wildlife safari park ohio

Savvy Travel Advice

The Wilds Animal Park: An African Safari Experience in Ohio

Last updated: December 4, 2021 - Written by Jessica Norah 22 Comments

The Wilds is one of the largest conservation centers in North America, set on about 10,000 acres of land in Southeast Ohio. The Wilds safari park is home to a number of rare and endangered animals from around the world, including cheetah, rhinos, camels, antelope, zebra, and giraffes, as well as a number of local native species.

Visitors can not only do regular bus safaris to see the animals, but The Wilds in Ohio also offers horseback safaris, fishing safaris, ziplining, a butterfly habitat, education programs, summer camps, and overnight lodging. This non-profit open-habitat safari park is a pretty amazing place given that this is reclaimed land which was strip mined for coal from the 1940’s to the 1980’s, which destroyed most of the natural wildlife and resources in this area.

If you are in Ohio, this is definitely a place to consider adding to your itinerary. We’ll give you all the information you need to plan a trip here and tell you about our own experience visiting The Wilds animal park.

Table of Contents:

Basic Information for Visiting The Wilds in Ohio

Here is all the info you need to start planning your trip to The Wilds in Ohio.

What is the Address of The Wilds?

14000 International Road, Cumberland, Ohio 43732

How to Get to The Wilds Ohio?

The Wilds is located outside the small town of Cumberland, Ohio and the best way to get here is by car. I could not find any public transportation options but you could of course book a taxi or Uber if needed.

It is approximately 75 miles (1.5 to 2 hour drive) from Columbus, OH, 20 miles (35 minute drive) from Zanesville, OH, and 140 miles (2.5 hours) from Cleveland, Ohio. You can find   directions online provided by The Wilds depending on your location. Note that there is a $6.00 parking fee to park at The Wilds unless you are a member.

When is the Best Time to Visit The Wilds?

The best time to visit The Wilds for most activities is from May through September. The Wilds is typically open for its regular visitor season daily from 10am to 4pm May through September and then weekends only in October.

Recently, The Wilds has also started the Winter at the Wilds Tour that allows for pre-registered guests to visit and tour The Wilds from November to March. While many of the regular tours are not available during the winter, the Winter at The Wilds tour is run twice a day. These are more intimate tours with up to 6 people.

What Safari Tours are Offered at The Wilds?

The most popular activities not surprisingly are the Wilds safari tours, and most people take one of the group safari tours that are led by knowledgeable guides. The main tours are given in an open-air bus with a canopy, and there are a couple of places the bus stops where you do a bit of walking.

Tours last approximately 2 hours, but I would allot at least 3 hours for your visit as you’ll need to get the shuttle to and from the parking area, may want to visit the butterfly habitat or other exhibits, and there are also places to shop and eat. 

If you interested in a more intimate experience, you can reserve a Wildside Tour and get a more exclusive safari experience with an Animal Management specialist amongst a smaller group (these are typically offered in an open-air pickup truck) and you get to see some of the daily happenings at The Wilds such as an animal medical procedure, help in feeding the animals, or an ongoing conservation project.

All of the tours at The Wilds take you through all the open-range enclosures where you’ll get to see many of the animals roaming in the fields as well as stops at Lake Trail and the Carnivore Center. You also have access to the Butterfly Habitat which you can explore at your leisure before or after the safari tours. On the weekends during the summer months, these tours are also offered at sunset and include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café.

Check out The Wilds website for current tours and tour prices , with the open-air bus tours (May through October) currently set (as of October 2021) at $35.00 per person. Wildside Tours (and Winter at the Wilds tours) are currently priced at $137.50 per person for non-members.

Note that all tours must be booked online in advance prior to visiting.

Other Activities at The Wilds?

In addition to the main animal safari tours, there are a number of other visitor activities offered at The Wilds. You can easily spend a full day or a full weekend at the Wilds. These include fishing, horseback riding, sunset tours, and ziplining. The Wild Zipline Safari provides the opportunity to view parts of the large preserve and some of the wildlife from above across 10 different ziplines (a shorter version that includes only five ziplines is also available).

For those who live nearby or have more time for a visit, the Wilds also offers educational programs, WildeCamps, and Family Camp weekends during the summer months. They can also accommodate a wide range of events from corporate retreats to weddings to birthday parties.

The Wilds has also been recognized one of Ohio’s Most Important Birding Areas by Audubon. It is a good place to see a number of birds, including raptors, grassland nesting birds, and ospreys. The Wilds has made a birding station located at Jeffrey Point accessible to the public and it is open 24/7 for no charge. 

Accessibility at The Wilds

The visitor areas at The Wilds are generally accessible for those with reduced physical mobility and those in wheelchairs and meet ADA guidelines. There are tour buses and shuttles that can accommodate those in a wheelchair, and you can denote that you need a wheelchair space when you book your ticket.

Most of the tour is spent inside the bus but there are stops where participants can disembark to see the parakeet aviary (a short distance) and the carnivores’ enclosures (a slightly longer distance). 

As with most places, it is wise to call in advance to discuss any special accessibility needs before booking.

What Dining Options are there at the Wilds?

Food and snacks are available for purchase at the Safari Snack Depot, Terrace Grill, and Overlook Café. Note that many of these close during the winter months. Food available includes hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza, chicken, ice cream, snacks, soda, coffee, and beer and wine. Evening safari programs during the summer often include a buffet dinner at the Overlook Café.

Can you Stay Overnight at The Wilds?

You can stay within The Wilds parkland or you can stay in a nearby town. The Wilds as you might imagine are in a very rural location but there are towns with lodging within 20 miles of the park.

Staying Overnight in The Wilds park

You have a few options if you want to stay overnight at The Wilds, including staying in a luxury yurt or a large family-friendly cabin.

The yurts are currently adults-only (21+) and are located within the park at Nomad Ridge and are built on large platforms with screen windows, bamboo floors, wooden doors, a private bathroom, and an observation deck for private wildlife viewing.

There are also several cabins that have been recently built around Straker Lake within The Wilds which provides another option. These can accommodate up to 6 persons and are perfect for families or small groups.

If you are coming with a big group or family, you might also consider The Lodge which is a large 6-bedroom cabin complete with a fully-equipped kitchen, bathrooms, television, Internet, washer and dryer, gas fireplace, outdoor fire ring, games, books, canoes, and fishing and boating equipment.

If you book a reservation in one of the yurts or The Lodge, you’ll receive discount pricing on many of the tours and activities offered at The Wilds. We did not stay in any of these lodging options, but we did see them while we were there and both options looked quite nice.  

NOTE: No pets are allowed on The Wilds property, including in any of the lodging, for obvious reasons. They may also not be left in your vehicle, so please be sure to leave your dogs at home. Service animals are of course welcome.

Staying Outside The Wilds

If you are looking for nearby lodging outside the park , you can find a range of options in the nearby cities of Caldwell, Cambridge, Zanesville, and Marietta. The closest lodging is in the town of Caldwell which has several motels and hotels. Some recommended properties are as follows:

• Days Inn & Suites by Wyndham , Caldwell – a 2* well-reviewed good value hotel offering en-suite rooms with inclusive continental breakfast. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. Free on-site parking. About a 25 minute drive from The Wilds.
• Best Western Caldwell Inn – This hotel offers a 24 hour front desk, indoor swimming pool, free Wifi, fitness center, and free breakfast. Note that the included breakfast is often served at the nearby family-owned diner (walking distance) Lori’s Restaurant. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. A 25 minute drive from The Wilds.
• Baymont by Wyndham , Cambridge – a 2* hotel offering en-suite rooms which also feature a microwave and free on-site parking. Breakfast is included. Just over 30 minutes drive to The Wilds.
• Holiday Inn Express Hotel and Suites , Zanesville – found in downtown Zanesville, this 2* hotel offers rooms with coffee makers and refrigerators. Free parking is available, breakfast is included, and there’s an indoor hot tub. Offers wheelchair accessible rooms. Around 30 minutes drive from The Wilds.
• Comfort Suites , Marietta – conveniently located for the Interstate, this 3* hotel has an indoor heated pool and a fitness centre. Offers wheelchair-accessible rooms. It’s also pet friendly (fee applies). Free parking is available nearby, and rooms have microwaves and fridges. Around a 50 minute drive from The Wilds.

You can see more options and compare prices here . 

Need More Information to Plan Your Trip to The Wilds? 

The official  official website  for The Wilds is a very useful to find information or book tickets, but you can also call them at 740-638-5030 or check out their active Facebook page where you can see recent photos as well as potentially find a discount code or win a free visit.

If you want to explore the area around The Wilds more fully you check out other things to do nearby  around Zanesville, Ohio and wider tourism information for the state of Ohio . 

Our Experience Visiting The Wilds 

I grew up near The Wilds and it is by far the largest tourist attraction in our local area, but for some reason or another I had never visited while I was growing up. During college, I knew several people who did research practicums and internships here given the amazing educational and research opportunities that are available here to local students.

In fact, I went to the same college as Jack Hanna , a famous zookeeper and animal expert who has worked with and promote The Wilds. I guess it is one of those things where you look back and realize that you never visited many of the cool places in your own backyard after you have left.

So on a return visit to Ohio to see my family in winter 2014, I made sure that I had time to include a visit to The Wilds. It was definitely time I finally made it here!  After that winter 2014 visit, I returned again in the summer of 2017 to experience one of the open-air tours that was not offered when I visited in the winter in 2014. So I’ll break this down by The Wilds winter visit first and then a bit about the summer open-air safari experience.

Winter at The Wilds Tour Experience

I made a reservation in advance for the Winter at the Wilds tour which is the only tour that is regularly given during the winter months. Ethan and I visited in November 2014 and it was a cold day and so we were bundled up in coats, hats, and gloves for our visit. We arrived at the parking lot (there is a $6.00 parking fee) and we were met within a couple of minutes by someone from the park management team and then our guide who was a member of the animal management team.

The Winter at the Wilds tour is similar to the regular Wildside Tours given during the rest of the year. However, instead of an open-air vehicle, we were in an enclosed heated vehicle, but we were able to roll down the windows as needed to take photos so that was not a problem and we needed the heat! While you cannot get out of the car within the open animal enclosures, you’ll get to walk around in other areas  such as around the Carnivores Center and if you visit the barns during the winter. 

A Bit of Ecology & Conservation at the Wilds

Our first stop was actually not to see wildlife but to see a restoration project being conducted by the Wilds Restoration Ecology department. Friendly Rachael and Kelsey who were hard at work in the wetlands area, talked to us about conservation within the wetlands and they showed us a neat water system they use to monitor and maintain water in the wetlands area.

This is a good reminder that a visit to the Wilds does not just have to be about the animals, but there is almost 10,000 acres of land here and all kinds of ecosystems. Strip mining negatively impacted much of the land and streams in this area and it is amazing to see the revival that has come about because of the hard work by the folks at the Wilds. If you are interested in ecology, botany, water management, birding, insects, etc. let your guide know as there are many different types of environmental projects happening here at any given time!

The Big Cats and Dogs

The next major stop on the tour was to the Wilds’ Carnivore Center. Here you can get out of the car and walk around and see the animals from various viewing points. During our visit, there were painted dogs, dholes, and cheetahs.

Be careful to stay back if you get near the African painted dog enclosures as they are not friendly puppies! I had never seen a dhole before but I remember my friend in college talking about these while she worked at the Wilds. They are super cute canines that are native to Asia and look quite a bit like a fox.

Breeding programs and research at the Wilds is geared towards helping the survival and conservation of these threatened and endangered species. The Wilds has been successful with its cheetah program as the first cheetah cubs were born here in 2010!

The Open Range Animal Pastures

The rest of our visit focused on driving through the open range enclosures, which contain the vast majority of the animals at the Wilds. These include camels, bison, zebra, Southern white rhino, wild horses, ostrich, giraffes, and various types of deer and antelope. You are also likely to see some of the native species that roam around the Wilds such as local deer, birds, or coyote.

If there are certain animals that you are very interested in seeing or want to learn more about, just tell your guide so they can better allocate your time as there is a lot of open space. As animal management specialists who work with the animals, they can help give you the best chance to see the animals you want to see and also give you more time with them if they can. 

During any tour, since the animals live in large open enclosures you’re likely to see many of the species up close while others are likely to be hidden a bit in the trees or near the lake where you might not get an up close view. For instance, we only got distant views of the ostriches who preferred to hide themselves amongst some trees on the opposite end of the lake from us.

We got a good look at most of the animals and we were able to get within touching distance (no touching!) of several animals who largely ignored our vehicle. The Sichuan takin are interesting animals that I have never seen before and there were a lot of these critters along with a number of deer, horses, and antelopes. Some of the deer were losing their antlers or were in the process of doing so which occurs in the winter months. The type of camels at the Wilds are quite funny to watch as they are very curious and will get very close to the vehicle. When they walk, their two humps of fat flop around quite a bit on the older camels. 

Typically, visitors would have the opportunity to tour some of the winter facilities for the animals on a Winter at the Wilds tour to see animals that need to be kept inside on cold days such as the giraffes. But a white rhino baby had just been born a day or so before our visit and so we were unfortunately not able to visit the barns. The animal management team did not want anyone disturbing the new rhino calf and there had not been a press release yet about the new baby. Although this sadly meant we could not visit the animals that were in the winter housing and barns that day (rhinos, zebra, giraffes), it is a remarkable event as the calf was the first fifth generation white rhino born outside of Africa and is a testament to the breeding and conservation program at the Wilds.

Summer at the Wilds Open Air Safari Tour Experience

In the summer of 2017, I returned again to the Wilds with my husband Laurence. This time we did an open-air animal safari tour. These are the most common type of tour that people take on a visit to the Wilds and are typically available from May to September. The tour took two hours and was in an open-air bus.

It was definitely a different experience to visit on a hot summer day, and it was nice to not be all bundled up in a winter coat and gear. It was also nice to see the green grass, full trees, and local wildflowers.

In terms of the animal, we saw many of the same animals I had seen in 2014; however, we also got to see a few animals I had not been able to see on my winter visit such as the parakeets in the small aviary, the giraffes, the white rhinos (although at a distance), and the ostriches. We also got to see the tankins really up close as they were fighting, playing, and mating near our vehicle!

Overall Thoughts on Visiting the Wilds in Ohio

Overall, we had a fun time on both our safari tours at the Wilds. We learned a lot, saw lots of animals, and received a warm welcome from our knowledgeable guides and other staff. A great advantage to visiting in November was that we had the park to ourselves since there are relatively few visitors during the winter months. The only disappointment during that visit was not being able to see the giraffes or rhino, but we totally understood that the health of the newborn rhino calf took precedence over our visiting the animal barns!

During the summer tour, it was nice to see the Wilds all green and alive. It was also nice to see some of the animals like the giraffes and rhinos that I had missed on the previous winter tour. The open-air safari bus makes for a nice way to experience the park and see the animals, and reminded my a bit of my safari experience in Africa. Another good thing about the summer is that there are more food facilities open so you have more opportunities to get a snack or have a meal.

 Overall, I would definitely recommend a trip to the Wilds if you find yourself in this part of Ohio. Not only is it a great place to view wildlife, but the organization is a top-notch research and conservation facility committed to a number of good causes. For me, this was a great chance to visit a cool place that I had missed growing up in this area! 

Are there places near where you have lived that you never took time to visit and then regretted it once you left? Planning your own trip to the Wilds and have a question? As always, feel free to ask us questions about our visit to the Wilds in Ohio or share your own experiences in the Comments section below!

**Disclosure: Just so you know, we received complimentary tours at the Wilds as press. However, as always, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. You can read more in our  Ethics Code  about how we work.**

Share this Post!

There are 22 comments on this post.

Please scroll to the end to leave a comment

Emma Post author

June 10, 2023 at 7:01 am

Hello All. It is now 2023 and I am just now becoming aware that this place even exist, hopefully it still does. I am very interested in visiting there. Is the reservation still operating? I imagine Covid played an enormous role in why it seems the comments went silent. Also is the climate uninhabited by primates? I absolutely love the great Silverbacks and the chimps. Is this climate not suitable for them? Do you plan on ever having them?

Jessica & Laurence Norah Post author

June 14, 2023 at 7:50 am

Yes, The Wilds is alive and well, and you can certainly come and visit. COVID-19 certainly was not great for the park but all is now open and most of the services have returned to normal. The summer season tends to be the busiest and most popular time to visit as it is a nice time to do the open-top buses or the Wildside Jeep or truck rides.

I don’t personally work for The Wilds, I am just a travel writer but I did grow up near The Wilds and have visited several times now over the years.

So there are no primates such as chimpanzees or gorillas at The Wilds. The focus of The Wilds is mainly on conservation and research and most of the animals are ones that can live in open enclosures, basically fields, such as the rhinos, horses, camels, zebra, giraffes, ostrich, etc. Primates would require large enclosures/tress etc. and it would probably not be a great fit for them here. At The Wilds, they do have a couple of enclosures for predators (e.g., painted dogs, dholes, and cheetah), but most of the rest of the animals can roam fairly freely in the open fields. There is also a barn area to keep animals protected and warm in the winter as needed.

In terms of climate, I would say that Ohio is probably not a good fit in terms of the natural habitat for chimps or gorillas. We recently were in Uganda which has both mountain gorillas and chimps and the reclaimed coal fields in southeastern Ohio is a pretty different climate and habitat than most of the places you would naturally find these animals.

As far as I know, there are no plans to have primates but you can of course ask yourself if you visit for any plans and reasoning on their part! The Columbus Zoo, the sister organization to The Wilds, has several primates in its care, although I don’t believe they have any chimps.

Hope that helps and hope you are able to enjoy a visit to The Wilds soon!

Best, Jessica

Becky Malterer Post author

March 30, 2023 at 8:31 am

Have the animals ever attacked anyone?

March 30, 2023 at 9:36 am

As far as I know (I don’t work here), there have not been any serious injuries of visitors caused by an attack by an animal at The Wilds.

When you visit, you are in a bus or Jeep for most of the visit when in the areas where the animals live and roam. The carnivores are behind fences. So visitors are fairly well protected from the animals and most of the animals (e.g., giraffe, cattle, zebra, ostrich) here rarely attack humans anyway. However, they are still wild animals and of course visitors should always be careful and aware during their visit and follow all the staff instructions.

Hope that helps and hope you enjoy your time at The Wilds if you decide to visit!

Jack Alloway Post author

July 15, 2021 at 4:32 pm

I was down in about 10 or 12 years ago and it was a beautiful place and it sounds like you people have done a lot more with it I’m looking forward to coming back down and staying the weekend. Thank yo

July 16, 2021 at 4:01 am

Hope you get a chance to return to The Wilds. Yes, it has changed quite a bit from 12 years ago!

tom hamm Post author

February 29, 2020 at 3:37 pm

look like a great place to visit. Would like to make a trip there in the spring or summer of 2020.

March 1, 2020 at 4:31 am

Yes, Spring or early Summer is a great time to visit The Wilds. It is nice to go when it is warm out but not super hot.

Enjoy! Jessica

Kurstin Chandler Post author

January 6, 2020 at 1:47 pm

Hi, interested in visiting your place.

January 6, 2020 at 1:58 pm

Hi Kurstin, If you are interested in visiting The Wilds now, or between November and April, they are only open to the public for their Winter at the Wilds tours. These need to be booked at least 72 hours in advance of when you want to visit. So I’d go onto their website or give them a call to schedule one of those if of interest. You can find links and their phone number above in the post.

But if you are visiting in the Spring/Summer months, then there are more daily tour options that will be available and you don’t have to book in advance (although still a good idea if you know when you want to do the tour).

Terri Mitchell Post author

April 13, 2019 at 6:56 am

Thank you for your comprehensive review! Just caught the end of Jack Hanna’s wildlife safari insisting The Wilds. I found your site when I searched for info. Happily it sounds like this is a trip that all ages can enjoy and we can camp too! Thanks to your thorough review we’re planning our own visit to The Wilds this summer!!! Happy Travels

April 13, 2019 at 12:10 pm

Hi Terri, Glad you enjoyed our review of The Wilds, and do let us know if you have any questions about planning your trip to The Wilds. Yes, Jack Hanna was very much involved in the planning and conservation efforts at The Wilds (he is a former director of the zoo in Columbus Ohio) and has been a long time ambassador for the park 😉 Best, Jessica

Mark Staib Post author

March 28, 2019 at 2:50 pm

I have a scout troop ,and we are interested coming down and camping either there or near by. We will want to tour and zip line. We would be arriving July 21 and have all of the 22nd to do all of the above.Please let me know if this is do able and how much it would cost.

March 28, 2019 at 4:42 pm

Hi Mark, That sounds like a fun scout trip. You’ll need to call The Wilds directly to get pricing and to book the trip for your group, phone number is (740) 638-5030. Best of luck, Jessica

DONNA AZZ Post author

July 4, 2016 at 3:37 pm

Hi – we will be visit “the wilds” in two weeks and staying for 2 nights (July 19&20). Are there any suggestions you can give us to enhance our visit?

travelcats Post author

July 4, 2016 at 4:32 pm

Hi Donna, I am sure you will have a great time at The Wilds! The summer is a great time to visit as all the facilities will be open and the animals should be out and about.

I would reserve your tour in advance so you get the dates/times you want. The open-air safari tours are great in the summer and a good value, you can also consider a private encounter or a Wildside Tour if they are within your budget.

As many animals will seek shade and naps in the middle of a summer day, I’d recommend trying to be on the first tour of the day or the last as you may see more animals and also it may be less crowded.

Since you’ll be there for two nights, you have plenty of opportunity to see the full park and choose the time of your tour and also explore at a slow pace. If you are staying overnight in the park, be sure to ask what activities are going on during your stay. Often there are boating, fishing, swimming, ziplining, and horseback riding activities available.

If you are traveling with kids, it can be really fun to teach them about some of the animals and have them try to then spot them during your tour and from the observation deck of where you are staying. If you have a pair of binoculars, these can be fun to bring. I’d also recommend buying a few snacks/drinks to bring with you at a grocery store before getting here so you don’t have to rely on always eating at the park as it can add up.

Have a great trip and feel free to come back and comment about your visit to The Wilds!

AwesomelyOZ Post author

August 3, 2015 at 3:36 pm

That’s so awesome! I love the photos of all the animals, esp the camels 🙂 That was a big boy! Looks like a great safari experience 🙂 Thanks for sharing and have a great one Jessica! -Iva

August 14, 2015 at 6:18 pm

Hi Iva, I think that may actually be a big girl:) It was a fun experience, it was not quite Africa but it is as close as you can get in Southeast Ohio and a great place to visit!

Seana Turner Post author

July 25, 2015 at 1:05 pm

You know, this is why I follow bloggers. I’ve been in that part of the country many times and had no idea this even existed. What a fun place! I think I’d rather roam around on a warm day, but I’ll bookmark it for the next time I’m driving though Ohio!

July 26, 2015 at 7:57 pm

Hi Seana, yes the Wilds is a great place to visit the next time you are in Ohio. It is a bit out of the way but a great place to spend an afternoon!

Mar Ward Post author

July 25, 2015 at 6:26 am

When I worked at the Zoo in Alaska, Jack Hanna was a guest speaker at our yearly fundraiser and talked about the Wilds. Ever since I had wanted to visit. Thanks for sharing your experience and some great photos.

July 26, 2015 at 6:57 pm

Hi Mar! Yes, I almost mentioned Jack Hanna in the post. I went to the same college as an undergrad that both he and his wife graduated from and the Wilds is located only about 20 minutes away. He was director of the Columbus Zoo in Ohio for many years and the Wilds now has a close partnership with that zoo. Jack Hanna has visited the Wilds many times and helped promote it. If you are in the Midwest, you should definitely plan a visit as I think it is still the largest wildlife conservation center in North America.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of replies to my comment (just replies to your comment, no other e-mails, we promise!)

Subscribe to our monthly Newsletter where we share our latest travel news and tips

We only ask for your e-mail so we can verify you are human and if requested notify you of a reply. To do this, we store the data as outlined in our privacy policy . Your e-mail will not be published or used for any other reason other than those outlined above.

African Safari Wildlife Park

Top ways to experience nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

African Safari Wildlife Park - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
• (0.64 mi) Holiday Inn Express & Suites Port Clinton-Catawba Island, an IHG Hotel
• (1.50 mi) Our Sunset Place
• (0.85 mi) Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Port Clinton, OH
• (9.23 mi) Getaway Inn at Cooper's Woods
• (0.76 mi) Sleep Inn & Suites
• (0.35 mi) Toft's Ice Cream Parlor
• (0.58 mi) Ciao Bella
• (0.69 mi) Casa Las Palmas
• (0.55 mi) The 'Que Barbecue & Brew
• (0.36 mi) Hong Kong
• (0.94 mi) Liberty Aviation Museum
• (0.47 mi) Island Adventures Family Fun Center
• (0.55 mi) Cheese Haven
• (0.66 mi) Ottawa County Visitor's Bureau
• (0.61 mi) Bodi N Balance

Exploration America

A travel blog exploring America one city at a time

What is there to do at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio? Review

Midwest Nature

Share the post "What is there to do at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Ohio? Review"

This past year we explored outdoors in Put-in-Bay on South Bass Island, Ohio for Green Island Week – it was amazing! While we were in town the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio invited us to come and enjoy their attraction – which was just THE BEST! My family had so many giggles and fun memories here – there is so much to do at the African Safari Wildlife Park!

Looking for other things to do in the area? Check out Ohio’s Lake Erie Shores & Islands !

We absolutely LOVE animals and in a past life I used to care for animals in a college biology lab – not to mention the literally 100+ animals we’ve had at our house since we had kids. I was thrilled to see how well cared for the animals were at African Safari Wildlife Park!

All of the animals – straight down to the budgie aviary – had access to food and water at all times, no matter if they were fed by guests or not! All animals had access to shelter and “non human” areas that were roped off for the animals to go if they didn’t want interaction with people.

Exhibits had signs to read and learn more about each animal that we visited – everything was extremely well done! I’m pretty sure my mushy brain will remember the difference between a dromedary camel and a bactrian camel for life now!

Spend 3 minutes with us for some in person highlights during our trip to the park:

Where can I find coupons for the African Safari Wildlife Park?

Being a family of 5 we’re always on the lookout for a good sale or coupon, and the African Safari Wildlife Park coupons are no different! You can look on their coupons page , sign up for their e-mails at the top of their page, keep an eye on their Facebook page , and always check Groupon before you go!

Can I walk through the safari park?

Yes – well some of it! There’s a walk through portion of African Safari Wildlife Park and there’s a drive through section – I highly recommend doing both! When we first began on the walk through area we arrived at the gibbons area – they were SO MUCH FUN!

We visited right when the park opened and these gibbons were swinging all over the place having a blast! I’ve been to zoos and wildlife centers all over the country and never seen gibbons having so much fun!

I recommend starting off walking through the safari park and enjoying that area before doing the drive through area. You can purchase food in the gift shop for animals in the walk through area as well as buying food for the animals in the drive through area.

If you drive through PLEASE for the love drive up to the red pole like the employees will ask you to! They try to get the cars to drive half way through the exhibit and THEN let the animals come there to feed instead of being stuck right at an open gate. Trust me – if you have food – they will come!

What animals are at the African Safari Wildlife Park?

You’ll find red river hogs, sulcata tortoises, warthogs, white-handed gibbons, kangaroo, porcupine, white alligator, alpacas, bactrian camels, bison, bongos, elk, fallow deer, giraffes, zebra, rabbits, budgies, guanaco, llamas, Scottish highlanders, sika deer, white bison and more!

Can I feed the animals at the safari park?

YES! This is the best part! I absolutely LOVE hands on animal encounters and there’s plenty of that here! I recommend checking their website to see all of their current feeding options but at the very least I highly recommend buying some food for the drive through park. You can also buy sticks to feed the budgies, lettuce for the rabbits, and the new Zoo-it-All Animal Experience pass which lets you feed the kangaroo, porcupine, rabbits and tortoises.

Out of all of the budgie encounters I’ve been to across the country this was one of my favorite! It’s the ONLY encounter I’ve ever been in where they had numerous bird feeders AND water out for the birds in addition to the birds truly being very active in flying over to us. I absolutely loved it.

Can I bring my own food to feed the animals at the safari park?

This one is a no-no – even though it sounds like it would be nice! All food that is fed to the animals here has been cleared for the animals’ consumption via stringent regulations.

How much is food for the animals at the African Safari Wildlife Park?

Food is sold in “packages” if you will. For the drive through safari park you can buy food at $15, $30, or $45 amounts. We bought the $30 package for our family which pretty much covered our 3 kids plus a little. There’s also a $14.95 option per person for the walk through park which allows you to feed the kangaroos, porcupine, tortoise, rabbits and budgies. OR you can also buy the budgie food separately!

Will my car get damaged by animals at the safari park?

Wild animals are animals! But seriously, I’ve been to the African Safari Wildlife Park twice now and have not had any damage. I have had plenty of slobber and mud though! I DO however, highly recommend folding your mirrors in before going through the drive through safari! There are BIG animals, some with horns – anything can happen.

My best suggestion is that if you feel uncomfortable at any time just roll up your windows and the animals will soon realize you have no food for them and they will walk on. Also – make sure you hold all food outside of your car so the animals aren’t prone to constantly sticking their heads in!

What ELSE is there to do there?

Yes – the animals of course are the main attraction at the safari park but there’s a lot of other things to see and do! There are educational animal programs during the summer, a playground, camel rides, gem mining, places to eat, and the gift shop. We spent several hours at the park and didn’t even make it to any of the animal programs because we had such a long distance to drive back home. It was a really nice morning!

Animal experiences are very important to me as I raise my children. My kids LOVE animals, they love learning about their habitats, and visiting the African Safari Wildlife Park was a fabulous hands on way for my children to see the animals they learn about up close and personal.

Not only will my kids remember this trip to the safari park for the rest of their lives but it further instills their love for learning, animals and nature!

My youngest daughter especially loved Rabbit Row! It was a lovely little path that you could walk on with oodles of bunnies running around everywhere! It was so fun!

I was also happy to see how especially active the kangaroos were in the morning when we went too! In fact I could barely get a photo of one because they were so busy hopping around!

And perhaps one of my favorite animals in the park are these gentle giants – the giraffes! They’re so sweet!

Overall we had such an awesome day!! I know if we are back in the Port Clinton area my kids will be begging to visit the African Safari Wildlife Park again! It was a fantastic experience, again (I’ve been before but my kids hadn’t!)! If you live near by they even offer an annual pass which would be fun!

If you’re looking to tent camp nearby I recommend Sunset Shore Campground in Port Clinton! There are no showers but it comes with a killer view and private beach front for your tent!

Explore MORE in Ohio:

About Crystal

I'm the product of a family who never travelled and now I can't get enough! Please leave a comment or send me a message with some of your favorite lesser known places to visit - my bucket list in the USA is always expanding! My passion for travel motivated me to drag along my husband and 3 kids until now they are as eager as I am to hit the road! What should we visit near you?

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Where we’ve been

Privacy Overview

Adventure Awaits At This Drive-Thru Safari Park In Ohio

A lifelong Virginia resident, Beth loves exploring different parts of the world and currently resides in Charlottesville. She holds a degree in English Literature and one of her short stories has been featured in the Shenandoah Review. Other interests include hiking, songwriting, and spending time in the mountains.

More by this Author

Do you ever dream of interacting with exotic animals from around the globe? Here in Ohio, the answer may be closer than you think! The African Safari Drive & Walk-Through Wildlife Park is a one-of-a-kind experience that allows visitors to experience some of the world’s most remarkable creatures. Whether you’re hoping to marvel at the height of a real-live giraffe or help feed a bison, you’ll find that there’s nothing quite like this wonderfully wild Ohio destination. Here’s everything you can look forward to when you visit this incredible drive-thru safari park in Ohio.

Please note : The African Safari Drive-Thru park is open seasonally. Be sure to visit the website for the most up-to-date information.

Related Stories

There Are Giant Trolls Hiding At Aullwood Audubon Farm In Ohio Just Like Something Out Of A Storybook

This Safari Park In Ohio Also Features A Restaurant And It's Fun For The Whole Family

One Of The Largest Zoos In The U.S. Is In Ohio, And It's Magical

What are your thoughts on this amazing drive-thru safari in Ohio? Would you plan a trip to meet the animals here? Be sure to share your thoughts with us in the comments below — we’d love to hear from you! For more information, be sure to check out the African Safari Wildlife Park online . You can also follow the African Safari Wildlife Park on Facebook for exciting updates and more details.

OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.

Want more Ohio in your inbox?

Get the latest on things to see, do, and eat around Ohio!

Thank you! You will receive your first email soon.

An error occured.

Related Articles

• Hike With Llamas At Wildwood Inn And Farm In Ohio For An Adorable Adventure
• There's A Zoo And Aquarium Right Next To A Water Park In Ohio, Making For A Fun-Filled Family Outing
• Sip Wine As You Make Your Way Through This Meandering Ohio Corn Maze
• If There's One Fall Festival You Attend In Ohio, Make It The Young's Dairy Fall Farm Pumpkin Festival
• Alpaca Paradise Farm In Ohio Makes For A Fun Family Day Trip
• Go Camping With Alpacas In Ohio For An Unbelievably Adorable Overnight Adventure
• This 50-Acre Pumpkin Farm In Ohio Is The Classic Fall Experience You Need
• Don't Miss Out On Sunflower Days At Ramseyer Farms, One Of The Happiest Flower Festivals In All Of Ohio

Explore Ohio

• Arts & Entertainment
• Farms & Wildlife
• Fun Adventures
• Shops & Boutiques
• Sights & Landmarks

Featured Addresses

Your browser is not supported for this experience. We recommend using Chrome, Firefox, Edge, or Safari.

• Tourism Jobs
• Partner Resources
• Privacy Policy
• Terms & Conditions

Go Wild at African Safari Wildlife Park

Published March 2021 Get ready for a wild time when you visit the Midwest’s largest drive-thru safari – African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio! When was the last time you hand-fed a bison from your car? Or, had a giraffe stick its head through your sunroof? Have you been on a camel ride lately, or had hundreds of budgies land on you and eat directly from your hand? All of these experiences and more are available when you visit this amazing zoological park, open late March through early December. Experiences available may vary by season, but the fun is constant!

Nearly 20 different species of animals are able to be viewed along the drive-thru where you take your personal vehicle. You can see llamas, deer, bison, giraffes, zebras, and more. Admission includes one cup of animal food and additional food, such as carrots and leaf lettuce, is available to purchase (outside food is not permitted in order to keep the animal’s diet consistent). The length of the drive-thru depends on how much you stop and visit with the different animal species – they are a friendly (and hungry!) bunch. Roll down your windows and expect the animals to come right up to your auto – hold out your cup and they will enjoy a tasty snack. Or, scatter some on the ground if you prefer not to hand-feed. Be prepared to have your windows, mirrors, and door licked and rubbed against; it’s all part of the fun! You’ll laugh your way through the safari, while reading about each of the species along the way from the hand-out provided at admission. Admission includes unlimited trips through the drive-thru portion of the park.

The walk-thru safari, which includes white-handed gibbon, porcupine, wallaby, and more, is available during the warmer months, beginning in May. The walking path winds through tree-lined trails and viewable habitats. Photo opportunities abound and visitors delight in viewing these animals outdoors. Animal encounters include camel rides, educational programs, and feeding experiences, among others. The Aviary Adventure allows guests to walk through an enclosure with more than 400 budgies, interacting with and feeding them. Play with domestic pigs in the HogWILD Experience.

Want to experience it all? Purchase the Zoo-It-All Animal Feeding Experience which includes kangaroo, porcupine, tortoise, and rabbit feeding, plus one budgie feeding stick for the Aviary Adventure. The Zoo-It-All pass does not include park admission.

This family fun park also offers a playground, café and dining area, gem mining, and gift shop. African Safari Wildlife Park is open daily from March-December, rain or shine. To maximize your drive-thru experience, the last car is admitted one hour before park closing. Reservations are available for weekends and can be purchased online beginning the Monday prior to the weekend you wish to visit.

Reservations are not available Monday through Friday and are not required for entry. However, African Safari Wildlife Park is a very popular attraction and reservations to guarantee your entry in the event the park reaches capacity for the day. Discounted tickets to African Safari Wildlife Park are sold at the Lake Erie Shores & Islands welcome centers in Sandusky and Port Clinton. Let’s get wild!

Download/Request

Travel guide, sign up for.

"One of the best experiences of our lives!"

It's a phrase we often hear from guests following their visit to The Wilds.  While our conservation park offers cozy overnight stays, delicious food, and opportunities for adventure (like ziplining over animal pastures!), the foundation of what we do is protecting animals and conserving endangered species . 

Here are some of the animals you'll learn about during your visit!

African Painted Dog

Bactrian Camel

Bactrian Deer

Fringe-Eared Oryx

Greater One-horned Rhino

Grevy's Zebra

Pére David's Deer

Persian Onager

Przewalski’s Wild Horse

Scimitar-horned Oryx

Sichuan Takin

Southern White Rhino

Make A Donation Today!

Item added to your cart

Prices and hours, planning your visit to wildlife safari.

Escape on a wild African Safari Drive Through Adventure and get up close to Ostrich, Watusi cattle, Lions and Zebra. Venture through the homes of hippos and the land of the scimitar horned oryx. Your Safari journey will take you through Southern Africa where the Rhino and Giraffe rule. Carry on to interpretive wetlands, cleaning the local waters in reaffirmation of our commitment to the soil before venturing into the land of bears, bison and elk within the sprawling canyon forests of North America.

Take a trip past the incredibly inspiring African elephants and prepare to enter the land of emu, yak and white-naped cranes as your tour of the incredibly diverse wildlife of planet Earth continues on in Asia. Dare yourself to end your journey with a trip through a carnivore loop featuring Wildlife Safari’s top cheetah breeding grounds and ferocious Sumatran Tigers. All from the comfort of your own vehicle, rain or shine, year-round.

Free Village Keeper Talks & Presentations

Check out the Always Free Safari Village and be sure to join us for keeper chats throughout the day!

General Admission Prices

Adults: 23.95, children: 17.95, seniors: 20.95.

Children 2 & under are FREE

Wildlife Safari is a 610-acre Drive-Thru animal park. Driving your own vehicle, it takes about 1-1/2 hours to complete. You will receive a map of the park to enhance your experience and help identify animals with your admission. Group rates are available for groups of 12 or more which you can learn more about by inquiring with guest services at 541.679.6761 or [email protected].

Seasons & Hours

Open 363 days per year.

March – September Drive-Thru, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. (Last vehicle admitted at 6:00p.m.) Village & Gift Shop 9:00a.m. to 6:00p.m.

October Drive-Thru, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (Last vehicle admitted at 5:00p.m.) Village & Gift Shop 9:00a.m. to 5:00p.m.

November – March Drive-Thru, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. (Last vehicle admitted at 4:00p.m.) Village & Gift Shop 9:00 a.m. to 4:00p.m. Closed Thanksgiving & Christmas

Eat at Safari

Safari village cafe hours:.

March – September 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grill closes at 4:30 p.m.

The Snack Shack is open until 5:30 p.m

October 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Grill closes at 4:30 p.m.

November – March 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Grill closes at 3:30 p.m.

For the safety of our animals and yours, NO animals are allowed in the Safari Village nor the Wildlife Safari Drive Through. Wildlife Safari offers free onsite (unsupervised) kennels for pets, and sells locks for the kennels for a $5 fee at guest services, inside of the gift shop. It is recommended to bring a water bowl as well.

Drive Thru Rules & Restrictions

• Wildlife Safari is located in Winston, Oregon, just minutes off of I-5.
• Animal Enrichment Encounter tickets do not include drive-through admission, which is required to participate in Animal Enrichment Encounters.
• Be sure to check out the Always Free Safari Village .
• Mothers get in free on Mother’s Day, fathers get in free on Father’s Day, veterans get in free on Veteran’s Day.

Wildlife Safari gives you the opportunity to take a trip to Southern Oregon to escape on a wild African Safari and get up close to ostrich, Watusi cattle, lions and zebra. Venture through the homes of hippos and the land of the scimitar horned oryx. Your journey will take you through Southern Africa where the Rhino and Giraffe rule. Carry on to interpretive wetlands, cleaning the local waters in reaffirmation of our commitment to the soil before venturing into the land of bears, bison and elk within the sprawling canyon forests of North America. Take a trip past the awe-inspiring African elephants and prepare to enter the land of emu, yak and white naped cranes as your tour of the incredibly diverse wildlife of planet Earth continues on in Asia. Dare yourself to end your journey with a trip through a carnivore loop featuring Wildlife Safari’s top cheetah breeding grounds and ferocious Sumatran Tigers. At Wildlife Safari, adventure rules daily.

• While ticket and enrichment encounter payments are non-refundable, should you need to reschedule our guest services department would be happy to assist you with an alternate time or an upgraded encounter.
• Encounter times subject to change, please call ahead for availability.
• Tickets for drive through admission do not expire, and are valid until redeemed.
• Enter the Wildlife Safari Drive Thru Animal Park at your own risk.
• No Open Top Vehicles (Convertibles must have tops up at all times)
• No Motorcycles
• No pets are allowed in the Safari Drive-Through, nor in the Safari Village
• Choosing a selection results in a full page refresh.
• Opens in a new window.

Click Here for FREE Subscription

Drive-Thru Safaris

at African Safari Wildlife Park

You’ll want to visit African Safari Wildlife Park this season, featuring the Drive-Thru Safari, the largest area of African Safari, where guests drive their car through and interact with hundreds of exotic animals.

African Safari’s Walk-Thru Safari, the Park’s traditional zoo setting, has also seen an addition of new animal exhibits. The new Giraffe Encounter allows guests to get up close and personal with giraffes and feed them!  The Walk-Thru Safari is scheduled to open around Mother’s Day weekend, weather permitting.  

“We are beyond excited to welcome new and familiar faces to the Park for African Safari’s new season!  Everyone can enjoy the newer Park amenities and continue to make memories here for seasons to come,” said African Safari Wildlife Park’s Director, Kelsey Keller. “We have so much more in store, and we encourage everyone to stay tuned for more zoo news and updates…coming soon!”

The Park is open daily, rain or shine, from 10am to 5pm with the last car admitted at 4pm for the Spring Season. Summer Season begins the last week of May.

The Midwest’s Original Drive-Thru Safari Park, African Safari Wildlife Park , is at 267 S. Lightner Rd. in Port Clinton, Ohio.

• Appalachian Ohio
• Cambridge/Guernsey County VCB
• Discover Mohican
• Explore Hocking Hills
• Explore Scioto
• Greater Grand Lake Region
• Historic Roscoe Village
• Hocking Valley Scenic Railway
• Lehman’s
• Marietta/Washington County CVB
• Miami County VCB
• Millers Furniture & Bakery
• Niederman Family Farm
• Ohio Amish Country
• Ohio Caverns
• Ohio Festivals & Events Assoc.
• Sandusky County Visitors Bureau
• Travel Tuscarawas County
• Visit Belmont County
• Visit Chillicothe
• Visit Coshocton
• Visit Greater Lima
• Visit Grove City
• Visit Marion Ohio
• Visit Medina County
• Visit Sidney Ohio
• Visit Steubenville
• Yoder’s Bakery & Furniture