I Discovered This Secret Safari Adventure Hiding in a Small Town in Florida and It’s a Must-Visit

Orlando Florida - you know it as home to the most magical place in the world. Theme parks are plentiful here, so it’s no surprise that it’s one of the top 5 of the most visited cities in the US. And we get a lot of visitors from all over the world - over 3 million per year, to be exact. 

Of course, amusement parks are tons of family-friendly fun, but I must admit, they can be extremely crowded, especially during peak season. Not to mention, if you have little ones, you could easily encounter several curve balls in your day that could totally ruin your outing. But have no fear, outside of the normal attractions, there are plenty of things to do near Orlando that are equally exciting. One of which is a secret drive-thru safari that I discovered in the small town of Kenansville Florida. With camels, zebras, giraffes, exotic animals, and more, this small-town safari adventure in Florida is a true hidden gem. Now that the secret is out, come with me to explore the Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park and all that it has to offer.

Why Choose This Attraction?

Escaping the crowds in Orlando can be tricky, especially if you’re searching for a family-friendly activity. Most of the attractions are centered around the major theme parks. So, when I discovered Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park, I felt like I hit the jackpot! 

You’d be surprised how many folks who live in and around the Orlando area have no clue that this attraction exists. And to be fair, it is literally out in the middle of nowhere, so I can understand why it remains a secret. Personally, I don’t mind traveling off-the-beaten-path. After all, going on road trips is one of my favorite things to do.

Driving to Wild Safari in Kenansville

The drive to the safari isn’t bad from Orlando. There are several ways to get there - you could opt for the highway or cruise along the backroads. Regardless of which route you choose, it will take between 40 to 60 minutes to get to Kenansville. To put that into perspective, depending on where in Orlando you are, several destinations located inside Disney World could be a 40-minute drive.

The town itself is a sleepy little community with about 500 residents. And while driving there, after crossing into the city limits, it felt like I was in a remote part of the country. You guessed it - I took the backroads via State Road 523. There were few palm trees, no major subdivisions, no shopping plazas, and no chain restaurants. Instead, while cruising on the country road leading to the safari, there were expansive pastures with cows, horses, and on occasion, I glimpsed a random home or farmhouse. The drive wasn’t particularly scenic, but it was peaceful. It’s always nice to get away from the traffic and the hustle and bustle of the city. 

What to Expect Inside Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park

Wild Florida Safari Park is tucked on a side street on the banks of Cypress Lake, on over 150 acres of land. The expansive property has several attractions plus dining options, which means you can easily spend the entire day here - which I recommend. Aside from the safari, there is a gator park/zoo, and an airboat ride. Your ticket for the safari gives you free access to the Gator Park as well. However, there are several exotic animal encounters that cost extra. The airboat adventure is also a separate price, but it includes admission to the Gator Park, too.

I was mostly there to experience the drive-thru safari, and yes, it’s a fun family-friendly adventure. I love that I could do this from the comfort of my car because Florida weather can be unforgiving. While driving down the gravel path through the immersive environment, for a second, I forgot I was in Florida. 

I literally believed I had journeyed across the oceans to a distant safari. There were camels, bison, ostrich, frolicking gazelles, herds of watusis, zebras, and more. There are over 150 animals to see on the 4-mile path. The best part? You can drive as many times as you like. Trust me, you’ll get to see different animals on every trip. Plus, some of the animals will be at arm’s length from your car - I personally had a sweet exchange with an ostrich on my safari adventure. Plan to spend at least 60 minutes here or more, especially if you drive through multiple times.

At the end of the safari, stop by the gift shop or there is a giraffe feeding encounter, where you can get up close and personal with the gracious giants.

Other Attractions and Dining Options

After the safari, there is so much more adventure that awaits. I drove over to the Gator and Wildlife Park, found a parking spot, and walked to the entrance of the park. At the Gator Park, there are more exotic animals, including sloths, lemurs, exotic birds, snakes, and you guessed it - lots of gators. The star of the park is Crusher, a massive 14-foot-long, 1000-pound gator. Don’t skip the scheduled shows to see the gator and animal feedings. But the fun doesn’t stop there! I stopped in at the petting zoo, petted adorable alpacas and tortoises, and fed the hungry goats. This activity is especially popular for the little ones.

As far as the airboat ride goes, they operate on a 30-minute schedule. Unfortunately, between the drive-thru safari, the gator park, the live shows and the petting zoo, it was too late to ride the boat. If you plan your day better than I did, you can witness gators and local wildlife in a 100,000-acre protected natural habitat along the headwaters of the Florida Everglades.

If you get hungry at the park, Chomp House Grill, the on-site restaurant, serves BBQ, burgers, sandwiches, catfish, and gator platters. I didn’t eat at the restaurant because I packed snacks to enjoy in the car on the safari, but I did get a Swampy Slushy that came in a souvenir Rhino cup. It was nice to have an ice-cold drink after walking around in the humid Florida weather. 

Overall, the park is a must-visit attraction, where you can experience different adventures while driving, walking, and even riding on water. I think that it’s a unique attraction for central Florida, so I would recommend it as a day trip when in the Orlando area. Of course, take some time to drive through the quaint town of Kenansville. There are historic buildings here and rumor has it, Elvis Presley once stayed at the historic Heartbreak Hotel in town - hence the name of his song.

Things to Know Before You Visit

Plan…plan…plan! You’ll want to plan your visit to Wild Florida so that you can experience the maximum number of attractions. 

• Keep in mind that some animals may not be visible on the safari if the weather is too hot or too cold outside. The best time to visit is on a weekday - it’s far less crowded. The park opens at 9 a.m. and the last car for the safari is at 4:30 p.m - same for the airboat. Get there as early as possible.

• Be sure to check the schedule for animal feedings. Also, wear comfortable clothing and shoes, and if you plan to do animal encounters, please don’t wear your best outfit. 

• The park allows food and drinks and there are shaded pavilions where you can sit, cool off, and grab a bite to eat. 

• Discounts, group rates, and deals are available, so I recommend that you take advantage of them. 

• No pets or emotional support animals are allowed, but properly trained service animals can enter limited areas in the park. 

The best pro tip that I can provide would be to read all the safari’s FAQs and the need to knows prior to your trip. And visit the Wild Florida Safari Park website for pricing and to choose your adventures.  

If you’re ever in the Orlando area and you want to escape the crowds for a day, take the road trip to Kenansville for this family-friendly attraction. I am so happy that I discovered this small-town safari adventure in Florida, and I will for sure go back again and again. It’s a must-visit and tons of fun for everyone!