Texas Drive-Through Wildlife Safari Parks

As more vacationers feel sympathy for caged zoo animals, wildlife safaris are gaining in popularity. Scattered around the great state of Texas are a handful of drive through safari parks where visitors can ride in the comfort of their own vehicle and view exotic animals in a natural habitat. One more plus for these sprawling ranches is that many of them offer refuge to homeless animals who have fallen victim to the exotic pet trade.

Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari

Among the majestic pines and blue lakes of northeast Texas lies the 300 acre Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari, home to a variety of exotic and endangered species. Visitors are invited to tour at their own pace through the rolling hills while they feed and photograph these splendid creatures.

Animals from India, Africa, Japan, and other countries graze and mingle there in harmony in an environment much like their own native lands. Zebras, donkeys, antelope, elk, kangaroos, alligators, camels, water buffalo, Sika deer, numerous fowl, and a Canadian Woods Bison all greet excited vacationers. There's even a medium sized bovine with large, long horns called a Watusi!

Admission fee includes a bag of feed for the animals and all day admission to the park. Other attractions of Cherokee Trace are group rates, a behind-the-scenes educational tour available to those interested, a gift shop, beautiful shaded picnic areas, and beautifully decorated Bed and Breakfast pine cabins.

Find Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari Park located approximately 50 miles south southeast of Tyler on 4405 in Cherokee County.

Grapeland Drive Thru Safari

Just a hop, skip and a jump to the north is another exotic wildlife park called Grapeland Drive Thru Safari. Here, two hundred animals including buffalo, potbellied pigs, peacocks, kangaroo, camel, axis deer, and many others roam 59 acres of natural environment. Tourists are greeted by down home folks in a relaxed atmosphere. Feeding the animals and touring the beautiful East Texas landscape in a barrel train are highlights of this wildlife refuge. Grapeland Drive Thru Safari is located on US 287 between Dallas and Houston, near the town of Grapeland.

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, boasting the claim of being Texas' most visited safari park, lies between San Antonio and New Braunfels next to Natural Bridge Caverns in the Central Texas Hill Country. Drive their 4 mile tour and meet a pair of two ton Southern White Rhinos, a Reticulated Giraffe, the Wildebeast, and 500 other exotic safari animals who are always looking for a handout from visitors. Other attractions here include a gift shop, safari camp grill, a petting zoo for the kids, and the Longneck Learning Center for an educational experience.

These are only a portion of the drive through safari parks available in Texas. For those who enjoy nature and prefer free roaming animals to caged creatures, wildlife safari parks offer a wonderful way to get to know the animals they would not otherwise have opportunity to meet up close.