Wildlife Safari is not your typical city zoo. While there is a "village" to explore on foot, what makes Wildlife Safari so unique is the drive-through experience. From the comfort of your car (keep everything inside the vehicle), you can get a unique look at animals from all regions of the globe. Slow for herds of zebras crossing the road and watch in amazement as bears get playful in their pool.
Best and worst time to go to Wildlife Safari
Because you can experience Wildlife Safari from the comfort of your car, the weather matters slightly less than a typical zoo experience. However, you may want to skip days when it is terribly hot or raining as having the windows down won't be much fun. During the summer and on weekends is when the place gets crowded with young kids and families, which may slow down your tour.
Must see/do at Wildlife Safari
Although it is free to walk around Safari Village, pay for the opportunity to do the drive-through. The price of admission allows you two trips in the drive-through area, where you may have to stop to allow stray herds of birds or beasts to pass. If you're looking for a one-on-one experience, you can make advanced reservations to feed some of the larger animals, including bears, lions, giraffes or get behind-the-scenes looks at their lives.
Admission to Wildlife Safari
Admission to Wildlife Safari is per person, rather than per car, and varies according to age. Discounts are available for groups, memberships (including select other zoos) and military personnel. In addition to the drive-through rates, you can also pay more to feed the animals in the petting zoo or in the drive-through or take a camel ride. If you plan in advance, make reservations to get up close and personal with some of the experience's biggest beasts for a unique opportunity with a heavier price tag than your average zoo admission.
Parking at Wildlife Safari
Parking at Wildlife Safari is well organized and free. After driving through the gates, you will be instructed on where to park and can choose whether you want to walk through the village or drive through the safari first, both easily accessed from the central parking lot.
Public Transportation to Wildlife Safari
The joy of Wildlife Safari is riding through a zoo in a private car, and it is located in a somewhat remote area of Oregon, so public transportation is not recommended. Within the zoo, there is a small mini-train that takes travelers past parts of exhibits that cannot be reached on foot or in car.
Food at Wildlife Safari
Food options at Wildlife Safari include the café and snack shack, as well as various vending machines. The café offers burgers and fries and similar fare while the snack shack has various treats, including locally made Umpqua ice cream. Many visitors prefer to pack a picnic and enjoy their food at the picnic tables just outside the parking area.
Insider tips for visitors to Wildlife Safari
Although you may think it's cute to bring your domesticated animals to the Wildlife Safari park, animals are not allowed into the village or the drive through area. Wildlife Safari does provide kennel facilities if you are traveling with pets, but for a day trip, you may want to make other arrangements. If you plan to feed the animals, be aware that some may be more aggressive than others, and many Oregonians have fond memories of "emu attacks." To help save money on admission fees, Wildlife Safari often runs deals on local coupon sites, such as Groupon and local businesses in Winston are said to offer small discounts on admission to the park as well.
Author's bio: Carly Zinderman is a freelance writer from Los Angeles that loves to travel. She has written for many websites on topics including travel, food and drink.
