Orlando’s super-safe safaris are the best option for the scaredy-cats among us.
All those baby steps—small attractions re-opening, look-but-don’t-touch policies, masks mandatory … or not. Theme parks will follow soon.
This gallivanting isn’t for everyone, not yet.
Wild Florida
I understand why turnstiles are swinging once again and why locals energetically file in. While I’m in hibernation, I’d probably risk scant germ exposure myself in order to nab a glass of Gamay, say, from Disney Springs’ Wine Bar George, sipped outdoors, followed by a smoky meaty sandwich at The Polite Pig, seated on the patio. Both have virtual menus—you don’t touch a thing—and spread-out seating. I’m reined in by a yet-more-cautious companion.
So I’m still in shelter-in-place mode. My biggest outings are the daily bike ride around and around my subdivision. My view is of beige houses and more beige houses.
I discovered a super-safe safari that's so well set up you needn’t go near another person nor touch a single item that’s not yours. Then I learned that two other Orlando-area ranches offer their own super-safe safaris. What fun! Read on.
Orlando’s Super-Safe Safaris
WILD FLORIDA
I’d never been to Wild Florida but had heard good reports of its airboat rides over the past decade. The rural expanse near St. Cloud also has a gator park and animal encounters.
Wild Florida was creating a drive-thru safari recently, and completed the facility just about the time we all shut our doors. Excellent timing. As it turns out, the Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari Park is 100 percent A-OK for even the most Covid-nervous among us.
You make a reservation and pay online, from home. At $15 per adult, $10 per child, that’s inexpensive for Central Florida. When you arrive, you check in with an employee while seated in your car. The staffer will be situated higher than you are and wearing a mask. She’ll ask if you want a colorful paper that identifies the animals. We said no, and later regretted it, but our car did remain free of any foreign anything. #supersafe
And so we entered. We drove through the front gate into a great expanse of 85 acres. As you meander through in your Mini Cooper or minivan, you’ll see 150 animals of about 40 species. All appear to roam freely around the savanna, often in groups. They graze, they nap, they chew, they trot. You follow a road that encircles them all. It takes about an hour, depending on the crowds and your mood. Want to see more? Simply loop around again. You’re free to swing through all day long.
As I said, we skipped the printed Scavenger Hunt, but later learned that our I-Spy day reaped views of scimitary oryx and mouflon sheep, owallabies and rheas. We arrived shortly after opening. The first time through, we watched as workers placed down food and animals strolled over to it, sometimes crossing in front of our car. During the second round, the animals were perkier, presumably thanks to full bellies.
At the end, we watched giraffes saunter around. For an extra $5 apiece, we could have exited our car and climbed into a tower to feed the gracious creatures. Instead we happily observed as others handed over the chow.
It’s that simple to have a lovely outing at this wonderful attraction, all for $32.24 including tax.
Orlando’s Super-Safe Safaris
SAFARI WILDERNESS
Safari Wilderness is usually the opposite of Wild Florida. It’s an educational guided safari, wherein a knowledgeable employee drives you around a 260-acre property, teaching you fascinating tidbits about the Grant’s zebras, nilgai and red lechwe along the way. You’re usually in a shaded, open-sided truck with other visitors, although ATVs, camels and kayaks offer alternatives.
Screen shot nabbed from the Safari Wilderness website
Now you’re in your own car. For the time being, Safari Wilderness guides give their fact-filled spiels via transmitter from a small ATV. A small parade of cars, including yours if you sign up, follows along, listening to the animal tips and tales on the car radio. SUV or smaller, please. Cool, right?
A carful of you costs $100 on weekdays, $125 on weekends. For another $10 per cup, you can buy animal feed and toss it to water buffalo, llamas, ostriches and camels. Safari Wilderness is in Lakeland, Florida.
I’m not sure if this is 100 percent touch-free or not as I haven’t been back since the super-safe drive-thru safari was introduced, but if not it’s close. You buy your tickets online or over the phone (813-382-2120), then arrive at your designated time. I’m just not sure if you can check in from your car or if you need to enter the building. Anyway, the tours last an hour and are offered every hour, every day, from 9am to 4pm. Those ATV, camel and kayak tours are always available, as are lemur feeding encounters, coati encounters, and guinea pig colony feedings.
Orlando’s Super-Safe Safaris
GIRAFFE RANCH
Giraffe Ranch is a smaller version of Safari Wilderness and in fact has some common ownership. The Dade City savannah is not suited for a drive-thru safari, but visit anyway. The Segway tours ($239 per person) are crazy-fun and they naturally keep you away from other people. I tried it back in 2017 and wrote about it here. On this 400-animal tour, you cover much of 270 acres, with a witty educational component, while zipping around with childish delight. You can opt for a truck ($139), camel or llama tour instead, if you feel comfortable. You’ll get to feed giraffes however you travel. Also on the menu: a premium giraffe encounter for only four people, a premium cheetah encounter, and close-up add-ons with lemurs, otters, rhinos and bongos. Inquire about safety precautions.
Here’s a screenshot of me on a Giraffe Ranch Segway tour; I pulled it from an older blog post.
Three choices, all super-safe safaris that are fun for adults on their own or all generations. Time to get out of the house for a spell.