Take  A Trip Into The Wild  At Lion Country Safari

For 50 years, Lion Country Safari has proven to be a roaring good time across its four-mile drive-through safari and 55-acre walk-through adventure park. Five decades later, it’s still as wildly popular as ever — a Palm Beach County gem that continues to shine, especially in the summertime.

“Every visit is a different experience,” said Haley Passeser, public relations associate for Lion Country Safari. “People can drive at their own pace in the comfort of their own vehicle and stop and take pictures when they would like. We’re really the only one people can drive through themselves.”

Florida’s only drive-through safari includes 1,000 animals. It has recently been ranked as one of the 10 best wildlife parks in the nation, and one of the best savanna exhibits in the world. The park is a destination for many residents and out-of-town visitors alike, where they experience up-close animal encounters within inches from their vehicles — similar to being on an African safari, where animals roam freely like they do in the wild. It’s also home to the country’s largest herd of zebras and one of the largest herds of giraffe in North America.

“It’s really naturalistic, not only in the landscape we provide and the habitats we have here, but also the manner in which they’re in the social groups,” Passeser said.

And the animal families are expanding. “When you drive through, there’s a bundle of babies running around,” she said. “It’s really cute.”

Since last September, six babies have been welcomed, including two water buffalo, as well as four giraffe calves. With the world’s giraffe population going through a silent extinction — a 40 percent decline of the wild population over the past three years — Lion Country Safari has partnered with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Giraffe SAFE (Saving Animals from Extinction) program, and also supports the Giraffe Conservation Foundation.

“Coming in to hang out with the babies is a great opportunity while they’re still young,” Passeser said. “They all hang out like a giraffe daycare around their moms.”

For those who want a wilder experience, there are several tour options available for an additional fee, including a one-hour guided walking tour through Safari World that includes an encounter with three different animals.

Visitors looking to capture some great moments on camera can take the 90-minute guided photo tour that brings animals to you while driving through the preserve with vehicle windows rolled down.

The newest tour is geared toward the youngest of animal lovers. Kids age five and under can take the toddler tour, where they go behind the scenes to see prehistoric animals or a personal experience at the petting zoo.

“We wanted to develop something more geared toward them that’s kid-friendly to keep their attention, not run too long, but also still fit in interaction and information,” Passeser said. “We have some animals that aren’t typically on the petting zoo floor like our mini zebu cows or our donkeys, so we try to include our encounters or feedings with those animals as well.”

Kids who dream of becoming a zookeeper can have their chance at one of the safari’s summer camps. The safari day camp for kids ages 6 to 13 is a huge draw. Campers get to learn about conservation, in addition to special interactions. “They get to do behind-the-scenes activities regular visitors don’t get to do, so it makes it extra-special for them,” Passeser said. “Anything from one-on-one time with the keeper, like making diets, to up-close and personal encounters. For example, during rhino week, they meet the rhino keeper and get to touch the rhinos before they go out first thing in the morning.”

On hot summer days, the two water slides at Lion Country Safari are a perfect way to cool off, including a 108-foot-long freefall slide, as well as a 214-foot-long loop water slide. There’s also the water wars water balloon challenge and a 4,000-square-foot water spray ground, complete with newly resurfaced padding. Many umbrellas dot the seating area to keep families cool. Several refreshment stands serve up cool drinks and snacks, or for a meal, try the African-themed restaurant with its revamped menu. Be sure to visit one of the several gift shops as well.

There are dozens of animal exhibits in the walk-through park, including animal theater, giraffe feedings, flamingos and reptiles. Or hop on a ride, like the carousel, dry slides, an elephant amusement ride, mini-golf or paddle your way by boat near islands filled with monkeys and chimpanzees. Visitors can also view the animals in action aboard the Safari Queen pontoon boat tour.

“Our chimp habitat island setting is really special and unique to us. In the wild, chimpanzees are naturally nomadic, as they move around and forage for food and build new nests every night. They like to be on the move quite a bit, so we like to simulate that and make it as natural as possible,” Passeser said. “We’ll create giant popsicles, throw a bunch of produce in a bucket and freeze it, and provide the chimps with a great snack on a hot day.”

For a more rustic adventure, the nationally ranked KOA Campground is next door, where campers can hear the nighttime sounds of Africa. Lions can be heard first thing in the morning within a five-mile radius.

Rain or shine, visitors are welcome every day of the year from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Tickets are $35 for adults and $26 for kids; those 2 and under are free. For a discounted rate, buy online.

For a substantial savings, check out the Summer Savings Pass. It’s $58 for adults and $48 for children 3 to 12. It includes four parks, with unlimited visits to Lion Country Safari, the Miami Seaquarium, the Museum of Discovery & Science and Zoo Miami until Sept. 30. With huge savings like that, it’s time to get wild!

Lion Country Safari is located at 2003 Lion Country Safari Road, off Southern Blvd. For more information, call (561) 793-1084 or visit www.lioncountrysafari.com.