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- Even More Animals To Love!
Summary
- Animal Encounters at North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park: Animal Experience, Animal Encounter, The Ultimate Experience Encounter
- Many of these experiences are some of the most unique in the country
The US is full of opportunities for travelers to observe animals in their natural habit. With 238 AZA-accredited institutions and plenty of other refuges and rescues around the country, there are experiences for animal lovers everywhere to catch a glimpse of their favorite critter. From Los Angeles to the Bronx, America's large zoos are particularly popular for those looking to enjoy exotic and local wildlife in a habitat similar to their own.
But what about when just watching isn't enough? Ever thought about feeding a cougar? Cuddling Australia's cutest animal, the koala? Taking a safari to see gazelles and rhinos? Wondering where to pet a tiger? Well, people have the chance to do all of that and more at the fantastic destinations found on this list.
These sanctuaries, parks, zoos, preserves, and centers work to protect animals while educating people on these creatures. While doing so, they open their doors to the public, allowing for tours, feedings, photo ops, and other chances to get up close and personal with wildlife.
While each of these locations offer close encounters with a variety of animals, guests should always remember that they are visiting a wild animal's habit. Whether snuggling a goat or hand feeding a giraffe, these are wild animals that can behave unpredictably, particularly when startled. Please always follow staff instructions, and avoid these common mistakes that drive zookeepers crazy.
UPDATE: 2023/08/06 02:40 EST BY NICOLE HANSEN
Even More Animals To Love!
With rescues, refuges, and zoos all around the country offering a variety of close-up animal experiences, this article has been updated to include some of the newest options. Additional information has also been provided, updating pre-existing entries to ensure a smooth animal experience in every corner of the US.
14 Disney’s Animal Kingdom Theme Park in Orlando, Florida
Featuring African, Asian, and even an underwater region, the entire world is right around the corner at Disney's Animal Kingdom Theme Park. The entire park uses hidden moats for containment instead of traditional fences, creating an immersive experience from start to finish.
If exploring the trails, which can be done on foot or by hopping a ride on a Safari jeep, isn't enough, the Affection Section will certainly fulfill the animal encounter need. This petting zoo area is full of domesticated animals, many of which have been rescued from abuse or neglect, just waiting for snuggles from visitors of all ages.
About Disney’s Animal Kingdom
- Entrance Fee: from $109/day
- Address: Bay Lake, FL 34747
- Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday-Sunday 8:00am - 7:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Affection Section, Horseback Riding, Wildlife Africa Trek
13 Safari West in Santa Rosa, California
Sprawling over 400 acres, Safari West in Santa Rosa, California is home to more than 90 unique species of animals, ranging from big cats to hornbills to lemurs and more. Visitors can walk or ride a Safari Jeep by giraffes, wildebeest, and more, enjoying a trip through the Serengeti right in California.
If a day trip through little Africa isn't enough, luxury glamping sites are available on the Safari West grounds, meaning the up close Animal experiences can last all through the night.
About Safari West
- Entrance Fee: $148/Safari Tour; $275/two-person Wild Walk
- Address: 3115 Porter Creek Rd, Santa Rosa, CA 95404
- Hours: 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Safari West: Wild Walk, Rhino Encounter, Glamping, Safari Tour
12 Big Cat Rescue in Tampa, Florida
Big Cat Rescue has over 80 big cats like cougars, lions, tigers, ocelots, jaguars, leopards, and bobcats, rescued after being hurt, abandoned or forced to retire as a performer. BCR also works to educate the public through education and legislation on ways to end these creatures' private possession and trade.
Launching in 1992, this place offers a variety of tours, where guests can see these felines up close. People can visit during the day, at night, with groups, alone, to help feed the animals or events like weddings and field trips.
About Big Cat Rescue
- Entrance Fee: N/A
- Address: 12802 Easy St, Tampa, FL 33625
- Hours: N/A
- Animal Encounters at Big Cat Rescue: Private Tours for Donors, Live Webcams
Big Cat Rescue is moving to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas during the Summer/Fall of 2023. While this is great news for the animals that call the rescue home, the facilities will not be open to the public for the duration of the move. Details on the move and what it means for the rescue can be found here.
11 Palm Beach Zoo in Palm Beach, Florida
Palm Beach Zoo grew from a small red barn to a major attraction with over 550 animals and 190 species. Here, guests can enjoy everything from bears, capuchin monkeys, coatis, Komodo dragons to llamas, ocelots, otters, peacocks, and toucans.
There are also unique experiences with koalas, tortoises, sloths, flamingos, capybaras, and anteaters, allowing people to get even closer to these creatures. Furthermore, the Palm Beach Zoo has a Conservation Society that helps with projects worldwide and offers educational programs to spread even more knowledge about wildlife and their work.
About Palm Beach Zoo
- Entrance Fee: $27.75
- Address: 1301 Summit Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33405
- Hours: 9:00am - 5:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Palm Beach Zoo: Koala Encounter, Capybara and Flamingo Experience, Otter Experience, Aldabra Tortoise Experience
10 Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center fights on behalf of endangered animals, and this place utilizes research, training, management, and education to protect indigenous and exotic endangered and threatened species.
People can stay on-site in a lodge or cabins, can attend camps or workshops, can check out the Children's Animal Center, can go to events such as the Father's Day Sunset Safari Dinner & Tour, can have their birthday parties or weddings here and can enjoy a variety of tours. Yes, there are many ways that guests can see animals like gazelle, tortoise, bison, jackrabbit, wolf, goat, rhinoceros, or tortoise.
About Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
- Entrance Fee: from $29.95 (depending on tour selected)
- Address: 2299 County Road 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043
- Hours: 8:30am - 4:30pm (last car out by 6:30 pm)
- Animal Encounters at Fossil Rim Wildlife Center: Self-Guided Drives, Private Guided Tour, Behind-the-Scenes Guided Tour, Twilight T.W.A.N.G. (Sunset Tour)
9 Woodstock Farm Sanctuary in High Falls, New York
Woodstock Farm Sanctuary rescues farm animals and is all about animal rights for creatures such as chickens, cows, ducks, pigs, rabbits, sheep, and turkeys. This sanctuary offers memberships, volunteer spots, corporate sponsorships, jobs, internships, and tours.
For tours, people get to enter into pastures and yards; while everyone is surrounded by the animals, the Woodstock Farm Sanctuary team tells the creatures' stories of where they came and how they ended up where they are now. Oh, and guests can stay on-site at The Gray Barn, a brand-new place with overnight accommodations that comes with a private tour and a vegan breakfast!
About Woodstock Farm Sanctuary
- Tour Fee: $20/person
- Address: 2 Rescue Rd, High Falls, NY 12440
- Hours: Saturdays 10:00am - 12:00pm, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Woodstock Farm Sanctuary: Guided Tours, Overnight Stay at the Gray Barn
8 B Bryan Preserve in Point Arena, California
B Bryan Preserve exists to breed and conserve African Hoof Stock, such as antelopes, zebras, and giraffes. This preserve was started by wildlife enthusiasts, and the entire team works to grow an overall interest in conservation and build awareness around current problems regarding wildlife.
Guests can take a tour or stay here for an entire weekend to get up-close and personal with these animals and learn about conservation efforts. Tours are handled in a vintage open-air Land Rover that frequently stops for photo ops and for a chance to feed or even kiss giraffe!
About B Bryan Preserve
- Tour Fee: from $25/adult (dependent on tour selected)
- Address: 130 Riverside Dr, Point Arena, CA 95468
- Hours: 10:00am–10:45am, 3:30pm–5:00pm
- Animal Encounters at B Bryan Preserve: Self-Guided Tour, Guided Tour, VIP Tour, Stay Overnight on the Preserve
7 North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park
Previously known as the North Georgia Zoo & Farm, North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park is home to Wildlife Wonders and Paradise Valley, and teaches people about and connects people to animals. There are so many here, including a variety of insects, birds, small exotics (like hedgehogs and chinchillas), large exotics (like yak), deer, kangaroos, canines, cats, primates, reptiles & amphibians, native mammals (like flying squirrels and woodchucks), and farm & petting zoo animals (like miniature horses, llamas, fainting goats, and teacup pigs).
These can be seen through choices like an Animal Experience (a long time with a more exotic animal), an Animal Encounter (better for kids), and/or The Ultimate Experience Encounter (with 2 to 3 animals).
About North Georgia Wildlife & Safari Park
- Entrance Fee: $37.99
- Address: 2912 Paradise Valley Rd, Cleveland, GA 30528
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 10:00am - 5:00pm
- Animal Encounters at North Georgia Zoo & Farm: Petting Farm, Wildlife Walk, Guided Tour, Capybara Feeding, Camel Meet & Greet, Small Animal Meet & Greet, Deer Meet & Greet, Reptile Meet & Greet
6 The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary in Orr, Minnesota
Due to Vince Shute's peaceful approach towards black bears, The Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary exists out in the woods of Minnesota. His final wish was to live in peace with these creatures, and The American Bear Association helps keep this sanctuary running. When visited, people learn about and get a chance to see these bears.
These animals roam free in an area mainly consisting of meadow and surrounding woods, and people can observe them from a viewing deck, which allows for some fantastic sights and even more fabulous photo ops.
About Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary
- Entrance Fee: $12/person
- Address: 12541 Nett Lake Rd, Orr, MN 55771
- Hours: Tuesday-Saturday 5:00pm - 8:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Vince Shute Wildlife Sanctuary: Viewing Decks, Visitor Center, Breakfast With The Bears
5 The Endangered Wolf Center in Eureka, Missouri
The Endangered Wolf Center helps keep wolves around and back into the wild. This center has endangered species like red wolves and fennec foxes, and adoptable wolves (a symbolic adoption, of course, which assists in this cause of helping these species survive).
Through parties, camps, field trips, campouts, and tours, people can interact with these animals. Some examples are PredaTours (an educational session and 45 minutes in the animal habitats), the Endangered Species Photography Tour (to get some great pictures), or the Animal Trainer Experience (to learn how the wolves are trained).
About The Endangered Wolf Center
- Tour Fee: from $18/person (dependent on tour selected)
- Address: 6750 Tyson Valley Rd, Eureka, MO 63025
- Hours: Wednesday-Monday 9:00am - 4:00pm
- Animal Encounters at The Endangered Wolf Center: Guided Tour, VIP Tour, Keeper for the Day, Foxy Fun Encounter, Enrichment Experience Add-On, Animal Trainer Experience Add-On
4 The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.) in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is best known as a beach getaway with coastal resorts and bustling boardwalks, but hidden gems are around every turn, and one of those hidden gems is home to more than a few big cats. The Institute for Greatly Endangered and Rare Species (T.I.G.E.R.S.) is a world-renowned wildlife preserve with some elegant options, including the opportunity to pet a tiger and touch several other animal favorites. With the Wild Encounters Tour, guests have three hours to meet Hercules the Tiger, Bubbles the African elephant, and Ramses the cheetah.
There is also a Night Safari Tour through a tropical garden and a tiger palace full of extraordinary creatures. At the Preservation Station Overview, visitors can view tigers and baby gibbons for free. People can even travel to Africa with this team to see more wildlife.
About T.I.G.E.R.S.
- Entrance Fee: Dependent On Experience (call 843-361-4552 for specifics)
- Address: 4898 Highway 17 Byp S, Myrtle Beach, SC 29588-5628
- Hours: 6:00pm - 8:00pm
- Animal Encounters at T.I.G.E.R.S.: Guided Tours, Hands-On Time With Big Cats, Big Cat Encounters, Night Safari Tour
3 Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri
Visitors to Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium enjoy experiencing the Out to Sea Shark Dive, which allows them to go into a metal cage under the water and witness sharks in front of them. Divers will have the chance to see various shark types, including brown sharks and tiger sharks. What's unique about this attraction is that people who wish to experience it do not need to be certified divers. Moreover, they can get state-of-the-art helmets from the Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium that allow them to submerge conveniently under the water.
About Wonders Of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium
- Entrance Fee: from $33.75
- Address: 500 W Sunshine St, Springfield, MO 65807
- Hours: Monday-Thursday 10:00am - 5:00pm, Friday 10:00am - 7:00pm, Saturday 9:00am - 7:00pm, Sunday 10:00am - 6:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Wonders of Wildlife National Museum & Aquarium: Stingray Feeding, Penguin Encounter, Out to Sea Feeding Frenzy, Out to Sea Shark Dive
2 Colorado Wolf And Wildlife Center in Divide, Colorado
Colorado is one of the most popular destinations in the US for outdoor adventures, offering a variety of hikes and other unique summer and winter activities.
For a different kind of outdoor experience, travelers can pay a visit to the unique animals at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center. Here, people can touch and caress wolves and wolf-dog hybrids rescued from households that can no longer care for them. Visitors to the center in Divine, Colorado, can follow the wolves into their enclosures, feed them and pet them while having photographers take snapshots of the unforgettable moments.
About the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center
- Entrance Fee: from $20/person
- Address: 4729 Twin Rocks Rd, Divide, CO 80814
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8:00am - 6:00pm
- Animal Encounters at the Colorado Wolf and Wildlife Center: Standard Tour, Feeding Tour, Full Moon Tour, Full Moon Feeding Tour, Kids Tour
1 Wilstem Wildlife Park in Paoli, Indiana
Indiana is full of beautiful towns worth visiting, but most travelers don't expect to detour to Africa during their exploration. Visitors to Wilstem Wildlife Park (previously known as Wilstem Ranch) in Paoli, Indiana, can spend time with the elephants and their trainers, engaging in several activities. Those include touching, washing, feeding the elephants. Moreover, people can paint the elephant's toenails and prepare their food. Wilstem Wildlife Park houses other animals, such as kangaroos, grizzly bears, and giraffes, with which people can also interact.
About Wilstem Wildlife Park
- Entrance Fee: from $19.00
- Address: 4229 US-150, Paoli, IN 47454
- Hours: 8:00am - 5:00pm
- Animal Encounters at Wilstem Wildlife Park: Self-Guided Driving Tour, Guided Safari Wagon Tour, Sloth Encounter, Giraffe Encounter, Roos and Crew, Elephant Encounter, Otter Encounter