Safari Wilderness Ranch is not a zoo or theme park. There are no crowds and no lines. Here you will enjoy a natural adventure. Our knowledgeable and experienced driver guides will tour you through large herds of exotic game over 260 acres of pristine wilderness in customized safari vehicles, fitted with shade canopies and stadium seating.

Lakeland, FL - After five years of raising exotic wildlife from Africa and Asia on a 260-acre Central Florida ranch, Safari Wilderness Ranch opened for guided safari tours on March 1, 2012.
 

"Our mission is to connect visitors with animals in an open safari environment in hopes that these connections will encourage people to help save biodiversity," states Diane Bedard, Director of Marketing and PR. "Our safari tours are led by knowledgeable guides and we are strictly limited in the number of visitors we can accommodate daily, ensuring a quality experience."
 

Some of the unusual species that live at Safari Wilderness Ranch include Watusi cattle, which are still given as a dowry in some African countries, and Scimitar Horned Oryx, which are extinct in the wild and were described by Aristotle as "the prototype for the unicorn."
 

The owners of Safari Wilderness Ranch and our full time veterinarian are quite experienced in animal care, including exotics, and zoo keeping, with over 90 years of combined experience. Staff Veterinarian, Dr. David Murphy, DVM, explains that, "these animals are usually kept in traditional zoos in quite small numbers, but at Safari Wilderness Ranch, we stock large herds of African and Asian exotic hoof stock which allows them to interact naturally - and gives the visitor a glimpse into their amazing world."
 

The property on which the ranch is located is surrounded by Florida's Green Swamp, in an Area of Critical State Concern. The owners are conscious of the responsibility of this location and intend to keep it in its pristine, natural state, with only a few buildings and limited access.
 

Tours will be available to up to 500 people daily. Basic vehicle tours are $70 for adults, $60 for children under 12, $65 for seniors, and half price for groups of 20 or more. All tours are by reservation only and are led by a knowledgeable guide who can answer questions concerning the flora and fauna. Florida school groups get a special rate of $20 per student.
 

Camel-back safari tours are available at Safari Wilderness Ranch. The camel-back tour is a completely different experience because the animals react differently to someone on a camel versus a vehicle. It is an amazing, unique experience which we believe is the only full on camel back safari in the U.S., except at our sister property, Giraffe Ranch, in Dade City.
 

Horse-drawn carriage safaris offer another option. The ranch specializes in Haflinger horses, a small draft horse originating from Austria and you are likely to see the entire herd, including mares, stallions and foals on your safari.
 

A very special add-on option is to hand-feed lemurs in the lemur habitat. A small number of guests may hand-feed grapes to our lemurs. "It is a magical experience to interact with the lemurs, who sit politely for their grape and then take it from one's extended hand with their soft pads," explains Diane Bedard.
 

Guests can also add the option of hand-feeding millet sticks to Australian Budgie Parrots who will come down and light upon you to enjoy the gift.
 

Several areas are available for rentals and events, including our 11,000 square foot "Welcome Barn," with over 7,200 square feet of air conditioned space, and our two story "Oasis" viewing platform in the center of the ranch from which guests may view all wildlife in the pastures.
 

Large groups, bus tours and RVs are welcome. 
All tours are by reservation.

Call 813-382-2120 to schedule a tour or visit us online at www.safariwilderness.com.
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/safariwildernessranch.
 

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Contact:  Diane Bedard, Director of Marketing & PR

              (813) 382-2120, dbedard@safariwilderness.com