Tucked away in Orlando, Florida, the Exotic Animal Experience is not your average zoo or wildlife park. Here, you can actually hold a sloth, hug a kangaroo, and get up close with animals you never thought you could touch.
Open on Saturdays only, this small-group experience offers something truly rare — a chance to bond with incredible creatures in a safe, caring, and educational setting. Whether you are a lifelong animal lover or just looking for something unforgettable to do in Florida, this place will blow you away.
Holding a Baby Sloth in Your Arms
Some moments in life stop you completely in your tracks — and holding a baby sloth at the Exotic Animal Experience is absolutely one of them. These slow-moving, wide-eyed creatures are even more magical up close than you could ever imagine.
Sloths move at their own pace, and the team here makes sure every interaction respects that. Guests have shared how a baby sloth clung to a much larger sister sloth during their visit, making the moment feel extra special and sweet.
The staff walks you through exactly how to hold and approach the sloth so both you and the animal feel comfortable. Reviewers consistently call it a bucket-list moment worth every penny.
If you have always dreamed of getting this close to one of nature’s most adorable animals, this is your chance to make that dream real.
Hugging a Kangaroo Like a Best Friend
Kangaroos are known for their powerful legs and pouches, but at the Exotic Animal Experience, they are also known for being surprisingly cuddly. Getting to hug one of these iconic Australian animals on a sunny Florida morning is something most people never get to put on their resume — but you can.
The kangaroos here are hand-raised and very comfortable around people, which makes the interaction feel natural and relaxed rather than stressful for the animals. Guides share fun facts and background stories about each animal, turning a simple hug into a full learning moment.
Visitors who have attended the group experience say the animals were friendly and seemed to genuinely enjoy the company. This is not a rushed photo op — you actually spend quality time with these animals, which makes the whole thing feel wonderfully personal and real.
Meeting Spider Monkeys Named Jacoby and Ella Blue
If you are looking for pure, unfiltered joy, spending time with Jacoby and Ella Blue — the resident spider monkeys at the Exotic Animal Experience — will deliver exactly that. These two have personalities so big they practically fill the whole enclosure.
One reviewer described Ella Blue as straight-up funny, noting there was jumping, swinging, snuggling, chasing, and what they called “shenanigans” throughout the visit. Jacoby, on the other hand, was described as the sweetest little guy who absolutely stole hearts.
Spider monkeys are incredibly intelligent and social animals, and the team here has built a bond of trust with them that allows guests to experience their playful side firsthand. Guests are asked to wear masks during this encounter to protect the monkeys from human viruses — a small ask for such an extraordinary up-close experience with these lively, lovable primates.
Getting Kissed by a Camel
Not everyone can say a camel has kissed them on the cheek — but visitors to the Exotic Animal Experience can absolutely claim that bragging right. Camels have a reputation for being stubborn and grumpy, but the ones here seem to have skipped that memo entirely.
One reviewer from the UK wrote about getting camel kisses and called it “crazy but just lovely,” which is honestly the perfect way to describe it. These animals are clearly used to human interaction and seem to genuinely enjoy the company of visitors who come through the gates.
The caretakers explain each animal’s backstory and care routine, so you leave knowing more than just what a camel feels like — you actually understand them a little better too. Watching a camel and a small horse chasing each other around a large field before the tour even begins is pure entertainment on its own.
Spending Time with Lemurs Up Close
Lemurs are some of the most visually striking animals on the planet, with their wide eyes and boldly striped tails. At the Exotic Animal Experience, getting up close with these Madagascar natives is an experience that reviewers consistently describe as one of the highlights of the entire tour.
One visitor called the lemur encounter “the best one there,” and another said the lemurs were especially sweet during their visit. Being inside their habitat while they move freely around you creates a feeling that is hard to describe — it is somewhere between thrilling and completely peaceful at the same time.
Guests are asked to wear masks during this part of the tour to protect the lemurs, which shows just how seriously the team takes animal health and safety. That level of care is exactly what makes this place feel different from anything else in Florida.
Feeding and Petting the Resident Capybara
The capybara might be the world’s largest rodent, but do not let that put you off — these chunky, lovable animals are basically the golden retrievers of the exotic animal world. At the Exotic Animal Experience, the resident capybara has a reputation for being absolutely wild about human interaction.
One reviewer specifically called out the capybara as super cool and said it really enjoyed interacting with guests, which tracks perfectly with the animal’s naturally social personality. Capybaras are herd animals by nature, so they tend to thrive when they have company — and they are not shy about showing it.
Feeding the capybara and giving it a good pat is one of those moments that sneaks up on you. You walk in not expecting much from what sounds like a giant guinea pig, and you walk out completely charmed and already telling everyone you know about it.
Exploring the Small-Group Tour Format
One of the things that makes the Exotic Animal Experience genuinely different from a traditional zoo is the small-group format. You are not shuffled through with hundreds of strangers — instead, you are part of an intimate group that moves through the property at a relaxed, unhurried pace.
Multiple reviewers mentioned that their two-hour tour actually lasted closer to two and a half hours because nobody felt rushed. Water breaks are built in, guides take time to answer questions, and animals are never forced into interactions they are not comfortable with.
The small group size also means the animals get familiar with the people around them, which leads to more natural and authentic encounters. Whether you book the group experience or the upgraded ultimate tour, you are going to feel like a VIP throughout.
For animal lovers, this format is basically the gold standard of wildlife encounters.
Meeting Leslie and Her Passionate Team
Behind every incredible animal experience is a person who cares deeply — and at the Exotic Animal Experience, that person is Leslie. Reviewers from around the world have praised her warmth, her knowledge, and the obvious love she has for every single animal on the property.
Her team, which includes guides like Jodi and Spencer, has been called brilliant, amazing, and a joy to spend the day with across dozens of reviews. One visitor said the staff made the experience feel like stepping into the animals’ world rather than just observing from the outside.
Leslie’s two dogs, Bernie and Wolfie, greet guests at the entrance and apparently leave quite the impression — one reviewer’s son was still talking about them long after the visit. When the people running a place love what they do this much, it shows in every single moment of the experience.
The Saturday-Only Schedule That Makes It Extra Special
Here is something that surprises most first-time visitors: the Exotic Animal Experience is only open on Saturdays, from 10 AM to 2 PM. That limited schedule is not a downside — it is actually a big part of what keeps this place so special and so well-managed.
Because tours are limited and reservations are required, every visit feels intentional. You are not walking into an overcrowded attraction — you are stepping into a carefully curated experience designed to be meaningful for both guests and animals alike.
Booking ahead by calling (407) 383-6766 or visiting the website at exoticanimalexperience.net is a must. Spots fill up quickly, especially during popular travel seasons around Orlando.
One reviewer who booked after a Royal Caribbean cruise called it the best excursion of their entire trip, which says a lot when you are competing with everything else Orlando has to offer.
Choosing Between the Group and Ultimate Experience Tours
When you book at the Exotic Animal Experience, you have a choice to make: the group experience or the ultimate experience. Both are fantastic, but more than one reviewer has admitted wishing they had sprung for the ultimate option once the tour was over.
The ultimate experience gives you more time with the animals and a deeper level of access, making it ideal for serious animal lovers who want to soak in every single second. The group experience is still incredible and gives you plenty of hands-on time, but some guests leave wanting just a little more.
Pricing is described across reviews as very reasonable for what is offered, with most visitors saying it is absolutely worth every penny. If you are on the fence about upgrading, take the advice of the reviewers who have already been there — go ultimate.
You will not be standing around wishing you had more time.
Getting Professional Photos Taken with the Animals
One of the smartest things you can do at the Exotic Animal Experience is pay extra for the professional photos. At least one reviewer admitted being bummed that they did not get any photos of themselves with the animals because they were too busy enjoying every moment — which is honestly a great problem to have, but still.
When you are holding a sloth or getting a camel kiss, the last thing you want to worry about is fumbling with your phone. The team captures these moments for you, and based on reviewer feedback, the photos come out amazing.
Having someone else handle the camera also means you are fully present in the experience rather than half-distracted trying to get the perfect shot. Think of it as an investment in memories you will actually want to frame and hang on your wall.
Future you will absolutely thank present you for this decision.
Animal Welfare and Habitat Standards at the Experience
Walking through the Exotic Animal Experience, one thing becomes immediately clear: these animals are thriving. Reviewers consistently point out how clean the property is, how much space the animals have, and how enriched their habitats look with toys, room to roam, and clearly thoughtful design.
The staff never forces animals into interactions they are not comfortable with, and guides are upfront about this from the very beginning of the tour. That respect for the animals’ boundaries is what keeps the experience feeling ethical and genuinely special rather than exploitative.
One long-time visitor noted that every time they return, they notice new improvements made specifically for the animals’ benefit. That kind of ongoing commitment to animal welfare is rare and worth celebrating.
At this place, the animals always come first — and that philosophy is exactly what makes every encounter feel so authentic, warm, and unforgettable for everyone involved.
Why This Experience Belongs on Every Florida Bucket List
Florida is packed with theme parks, beach resorts, and tourist hotspots — but the Exotic Animal Experience stands in a category entirely its own. Visitors from around the world, including guests who have just stepped off cruise ships, call it the highlight of their entire Florida trip without hesitation.
It is the kind of place that stays with you long after you leave. Weeks later, people are still smiling thinking about the sounds the spider monkeys made, or the way a sloth looked up at them with those enormous eyes.
That kind of lasting impression is rare and genuinely priceless.
With a 4.5-star rating built almost entirely on five-star reviews, the word-of-mouth reputation here speaks for itself. Whether you are a Florida local or just passing through Orlando, carving out a Saturday morning for this experience is one of the best decisions you will ever make.
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