A Therapeutic Day Among the Wild at Lion Country Safari
People who know me personally are aware of my deep love for animals. I find them incredibly therapeutic, calming, and soothing. On a particular Sunday, feeling low and in need of some animal spirits to lift my spirits, I persuaded my beloved husband to take me to the zoo. However, he had an even better idea.
An Unforgettable Experience at Lion Country Safari
Instead of the zoo, he suggested Lion Country Safari, a drive-through safari park and walk-through amusement park sprawling over 600 acres in Loxahatchee, Palm Beach County, Florida. The excitement I felt was childlike; I had never before experienced such close interaction with wild animals. The admission fee of around $50 per person is well worth it, considering the extensive experiences on offer. I even likened it to a smaller version of Disneyworld.
The Drive-Through Safari: A Tour Like No Other
One of the highlights of this tour is the audio guide that accompanies you through the drive-through safari. It’s akin to having a tour guide right beside you, introducing the animals as you encounter them. We saw a myriad of animals, including Gemsbok, Waterbuck, Nile Lechwe, Ostrich, Alpaca, Asiatic Water Buffalo, Nilgai, and many more. Naturally, I couldn’t resist capturing these moments with plenty of fun pictures and selfies.
Adventure Park: More Than Just Animals
After the drive-through safari, we parked and entered the Adventure Park. Our first encounter was with the Flamingos, followed by a surprisingly decent lunch—rated a solid 7 out of 10 by our standards.
Feeding the Colorful Lorikeets
Our first interactive experience was feeding the vibrant Blue Mountain Lorikeets. For just $3, we enjoyed a feeding experience where the birds ate right from our hands. I felt like a bird whisperer, a feeling both powerful and magical.
Up Close with the Giraffes
Next was the giraffe feeding, which cost $5 for three pieces of lettuce. The giraffes are a popular attraction, and the anticipation of coming face-to-face with these majestic creatures was exhilarating. The experience did not disappoint, as the giraffe gently took the lettuce from my hand.
Discovering the Park’s Other Inhabitants
We continued to explore the park, encountering turtles, parrots, goats, alligators, and more. A fun fact about me: I’ve been eager to see an alligator since moving to Florida, and today, I finally did! They were smaller than I expected.
The Porcupines’ Surprise
Did you know porcupines can’t shoot out their quills? They’re the second-largest rodent in North America, weighing up to 35lbs. We bid farewell to the porcupines and moved on to feed the playful young goats.
Reflections on a Day Well Spent
As the day came to a close, we said a quick goodbye to all the animals and headed for the exit. This experience has been one of my top moments in Florida, rivaling Disney World and Universal Studios.
See you all very soon! ❤️
