Ten Safe Safaris Close to Home

Safe safaris so close to home you won’t believe it!

While South Africa and some of East Africa remain closed to tourism, there are still several exciting safari options and they are close to home for those who don’t want to venture too far away right now. Here are ten fun wildlife encounters in North America that are ideal for all ages:

Safari West (CA): Also dubbed the “Sonoma Serengeti” since this safari is in wine country. Wine and Safari? Sign me up! Safari options include a three-hour wildlife ride, a night safari adventure, or walking safari of the 400-acre preserve. Regardless of how you participate, you may see up to 1,000 species of African animals, including wildebeest, gazelle, oryx, and Cape Buffalo. 3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (TX): Participants can enjoy a walking safari that includes 450 acres filled with 40 different animal species and spectacular landscapes. Learn about their giraffe conservation program and more. 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266.

Lion Country Safari (FL): Since 1967, the fully-accredited drive-thru safari park has seen millions of visitors and has grown in size and stature. This park houses 1,000 exotic animals, including rhinos and giraffes. 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470.

Pine Mountain Wild Animal Safari (GA): The 250-acre walk or drive safari park features 120 species, including exotic birds, Madagascar lemurs, wolves, lizards, and Australian wallabies. There is a petting zoo area too. 1300 Oak Grove Rd, Pine Mountain, GA 31822.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park (CA): This is a huge park with 1,800 acres featuring 300 species from six different continents. See exotic animals up close like the rare California Condor and African Cheetah. There are many fun safari options to choose from, such as zip lining, tram rides, guided bus tours, and hot air balloon rides! 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027.

Oregon Wildlife Safari (OR): Located in Oregon’s lovely Umpqua Valley, is Wildlife Safari, an AZA-accredited safari preserve that can be enjoyed during a driving or walking safari–or both! Look for African Elephants, Hippos, Camels, Tibetan Yaks, and Cheetahs. Optional adventures include camel rides, wine and art, and more. 1790 Safari Rd, Winston, OR 97496.

Safari Wilderness Ranch (FL): Choose your adventure! Enjoy a kayak safari, camel trek safari, sunset safari, jeep safari, or ATV safari. See zebras, buffalo, lemurs, springbok, kudu, and many more species. 10850 Moore Road, Lakeland, FL 33809.

Virginia Safari Park (VA): The park has over 1,000 animals housed in a 180-acre preserve. Enjoy a walking or driving safari, as well as a petting zoo and picnic area. 229 Safari Ln, Natural Bridge, VA 24578.

Buffalo Safari (SD): Take off in an open-air jeep on a guided safari adventure through Custer State Park. This scenic safari is serene and exciting. Look for Pronghorns, Elk, Buffalo, and more during this entertaining and educational wildlife adventure. 13389 US Hwy 16a, Custer, SD 57730.

Great Smoky Mountains Bear Safari (TN): Open areas like Cataloochee, Cades Cove, and Roaring Fork Motor Nature Trail offer the best chance to spot black bear, white-tailed deer, wild turkeys, bobcats, foxes, and native birds in this otherwise dense forest. One of the most visited national parks in America, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park extends more than 800 square miles.

American Serengeti Safari (WY): Lamar Valley (Yellowstone) is considered the “American Serengeti” due to the large and populous wildlife (bison, wolves, bald eagles, grizzly bears, coyotes, ospreys, and more) found here. The valley stretches along the Lamar River in the northeastern section of Yellowstone National Park.

Yellowstone Safari (WY and MT): Yellowstone Safari Company provides all kinds of safari adventures throughout Yellowstone National Park, including llama treks, river safaris, and walking or hiking safaris.

Polar Bear Safari (Canada): This is a guided, small-group adventure to see up close the world’s largest concentration of polar bears in their tundra habitat along Canada’s Hudson Bay. Expeditions are led by naturalist experts.

Jackson Hole Safari (WY): Choose your safari and destination (Jackson Hole or Grand Tetons). The wildlife you may see depends on which type of safari and which destination you choose, as well as the time of year.

More Options: Kangaroo Island (Australia), Madagascar (Africa) and the Amazon Rainforest are more options for the adventurous. Or you can plan for the adventure of a lifetime by participating in an African safari. Plan now to travel next year! I am seeing lots of great deals that I have never seen before.