Tucked away in Lakeland, Florida, Safari Wilderness is one of the state’s best-kept secrets. Located at 10850 Moore Rd, this unique drive-thru safari lets you get up close with exotic animals from around the world without ever leaving your car.
Whether you are looking for a fun family outing or an unforgettable date experience, this place delivers something truly special. With a 4.4-star rating and hundreds of glowing reviews, it is clear that Safari Wilderness is winning hearts one safari at a time.
The Drive-Thru Safari Experience
Picture this: you roll down your window, and a massive ostrich struts right past your car door. That is the kind of magic waiting for you at Safari Wilderness.
The drive-thru safari is the heart of the whole operation, and it lives up to every bit of the hype.
You follow a guided convoy of cars through unpaved roads that wind across the property. A tour guide communicates with your vehicle through a radio frequency, sharing fun facts and safety tips along the way.
The roads are bumpy and raw, which honestly makes it feel even more like a real African safari.
Visitors consistently say the hour-long tour flies by faster than expected. Animals roam freely and approach cars on their own terms, making every moment feel spontaneous and genuinely exciting.
Book your reservation in advance, because walk-ins are not accepted here.
Expert Tour Guides Who Make the Difference
Ask any visitor what made their Safari Wilderness trip unforgettable, and chances are they will mention a guide named JJ or Art. These guides are not just drivers — they are passionate animal experts who bring every creature to life with stories, facts, and humor.
JJ, in particular, has earned a near-legendary reputation among guests. Reviewers describe her as knowledgeable, funny, and deeply caring about each animal on the property.
She knows which animals love attention and which ones prefer their personal space, and she shares that information in a way that feels natural and engaging.
Art has also received high praise for his calm, informative style and his ability to make even a private tour feel warm and personal. Having a passionate guide transforms a cool wildlife drive into a full-on educational adventure that sticks with you long after you leave.
The On-Site Bus Tour Option
If you really want to go beyond the basic drive-thru, upgrading to the on-site bus tour is 100 percent worth it. Guests who choose this option rave about how much deeper into the property the bus takes you, including off-road routes that regular cars simply cannot access.
The open-air bus puts you closer to the action in a way that feels thrillingly immersive. You are not separated by a car window — the animals come right up alongside the vehicle, and you can feel the energy of the safari in a whole new way.
Multiple reviewers noted that the bus tour allows for more feeding opportunities and extended time with certain animals. It is a slightly higher price point, but guests consistently say it is worth every penny.
Groups, families, and even solo travelers have all come away raving about this upgraded experience.
Feeding the Camels at the End
Camel feeding at the end of the tour has become one of the most talked-about highlights at Safari Wilderness. These giant, goofy creatures lumber toward you with an almost comedic confidence, and feeding them by hand is an experience that genuinely makes people laugh and gasp at the same time.
Camels are surprisingly gentle during feeding time, which makes the moment accessible even for younger kids or nervous first-timers. Their enormous size can feel a little intimidating at first, but most guests quickly warm up once the animals start nudging for snacks.
Beyond camels, guests also get to feed antelope, goats, and sheep at the end of the tour. This wrap-up feeding session gives you a chance to slow down, connect with the animals up close, and take some truly memorable photos.
It is the perfect way to cap off an already incredible adventure.
The Lemur Feeding Add-On
Of all the add-on experiences at Safari Wilderness, the lemur feeding consistently steals the show. One reviewer joked they wished they could feed lemurs grapes all day — and honestly, that tracks.
These wide-eyed, bushy-tailed primates are endlessly entertaining and surprisingly interactive.
The lemur enclosure gives you a chance to step into their world and offer them treats by hand. Watching a lemur carefully take a grape from your fingers while staring at you with those enormous eyes is the kind of moment that gets permanently saved in your camera roll.
Families with kids especially love this add-on because it creates a hands-on connection that a regular zoo simply cannot replicate. Multiple reviewers called it a must-do, and several said it was the single best part of their entire visit.
If you are on the fence about adding it, just go ahead and book it.
The Wild Ostriches Running Free
Nobody warned the ostriches that they were supposed to be calm and photogenic. These enormous birds have a personality that is all their own — bold, unpredictable, and absolutely hilarious to watch.
Guests cannot stop talking about them, and for good reason.
Ostriches roam freely throughout the property, and they have been known to follow the tour convoy like they own the place. Watching a six-foot bird strut alongside your car with zero concern for personal boundaries is both slightly terrifying and incredibly funny at the same time.
Reviewers have described the ostriches as “crazy,” “full of character,” and “hilarious,” with many saying they took videos just to capture the chaos. One guest specifically mentioned being thrilled by hogs and ostriches trailing the safari vehicle like an enthusiastic parade.
If you love wildlife with attitude, the ostriches will not disappoint you.
The Majestic Cheetahs
Cheetahs at Safari Wilderness carry themselves with an effortless elegance that stops visitors in their tracks. One reviewer described them as “beautiful and very sassy” — and that description fits perfectly.
There is something magnetic about watching the world’s fastest land animal lounge with complete confidence just a few feet away from you.
Unlike many of the free-roaming animals on the property, the cheetahs are kept in a separate enclosure. This setup still allows for impressive close-up viewing, and the guides share fascinating details about each individual cat’s personality and background during the tour.
Cheetahs are rarely featured in Florida attractions, which makes seeing them here feel especially rare and exciting. For animal lovers, spotting these spotted beauties is one of the emotional peaks of the entire safari experience.
Bring your zoom lens, because you will definitely want detailed photos of these stunning animals.
Asian Water Buffalo Up Close
One of the quietest surprises at Safari Wilderness is the Asian water buffalo. These massive animals have a reputation for being imposing, but guests who get to feed them by hand consistently walk away amazed by how soft and calm they actually are.
One visitor specifically described them as “so gentle” in their review.
Getting to extend your hand toward an animal this size and have it accept food calmly is a genuinely moving experience. It challenges everything you might assume about large, horned animals and replaces fear with genuine admiration.
The guides do a great job of preparing guests for the interaction beforehand.
The water buffalo are one of several large exotic mammals that make Safari Wilderness feel like a true international wildlife experience. Seeing animals like this in a spacious, well-maintained habitat in central Florida is something most people never even knew was possible until they visited.
Zebras, Deer, and Irish Cattle
Part of what makes Safari Wilderness so special is the sheer variety of animals you encounter throughout the tour. Zebras, deer, and Irish cattle all share the same expansive grounds, creating a scene that feels more like the Serengeti than central Florida.
Spotting a zebra casually grazing beside cattle is the kind of visual that makes you do a double take.
The animals have enormous amounts of space to roam, and reviewers frequently comment on how healthy and well-cared-for they appear. This is not a cramped zoo setup — the property feels open, natural, and thoughtfully designed with animal welfare in mind.
Seeing such a diverse mix of species coexisting peacefully is genuinely heartwarming. Kids and adults alike tend to light up during this part of the tour, pulling out cameras and pointing excitedly at animals they have only ever seen in textbooks or nature documentaries before visiting Safari Wilderness.
Coatis and Foxes in the Mix
Beyond the big-ticket animals, Safari Wilderness is packed with smaller creatures that end up stealing hearts just as effectively. Coatis and foxes are among the fan favorites, and guests who get to interact with them during add-on experiences often say these moments rank among the best of the whole trip.
Coatis are fascinating animals — related to raccoons but with long, flexible snouts and bold personalities. They are curious, quick, and endlessly entertaining to watch.
Foxes, meanwhile, bring a different kind of charm with their sharp features and surprisingly expressive behavior during feeding interactions.
One reviewer called feeding foxes “breathtaking,” which sounds dramatic until you actually experience it. These smaller animals create intimate moments that feel personal and memorable in a way that differs from observing large herds.
Safari Wilderness does a wonderful job of showcasing both the grand and the small wonders of the animal kingdom.
Reservations Required — Plan Ahead
One thing every visitor needs to know before heading to Safari Wilderness is that reservations are required — walk-ins are not accepted. This is not just a minor detail; it is a firm policy that applies to all tours across all experience types.
Booking ahead ensures a smooth, stress-free arrival.
The good news is that the reservation system works in your favor. Smaller group sizes mean more personal attention from guides and a less crowded, more intimate experience overall.
Some lucky guests have even ended up on private tours simply because they were the only ones who booked that particular time slot.
Reservations can be made through the Safari Wilderness website at safariwilderness.com, and it is a good idea to book a few days in advance, especially on weekends. Arriving about 15 minutes early is recommended so you are ready when the gates open for your tour group.
A Hidden Gem in Lakeland, Florida
Safari Wilderness sits at 10850 Moore Rd in Lakeland, Florida, and it has earned the “hidden gem” label many times over in visitor reviews. Most people driving through the area have no idea that a full-scale exotic animal safari is operating just off the main road.
That element of surprise is part of what makes discovering it so satisfying.
Lakeland itself is not typically known as a wildlife destination, which makes this place feel even more like a secret worth sharing. The property is expansive, well-maintained, and clearly run by people who genuinely care about both their animals and their guests.
With a 4.4-star rating across 657 reviews and a phone number of +1 813-382-2120 for inquiries, Safari Wilderness has built a strong reputation through word of mouth. Once you visit, you will completely understand why people feel compelled to tell everyone they know about it.
Worth Every Penny — Pricing and Value
Safari Wilderness is not the cheapest outing in Florida, and visitors are generally upfront about that. Several reviewers describe it as “a little pricey” before immediately following up with “but absolutely worth it.” That pattern tells you everything you need to know about the value this experience delivers.
When you factor in the guided tour, the animal interactions, the educational content, and the sheer uniqueness of the experience, the price starts to feel very reasonable. You are not just paying for a ticket — you are paying for memories that most people will talk about for years.
Supporting Safari Wilderness also means supporting the care and conservation of exotic animals that might not have thriving alternatives elsewhere. As one reviewer put it, the price is worth it to support the cause.
Between the bus upgrade, the lemur add-on, and the end-of-tour feeding, there are plenty of ways to customize your visit to fit your budget.