Take a Walk on the Wild Side

Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! If you’re looking for a unique experience with some exciting animals (although probably not lions or tigers or bears), you’ll enjoy the drive-thru safaris that litter the greater Dallas/Fort Worth area and into East Texas. Drive-thru safaris enable you to fill your car full of adventure seekers and feed wild animals from the comfort of your vehicle while driving less than 10 miles per hour. From emus to zebras and lots in between, drive-thru safaris are a unique experience unlike any other. With multiple locations to choose from in North Texas, drive-thru safaris are a great activity no matter the weather. Fun for all ages, you can stay in your vehicle and feed the animals who wander up to your car. Plan for your adventure to take an hour or longer- and don’t forget your hand sanitizer! Even better- if you have someone in your vehicle who doesn’t love being so close to the animals, you can simply close the car window. Safari visitors can plan to see several species of animals, including deer, emu, ostrich, zebra, giraffe, gazelle and so many more. Buckle up and get your adventure on!

Five drive-thru safaris in North Texas

• Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, Glen Rose– Located about an hour from Fort Worth, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center has a drive-thru safari you won’t want to miss. Guests will enjoy a 7.2-mile drive through the wildlife refuge and have the option to get out halfway through and interact with several exhibits as well as grab a bite to eat at the Overlook Cafe.

• Texas Zoofari Park, Kaufman– On the weekends, guests can take a guided wagon ride through the safari park. Other days guests will stay in their vehicles to enjoy the park, which consists of 900-acres guests can explore that are filled with hundreds of animals. After guests complete the drive-thru portion, they can enjoy Safari Village by foot to see animals such as giraffes and kangaroos up close. 

• Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari, Jacksonville– Three hundred acres of piney woods await at this East Texas drive-thru safari. Get up close with dozens of animals, including turkeys, wildebeests, llamas and goats. The speed limit at this park is just 10 miles per hour, meaning guests will be forced to enjoy the wilderness around them as they meander through the park. 

• North Texas Safari Park, Bonham– Enjoy this safari park in your vehicle or on a train within the park (tickets required). This park also offers up plenty of experiences you can enjoy outside your vehicle, such as giraffe feedings, a petting zoo, a sloth encounter, a lemur experience and more. Located just south of the Texas/Oklahoma border, this spot is fun for your entire travel party. 

• Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru Safari Park, Eustace– Observe more than 25 species of animals on 200 acres of land at this East Texas gem. Animal feed is included in the admission price to this park, and animals to be observed include zebras, deer, buffalo and more. Get ready for a unique adventure!

Happy trails!

North Texas area lodging

When your travels bring you to the North Texas area, consider booking a stay at The Chrestos in Kerens, Texas, less than 30 minutes from Canton. With seven luxury cottages on the Richland-Chambers Lake, you’ll enjoy a relaxing escape to the piney woods of East Texas while still being less than two hours from the bright lights and big city vibes of Dallas and Fort Worth. Affordable, serene and picturesque, these cottages are not to be missed!