and wildlife preserves to have an exciting road trip. 

African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio

Wildlife safari in oregon, bearizona wildlife park in arizona, phoenix zoo in phoenix, pine mountain wild animal safari park in georgia, custer state park resort in south dakota, lion country safari in loxahatchee, florida, lee richardson zoo in garden city, kansas, natural bridge wildlife ranch in san antonio, texas, southwick’s zoo in madison, massachusetts, arbuckle wilderness park in davis, oklahoma, safari lake geneva in lake geneva, wisconsin.

From alpacas, emus, llamas, zebras, and giraffes to fallow deer, white bison, and a variety of wild birds, visiting the African Safari Wildlife Park can be an unforgettable experience. This drive-thru safari is home to a lot of unique species and puts animal safety and health as its top priority. 

Here, you will also come across many species of wildflowers and plants. The safari offers various activities, including a walk-thru safari in spring, giraffe encounters, a safari cafe, and gem mining. It provides an adventurous experience and enables visitors to get up close and personal with hundreds of animals from around the world. 

Website: www.africansafariwildlifepark.com

Cost: Ticket prices range from $14.95 to $29.95; free for children of 2 and under

Note: While the African Safari Wildlife is open the whole year around, there are certain animals you can only view during the warm months, which is something to consider when going. 

In the Wildlife Safari in Oregon, you can come across a variety of species, including Tibetan Yanks, camels, African elephants, hippopotamuses, and American alligators. The accredited safari has one of the most successful cheetah breeding programs in the US, which you can support with donations.

Hop on the safari tour vehicle and meet and feed one of the most adorable animals, like red pandas or get closer to the king of the jungle and head to the elephant barn to meet with these animals and take a photo. The Wildlife Safari in Oregon offers a lot of activities and safari events. 

The Safari includes bused or open-air adventures through the park’s drive-thru, which is very exciting, but you can also sign up for activities such as hippo encounters, tiger feed, walking with cheetahs, and more. 

Website: www.wildlifesafari.net

Cost: Drive-thru safari tickets range from $17.95 to $23.95 

Note: This is an excellent 60-90 minutes experience for families. The tour features diverse wildlife from the US, Africa, and Asia. 

The Bearizona Wildlife Park provides a natural, spacious environment. The visitors drive through the largest ponderosa pine forest and view various animals in their natural habitats from their own private vehicles. 

Jump on the Wild Ride bus with their tour guides and get familiar with each animal that you encounter along this 3-mile safari. During your drive, you can also get off the bus for a unique backstage experience and view the wolf training sessions.

On this journey, you can witness a broad range of animals, such as black bears, Alaskan tundra wolves, reindeer, arctic wolves, mule deer, and so much more. The mission of the zoo is to promote the preservation through educational encounters of North American wildlife. 

Website: www.bearizona.com

Cost: Ticket prices range from $20 to $50; free for children of 3 and under

Note: Aside from the exciting drive-thru, you can also scroll through the park, enjoy unique animal encounters and dine in their themed restaurant. 

The Phoenix Zoo cares for more than 3,000 animals, including endangered species. Their guided drive-thru tours cover a wide range of animals, which makes it a thrilling experience. There are also plenty of fun daily activities happening in the zoo, including camel rides, giraffe encounters, and others. 

During the tour, you will drive past the main areas of the zoo, including the Africa Trail, where there are rhinos and zebras, and the Tropics Trail, where you will witness elephants and tigers roaming around. 

The Arizona Center for Nature Conservation also features discovery tours, backstage and premium adventures, as well as custom guided tours. Among the animals you can come across at this zoo are Asian elephants, coyotes, Mexican grey wolves, white-faced Saki monkeys, cheetahs, flamingos, and more. 

Website: www.phoenixzoo.org

Cost: $65 per vehicle 

Note: The number of vehicles per day is limited, so make sure to get tickets on time. 

Among the best drive-thru zoos in the US is the Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari Park in Georgia. The safari park allows visitors to encounter more than 120 species of animals, including lizards, wolves, ostriches, parrots, lemurs, and many others.

You will travel down a 2.5-mile trail and view a wide variety of animals along the way. To experience the excitement of the safari, you can use your own vehicle, rent one or get into a bus for a guide. 

Aside from seeing the wild animals, this drive-thru zoo enables horse riding adventures and exclusive animal encounters that allow you to interact with some of them. This is an animal-friendly park for visitors of all ages, where you will have a chance to meet some of the zoo’s friendliest animals. 

Website: www.animalsafari.com/georgia-park-home-about-us/

Cost: Adult (ages 13-64) – $29.00; junior (ages 3-12) – $24.00; senior (age 65+) – $24.00

Note: You can feed the animals with only park-purchased food. 

Go through the park in an open-air jeep or your own vehicle to look for prairie dogs, buffalos, elks, and pronghorns. The guided tour takes around two hours and features guides that share historical and educational stories about the wildlife and the park. The tours depart from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m. every day and offer breathtaking views of nature. 

Website: www.custerresorts.com

Cost: Adults – $68; Children (under 12) – $58

Note: You need to make a reservation to get a drive-thru experience.

Despite the name, the Lion Country Safari is home to more than 1,000 animals. During the 4-mile-long drive-through, you can view animals from six different countries, such as lions, zebras, giraffes, white rhinos, chimpanzees, and more.

All of the animals roam in naturalistic habitats. The Lion Country Safari was the very first drive-thru safari park in the United States, as it was established in 1967. After you finish the drive-thru, you can also enjoy activities like boat rides, carnival rides, and water attractions.

Website: www.lioncountrysafari.com

Cost: $34-$45

Note: The safari preserve is divided into seven natural habitats you can visit. 

The Lee Richardson Zoo offers visitors a drive-thru of the park to view wild animals. The zoo is home to over 300 hundred native and exotic animals, including lions, alpacas, Amur leopards, camels, bison, bobcats, elk, giraffes, jaguars, sloth bears, and much more. Each animal is an ambassador of its counterparts, promoting the conservation of wild animals. 

Website: www.leerichardsonzoo.org

Cost: $10 per vehicle, pedestrian entry for free

Note: The Lee Richardson Zoo is open the whole year around 

Start your adventure with the 450-acre safari drive-thru in San Antonio, Texas. Here visitors can interact with animals and look at picturesque views that resemble safari in Africa. You can view over 40 species of animals from the comfort of your own vehicle and roam around the trees and the hills within the ranch.

The safari covers 6 miles and provides 1-2 hours of an incredible experience. You can also get a guided tour from animal specialists and feed the animals. During the guided tours, the visitors can learn more about the animals and come across ostriches, giraffes, zebras, buffalos, and other animal species.

Website: www.wildliferanchtexas.com

Cost: Adults (12-64 years) – $28.99;  children (3-11 years) – $19.99;  seniors (65+years) – $25.99

Note: Check your map before the visit, as there are different routes to take.

Among the best drive-thru zoos in the US is Southwick’s Zoo which enables visitors to go on a self-driven tour of the 200-acre park. On such a 45-minute tour, you will come across various wild animals and download an audio tour as well. 

After the journey, the visitors can also order takeaway from the restaurant, go on rides and visit attractions, or book a giraffe, rhino, or sloth animal encounter. 

Website: www.southwickszoo.com

Cost: $60/car

Note: The guests should arrive 30 minutes before the selected tour time.

Go on a safari-like experience as you drive through 200 acres in the beautiful Arbuckle Mountains and come across hundreds of exotic animals roaming free. This park is also a home for reptiles and is filled with diverse creatures from over five continents.

Llamas, giraffes, donkeys, camels, deers, yaks, zebras, and more; you can enjoy feeding animals from the comfort of your own vehicle. The Arbuckle Wilderness Park provides an exciting adventure for guests of all ages. 

Website: www.arbucklewildernesspark.com

Cost: Adults – $16.99; kids (4-11) – $14.99; senior citizens – $14.99

Note: The drive-thru safari is open every day. 

The wildlife preserve known as Safari Lake Geneva is home to animals from all around the world. You can drive through this safari park as many times as you want and view the variety of animals that are free to roam. 

Moreover, you can also purchase a bowl of grain and feed the animals as you come close to them. Here you can drive your own vehicle or rent a Zebra van if desired. You can opt for a solo trip or bring your whole family for a unique safari adventure. 

Website: www.safarilakegeneva.com

Cost: Adult (ages 16+) – $21.95; children (ages 3-15) – $14.95; infants (ages 2 and under) – free

Note: The giraffes may not be visible during unpleasant weather.

If you are on a hunt for drive-thru zoos and safaris for an unforgettable experience, you can choose the one that appeals to you the most from our list. The zoos are home to a wide number of animals which we often see on TV, and they also offer many activities for their visitors, including special animal encounters. 

More about our TFVG Author

Charmaine Cortes

• Share on Facebook
• Share on SMS
• Share on Email

• Advertise With Us
• Forever Families

See hundreds of wild animals at this drive-thru safari in Texas

More Videos

Next up in 5

Example video title will go here for this video

SAN ANTONIO — If you've ever wanted a wildlife safari experience, you really don't have to venture too far to get it. All it takes is a trip southbound down I-35 to the  Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio. 

Sitting on 450-acres of natural, scenic, protected land, the ranch is home to more than 500 animals and is made up of 45 different species. At least 20 of those animals are some level of endangerment.

The ranch has been home to the animals since 1984. Tiffany Soechting, who is an animal specialist and ambassador, has been working there since 1985.

"The wildlife ranch was established on a Texas land heritage property so it has been owned and operated for agriculture use for over 130 years," Soechting said. "Over 500 animals find the wildlife ranch a safe home away from home."

RAW: Feeding animals at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Because visitors are able to drive through the ranch, they're able to meet animals like zebras, ostriches, Watusi, Gemsbok, gazelles and more from their own cars.

"My favorite part about coming to work is to see everybody's interaction. You get a different experience because at the wildlife ranch, it's different than a traditional zoo," Soechting said. "They're in the vehicle, in the cage and going into the animal's environment, and we have so many species that are at some level of endangerment and people have to create a bond and an appreciation for that species."

RELATED: 

Austin Wildlife Rescue to help up to 2,000 baby animals this springtime

'I'm not lying about this, I swear' | 311 audio released of woman who found tiger in Houston home

Also on the ranch are rhinos, camels, and giraffes. To meet all the animals who call the ranch home,  click here .

"I think the 'oh my gosh,' we get the most about is the giraffes. They're just one of those iconic species and we're blessed to have helped over the last few years to co-founding an org called  'Saving the Giraffes ' because so many people don't realize that giraffes are an endangered species." 

Just this spring, the ranch also rolled out a new safari truck.

The safari truck is the safari adventure tours that were just started at the beginning of April and they will go through the summer. It gives visitors a different experience because it's more of a personal one-on-one interactive experience.

The ranch is open 362 days a year, only closed on Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.

To learn more about admission and ticket prices, click  here.

PHOTOS: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch safari experience

PEOPLE ARE ALSO READING: 

• VERIFY: Was Maleah Davis' mother attending a funeral when the child disappeared?
• 'We know she's still missing' | Stepfather in Maleah Davis case due back in court
• Texas boys ranch moves forward as more men discuss abuse

Before You Leave, Check This Out

KVUE would like to send you push notifications about the latest news and weather.

Notifications can be turned off anytime in the browser settings.

Houstonia Magazine

• Eat & Drink
• Arts & Culture
• Style & Shopping
• Travel & Outdoors
• News & City Life
• Home & Real Estate
• Gift Guides
• Health & Wellness

These Are the Best Drive-Thru Safaris in Texas

By Catherine Wendlandt and Geneva Diaz March 21, 2022

Image: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Remember going to the zoo as a kid , 

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

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

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

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

Franklin Drive Thru Safari

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

Drive time from Houston: 2 hours

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

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Brian Stephens (@grapelandsafarionline)

Grapeland Safari

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

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

Exotic Resort Zoo

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

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

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center

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

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

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Cherokee Trace (@cherokeetrace)

Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari

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

      View this post on Instagram       A post shared by Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (@naturalbridge.wildliferanch)

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

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

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

Animal Encounters at Blue Hills Ranch

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

Related Content

Studio Kane Is Riding the Recovery of Houston’s Anime Scene

01/22/2024 By Jef Rouner

A Grand Mutton Bustin’ Champion Shares His Best Tips

02/29/2024 By Emma Balter

In the Wild

The Houston Area Keeps These Exotic Animal Rescues Busy

03/06/2024 By Meredith Nudo

The Underside

How the Houston Rodeo Deals with All That Animal Poop

02/27/2024 By Daniel Renfrow

Guided Tour

Ride with us and learn from a safari ranger.

Experience the ultimate Safari Adventure Tour at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch! Led by our knowledgeable and dedicated animal specialists, this guided trek offers a hands-on experience with incredible animals. Our Safari Adventure Trek Tours provide enhanced experiences, where guides share fun facts, management insights, and rich heritage, offering a fresh perspective on our African Safari, Texas Style. With a focus on species conservation, our Safari Adventure Trek allows you to learn more from our guides while riding in our custom-built Safari Rover or Safari Shuttle. Get ready for an unforgettable exploration!

Safari Shuttle

Experience the ultimate adventure at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch! Join our Safari Animal Rangers on a 75-minute guided trek, encountering fascinating animals. It's a journey of unforgettable fun and discovery!

Safari Shuttle Pricing: $149.99 per party

General Admission is not included and required for entry into the park. Maximum 8 guests per tour.

Safari Rover

Got a group of 9 or more adventurers? Hop aboard a Safari Rover and get up close to 40 different species! Learn from an informative and entertaining Ranch Tour Guide and get ready for plenty of oohs and ahhs. 

Safari Rover Booking:

Contact our Tour Coordinator

A DD AN EXCURSION TO YOUR GUIDED  SAFARI!

Make your safari even better by adding one or more of these excursions!

You'll be able to select them while booking your safari.

Aviary Experience

The only thing better than seeing our birds is feeding them! Come inside with food on popsicle sticks that dozens of budgies look forward to enjoying. NOTE: Guests must be 3 years or older to enter the exhibit.

Excursion Pricing: $5.00 for general admission ticket holders

Prehistoric Experience

Walk amongst dozens of dinosaurs that move, breathe, and can't wait for you to maybe get a little too close. This excursion is sure to be memorable and filled with plenty of oohs, ahs, and a yikes or two. 

Excursion Pricing:

$5.00 for general admission ticket holders 3+ years old

• Entertainment
• KSAT Insider
• Newsletters

WEATHER ALERT

A special weather statement in effect for 5 regions in the area

Curfew lifted at san antonio city parks for easter holiday camping, park curfew lifted from 11 p.m. thursday to 11 p.m. sunday.

KSAT DIGITAL TEAM

SAN ANTONIO – A popular Easter holiday tradition for many families in San Antonio is camping overnight at a city park.

The City’s Parks and Recreation Department will lift the curfew at the following parks at 11 p.m. on Thursday for Easter camping:

• Brackenridge Park, 3700 N. St. Mary’s (excludes Brackenridge Parking Facility.)
• Brackenridge Park, First Tee, 915 E. Mulberry (beginning Friday, March 29 at 3 p.m.)
• Brackenridge Park, Lions Field, 2809 Broadway
• McAllister Park, 13102 Jones Maltsberger
• MLK Park, 3503 Martin Luther King Drive
• Roosevelt Park, 331 Roosevelt Ave.
• San Pedro Springs Park, 1315 San Pedro Ave.
• O.P. Schnabel Park, 9606 Bandera Road
• Southside Lions Park, 3100 Hiawatha
• Southside Lions Park East, 3900 Pecan Valley
• Woodlawn Lake Park, 1103 Cincinnati

The curfew will resume at 11 p.m. on Easter Sunday.

Trash & Recycling

The City of San Antonio is asking campers to bring their trash bags and remove their waste at the end of the day. Recycling bins will also be available at the parks.

No glass containers are allowed, and food-contaminated waste should be disposed of in trash cans.

“Our city’s Easter camping tradition is like none other, and we’re excited to welcome families, friends and neighbors to select parks over the holiday weekend,” Parks and Recreation Director Homer Garcia III said in a news release. “We encourage visitors to do their part to ensure our parks remain clean by disposing of litter and recyclables properly. Whatever you pack into the park, please remember to pack it out.”

For more information, click here .

Copyright 2024 by KSAT - All rights reserved.

Gardening with KSAT: Looking for big time bloomers that can take the heat and survive drought & freezes?

Good morning san antonio 6 a.m. : mar 29, 2024, passion play to take place downtown on friday morning, good morning san antonio 5 a.m. : mar 29, 2024, ksat news brief: 3/29/24 early morning edition.

How great is Lion Country Safari? Zoo made this USA top 10 list for the seventh time!

The results are in and once again Palm Beach County's Lion Country Safari has been named one of the top 10 Safari Parks in the country.

Taking seventh place on the list (which was released March 13), this is the seventh year in a row that the park has been named to the USA Today's "10Best" Readers' Choice list.

Opened in 1967 and situated on 600 acres, Lion Country Safari is Florida's largest drive-through safari and is home to hundreds of animals roaming wide open, natural habitats in large herds, prides and troops.

The four-mile-long, drive-through safari is divided into seven different habitats.

More: Say hello to Kandoro and Kianga! Lion Country Safari welcomes first baby giraffes in 5 years

What animals are in Lion Country Safari?

Those areas include Las Pampas, Ruaha National Park, Kalahari Bushveldt, Gir Forest, Gorongosa Reserve, Serengeti Plains and Hwange National Park.

Some of the animals that guests see during their trek through the seven zones include aldabra tortoises, alpacas, Brazilian tapirs, greater kudus, impalas, ostriches, gemsbok, wildebeest, Asiatic water buffaloes, blackbucks, African lions, common elands, impalas, giraffes, zebras, southern white rhinoceros and many more.

The park features the largest herd of zebra on record in the western hemisphere, one of the largest herds of giraffe in the United States and a large herd of rhinos with a long history of breeding success.

More: A banner year for wild-animal babies: Lion Country Safari says 31 births show its formula is working

Lion Country Safari not just a drive-thru zoo — best things to do on foot at this Palm Beach County park

Though the drive-through safari is the star of the park, there are many other fun things to do. Some of these include:

Kids can hop on some rides: Who could resist a Flying Elephant Ride? Also check out the Carousel and the Rio Grande Train.

On a hot day, get wet: A waterpark with fun features for cooling off including the Safari Splash Sprayground, Safari Water Slides and Safari Falls.

Feed the giraffe : At the Giraffe Feeding encounter, guests can stand on a platform (the better to get on giraffe level) to hand feed these majestic animals and maybe even get some great pictures.

Feed the birds: Check out the Lorikeet Feeding where participants can give these beautiful, charismatic birds a couple treats.

Get on a boat: A trip on the Safari Queen Pontoon Boat tour on Lake Shannalee and closer view of some of the park's birds and primates.

Get lost? : The park has a Safari Maze.

Play a round: This safari park has a 16-hole miniature golf course.

The nation's other top safari parks:

Taking seventh place on the list, the park was bested by The Wilds in Cumberland, Ohio; Safari West in Santa Rosa, Calif.; San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido, Calif.; Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas; Turpentine Creek Wildlife Center in Eureka Springs, Ark.; and, coming in at number one, Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park, in Ashland, Neb.

Accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Lion Country Safari continuously strives to be a leader in animal care, conservation, and education to inspire people through connections with wildlife in a family-friendly environment.

Lion Country Safari

Where: 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, Loxahatchee

Hours: 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 365 days a year

Information: lioncountrysafari.com

Eddie Ritz is a journalist at  The Palm Beach Post , part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach him at  [email protected] . Help support our journalism.  Subscribe today .