Best Safari Park (2022)

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 – American elk, bison, waterfowl, raptors 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.
Photo courtesy of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium

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 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. 
Photo courtesy of TourismOhio, Ohio.org

The Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center seeks to educate the public about the importance of wolves, coyotes and foxes to the North American ecosystem and about the habitats that support them. The sanctuary provides natural habitats for animals that can no longer live in the wild. Guided walking tours give visitors an up-close view of timber, Arctic and Mexican grey wolves, coyotes, red and swift foxes.
Photo courtesy of Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center

Visitors to Bearizona, situated on 160 acres of land near the town of Williams, dive through more than three miles of Ponderosa pine forest on a safari to see North American animals in naturalistic 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.
Photo courtesy of Bearizona Wildlife Park

Palm Beach may be far away from the wilds of Africa, but it’s also home to Florida’s first drive-through safari, the AZA-accredited Lion Country Safari. Established in 1967, this safari park invites visitors to observe and interact with more than 1,000 animals divided between seven sections. Guests might spot ostrich, wildebeest and impala on the Serengeti Plains, observe a pride of lions in Gorongosa Reserve or see giraffe and endangered rhino in Hwange National Park.
Photo courtesy of Lion Country Safari

Keystone Safari, an interactive zoo and adventure park in Grove City, PA, is devoted to protecting 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, Highlander Cattle, Emu, Rhea, Gayal, Banteng, Waterbuck, Blackbuck, Nilgai, Pere David’s Deer, Fallow Deer, Bison, Yak, Gyr, Eland, Turkeys, Zebras, Elk and more.
Photo courtesy of Keystone Safari

The B. Bryan Preserve on California's Mendocino coast has a mission to breed and preserve African hoof stock. Visitors to the 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, tours give visitors an up-close view of each species.
Photo courtesy of B. Bryan Preserve

Situated just outside San Antonio, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is like a miniature version of Africa right in the heart of Texas. Visitors navigate by car through 450 acres of green hills, creek beds and live oak trees – home to more than 500 animals representing 40 global species. Admission includes a bag of food for the animals, many of which will come right up to vehicles for an up-close look.
Photo courtesy of Tiffany Soechting

African Safari Wildlife Park opened in 1968, and this Ohio adventure offers two interactive safari experiences – a Drive-Thru Safari through the 65-acre outdoor park in the safety of your vehicle or a Walk-Thru Safari in a zoo-like setting. In the Drive-Thru adventure, you can feed and get close to giraffes, alpacas, zebras, and many more exotic and domestic species. Don’t forget to take a ride on a camel! Feed and meet over four hundred budgies in the Aviary Adventure in the Walk-Thru Safari.
Photo courtesy of ANDREYGUDKOV // Getty Images

A bit of Africa in the heart of California’s wine country, AZA-accredited 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, gazelle, antelopes, buffalo, wildebeest and many other species number among the 1,000 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.
Photo courtesy of Safari West