Add Us As A Trusted Google Source Lexington, Virginia is known for Civil War history, a lively horse culture, and a vibrant art scene. Yet located nearby is one of the most unique wildlife experiences on the East Coast. The Virginia Safari Park spans 180 breathtaking acres and is home to more than 1,200 rare and endangered animals from around the globe. Open from early March through late November, this drive-thru and walk-thru safari destination offers something truly special: the chance to see exotic wildlife up close, feed them from your car window, and explore a village filled with even more animal encounters. Whether you’re planning a family outing, a romantic day trip, or an adventure with friends, Virginia Safari Park delivers memories that will last a lifetime.
Key Takeaways vibrant
- Virginia Safari Park is open early March through late November and is located in Natural Bridge, VA in the Shenandoah Valley.
- Admission covers both the Safari Drive-Thru and the Village Walk-Thru for the entire day, and guests can re-enter with their receipt.
- Adult tickets are $28.95, with discounts available for seniors, children, military, and law enforcement.
- The Safari Drive-Thru spans three miles of gravel road where guests feed animals directly from their vehicles.
- The Village Walk-Thru features giraffes, Bengal tigers, King Cheetahs, penguins, kangaroos, budgies, and a petting area.
- Special Animal Encounters are available for rhinos, penguins, and sloths.
- Guided Wagon Rides are offered on weekends and daily between Memorial Day and Labor Day.
Safari Drive-Thru: Feed the Animals from Your Car
The crown jewel of the Virginia Safari Park experience is its iconic three-mile Safari Drive-Thru. As you wind your way through the park’s gravel roads, you’ll be surrounded by over 1,200 free-roaming animals in a wide-open natural setting. From antelopes and bison to bull elk, wildebeest, emus, ostriches, and the rare Pere David’s deer, the diversity of wildlife on display is truly stunning. The best part? You can feed many of these incredible animals directly through your car window. Safari Animal Feed Buckets are available for $6 each or four for $20, giving you plenty of feed to share with curious creatures who will wander right up to your vehicle. Because the animals roam freely, you may even be lucky enough to witness natural behaviors like males competing for mates, or even a live birth and a newborn’s first steps. Guests are welcome to drive through multiple times to ensure everyone in the group gets their full fill of wildlife wonder.
Village Walk-Thru: Stretch Your Legs and Explore
After your drive-thru adventure, make sure to explore the 10-acre Village Walk-Thru, which is included with your admission. This pedestrian area of the park introduces visitors to an entirely different collection of animals and experiences.
- One of the most beloved highlights is the giraffe feeding platform; a wheelchair-accessible ramp brings you to eye level with these towering animals, and you can feed them romaine lettuce right from your hand, available with a souvenir cup for $5.
- Tiger Territory lets you observe majestic Bengal tigers as they play, lounge, or cool off in their pool.
- The park’s King Cheetah exhibit is the only place in the entire United States where you can view these extraordinary animals.
- There is a petting area where guests can feed and interact with goats.
- In the Budgie Adventure Aviary, colorful parakeets will land right on your hand (budgie feed sticks are just $2 each).
- The African Penguin Pool is designed to replicate their natural southern African habitat.
- Lastly, keep your eyes open in the Kangaroo Walk-About where you might spot a joey peeking out from its mother’s pouch.
Animal Encounters: Get Closer Than Ever
For those who want an even more intimate experience with the park’s most captivating residents, Virginia Safari Park offers a selection of special Animal Encounters.
- The Rhino Encounter puts you face to face with the park’s Southern White Rhinos, giving you a behind-the-scenes look at how these magnificent animals are cared for and how the park contributes to conservation efforts in the wild.
- Penguin lovers won’t want to miss the Penguin Encounter, where guests join an animal care specialist to learn about feeding routines, daily care, and what it’s really like to work alongside these charming birds.
- Perhaps the most irresistible encounter of all is the Sloth Encounter, where you’ll get to meet Flash and Priscilla, the park’s two Linnaeus’s two-toed sloths. These gentle, slow-moving creatures are perfect for up-close photos and offer a one-of-a-kind opportunity to feed and observe them in person.
Wagon Rides: A Guided Tour Through the Safari
For a more structured and educational experience, hop aboard one of the park’s 45-minute guided Wagon Rides. Led by knowledgeable staff, the tours take guests through the safari while sharing fun facts and fascinating information about the animals you encounter along the way. Each ticket, priced at $10 per person, includes a bucket of specialty grain so you can feed the animals during the ride. Wagons can accommodate up to 35 passengers and run on weekends at 11am, 1pm, and 2:30pm before Memorial Day and after Labor Day, and daily during the summer season between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, and wagon ride tickets can be added to your cart after purchasing regular admission online.