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Drive-Thru Safari Park is Open and a Fun Day Trip!

Drive-thru virginia safari park.

Looking for a fun day or weekend trip for the family? Virginia Safari Park in Natural Bridge, VA is a drive-through safari with free-roaming animals. In fact the 180-acre park is home to over 1,000 exotic animals from 6 continents including elk, gazelle, zebra & other exotic fauna. The park is approximately 200 miles from Williamsburg.

You drive through the park observing the animals and you can purchase specialty grain to feed them. We took our family recently and had a wonderful time.

I highly recommend the trip and purchasing the buckets of food. The animals will approach your vehicle in search of a tasty treat! You will laugh, squeal, and perhaps find food bits in your car for weeks.

I don’t recommend feeding animals through the sunroof unless you want it to “rain” feed all in your vehicle…

Not one but two elk peeking through the windows.

There is also a walk-thru area with giraffe feeding, petting area and even African penguins!

The great thing about the park is everyone enjoys it from the young to the old. Some are braver than others, so if you choose to just ride through the park or hold your bucket of feed for the animals to come up to the vehicle, you’re guaranteed a day of memories!

Virginia Safari Park 229 Safari Lane Natural Bridge, VA 24578 (540) 291-3205

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Virginia Safari Park

There’s a place right around the corner nestled near the Blue Ridge Mountains and teeming with wild animals. At Virginia Safari Park, a meandering driving path winds through 180 acres of wildlife. The park aims to replicate a natural habitat for the animals as much as possible. Emphasizing human-animal communication, the park lets visitors feed the animals directly, right from their cars. Virginia Safari Park has been recognized as a great family outing and was recently awarded sixth place in the “Top 10 Animal Attractions in the U.S.” list by FamilyFun magazine.

For a compelling alternative to driving, check out the 10-acre village walk-through. This area comprises a giraffe feeding station that’s raised to bring visitors eye-to-eye with the long-necked animals; the tiger territory, an area featuring Bengal tigers; a budgie adventure aviary where visitors can feed vibrant birds that like to rest on hands; a kangaroo walk-about where visitors can observe the fun marsupials; and a petting area with goats, pigs, chickens and llamas. There are a number of other exhibits in the village as well as wagon rides. / Natural Bridge; virginiasafaripark.com; Admission: $17.95 for adults, $16.95 for seniors, $11.95 for children, free for children 1 year and under; additional $6.50 per person for wagon rides

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Out of the Centre

Savvino-storozhevsky monastery and museum.

Zvenigorod's most famous sight is the Savvino-Storozhevsky Monastery, which was founded in 1398 by the monk Savva from the Troitse-Sergieva Lavra, at the invitation and with the support of Prince Yury Dmitrievich of Zvenigorod. Savva was later canonised as St Sabbas (Savva) of Storozhev. The monastery late flourished under the reign of Tsar Alexis, who chose the monastery as his family church and often went on pilgrimage there and made lots of donations to it. Most of the monastery’s buildings date from this time. The monastery is heavily fortified with thick walls and six towers, the most impressive of which is the Krasny Tower which also serves as the eastern entrance. The monastery was closed in 1918 and only reopened in 1995. In 1998 Patriarch Alexius II took part in a service to return the relics of St Sabbas to the monastery. Today the monastery has the status of a stauropegic monastery, which is second in status to a lavra. In addition to being a working monastery, it also holds the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum.

Belfry and Neighbouring Churches

Located near the main entrance is the monastery's belfry which is perhaps the calling card of the monastery due to its uniqueness. It was built in the 1650s and the St Sergius of Radonezh’s Church was opened on the middle tier in the mid-17th century, although it was originally dedicated to the Trinity. The belfry's 35-tonne Great Bladgovestny Bell fell in 1941 and was only restored and returned in 2003. Attached to the belfry is a large refectory and the Transfiguration Church, both of which were built on the orders of Tsar Alexis in the 1650s.  

To the left of the belfry is another, smaller, refectory which is attached to the Trinity Gate-Church, which was also constructed in the 1650s on the orders of Tsar Alexis who made it his own family church. The church is elaborately decorated with colourful trims and underneath the archway is a beautiful 19th century fresco.

Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is the oldest building in the monastery and among the oldest buildings in the Moscow Region. It was built between 1404 and 1405 during the lifetime of St Sabbas and using the funds of Prince Yury of Zvenigorod. The white-stone cathedral is a standard four-pillar design with a single golden dome. After the death of St Sabbas he was interred in the cathedral and a new altar dedicated to him was added.

Under the reign of Tsar Alexis the cathedral was decorated with frescoes by Stepan Ryazanets, some of which remain today. Tsar Alexis also presented the cathedral with a five-tier iconostasis, the top row of icons have been preserved.

Tsaritsa's Chambers

The Nativity of Virgin Mary Cathedral is located between the Tsaritsa's Chambers of the left and the Palace of Tsar Alexis on the right. The Tsaritsa's Chambers were built in the mid-17th century for the wife of Tsar Alexey - Tsaritsa Maria Ilinichna Miloskavskaya. The design of the building is influenced by the ancient Russian architectural style. Is prettier than the Tsar's chambers opposite, being red in colour with elaborately decorated window frames and entrance.

At present the Tsaritsa's Chambers houses the Zvenigorod Historical, Architectural and Art Museum. Among its displays is an accurate recreation of the interior of a noble lady's chambers including furniture, decorations and a decorated tiled oven, and an exhibition on the history of Zvenigorod and the monastery.

Palace of Tsar Alexis

The Palace of Tsar Alexis was built in the 1650s and is now one of the best surviving examples of non-religious architecture of that era. It was built especially for Tsar Alexis who often visited the monastery on religious pilgrimages. Its most striking feature is its pretty row of nine chimney spouts which resemble towers.

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Virginia's Only Drive-Thru Safari

Virginia safari park is home to king cheetah, africa's rarest cat, fun for the entire family, experience unique animal encounters, explore our 180-acre safari drive-thru, stroll through our 10-acre village walk-thru, extended summer hours are here plan your visit, attractions.

You can interact with our animals safely from your vehicle while exploring our drive-thru safari, on foot walking through our village walk-thru, or up close during a special, behind-the-scenes encounter with sloths, rhinos, or penguins.

Safari Drive-Thru

Village Walk-Thru

Animal Feeding

Animal Encounters

Important information.

The VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK, a 180-acre drive-through zoo located in Natural Bridge, VA, is NOT associated with the Natural Bridge Zoo, which is also located in Natural Bridge.

Unfortunately, with the recent legal issues and press coverage surrounding the Natural Bridge Zoo we have found it necessary to post this clarification. We have been contacted by many sources that have inadvertently confused the two zoos.

Our official website is www.virginiasafaripark.com. Please beware of copycat imitations. Again, the VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK is NOT associated with the Natural Bridge Zoo and never has been.

Thank you for your understanding.

Events & news, independence day at the virginia safari park.

July 4, 2024 9am to 5:30pm

Celebrate the stars and stripes this Independence Day with a trip to the Alabama Safari Park

Featured Animals

Get to know our resident animals. We spotlight a few featured animals and teach you about their eating habits, their status in the wild and statistics, like their average weight, height and more.

Giant Anteater

King Cheetah

The Virginia Safari Park is hands down one of the best zoo experiences I’ve ever had!,”

Jahmelia B.

Buy tickets

Conservation

Our Mission

Virginia Safari Park is dedicated to wildlife conservation. We serve this mission by educating our visitors, caring for our resident animals and supporting organizations. Learn more

Our Zoofari Parks Conservation Grants program helps fund wildlife and habitat programs in the U.S. and abroad. Learn about the latest recipients and how to apply for a grant. Learn more

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Celebrate the stars and stripes at the Virginia Safari Park!

Last car admitted at 4p

Your opinion is very important to us. If you have any questions or comments, we'd love to hear from you.

VIRGINIA SAFARI PARK

Phone -540-291-3205

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