bayou safari alvin

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This Open-Range Safari in Alvin is Home to Kangaroos, Zebras, Camels, and More

Posted by HOTC Contributor | Aug 28, 2020 | Museums & Attractions | 0

Just 30 minutes south of Houston, tucked behind some trees off a busy road, an 80-acre African-style safari thrives with over 500 exotic animals from nearly 20 different countries.

The Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin is one of the Houston area’s true hidden gems and the perfect destination for a day full of family fun.

  View this post on Instagram   This morning we went to @bayouwildlifezoo in Alvin. My favorites were the emus and ostriches! They followed the tram around the grounds. The ruins of the still were cool, too! #bayouwildlifezoo #alvintexas #wildlife #emus #ostriches #whiskeystill #giraffe #deer A post shared by Anita Giles (@anitantique) on Aug 22, 2020 at 4:55pm PDT

Originally opened in 1986, the wildlife park was recently sold to new owners who have carried on the legacy of the open-air zoo and continued to make it an attraction like no other in the area.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo’s main attraction is the guided tram tour. Hop on a tram and ride through 80 acres where an expert guide will tell you all about the animals you see along the way, including many types of deer, antelopes, buffalos, camels, zebras and other exotic animals. You’ll even have the opportunity to feed some of the animals for a truly memorable, up-close encounter.

But the fun doesn’t stop there. You’ll also have the opportunity to walk through Addie Lou’s Barnyard to see everything from typical farm animals to rare creatures you won’t see anywhere else in the area.

“In the barnyard, you will encounter a Wallaby, Pygmy Goats, Lemurs and much more!,” a statement on Bayou Wildlife Zoo’s website promises .

  View this post on Instagram   can I pet that dawg? #whatwouldcarolbaskindo A post shared by Carly Calcote (@insta.charly) on Jun 20, 2020 at 10:09am PDT

You can also stop by their big barn to meet giraffes and a pet water buffalo. And while walking between the different areas of the zoo, you’ll see kangaroos, alligators, and many other creatures.

New Measures Keep Guests Safe

Bayou Wildlife Zoo is an open-air zoo, which makes it a safer destination to visit during these times.

Additionally, new practices have been instituted to keep guests safe, including requiring guests to wear masks during their visit, using special viral disinfectants to clean common-use areas and trams, and making the barnyard area observation-only.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo Hours & Ticket Prices

The Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin is open Wednesday through Saturday 10 am. to 4 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm. The zoo is closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Ticket prices are as follows:

• Under 2 years: Free
• Child (2 to 11 years): $12
• Adult (12 to 64 years): $22
• Senior (65+ years): $20
• Military & First Responder Discount: $4 off of general admission with valid ID or credentials.

Annual passes are available at $45 for kids, $80 for adults, and $65 for seniors.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo Location

Bayou Wildlife Zoo is located at 5050 FM 517 Road, Alvin, TX 77511. You can learn more at BayouWildlifeZoo.com or call 409-904-2525.

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Go on a Safari in Alvin, Texas... at the Bayou Wildlife Zoo!

Modified: Jan 24, 2021 by Jill Jarvis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · 1 Comment

Here's what I like about Bayou Wildlife Zoo near Houston:

• It's unexpected. I'd never suspect there was an African Safari tucked away in Alvin.
• You ride a shaded tram and the animals come to you. No chasing kids in the heat!

Right along a busy road, back behind the trees, is the Bayou Wildlife Zoo. Here they have animals from 19 different countries, including locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America. (Learn about it HERE !)

The last time we went, my big kids were little and my toddler wasn't even born, so we made the drive down this summer.

The main attraction is the tram ride through the 86-acre property where exotic wildlife is allowed to roam. Not only do you get to see these animals up close, but you can even feed most of them.

At Bayou Wildlife Zoo, buckets of food are available for purchase and many of the animals will come up and stick their heads right into the tram looking for food!

On this visit, we saw zebras, deer, water buffalos, wildebeests, camels, llamas, Watusi cattle, giraffes, ostriches and emus as well as many more types of animals on our safari-like trip.

Watch out for those ostriches though, they really like their food! (And one was even behind a fence in time-out for stealing hats and sippy cups. My kids are still talking about him!)

Our tram ride lasted about 30 minutes... and we had a minor break down in the middle. For a second I thought it would be like a bad scene from Jurassic Park... but the staff just got us a new tram and animals were not concerned with our little stop. This turned into another highlight of the adventure.

After the tram ride, you can take a pony ride (for kids under 90 pounds), visit the petting zoo or have a picnic.

And on the drive out, you can use any left over food to feed the animals along the road. This was a lot of fun because the animals kept on sneaking around the car and surprising us at different windows!

The big kids really enjoyed going back... and the toddler loved it. She loves the Houston Zoo and this was even better. She sat in awed silence for the entire tram ride, just taking it all in... and has been talking about it for weeks now.

I recommend making the trip to Alvin for this safari ... and try to organize a group of 15 so it's not so expensive. (Just call them to work out the details.)  Also, bring water with you on the tram... and a picnic to eat at the shaded tables afterwards.

Also, you can find more Houston area farms HERE !

Bayou Wildlife Zoo:

Address: 5050 FM517, Alvin, TX 77511 Cost: Adults: $20, Kids: $10, Free Under 2, or organize a group for a discounted rate! (Cash or check. No credit cards accepted)

More Houston Area Farms :

More Farms and Zoos

About Jill Jarvis

Jill Jarvis is the owner of JillBJarvis.com, a BigKidSmallCity.com and Things to Do in Houston, with Kids, blog!

She is the mom of five and started the website years ago... when she was tired of constantly cleaning up the same mess in the family room.

Another mom showed her that you could just go do fun things in Houston, without hours of planning.

This inspired the blog and changed everything about how she enjoyed life in Houston, with kids!

Reader Interactions

Jeffrey Wright says

July 23, 2019 at 8:16 am

looks great! My son will be happy to visit this Zoo

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Bayou Wildlife Park

5050 FM 517 Rd, Alvin , Texas 77511 USA

• Independent

“take a safari-like adventure”

When you visit the Bayou Wildlife Zoo, one of only four zoos in the state of Texas, you'll get to take a safari-like adventure throughout the park. When you've finished, relax for a bit in our picnic shelter, take your kids to the petting zoo, or browse the fun souvenirs in our shop.

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This texas safari-like zoo lets you feed wildlife in an up-close encounter.

Jill B. Jarvis

ALVIN, Texas – Address: 5050 FM517, Alvin, TX 77511

Cost: Adults: $20, Kids: $10, Free Under 2, or organize a group for a discounted rate! (Cash or check. No credit cards accepted)

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Here’s what I like about Bayou Wildlife Zoo :

• It’s unexpected. I’d never suspect there was an African Safari tucked away in Alvin.
• You ride a shaded tram and the animals come to you. No chasing kids in the heat!

Right along a busy road, back behind the trees, is the Bayou Wildlife Zoo. Here they have animals from 19 different countries, including locations in Africa, Asia, Australia, and North and South America.

The last time we went, my big kids were little and my toddler wasn’t even born, so we made the drive down this summer.

The main attraction is the tram ride through the 86-acre property where exotic wildlife is allowed to roam. Not only do you get to see these animals up close, but you can even feed most of them.

Buckets of food are available for purchase and many of the animals will come up and stick their heads right into the tram looking for food!

On this visit, we saw zebras, deer, water buffalos, wildebeests, camels, llamas, Watusi cattle, giraffes, ostriches and emus as well as many more types of animals on our safari-like trip.

Watch out for those ostriches though, they really like their food! (And one was even behind a fence in time-out for stealing hats and sippy cups. My kids are still talking about him!)

Our tram ride lasted about 30 minutes… and we had a minor break down in the middle. For a second I thought it would be like a bad scene from Jurassic Park… but the staff just got us a new tram and animals were not concerned with our little stop. This turned into another highlight of the adventure.

After the tram ride, you can take a pony ride (for kids under 90 pounds), visit the petting zoo or have a picnic.

And on the drive out, you can use any left over food to feed the animals along the road. This was a lot of fun because the animals kept on sneaking around the car and surprising us at different windows!

The big kids really enjoyed going back… and the toddler loved it. She loves the Houston Zoo and this was even better. She sat in awed silence for the entire tram ride, just taking it all in… and has been talking about it for weeks now.

I recommend making the trip to Alvin for this safari … and try to organize a group of 15 so it’s not so expensive. (Just call them to work out the details.) Also, bring water with you on the tram… and a picnic to eat at the shaded tables afterwards.

Oh, and if you want to buy the Bayou Wildlife Zoo , it’s yours!

This article originally appeared at JillBJarvis.com and is being featured here as part of a partnership. Click here to view the article in its original format.

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