Lion Country Safari: a drive-through wildlife adventure
At Lion Country Safari west of West Palm Beach, you can go on a drive-through or walk-through safari and see wildlife roaming free.
When the park opened, founders introduced it as a "cageless zoo". Now it is home to more than 900 animals and has more than 200 campsites at the KOA camp ground next to the park.
The drive-through portion features different sections representing different parks and terrains across the world. In the Gir Forest, named after a park in India, you'll find the blackbuck, the Asian antelope called nilgai, water buffalo and kulan. The Serengeti Plains has the wildebeest, the ostrich, the eland and the African elephant. Find the white rhinoceros, the white-handed gibbon, the giraffe, the chimpanzee and the zebra in Hwange National Park, named after the famous reserve in Zimbabwe.
Stretch your legs at the walking safari portion of Lion Country. Kids will enjoy playing miniature golf or finding their way through a challenging maze. You can ride the carousel, the flying elephant, the ferris wheel and the El Paso train.
Visit the petting zoo and get up close to your favorite animals. Keep your balance on a camel ride and stroll by the Lory Bird Aviary to see your friends in flight. You can even take a smooth boat ride along the Safari Queen to cool down and relax.
Let the kids run wild at Safari Splash - the on-site water attractions will help them cool down from the Florida sun.
If you're hungry from all the animal-watching, the safari-themed restaurant on site can refuel your group with pizza, chicken tenders, sandwiches, baked chicken, salads, fruit, hot dogs and burgers.
Don't know what to bring with you? Try a camera, sunglasses, sunscreen, bathing suits, towels, hats, comfy kicks and binoculars.
Click here for information on VIP safari tours.
- by Jessica Bates, West Palm Beach Reporter for HelloMetro
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Jessica BatesJessica is a freelance journalist residing in lovely southern California. She holds a bachelor's degree in English and journalism. She writes for a green living publication, which she thoroughly enjoys. Once upon a time she was an editorial board member for Steel Toe Books choosing poetry manuscripts for publication.
