safari en alvin tx

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This Open-Range Safari in Alvin is Home to Kangaroos, Zebras, Camels, and More

Posted by HOTC Contributor | Aug 28, 2020 | Museums & Attractions | 0

Just 30 minutes south of Houston, tucked behind some trees off a busy road, an 80-acre African-style safari thrives with over 500 exotic animals from nearly 20 different countries.

The Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin is one of the Houston area’s true hidden gems and the perfect destination for a day full of family fun.

  View this post on Instagram   This morning we went to @bayouwildlifezoo in Alvin. My favorites were the emus and ostriches! They followed the tram around the grounds. The ruins of the still were cool, too! #bayouwildlifezoo #alvintexas #wildlife #emus #ostriches #whiskeystill #giraffe #deer A post shared by Anita Giles (@anitantique) on Aug 22, 2020 at 4:55pm PDT

Originally opened in 1986, the wildlife park was recently sold to new owners who have carried on the legacy of the open-air zoo and continued to make it an attraction like no other in the area.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo’s main attraction is the guided tram tour. Hop on a tram and ride through 80 acres where an expert guide will tell you all about the animals you see along the way, including many types of deer, antelopes, buffalos, camels, zebras and other exotic animals. You’ll even have the opportunity to feed some of the animals for a truly memorable, up-close encounter.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll also have the opportunity to walk through Addie Lou’s Barnyard to see everything from typical farm animals to rare creatures you won’t see anywhere else in the area.

“In the barnyard, you will encounter a Wallaby, Pygmy Goats, Lemurs and much more!,” a statement on Bayou Wildlife Zoo’s website promises .

  View this post on Instagram   can I pet that dawg? #whatwouldcarolbaskindo A post shared by Carly Calcote (@insta.charly) on Jun 20, 2020 at 10:09am PDT

You can also stop by their big barn to meet giraffes and a pet water buffalo. And while walking between the different areas of the zoo, you’ll see kangaroos, alligators, and many other creatures.

New Measures Keep Guests Safe

Bayou Wildlife Zoo is an open-air zoo, which makes it a safer destination to visit during these times.

Additionally, new practices have been instituted to keep guests safe, including requiring guests to wear masks during their visit, using special viral disinfectants to clean common-use areas and trams, and making the barnyard area observation-only.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo Hours & Ticket Prices

The Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am. to 4 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. The zoo is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Under 2 years: Free
• Child (2 to 11 years): $12
• Adult (12 to 64 years): $22
• Senior (65+ years): $20
• Military & First Responder Discount: $4 off of general admission with valid ID or credentials.

Annual passes are available at $45 for kids, $80 for adults, and $65 for seniors.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo Location

Bayou Wildlife Zoo is located at 5050 FM 517 Road, Alvin, TX 77511. You can learn more at BayouWildlifeZoo.com or call 409-904-2525.

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Exciting Safari in Alvin - Bayou Wildlife Zoo

• United States    
• Texas (TX)    
• Texas Gulf Coast    
• Alvin    
• Alvin - Things to Do    
• Bayou Wildlife Zoo

My kids enjoyed the tram ride and feeding the animals. The ostrich was their favorite. Wish the... read more

Because I came with a large group, the fee was only $7.00. It was well worth it, but am not sure... read more

Exciting Safari in Alvin

What a cool wildlife exhibit that we stumbled upon. You park your car and take a tram around the property and the animals come right up to the tram. You see Ostrich eggs all over the place. There are some really exotic animals. This place is cool!

I took my 13 month old daughter to Bayou Wildlife Park today. She LOVED it. The tram ride was a huge success. We had a large group and so we paid the group rate. We had to wait about an hour for the tram but there were a bunch of deer and lots of shade so it wasn't bad. The tram ride was worth it. The animals come right up to the vehicle and they give you feed to give them. So much fun. I'll definitely go back. As a plus, all the workers were really friendly.

Although our group tried to get the "group rate" the owner told us by phone that since most of our kids were under 3, we didn't have enough paying guest to get the rate. We were told that kids under 3 were free with 2 paying adults. Since they don't take credit cards, imagine our shock when not only did we have to pay for each and every child, but when we approached the owner, he was amazingly rude. Told us no groups during spring break, but there were 2 groups before us who got the rate. We had 19 paying guests, but he didn't care, even though he was the one who told us on the phone we didn't have enough paying guests. The published number to get a group rate is 15. None of us will be having anything else to do with this place.

We visited all the way from England.... but we were staying with family nearby. We had our two young families with our four grandchildren with us, ranging from 18 months to almost 6 years and they all thoroughly enjoyed it. It wasn't a really busy day and all 10 of us were able to get on the same train to get round the park. It was a great experience to see the animals up close and even stroke them, dribble and all. The pony rides were short but comfortable, and the lady was very tolerant, even took care of the youngest who went round on her own (the track is in view of parents). It was an excellent idea to have plenty of washing facility available for after handling the animals. It was definitely a good day to remember and I wouldn't refuse a return visit on another trip. Nanna in England

My 12-year-old son and I are animal lovers. We totally enjoyed everything. As soon as you pass the ticket booth you have to drive through deer, emu & llamas to get to the parking area. We parked as a tram was just leaving, so we went through the petting area for about 10 minutes until another one showed up. We got there around 11am and I think by noon more trams were in operation. We totally enjoyed seeing/feeding all the different animals. The camels were a huge treat! My son thought he was too old to ride the ponies (even tho the weight limit is 90#). The litle kids were really enjoying it. Danny, the baby giraffe, posed for pictures in his holding area. My only complaint would be that some of the animals (like the monkeys out on the island) are just too far away to get a good look from the tram. Plenty WERE very visible tho. The longhorns were amazing up close as were the buffalo. $14 for each of us (12 year olds are considered adults) which seemed reasonable considering I think the zoo is up to almost $10 and this was a LOT more fun. If you take a group (>=15)you can get great discounts. We may try to round up a few families and go backs sometime. Highly recommend this place! Deanna

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Go on a Safari in Alvin, Texas... at the Bayou Wildlife Zoo!

Modified: Jan 24, 2021 by Jill Jarvis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · 1 Comment

Here's what I like about Bayou Wildlife Zoo near Houston:

• It's unexpected. I'd never suspect there was an African Safari tucked away in Alvin.
• You ride a shaded tram and the animals come to you. No chasing kids in the heat!

Right along a busy road, back behind the trees, is the Bayou Wildlife Zoo. Here they have animals from 19 different countries, including locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. (Learn about it HERE !)

The last time we went, my big kids were little and my toddler wasn't even born, so we made the drive down this summer.

The main attraction is the tram ride through the 86-acre property where exotic wildlife is allowed to roam. Not only do you get to see these animals up close, but you can even feed most of them.

At Bayou Wildlife Zoo, buckets of food are available for purchase and many of the animals will come up and stick their heads right into the tram looking for food!

On this visit, we saw zebras, deer, water buffalos, wildebeests, camels, llamas, Watusi cattle, giraffes, ostriches and emus as well as many more types of animals on our safari-like trip.

Watch out for those ostriches though, they really like their food! (And one was even behind a fence in time-out for stealing hats and sippy cups. My kids are still talking about him!)

Our tram ride lasted about 30 minutes... and we had a minor break down in the middle. For a second I thought it would be like a bad scene from Jurassic Park... but the staff just got us a new tram and animals were not concerned with our little stop. This turned into another highlight of the adventure.

After the tram ride, you can take a pony ride (for kids under 90 pounds), visit the petting zoo or have a picnic.

And on the drive out, you can use any left over food to feed the animals along the road. This was a lot of fun because the animals kept on sneaking around the car and surprising us at different windows!

The big kids really enjoyed going back... and the toddler loved it. She loves the Houston Zoo and this was even better. She sat in awed silence for the entire tram ride, just taking it all in... and has been talking about it for weeks now.

I recommend making the trip to Alvin for this safari ... and try to organize a group of 15 so it's not so expensive. (Just call them to work out the details.)  Also, bring water with you on the tram... and a picnic to eat at the shaded tables afterwards.

Also, you can find more Houston area farms HERE !

Bayou Wildlife Zoo:

Address: 5050 FM517, Alvin, TX 77511 Cost: Adults: $20, Kids: $10, Free Under 2, or organize a group for a discounted rate! (Cash or check. No credit cards accepted)

More Houston Area Farms :

More Farms and Zoos

About Jill Jarvis

Jill Jarvis is the owner of JillBJarvis.com, a BigKidSmallCity.com and Things to Do in Houston, with Kids, blog!

She is the mom of five and started the website years ago... when she was tired of constantly cleaning up the same mess in the family room.

Another mom showed her that you could just go do fun things in Houston, without hours of planning.

This inspired the blog and changed everything about how she enjoyed life in Houston, with kids!

Reader Interactions

Jeffrey Wright says

July 23, 2019 at 8:16 am

looks great! My son will be happy to visit this Zoo

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Bayou Wildlife Zoo

Hours updated 1 month ago

Review Highlights

“ 50, a nice long ride through the 80-something acres they have to view different animals, and then free pony rides for kids under 90lbs. ” in 6 reviews

“ The fed is purchased at the entrance along with the wristband and it will be given to you once you are about to ride the tram . ” in 48 reviews

“ 50 per bucket They have so many different animals as soon as you pull up you are met with Deer, Ostrich and birds. ” in 18 reviews

Location & Hours

Suggest an edit

5050 FM 517 rd

Alvin, TX 77511

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Amenities and More

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About the Business

Free Admission for Children under 2 years old Take a visit to the Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin, Texas, and enjoy exploring our wildlife park with an experienced guide from the comfort of a tram. We take you over 80 acres of prairie and woods as your guide delivers an exciting and interesting talk about all the animals you're meeting. Tram Rides Our specially built trams allow you to see everything our zoo has to offer without trekking through the vast premises on foot. Each ride lasts approximately 45 minutes and is great for individuals and groups of up to 30 people. Our Park Come and spend the day with us to get to know all the different parts of our park. In addition to the wide ranges of natural habitat where you can mingle with our animals, we also have three monkey islands and alligator ponds. We allow guests to bring their own lunches and eat in our covered picnic area. This space can accommodate up to 300 people and features drink machines, but no cooking is allowed. Before you leave, stop by our souvenir shop to pick up something to commemorate your trip. …

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Ask a question

I noticed your closing time during the week is 2 pm. Does that mean we would need to leave at 2 pm or is that the time the last visitors can come in?

The zoo closes at 2 pm.

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Overall rating

140 reviews

Great place to take the kiddos! They have a tram so you don't have to walk around. Buckets to feed the animals are $5

This place has certainly changed for the better since the new owners took over. Unfortunately, the only real attraction is the train ride through the safari. And that is a very long wait. Not a whole lot to do while you wait. Ince we got on the ride, it was fun. The petting zoo has very few animals to pet. They have a small gift shop with some snacks and there was a snow cone truck.

I was super excited to go feed some animals and that's exactly what I did. The staff was super friendly and nice. The place was huge I was not expecting it. The animals are free waking which was pretty cool. I'm glad they didn't walk up to the car. I would of been so nervous. The price was reasonable! Like your feeding animals and they need to be taken care of it's not cheap. The animals come right up to tram. My fiancé and I sat at the back which was cool watching the animals run to the tram because it they know they are getting food. The lady that was driving was awesome she explained all the animals very well and took her time. She made sure everyone got to feed the animals that came up. I will definitely come back and bring my family and friends with me!

See all photos from Brittany G. for Bayou Wildlife Zoo

This was pretty fun! There is a tram ride that lasts 30-40 minutes and is narrated by a guide. There is also a tiny petting zoo (with little pigs and goats that you can pet). I recommend allotting extra time for your visit because it can get busy to where you'll have to wait your turn for your tram ride. But there are places for you to sit around and relax or animals to look at, while you're waiting. We arrived about 15 min before they opened at 10am and our tram ride (the first one of the day) wasn't until around 10:40 due to an emergency with one of the animals. It's a good idea to bring food and have a picnic here! There are picnic tables (some of which have partial shade or a cover) and lounge chairs that you can sit on to relax and watch some of the animals -- and eat if you brought food. I recommend buying 1-3 bowls of food to feed the animals on the tram ride. Careful though- one of the ostriches snatched the bowl from my hand and scratched my finger in the process, even though I followed the operator's directions on how to hold the bowl to protect your fingers. Not the operators' fault - animals are animals! But keep this in mind if you have kids who want to hold the bowl themselves. Probably would be safest to have some work gloves or gardening gloves to protect the kiddos' hands.

See all photos from Grace C. for Bayou Wildlife Zoo

We were in town to pick strawberries @ Frobergs, and decided to come by and let the kids enjoy a petting zoo and see a few animals. NOTE : This safari does not allow you to drive yourself, so they require you ride a tram. Unfortunately, the wait in between trams was over an hour. Their petting zoo was not opened (midday Saturday) and the only animals "out and about" were 2 deer pacing their own. It's not exactly kid friendly either. The entire barn area has signs everywhere for kids "not to touch"...it is as more of a pain chasing your kids while waiting for the tram. Once you get on the tram, you'll see a lot of white tail (most won't get near the tram) and that's about it. If you're looking for an excellent safari, try the one in college station. It's worth the drive, the cost, and you can drive yourself/time yourself. Bayou is $25 per adult, and $15 per child, and the kids didn't get anywhere near an animal. Pass. The owner responded to the review above, so thought I'd respond to her response. We were there for over 2 hrs, never once was the petting zoo open. We walked back over to check. The signs for the children inside the barn are for their fingers? There are no animals even close enough to touch inside. The white tail was just that. We have land, we aren't dense. And the gentleman driving said as much, NUMEROUS times. Maybe the other "special breeds" were napping? Simply posting the experience we had, for parents with young children that might prefer a better safari elsewhere. Thanks!

Wait times not guaranteed - could be 3-4 hrs

Business owner information

Business Owner

Mar 27, 2023

We appreciate any feedback. Petting Zoo was closed for 15 minutes, while the staff take a break. As for the signs, it’s for the children, safety not to stick their fingers in the animals mouths. They are wild animals, and they will bite. The white tail you were referring to our barisinga’s from India. We have many species of animals… they are wild animals… not performance animals. Many of the animals… example buffalo, water buffalo, zebras , etc are to admire. Thank you for visiting the zoo.

This is the perfect place to visit if you want interaction with various wildlife animals! The animals aren't aggressive and they will allow you to pet most of them. Some are not suggested for petting, but they have an entire petting zoo perfect for little ones. They have chickens, sheep, deer, and little piglets inside the petting area. There is a trailer ride that takes you around the zoo and makes various stops for feeding. It doesn't take very long to explore the property, but no time limit at the petting zoo! Great experience for young and old.

Awful. Poorly run business. I was not advised that it's significantly bumpy and not recommended for pregnant women to ride until after admittance. I explained this and asked for a refund for myself only. I did not even ask for refund for the feed purchased for myself since my family could just use the extras. My family of 5 would not have attended at all had they informed us of this prior to purchasing admittance. The information necessary to make that decision prior to providing payment would have been the right thing to do. I am pregnant and would never risk the health or safety of my unborn child. Also, be aware that they are not forth coming in wait times. My family waited 45 minutes longer than the original 1 hour we were told the wait would be. Extremely poor ethics and lack of family values. Highly recommended you look else where for an enjoyable family activity.

Great place to go with family and to be close and personal with the animals. Wish it just a bit bigger but honestly it was wonderful and had a great time!

This was so Much fun The jeep ride was amazing Best zoo I ever been too Can't wait to go back and go again

I'm glad the students had fun but this place is run terribly. Awful place for our Kindergarten field trip. We took our Kindergarten class here on a field trip with the intentions of showing up, having a nice picnic, going on a tram ride and visiting the petting zoo. Upon arrival we were told we could not get out of our bus for 30 minutes, the tram ride would be immediate, and they can't eat yet. This is sixty 5 or 6 year olds with 30 parent chaperones on an almost 90 degree hot day. Students are already sweating and not feeling well due to the heat. We were told 10 parents per class could come. Upon arrival, only 2 parents per class could ride the tram. Even when they paid full price. So separating students from parents. So 30 parents who paid the entry fee were only allowed to sit with the kids while they eat and no petting zoo. Absolutely no care for customers and we're incredibly rude, made us wait in our bus until 11 even though we agreed we would show up at 10. This tells me they don't care about getting anymore business. This was all staff, including manager.

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Texas Safari Parks & Wildlife Parks

Texas is home to some great adventures, one of which are wildlife parks. Here’s our list of the best Texas Safari and Wildlife Parks, Preserves, and Tours. Visitors will be astonished by the original and innovative way of meeting, mingling, petting and seeing wildlife at any of the safari and wildlife park in Texas which offer an unsurpassed adventure in meeting wild animals and a one-of-a-kind, lasting, exciting memory in getting to know the wild. Visit one of the Texas Safari and Wildlife Parks and create you own exciting adventure. Incorporate a Texas Safari or Wildlife tour into your next family vacation.

North Texas Wildlife & Safari Parks

Fossil rim wildlife center (glen rose).

The 1700 acres lets you interact with deer, rhinos, giraffes and other wildlife in their natural habitat. Drive through the 9-1/2 mile tour. You will see long distance views of savannah-like pastures, forested areas and hillsides for the animals to roam. Fossil Rim is a great family experience. This park is a spring break favorite, but beware… in my experience, the lines can get really long during school breaks!

In-Sync Exotics (Wylie)

As a non-profit organization they are dedicated to the rescue of neglected, abused and unwanted exotic felines and to educate the public about these beautiful cats. The story of each cat is posted on their enclosure, and information about each species is placed near the enclosures so you can learn about the animals that call In-Sync Exotics their forever home.

Sharkarosa Wildlife Ranch (Pilot Point)

This is a premiere exotic animal facility where they breed rare and endangered animals and supply them to zoos around the world. They provide animals for Jack Hanna shows and just filmed a Dirty Jobs episode with Mike Rowe. You can even get lunch there and watch the bears play!

East Texas Wildlife & Safari Parks

Cherokee trace (jacksonville).

Nestled in the lush piney woods of East Texas, this drive-thru safari is a home to an amazing variety of wildlife. See over a dozen exotic and endangered species that thrive in an open habitat similar to their native territory. Enjoy a self-guided drive through the hills & savannahs of this 300-acre preserve.

East Texas Gators & Wildlife Park (Grand Saline)

The farm has gator eggs ready to hatch, baby gators and adult gators of all sizes. The alligators have stopped eating until spring…they are laying on the banks of the pond for you to get a good look! Their duck/geese/swan pond has a covered pavilion and is perfect for a relaxing picnic.

South Texas Wildlife & Safari Parks

Grapeland safari park (grapeland).

This is a family owned business on 59 acres where you will see kangaroos, cockatoos, tortoise, llamas, capybaras, and many more. You can drive through in your own vehicle or use their bus for larger groups. You are able to feed the animals with food that is provided for you.

Bayou Wildlife Park (Alvin)

Your tour on special trams takes you over the 80 acres of prairie and woods with the guide delivering an exciting and interesting talk while you feed the animals. There are 50 species of animals and birds totaling 500 in number.

Central Texas / Hill Country Safari & Wildlife Parks

Aggieland wild animal safari (bryan).

How would you like to go on a safari? Sounds fun. With your ticket you have the opportunity to get up close and personal with hundreds of animals throughout their 250 acres. Make sure you purchase a bucket of feed. The animals will love you for it. After your Drive-Thru Safari hop out of your car and visit with 150 mammals, birds and reptiles in the 20 acre zoo.

Topsey Exotic Ranch (Copperas Cove)

Located on 350 acres of free-range safari, allowing the guests to experience wildlife in a natural setting. Their mission is to provide the animals who call Topsey Exotic Ranch home with the highest standard of care and husbandry practices, while providing the guests with a fun and unique way to experience wildlife in an up-close and natural way.

Y.O. Ranch Headquarters (Mountain Home)

View and photograph animals from around the world either on a Bus Tour, Private Tour, or their Deluxe Tour which gives you more time on the ranch. Their guides are fun and informative with fascinating facts about the animals. Be sure to dress for the weather and bring your binoculars if you wish.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch (Between San Antonio& New Braunfels)

Wildlife Ranch offers the opportunity to view, photograph and feed animals. See species from all over the world from the comfort of your own vehicle. The oldest safari ranch in TX with 400 acres and 4 miles of exciting animals in the beautiful hill country. Read about our trip through  Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch .

Exotic Resort Zoo (Johnson City)

A small family owned wildlife preserve with over 500 animals and 80 different species. The preserve is home to several endangered species that now have a chance to increase their numbers. You can ride on a trailer through the 137 acres. Hundreds of exotic animals from antelope to zebras will come up to the trailer to be feed and petted. Read about our  fun experience at Exotic Resort Zoo .

If you want to get outside and experience some exotic animals, check out our map of Texas wildlife and safari parks .

Author: Simon Trask

Simon loves Texas and the Great Outdoors. From East Texas pines to West Texas mountains, he calls North Texas home but is always ready to float a river in Hill Country or go fishing on the Gulf Coast. Simon loves camping and road trips as well, whether it's cruising Highway 287, 82, 69 or 281, that's the true way to see what Texas is all about!

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This texas safari-like zoo lets you feed wildlife in an up-close encounter.

Jill B. Jarvis

ALVIN, Texas – Address: 5050 FM517, Alvin, TX 77511

Cost: Adults: $20, Kids: $10, Free Under 2, or organize a group for a discounted rate! (Cash or check. No credit cards accepted)

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Here’s what I like about Bayou Wildlife Zoo :

• It’s unexpected. I’d never suspect there was an African Safari tucked away in Alvin.
• You ride a shaded tram and the animals come to you. No chasing kids in the heat!

Right along a busy road, back behind the trees, is the Bayou Wildlife Zoo. Here they have animals from 19 different countries, including locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America.

The last time we went, my big kids were little and my toddler wasn’t even born, so we made the drive down this summer.

The main attraction is the tram ride through the 86-acre property where exotic wildlife is allowed to roam. Not only do you get to see these animals up close, but you can even feed most of them.

Buckets of food are available for purchase and many of the animals will come up and stick their heads right into the tram looking for food!

On this visit, we saw zebras, deer, water buffalos, wildebeests, camels, llamas, Watusi cattle, giraffes, ostriches and emus as well as many more types of animals on our safari-like trip.

Watch out for those ostriches though, they really like their food! (And one was even behind a fence in time-out for stealing hats and sippy cups. My kids are still talking about him!)

Our tram ride lasted about 30 minutes… and we had a minor break down in the middle. For a second I thought it would be like a bad scene from Jurassic Park… but the staff just got us a new tram and animals were not concerned with our little stop. This turned into another highlight of the adventure.

After the tram ride, you can take a pony ride (for kids under 90 pounds), visit the petting zoo or have a picnic.

And on the drive out, you can use any left over food to feed the animals along the road. This was a lot of fun because the animals kept on sneaking around the car and surprising us at different windows!

The big kids really enjoyed going back… and the toddler loved it. She loves the Houston Zoo and this was even better. She sat in awed silence for the entire tram ride, just taking it all in… and has been talking about it for weeks now.

I recommend making the trip to Alvin for this safari … and try to organize a group of 15 so it’s not so expensive. (Just call them to work out the details.) Also, bring water with you on the tram… and a picnic to eat at the shaded tables afterwards.

Oh, and if you want to buy the Bayou Wildlife Zoo , it’s yours!

This article originally appeared at JillBJarvis.com and is being featured here as part of a partnership. Click here to view the article in its original format.

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Drive Thru Safari Fun

Explore 900 acres of drive-thru safari adventure, hundreds of animals, conservation meets adventure, the texas zoofari park is open for the 2024 season. get your tickets, attractions.

At the Texas Zoofari Park, you can spend time with our resident animals in several ways. Observe them from your vehicle on the safari drive-thru or get up close and personal during a stroll through our village walk-thru.

Safari Drive-Thru

Village Walk-Thru

Giraffe Feeding

Now Open - Kangaroo Walk-About

Zoofari Parks, LLC, is excited to be expanding to the great state of Texas.”

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Featured Animals

Get to know our resident animals. We spotlight a few featured animals and teach you about their eating habits, their status in the wild and statistics, like their average weight, height and more.

News from our parks

Texas Zoofari Park Welcomes Two Southern White Rhinos

Alabama Safari Park Welcomes Its Newest and Slowest Residents to the Zoo

Gulf Breeze Zoo Welcomes Its Newest Orangutan, Satu

Virginia Safari Park Recognized by ZAA for Excellence in Breeding

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Spring is here and weekend Wagon Rides are back!

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Tucked between Houston and the sandy beaches of the Texas Gulf Coast is Alvin—a charming community with humble beginnings dating back to 1845. There, visitors will find historic sites, family-friendly adventures and linger-worthy antique shopping at the  Alvin Antique Center , a 55,000-square-foot antique mall with hundreds of uniquely filled shops. The center offers an ever-changing array of gifts and antiques collected locally and from around the world.

Need some fresh air? Enjoy family owned and operated  Froberg’s Farm where you can pick-your-own strawberries mid-January through May and citrus fruits from November until the end of February. In the fall, enjoy the farm's signature festival which features a corn maze, pumpkin patch, hay rides and more! The festival opens the last weekend in September and closes the first weekend in November and is open daily. Froberg’s Country Store also offers fresh homegrown fruits and vegetables year round along with homemade pies and cake balls from their bakery, jams, peanut brittle and other home made foods.

Step back in time and visit the Alvin Historical Museum to learn about Alvin's history through its exhibits with features and memorabilia ranging from the prehistoric era to the formation of Texas and Alvin. Afterwards, visitors can stop by the Alvin Historical Train Depot and walk through one of the original steps for passengers awaiting the Santa Fe Rail Line.

The beautiful architecture at the Marguerite Rogers House Museum is like none other. Built in 1909 and crafted over an eight year period by a Civil War veteran to show his skills at construction, this Victorian style Historic home in Alvin is complete with a library and outhouse. The Marguerite Rogers House Museum is open for tours by appointment only. The guided tour shows the house and ground with commentary on the antique furnishings in the house, and many things have been left untouched for generations. 

Minutes away, guests can get up close and personal with more than 500 different animals from 19 different countries at the  Bayou Wildlife Zoo . During this 80-acre experience, visitors go on a safari-like adventure feeding everything from ostriches and deer to bison and camels. Make sure you bring cash! The zoo doesn't accept credit cards. 

Bayou Wildlife Park

Get up close and personal with animals from across the globe in Alvin. The exotic animal paradise is home to over 60 species of wildlife and more than 500 animals and birds in…

Self-Guided Tour

A real safari in your vehicle at your pace..

Travel through the Safari Drive-Thru in the comfort of your own vehicle. Encounter over 40 species from around the world in this picturesque and historic 500-acre Texas Hill Country Safari Ranch. The safari trek spans over 6 miles, taking approximately 1-2 hours to complete. With admission, you can enjoy multiple trips through the safari, each offering unique adventures in the free-roaming environment. Feeding options are available upon entrance, and tickets can be purchased upon arrival. 

Ticket Pricing:

Adults 12+ years – $31.99

Children 3-11 years – $21.99

ADD AN EXCURSION TO YOUR SAFARI!

Make your safari even better by adding one or more of these excursions!

You'll be able to select them while booking your safari.

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Aviary Experience

The only thing better than seeing our birds is feeding them! Come inside with food on popsicle sticks that dozens of budgies look forward to enjoying. NOTE: Guests must be 3 years or older to enter the exhibit.

Excursion Pricing: $5.00 for general admission ticket holders

Prehistoric Experience

Walk amongst dozens of dinosaurs that move, breathe, and can't wait for you to maybe get a little too close. This excursion is sure to be memorable and filled with plenty of oohs, ahs, and a yikes or two. 

Excursion Pricing:

$5.00 for general admission ticket holders 3+ years old

Explore the Wildlife Ranch Drive-through Safari

Discover a world of exotic animals on a thrilling drive-through safari adventure in the heart of Texas!

Admission: $28.99 (adults) and $19.99 (kids); Guided Safari Shuttle: $149.99; Safari Adventure Tour: $229.99

More than 500 Miles from you

State Gem: Exceptional experiences within your state that are bucket list-worthy Learn more

Description

At the Wildlife Ranch, guests can enjoy an incredible drive-through safari where they will encounter a variety of fascinating animals from around the world. Choose from three exciting ways to explore the safari: drive through in your own car, join a Guided Safari Trek on a shuttle, or experience the exclusive Safari Adventure Tour with a Giraffe Encounter. Learn about the animals' habitats, conservation efforts, and unique characteristics while taking part in guided tours led by experienced Safari Animal Rangers. No matter which option you choose, an unforgettable adventure awaits you at the Wildlife Ranch.

What's included

Perfect for.

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• Arrive at the Wildlife Ranch
• Purchase admission or optional guided tour tickets
• Enjoy your drive-through Safari
• Explore the Walk-A-Bout area with giraffes

Location & Hours

26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266

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The Serengeti of the South: Animal Park in Bryan, TX

At Wild Animal Safari™, you can meet some of nature’s most fascinating creatures–up close and personal. Our drive-thru animal park in Bryan, TX, offers spectacular views that set the stage for family fun. Meet our animal friends and get ready for lots of fun and laughter.

Park Hours & Directions

Ticket and passes, zootube/conservation, many ways to explore.

Drive-thru tours let you meet some of the world’s wildlife. Join the fun and see some of your favorite animals as you’ve never seen them before. Our park offers many ways to discover the beauty of nature. There are three ways to explore Wild Animal Safari™:

Drive-Thru Safari

Travel through our 250-acre safari land and see many different animals along the way. Some of them may even get close to meet you and your family! Choose from the comfort of your vehicle, our safari rental vehicles, or a bus with a guide for you and your group to experience the thrill of the safari.

Now is your chance for you and your family to see our residents for an unforgettable experience. Animal Encounters allow you to get an exclusive meet-and-greet with some of our animal ambassadors, such as the giraffes and kangaroos. You’ll get to learn all about our featured residents and learn how they live at the park.

Adventure Zoo

Enjoy a classic stroll through the zoo. We have 20 acres of land dedicated to animal exhibits, providing plenty of space to walk around and stretch your legs. The kids will love meeting the animals, and they can even feed some of them at the interactive exhibits.

Visit our ticketing page to reserve your spot for one of our animal safari tours . We are open throughout the year and are located in Bryan, TX.

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GA (706) 663-8744 1300 Oak Grove Rd Pine Mountain, GA 31822 [email protected]

MO (417) 859-5300 124 Jungle Rd Strafford, MO 65757 [email protected]

TX (979) 599-5440 18075 FM 974 Bryan, TX 77808 [email protected]

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