WE RECEIVED FREE ADMISSION TO SAFARI WILDERNESS IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!
While we were in Central Florida this past weekend, we were invited to tour Safari Wilderness in Lakeland, Florida.
Let me just start the post by saying THIS PLACE IS AWESOME! A One of a kind experience that my family truly enjoyed!
When you arrive you drive down a long dirt road, not knowing what to expect we parked and checked in for our safari tour.
As soon as we got in the staff was so friendly.
They showed the kids the ferrets and the guinea pigs.
The ranch stated off with 8 Guinea Pigs and they now have 80 Guinea pigs and some are currently pregnant.
The guinea Pig farm was a big hit since we have two of our own guinea pigs at home.
Once the Safari was ready to start we loaded up in the Safari bus.
The kids thought the bus was really cool since it was open and looked like an African Safari vehicle!
The vehicle is covered to provide some shade.
Yes, you have a driver, thankfully Patrick was not driving this bus! Our driver volunteered to take the picture for us!
**Mom Tip – Load up on the Sunscreen and make sure to use the potty before the tour starts**
The tour guide will take you through over 260 acres full of all kinds of different animals.
The guide stops the Safari truck at each group of animals and gives you interesting facts and information on the different species of animals.
Our guide took time to answer the kids questions.
Our first encounter was with an ostrich family. The mom and dad had the cutest little babies.
The mom ostrich was so funny, she kept sticking her head into the bus and stealing treats from a bucket inside the bus!
Have you ever seen an ostrich egg? Me either, well at least not until we went to Safari Wilderness!
Next up we headed over to See the Zebra-Donks! These were interesting, who even knew people breaded Zebras and Donkeys.
These animals were not breaded at Safari Wilderness, they took the Zebra-Donks in from someone who was trying to use them as Carriage pullers.
Another interesting fact we learned from our Safari guide!
We were really enjoying the Safari tour at this point but then the tour guide said we are going to hand feed Llama.
My kids went crazy! The little one started cheering Yeah Llama Mama!
After the fun of the Llama feeding we headed over to see the Zebra! What beautiful animals they are, the black and white pattern is just amazing up close in person! There was a baby Zebra, he was so cute! Did you know Zebra’s have a baby each year in their adult life. Once the baby is born the male gives the female a break for a few days and then she is pregnant again for the next 12 months. Another interesting fact we learned from our safari guide!
How cute is this little baby Zebra, he kept right by his mama the whole time!
Next we headed by the deer and the water buffalo.
The tour guide stops the Safari bus and says we are going to hand feed these water buffalo. What?!? These things are giant with big horns.
I wasn’t too sure about this, but this turned out to be one of our favorite parts of the Safari.
These big guys were so gentle, they have big slimy tongues and they just wanted you to keep feeding them and petting them! An experience we will never forget with the water buffalo!
Once we finished up the Safari bus part of the tour they take you on a short walking tour.
We visited the Camels, pigs, birds, Porcupine, chickens and other animals.
Although we decided to do the Safari tour by vehicle Safari Wilderness Tours can also be done on Camel Back, Kayak or you can do a Llama Trek Experience and even a sunset tour! All sound amazing but with kids it was much easier for us to do vehicle! The vehicle tours go out at 9am and 1pm. In the Florida Heat I would suggest the 9am tour!
**Mom Tip: Pack plenty of Water, the gift shop also has cold beverages and ice cream for sale**
The last but very not least part of our tour was the Lemur Feeding! This was amazing! Again with this feeding experience being so close up with the animals I was a bit nervous at first but the Lemurs were so friendly and they held your hand as they ate grapes right from your palm! The kids were in heaven with the Lemurs!
This part of the tour is an extra add-on but I highly suggest you do not skip out on this experience! This is not just something you can do at any zoo, you are actually in the enclosure with the Lemurs at Safari Wilderness!
Don’t forget to Stop by the Gift Shop on the way out! They have a wide variety of things to take home to remember your experience! I got a Christmas ornament and a he got a shot glass, we collect one of each from everywhere we travel and oh course, we had to get a pet Lemur toy to take home!
This Safari Tour was a once in a lifetime experience! Best Part is you don’t even have to go to Africa for this amazing Safari. Safari Wilderness is conveniently located between Orlando and Tampa in Lakeland, Florida!
When we left the kids couldn’t stop talking about how much fun they had. Me personally I have never been so close to such large animals just roaming. Sarai Wilderness is not like a zoo where you look behind a fences, you are actually up close and personal enjoying the experience with the animals. Safari Wilderness is well worth the ticket prices as well as the extra add-on’s. Sometimes they run Florida Resident Specials as well as other specials, follow them on Facebook or Twitter for current promotions!
Safari Wilderness
10850 Moore Rd
Lakeland, FL 33809
http://safariwilderness.com
**Disclaimer – My Family was given complimentary tickets in exchange for an honest review. All Opinions are my own honest opinions! All pictures are my own. For further information please see my Disclosure Page!
