African Safari Wildlife Park {Review}
When my kids were younger, we went to the local zoo all the time with our season pass. Partly for school/education and partly for a fun outing, we always enjoyed learning about the different animals in their habitats. But what if you could get up close and personal? Well now you can at the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio.
The Midwest’s only drive-thru safari. View more than 400 beautiful and exotic animals on a 100-acre preserve while feeding them from the comfort of your vehicle. Also see educational and entertaining animal shows and pig races. Get souvenirs from the gift shop or visit the snack bar and ice cream shop for a treat. Free camel rides for children under 100 lbs. Admission includes the drive-thru safari and walk-thru safari. Open Feb 28-Nov 30.
We’ve been to Sandusky a number of times and always heard about this place, but never stopped to visit until this particular trip. I’m so glad we finally took the time to check this place out.
Upon arrival, you park and head inside the gift shop, which is also where you purchase your tickets. We got our drive-thru safari passes set up and purchased additional food. Each vehicle receives 1 cup of food, but we wanted to buy extra since we had several kids in our party and sharing can be difficult LOL Then we climbed back in and headed to the gate where you turn in your ticket, receive your food and last minute instructions.
- Keep car doors closed at all times
- Do not hang out of your car
- Feed only from cup provided
- No feeding animals from your hands
- Outside food is not permitted
- Obey feeding and NO feeding zone signs
- Do not touch the animals
- Stay in your car
- Feed right, pass left
The point of the safari is to feed the animals from the windows of your car, while you are very slowly cruising through their enclosures. You never get out of your car and there are staff stationed throughout the trail so it is safe. As long as you follow the posted rules, it should be a bunch of fun for everyone, including the adults!
Different animals are located in various areas. We saw all sorts of things from bison, camels, giraffes, and deer! There were many others, but these were our favorites.
I should “warn” you that these animals know why you’re there. They do swarm the car and while they aren’t mean, some are more aggressive than others. If it gets to be too much, simply roll up your window and they’ll get bored and move on. Plus the staff drive golf carts in case it gets too overwhelming to “herd” the animals away from the cars.
Fair warning, plan on getting your vehicle washed after your visit, and probably a good vacuuming too! We had animal spit on the windows and doors, plus crumbs and crunchies from the feed in the seats and on the floorboard.
If you have real little ones, it may be best to have them either sit on the left side of the car (since the animals are fed on the right) or consider having them in the middle seat if possible. While my grandkids enjoyed the feeding, it could get a bit much with several animals sticking their head through the window!
After you’re done with the drive-thru safari part, you can then go through the walk through safari park next. They also have a ton of awesome animals to check out such as tortoise, gibbons, birds and warthogs! Now, you can feed or touch these animals, but you are very close to their enclosures/areas and can still interact with them. The gibbons were a hoot to watch as they swung, jumped and played just like kids.
They also have pig races and educational classes on site, just be sure to check the schedule for the day of your visit. Plus there’s the large gift shop full of neat gifts, snacks and specialty items available only in their store. In case you get hungry, there is an ice cream parlor, snack shack and a grilling bar. You won’t go hungry, no matter what you want to eat!
Be sure to check out the African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton/Sandusky area the next time you’re nearby. You can even order your tickets online to save some time during the busy season! And get the latest information on Facebook and Twitter.
Disclaimer: I visited here as part of a media tour through Lake Erie Shores & Islands. Make sure you visit their webpage if you’re visiting for wonderful ideas and savings! Thank you Lake Erie Shores & Islands!
denise low says
This would be great for the grandkids
denise low says
The grandkids would love this kind of vacation
Betty says
drive thru parks are wonderful for kids and adults. The closeness to animals provides a great learning experience as long as the adults remember to be adults. It seems like every park had those who just had to roll down their windows and entive the animals with junk … or people food.
Karen Nadeau says
I think my kids would love this. They love animals.
Karen Nadeau says
That is so cool. I love animals.
Sara Weekley says
This looks so fun…
K-Squared says
I could never afford such a privledge as to ride on a Safari, nor the going to that of a particular country that has the animals!
Edward says
This is awesome, I love drive thru safaris, I’ve been to a few and they are something to remember that’s for sure.
Shecki @ Greatly Blessed says
What fun! We’ve been to the Winston Wildlife Safari in Oregon, and the Chimelong Safari Park in GZ, China, and Safari West in California. I do love zoos and animals. 🙂