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Drive-Through Animal Park General Admission

Experience Safari Lake Geneva from the comfort of your vehicle. Purchase a bowl of grain and feed animals from your window. Drive-through as many times as you’d like. The animals roam free, so each time is a unique adventure. Get your ticket today and enjoy a safari from your car !

About Safari Lake Geneva

A short five miles from downtown Lake Geneva is a drive-through animal park unlike anything else in Chicagoland! We’re not a theme park or zoo, but a unique wildlife preserve that is home to animals from around the world. Our drive-through safari is consistently ranked as one of the most exciting things to do in Lake Geneva!

Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned business and the brainchild of Wisconsin’s foremost exotic animal expert, “Jungle” Jay Christie. Christie had long dreamed of creating a refuge for the world’s diminishing breeds that allowed animals to roam vast acreage. The result is a conservation park for animals in Wisconsin that allows them to interact with other animals, often in herds, much as they would in their ancestral homelands.

A short five miles from downtown Lake Geneva is a drive-through animal park unlike anything else in Chicagoland. We’re not a theme park or zoo, but a unique wildlife preserve that is home to animals from around the world. Our drive-through safari is consistently ranked as one of the most exciting things to do in Lake Geneva!

Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned business and the brainchild of Wisconsin’s foremost exotic animal expert, “Jungle” Jay Christie. Christie had long dreamed of creating a refuge for the world’s diminishing breeds that allowed animals to roam vast acreage.  The result is a conservation park for animals in Wisconsin that allows them to interact with other animals, often in herds, much as they would in their ancestral homelands.

Learn More About our Drive-Through Animal Park

A Top-Rated Safari in Your Car Experience in Lake Geneva!

Best seen with Kids. Went with Grandkids. You drive through in your car. Windows open, bowls of animal food at ready. Animals stick their heads right in window and nosh- very entertaining! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

What a great place! Animals are everywhere. Greatly exceeded our expectations. I highly recommend this place, well worth the cost of admission. You must buy food, the experience isn't complete without it! We will be back.

What a wonderful opportunity to come face to face (literally) with a variety of beautiful animals! We purchased buckets of food to feed the animals as we drove through. We enjoyed ourselves so much that we circled through a second time!

A rare experience to see so many animals at such a close range. Feeding the giraffes was a wonderful experience. It is a very well taken care of facility and the employees are wonderful. Grandkids loved it. What a wonderful experience!

As 3 grown adults- we didn't know what to expect, but we had the best time! Many laughs and great memories. The animals were awesome! We also looked at the animals in the pens. A different and exciting experience, very enjoyable!

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Safari Lake Geneva

ONLINE RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

Just a short drive from Lake Geneva is an unforgettable animal adventure that the whole family will enjoy! Safari Lake Geneva is a family-owned conservation park where you can experience herds of exotic animals from the comfort of your own vehicle -- just like a real African safari! When you purchase our specialized animal food to feed some of our friendly mammals and birds, you support wildlife conservation around the world. 

Come discover why Safari Lake Geneva was voted Best Family Fun and Best Outdoor Activity by the readers of Lake Geneva Regional News!

Be sure to reserve online HERE today!

• TripAdvisor: https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g60022-d12583464-Reviews-Safari_Lake_Geneva-Lake_Geneva_Wisconsin.html

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Safari Lake Geneva

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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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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Safari Lake Geneva - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024) - Tripadvisor

• Sun - Sat 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM
• (5.21 km) Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (5.01 km) Geneva Inn
• (5.88 km) Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva
• (6.06 km) Mill Creek Hotel
• (5.66 km) Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
• (6.54 km) Simple
• (6.28 km) Egg Harbor Cafe
• (5.81 km) Joni's Diner
• (7.08 km) The Next Door Pub
• (6.21 km) Kilwins Lake Geneva

Hello! I'm Ashton.

Insider tips and recommendations on Where to Eat, Where to Stay and What to Do in Lake Geneva, Williams Bay and Fontana, WI.

Adult , Fall , Family , Lake Geneva, WI , Spring , Summer , What to Do · March 20, 2023

Explore the Wild Side of Lake Geneva with Safari Lake Geneva

Safari Lake Geneva is a unique and exciting adventure located ten minutes from downtown Lake Geneva, WI. This top attraction offers visitors the chance to get up close and personal with wild animals in a drive through safari experience that should not be missed!

Safari Lake Geneva offers visitors an unforgettable experience by providing up close encounters with some of the wildest animals in a drive-thru safari. Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just seeking an exciting escapade, you’re guaranteed to walk away with memories that will last a lifetime.

After this post you will know all about the best safari experience in Lake Geneva and what to expect during your drive-thru safari tour. Get ready to discover the wild side of Lake Geneva!

This post is all about Safari Lake Geneva.

The Best Safari Experience in Lake Geneva

The drive-thru experience at Safari Lake Geneva is set on a 250-acre ranch, with over 50 different species of animals roaming freely. From the comfort of your own car you will get to see animals such as bison, zebras, elk, llamas, camels, giraffes and more. The animals are accustomed to humans, and come up to your vehicle to say hello (and hope you have some food for them!).

The best part of Safari Lake Geneva is the flexibility it offers. You get to explore the safari at your own pace, making stops along the way to take photos or observe the animals. It’s a perfect way to connect with nature and try something new. I like it because it gives my husband and I a break to just sit and relax in the car while doing a fun family activity!

Drive-Thru Safari: What to Expect

During your drive-thru safari at Safari Lake Geneva, you should expect to see animals in their natural habitat as they roam freely on the land. The sights and sounds of nature surround you as you slowly make your way through the park. The animals are curious and may even approach your vehicle looking for food!

Online tickets are required to be purchased in advanced and fair warning- this attraction get booked out quickly during peak spring/summer months, so if you have a specific date in mind book early. Here is the link to purchase tickets .

You reserve tickets for a set time and have to arrive within the hour to start your tour. So you if purchase 9am tickets, you have to get there between 9 and 10am and can take unlimited loops through the safari after entering (however 1 was enough for us and plenty of fun!).

The cost is per person, not per vehicle and prices are below (confirm on their website to ensure no changes).

Adult (Ages 16 and older):  $21.95 Child (Ages 3-15):  $14.95 Infant (Ages 2 and younger):  FREE

Bowl of Animal Feed (42oz.) available for $5

Insider tip: I felt that some of the animals, especially the ostriches, can get a bit aggressive. Nothing to bad, but they stuck their whole head in the car to grab the food so I would have an adult hold the feed (and not a small child).

There are 2 fancy port a potty type bathrooms onsite but no food or drink . I suggest stopping for a coffee before hand because not much is around if you need some caffeine before getting started. Click here for all the best coffee shops around!

As you drive through the safari, keep your camera ready to capture the rare and unique creatures you’ll see. From zebras and giraffes to bison and elk, you’ll get to see a wide variety of animals that you wouldn’t typically find in Lake Geneva. 

Safari Lake Geneva is an excellent opportunity to explore your adventurous side while getting up close and personal with wild animals in a safe, controlled environment. With tons of exciting encounters to experience, this attraction is a must-see for anyone visiting Lake Geneva. So, what are you waiting for? Book your Safari Lake Geneva adventure today!

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Safari Lake Geneva

Enjoy Wisconsn's only Drive-Through Safari!  Experience Safari Lake Geneva’s game reserves from the comfort and safety of your own vehicle! Enhance your interaction with these amazing animals by purchasing a bucket of grain to feed them from your window. The Drive-through Safari Adventure allows you to drive your own vehicle through the reserves as many times as you like — so how long you visit with the animals is up to you! Your reservation guarantees entry to the park, and is valid for the entire day. The average guest is here 1.5 to 2 hours.

Visitation is currently by online reservation only. You can book online on the  Tickets & Gift Cards  page. The online reservation calendar indicates in real-time the number of spaces remaining for any given Drive-through Adventure time-slot.

Dogs are permitted on safari as long as they remain within the vehicle with the windows up for the duration of your visit. Barking dogs can scare our animals and are not permitted.

For a list of other fun things happening in the Lake Geneva, visit the  Best of Lake Geneva's Event Calendar.

Insider’s Guide to Taking Kids to the Drive-Thru Safari in Lake Geneva

When our family dreams of where we’ll go after social distancing has ended, we all agree our first stop will be the zoo. The Chicago area is filled with incredible zoos, nature centers, aquariums, and farms. I recently came across information about Safari Lake Geneva in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, and it seemed too good to be true: a drive-thru safari within driving distance from our home!

After careful planning to ensure we felt comfortable and prepared to travel with three little kids, we headed north. Our family loved our time at Safari Lake Geneva. Read all about it below, get an inside look from our video, and find out how to make it a safe day trip for your family.

Safari Lake Geneva

Safari Lake Geneva is a conservation park located in Genoa City, Wisconsin, a short 15-minute drive to Lake Geneva. While they usually offer guided tours, social distancing mandates require they suspend the use of their own vehicles. The owners have modified their guest experiences by offering a drive-thru safari adventure, where guests can drive their own cars through the conservation area. Along the way, you’ll spot yak, camels, llamas, zebra, and various other animals. Families can purchase animal feed bowls for an additional fee. As vehicles move through the conservation area, these animals will slowly approach your vehicle for food.

A few extra notes to consider about driving through:

• The gravel road through the conservation area is very uneven and bumpy. Lower sedans could bottom out if you’re driving fast or not watching the road carefully.
• If you or your children get nervous about approaching animals, the staff encouraged us to simply roll up the windows. We did this once, and the animal just moved right along.
• Safari Lake Geneva is not responsible for any damage to your automobile. They will also encourage you to drive past if you are worried about any scratches, especially with their longhorns.
• DO NOT bring food for the animals, as they can only eat what is provided in order to monitor their diets.
• During your time slot, you’re welcome to drive around for as many loops as you’d like.

Video: Inside Look at Safari Lake Geneva

Additional Tips to Put Your Mind at Ease about Social Distancing

• Tickets must be purchased online ahead of time. This was a great way to provide a contactless payment. We simply gave our name at the gate and were let right into the property.
• If you have one, bring a toddler-sized potty for bathroom emergencies.
• Bring sanitizing wipes to clean the outside of the feed bucket, as it was the only thing we touched that others have as well.
• We chose to pack our own food from home and eat it in our car. There is empty grass near the front of parking area that you could ask to use if you’d prefer to picnic.
• To extend your time after a long drive, stop and enjoy a hike. McHenry County is full of beautiful trails and forest preserves. We got out and stretched our legs at Glacial Park before the long drive home. Lake County is further south, and home to Grant Woods , as well as other forest preserves. Here’s a map of state parks in the northeast region of Illinois if you’d like even more options.

Restaurants Nearby

There are a lot of options for curbside pickup at restaurants nearby. Safari Lake Geneva is a 15-minute drive to Lake Geneva, which boasts delicious restaurants. You could grab a to-go meal or ice cream and bring it down by the lake to enjoy. Here’s a guide of restaurants in Lake Geneva offering takeout or curbside pickup . Next time we go, we’ll be stopping at one of our favorite restaurants, Popeye’s on Lake Geneva . . . or maybe for a sweet treat from Kilwins .

If you’d prefer to head back south towards Illinois, there are many restaurants along US Route 12. Upper Crust Pizzeria and Brathaus are closer options.

Safari Lake Geneva has portable bathrooms on the premise. It’s a trailer with flushable toilets and sinks. They were very clean, with both soap and paper products!

Hours of operation are 9:30 am to 5:00 pm, every day from May 1st until November 1st. Last admission is at 4:00 pm. Check their website for holiday hours and schedule changes.

Adult tickets are $18.95, children ages 3-15 are $11.95, while those 2 and under are free. Feed buckets can be purchased for $5 each. Pricing is current as of May 2020 and is subject to change.

Recommended Ages

Due to the interactive nature of this experience, children of all ages can enjoy themselves. Knowing your children’s personalities will help you maximize the fun. Our 6-year-old was the most enthusiastic, but our 1-year-old was excitedly mooing at the animals whenever they came close. Our 4-year-old was excited but nervous, so we encouraged her to roll her window up whenever she felt uncomfortable.

Best Days/Times to Go

On a beautiful weekend day, things can get crowded. As you wait in line to enter the animal exhibit, you can get stuck behind other cars or an animal in the path. It’s better to go whenever you’d anticipate fewer cars to compete with for the animals’ attention.

Special Needs Accommodations

One of the bathrooms is wheelchair accessible.

Discounts for Safari Lake Geneva

Earlier this spring, there was a Groupon available. Check their profile on Groupon to see if it has reactivated before you purchase tickets.

Looking for more outdoor fun ? Check out our guide now that nice weather is finally on the way.

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Thanks for sharing! Did you leave your 1 year old in the car seat or were you comfortable driving slow and holding them.

We took him out and he sat with me in the backseat. We were never driving more than 5 mph.

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Safari Lake Geneva

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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Safari Lake Geneva - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Safari Lake Geneva

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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

SAFARI LAKE GENEVA: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

• Sun - Sat 09:00 - 18:00
• (3.26 mi) Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (3.13 mi) Geneva Inn
• (3.68 mi) Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva
• (3.79 mi) Mill Creek Hotel
• (3.54 mi) Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
• (4.09 mi) Simple
• (3.93 mi) Egg Harbor Cafe
• (3.63 mi) Joni's Diner
• (4.42 mi) The Next Door Pub
• (3.88 mi) Kilwins Lake Geneva

Safari Lake Geneva

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 waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

Also popular with travellers

Safari Lake Geneva - All You MUST Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

• Sun - Sat 9:00 am - 6:00 pm
• (5.21 km) Seven Oaks Bed & Breakfast
• (5.01 km) Geneva Inn
• (5.88 km) Harbor Shores on Lake Geneva
• (6.06 km) Mill Creek Hotel
• (5.66 km) Timber Ridge Lodge & Waterpark
• (6.54 km) Simple
• (6.28 km) Egg Harbor Cafe
• (5.81 km) Joni's Diner
• (7.08 km) The Next Door Pub
• (6.21 km) Kilwins Lake Geneva