Safaris in the US and Canada: Family Safaris that Are Safe, Fun and Relatively Cheap

Want to go on a safari but don't have the money to travel all the way to Africa. Visit these popular destinations in the US and Canada that provide the safari experience without having you leave the country.

1. African Lion Safari (http://www.lionsafari.com/home.html) - is a safari based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The family rides in a van or car and watches the animals as they roam free on the reserve. This is a great way to get some great shots of wild animals and give your children a feel for a safari. The tickets are reasonably priced and include a ride on the Africa Queen Boat, a scenic railway ride, and a Bird of Prey flying demonstration. There is a wet play area if your children still need another place to expend their energy. The money is used to help in conservation efforts around the world.

2. West Coast Game Park (http://www.gameparksafari.com/about.html) - A walk thru Safari that encourages you to pet the wild animals and learn more about them. This is a great way for children to learn how to respect wildlife as they interact with them.

3. Six Flags Wild Safari (http://www.sixflags.com/parks/wildsafari/Rides/index.html) - is billed as the world's largest drive-thru safari outside of Africa. There are zebra, kudu, exotic birds, blackbuck, oryx, anteater, elk, and lechwe to view.

4. Lion Country Safari (http://www.lioncountrysafari.com) - Billed as the first drive-through cageless zoo, this facility has been operating since 1967. You can feed the giraffes, visit an alligator moat, and visit a petting zoo. This is in addition to being able to drive around. A campground and RV resort is next to it.

5. 5. Disney' s Animal Kingdom (http:// disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/resorts/resortLanding?id=AnimalKingdomLodgeResortLandingPage ) - Disney has a great safari tour and an african-themed lodge called The Animal Kingdom Lodge which features free roaming wild animals that you can see from your room. Jiko The Cooking Place (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=JikoDiningPage) , is a restaurant with great African Cuisine and Boma (http://disneyworld.disney.go.com/wdw/dining/diningDetail?id=BomaFlavorsofAfricaDiningPage) offers African flavors.

There are many other safaris in the US and Canada that will give you a feel of a true safari and allow you to get your 'sea legs wet' in a manner of speaking. They all donate money to wildlife conservation and help keep endangered species safe which makes it another great reason why we should visit them.