8 U.S. Wildlife Safari Parks Worth Visiting in 2025

Are you an animal lover? Do you love to see exotic animals from all over the world? People may think they need to travel to Africa to get the safari experience, but here in the U.S., we have some of our own beautiful, well-taken-care of safaris where getting close to the wild is a thing.

Safari is a term that means journey or expedition. In centuries past, it was used to describe hunting trips in Africa or the ability to photograph African wildlife. Today, we use the term widely to describe one’s ability to experience up-close encounters with the world’s wildlife.

In the U.S., safaris are also referred to as wildlife tours. The experience still allows you to get up close and personal with the wildlife, feed the wild, and sometimes handle the wildlife. It must be said that regardless of where you travel to see wildlife, handle it with care.

These are wildlife creatures, and while I find animal encounters to be a favorite of mine, I am sure to respect the animal and its instinctual nature.

Here are 8 wildlife safari parks you can experience here in the U.S. Check them out and decide which one or two you will experience in 2025!

1. Virginia Safari Park (Natural Bridge, Virginia)

This was one of my favorite U.S. safari experiences. My kids and I took this adventure not once, not twice, but three times! It was that good!

It’s a drive-thru safari (in your vehicle) that features over 1,200 wildlife animals roaming freely among the lands. Be ready though! As soon as you enter the drive-thru safari, you will instantly be greeted by llamas and camels sticking their heads into your car to try and steal as much food as possible. Impatient much?

Further down the safari drive, you’ll notice the wildlife get larger. Get ready for the bison to not only take food from you, but they will steal your bucket! During my first round, I lost my food bucket to the bison. Our second round through my son bet me the bison wouldn’t get his bucket. Guess who won?

You will also witness beautiful peacocks freely roaming around the village park, feathers out. These are such gorgeous creatures.

Feed the giraffes at their level. There’s a viewing platform where you can see the giraffes eye-to-eye. Imagine seeing Kangaroos kicking one another while the Bengal Tigers wrestle. This was truly, a once-in-a-lifetime, fun experience with my kids!

This safari is a must-do if you’re in Virginia.

2. Wild Animal Safari (Georgia, Missouri, Texas)

Get ready to experience one of the largest wildlife safaris in the U.S., Wild Animal Safari. Do you want to feed giraffes right from your hands? You’re in the right place!

This safari can be visited in three different states. Take your pick! The safari offers a variety of ways to experience the wildlife through guided bus tours, rental safari vehicles, or your vehicle (if you dare).

Imagine an American Bison or Watusi approaching your vehicle! This is where feeding the wild is right at your fingertips. So much fun!

Maybe you’re more adventurous, like me, and want to encounter these animals first-hand. For an additional cost, you can experience a sloth or reptile up close.

I’ve done wildlife encounters at various locations within the U.S. and they are so worth it.

3. Lion Country Safari (Loxahatchee, Florida)

Did you know there was a safari in Florida? They’re known for their Lion Country Safari featuring over 85 wildlife species.

The safari provides visitors with an array of wildlife home to some of the largest wild animals in the U.S. At the Lion Country Safari, you can visit seven habitats.

Get your cameras ready and experience a drive-thru safari viewing herds of rhino, zebra, and giraffe. The wildlife is free to roam, and you witness this here.

Have you ever seen an Eastern Bongo? Mother Nature gave this wild animal a beautiful reddish-brown coat with stripes to keep you guessing. This is a unique animal and one I’d love to see for myself!

4. Global Wildlife Center (Folsom, Louisiana)

Are you ready to see exotic, endangered, and threatened wildlife? The Global Wildlife Center is home to over 2,000 species.

Grab your tickets for the open safari wagon ride where you can feed and pet the wildlife as they approach the vehicle. How fun! Or if you’re looking for an animal encounter, book your ticket for a private visit with the capybara.

Meet the Bactrian Camel, an endangered species originally from the Gobi Desert in Asia. Interesting fact, the Bactrian Camels have not one, but two humps! Twice the reserves when water is not available. Mother Nature is a genius!

5. The Wilds (Cumberland, Ohio)

Find your way to The Wilds in Ohio. Home to many endangered species with over 10,000 acres to roam freely. This safari cares about the welfare of the endangered wildlife in our world.

Many safaris are not open in the winter months. The Wilds is open and offers seasonal tours. The park offers a wide selection of activities to partake in from an open-air bus tour to an off-road experience, the choices are endless here.

Have you ever seen the African Painted Dog? The animal looks adorable with its unique coloring pattern and koala-like ears.

6. Wildlife Safari Park (Ashland, Nebraska)

Being voted the number one safari park in the U.S. can only mean one thing, add this safari to your bucket list! The Wildlife Safari Park provides 4 miles of untampered land where the American wildlife roam freely.

Visit the Wolf Canyon to see wolves and bears. The safari is also home to our country bird, the Bald Eagle. Visit the Eagle Aviary and get a close-up experience with these majestic creatures.

You can experience animal encounters here highlighting how to feed the wild and enrichment items showing visitors how the animals explore their environments.

7. Out of Africa Wildlife Park (Camp Verde, Arizona)

If you’re ready to experience an African safari, visit the Out of Africa Wildlife Park in Arizona.

This safari allows you to get up close to giraffes, zebra, and antelope, to name a few. Take the bus tour and experience a giraffe’s face right up to yours.

Maybe you’re not about feeding the wildlife? Not a problem. At this wildlife park, you can witness first-hand feeding to the predators of our world. Think lions, hyenas, and bears!

8. Safari West (Santa Rosa, California)

If you’re visiting the West Coast of the U.S., make a trip to the Safari West in California. This safari park offers visitors many options to get up close and experience wildlife encounters.

You can get a behind-the-scenes tour where you and your group meet and interact first-hand with the wildlife. You can also take a guided tour bus and meet and feed the animals from your seat. Or if you’d rather, you can participate in the enrichment tour where you will learn, meet, and create enrichment items to share with the wildlife first-hand.

How do you feel about sleeping overnight with the wild right outside your tent? Now you can here at Safari West. Imagine falling asleep to the wildlife sounds and waking up to see the wild outside your front door! This sounds incredibly fun!

Where Will You See the Wild in 2025?

I’m ready to check off each of these safari parks that I have not yet experienced. I love all of these! Where will your wild side take you in 2025? Let’s hear it in the comments!

The picture above is me feeding the Bison at Sequim Game Farm in Washington State.