USA TODAY 10Best
10 best safari parks in the US, according to readers
Best Safari Park (2023)
Safari and wildlife parks allow visitors to get up-close and personal with some of the world's most exotic and endangered animals. And the best safari parks aim to educate visitors about the animals and the threats their natural populations face, as well as encourage conservation efforts. Here are the 10 best safari parks in the U.S., as voted by readers.
Photo courtesy of Global Wildlife Center
No. 10: Global Wildlife Center - Folsom, Louisiana
10Best expert Chez Chesak tells us about Global Wildlife Center, “One of the largest wildlife preserves of its kind in the country, with more than 3,500 exotic, endangered and threatened animals from all over the world.” Guests can enjoy a 75-minute guided Safari Wagon tour over 900 acres of magnificent Louisiana countryside and come face-to-face with bison, zebras, giraffes and much more. Or take a private Pinzgauer tour for a more intimate experience with up to eight guests, which allows for plenty of one-to-one time with the wild and exotic animals. Don’t forget to purchase feed for these amazing creatures.
Photo courtesy of Tiffany Soechting
No. 9: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch - San Antonio, Texas
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.
Photo courtesy of Lion Country Safari
No. 8: Lion Country Safari - Loxahatchee, Florida
Palm Beach may be far away from the wilds of Africa, but it’s also home to Florida’s first and 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 giraffe and endangered rhinos in Hwange National Park.
Photo courtesy of Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
No. 7: Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center - Divide, Colorado
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 also 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 B. Bryan Preserve
No. 6: 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, tours give visitors an up-close view of each species.
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, gazelle, 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.
Photo courtesy of Grahm S. Jones, Columbus Zoo and Aquarium
No. 4: 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.
Photo courtesy of Bearizona Wildlife Park
No. 3: 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.
Photo courtesy of Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
No. 2: 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 American bison, emus, zebras, rhinoceros, giraffes and more. At the Children's Animal Center, you can also see tortoises, goats and macaws.
Photo courtesy of Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium
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 – 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.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor... Read More
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Chez Chesak
‘Chez’ Chesak is Executive Director of the Outdoor Writers Association of America, an adventure travel writer, board member of the Society of American Travel Writers and 22-year veteran of the outdoor and travel industries. While he’s lived all over the U.S. and traveled to more than 30 countries, he has the most fun when he’s exploring with his wife Sally and two daughters. An avid outdoors person, he’s happiest on a trail, on skis, or nestled into a sleeping bag. Learn more about him and his work at www.chezconnects.com.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of... Read More
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Kyle McCarthy
Kyle McCarthy is the co-founder and editor of Family Travel Forum, the trusted resource for family vacation planners since 1996. FTF’s award-winning publications: MyFamilyTravels.com, America’s Most Popular Family Vacations and The Family Vacationist e-newsletter provide destination reviews, tips and seasonal roundups for all aspects of travel. Ms. McCarthy, author of a dozen Frommer’s guidebooks, also contributes to US News, CNN and other publications. She can be found on most social networks @familytravelforum.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of Read More
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nicky Omohundro
Nicky Omohundro is the founder and editor of LittleFamilyAdventure.com, the popular family travel & lifestyle website that inspires families to leave no child left inside. Since 2013 LFA has been providing inspiration to get families outdoors, eat well, and travel everywhere from their own backyard to around the world. Always up for a family adventure, she has traveled to 37 states and 6 countries to zip-line through a Costa Rican rainforest, see Finland’s Northern Lights, and go camping throughout the US. Nicky is the co-founder of Tourism WorX a travel consultancy group. Connect with her Twitter and Instagram.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The... Read More
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
Nikky J
NikkyJ is a theme park super fan, Author of The Solo Theme Park Traveler’s Guide, the founder and owner of ThemeParkHipster.com, a wishful Food Critic, coffee enthusiast, and a lover of life! She currently resides in Orlando, Florida where she enjoys spending time with her husband and two little girls while discovering the beautiful attractions of Florida. You can watch her on YouTube or listen to her podcast.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.