jefferson texas safari park

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CABIN INFO, GALLERY, AND TESTIMONIALS BELOW:

What to expect.

Are you looking for a relaxing getaway, while also getting to enjoy over 50 species of exotic animals in one of the LARGEST Drive Thru Safari Parks in East Texas? Well, not only can you enjoy Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park during the day, but you can also take in the beauties of Busy B Ranch on a stress free, relaxing vacation in any of our 3 beautiful log cabin rentals! Each cabin is nestled away on its own private 11 acre lake, less than a mile from our wildlife park! Availabilities & reservations for our cabins can be found on Airbnb under "Busy B Ranch Lodging". They tend to book up a little bit in advance! So make sure & book early. Cabin 1 sleeps 6 people, one queen-size bed and four bunks, one bath and full kitchen. Cabins 2 & 3 sleeps 4 people, 2 queen-size beds, one bath and full kitchen. All of the cabins are provided with all the essentials of home without the worry. Each cabin comes with a completely stocked kitchen. Even a loaf of our famous cabin cake and coffee will be stocked in your cabin for your first morning stay. The cabins have their own private bath with all towels & linens already provided. Each cabin is climate controlled with its own air-conditioning & heating unit. And they all have a TV and VCR. All of the cabins have big front porches with rocking chairs & porch swings. A great place to relax, take in some fresh air & enjoy the picturesque view. Each cabin has a picnic table, barbecue pit, and a place to build a campfire. Wood & marshmallows are provided. Private piers are located at each cabin. We even have a boat & paddles you can use during your stay, if you would like to try for that fish of a lifetime. Or you could just fish from the bank or pier if you would like, and maybe even have the days catch for dinner. Come spend a few days in these wholesome little cabins: fishing, rocking on the front porch, watching the campfire or just relaxing in the beautiful piney woods of Northeast Texas. Oh and while you are here you can come swing through the park and enjoy the afternoon with all of our amazing animals. We also offer, after hours, special VIP trailer tours through the park in the evenings for our cabin guests. Just stop by the gift shop or give us a call at least 24 hours in advance to book a VIP tour. We look forward to seeing you soon! Please call us during regular business hours, if you have any questions: 903-665-4093

CHECK CABIN AVAILABILITIES ON AIRBNB BELOW:

Testimonials:, "it's much more than just a place to stay.".

"Beautiful little secluded cabin nests among a beautiful 11-acre lake! We loved it as soon as we drove up. Cabin was clean with everything we needed! Firewood was supplied for roasting marshmallows - which we did both nights. We enjoyed taking our kayaks on the water to try our luck at fishing - caught a small few! The cabin is so picturesque and the lake was fun to paddle. We loved it here!"

August 2021

"Best place ever!! No TV or WIFI needed! Had the best time soaking up the sun, fishing and just spending time together. We will definitely be back!! Thank you so so much!"

"We had an incredible time at the cabin this weekend. The pictures don't do the place justice - the view is amazing and the location makes it feel like there is nobody around for miles. We loved spending every morning drinking coffee on the dock before heading out for the day. The beds are very comfortable and everything was very clean. Would absolutely recommend if you are looking to get away and spend some time on the lake. "

September 2020

"Beautiful cabins and amazing people who run it. Would recommend to anyone who needs a good getaway from stress. "

November 2019

"By FAR my favorite place on the planet. We go once or twice a year. Absolutely love this place and the hospitality is second to none."

January 2017

"We have been going here since 1999. Awesome cabins, good fishing and great hunting. Do not hesitate!!"

November 2014

YOU'RE THIS CLOSE

CHOOSE YOUR SAFARI

Guided Tour

Join one of our Safari Tour Guides for a guided tour through the safari and meet animals from around the world. Learn unique facts and hear personal stories from your Tour Guide.

Private Guided Tour

This private guided tour offers a unique experience. Exclusive to your family and friends, your guide will take your group on a journey to learn more about the over 500 animals that roam this Texas ranch land.  Enhance your tour with the GIRAFFE, the RHINO — or BOTH -- experiences. 

Self-Guided Tour

Take your own vehicle on a driving safari through our 500-acre wildlife park. See and feed over 500 animals from 40 different species at your own pace. 

Giraffe Private VIP Experience

This tour is the Private VIP Tour with the addition of the Giraffe Experience.  You will get the opportunity to get an up-close experience with the giraffes and learn more about the three herds at NBWR along with our conservation efforts and partnerships for the dwindling populations in the wild.  

Rhino Private VIP Experience

This tour is the Private VIP Tour with the addition of the Rhino Experience.  A bonus to the already awesome experience of getting an up-close, personal experience with these gentle giants is also meeting big, baby Truda! She has learned to push her way in to get shared attention from visitors that come for this amazing opportunity.  This is another species that is in need of conservation efforts and our guides appreciate the opportunity to share that with visitors as well.

Group Adventures

In the comfort of your own caravan or bus, witness animals from around the world, visit giraffes, meet a troop of ring-tailed lemurs, enjoy lunch, and shop.

Educational Adventures

Take your class on a real safari where there's a learning adventure around every corner. Students will love being close to animals wilder than they are!

ADD AN EXCURSION

Prehistoric Experience

Walk amongst dozens of dinosaurs that move, breathe, and can't wait for you to maybe get a little too close. This excursion is sure to be memorable!

Aviary Experience

The only thing better than seeing our birds is feeding them! Come inside with food on popsicle sticks that dozens of budgies look forward to enjoying.

Conservation

The conservation of animals and ranchland is of utmost importance to us at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. We actively collaborate with organizations worldwide to promote a sustainable future for both animals and the land they inhabit.

Wild About Education

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is the perfect place to go on safari. But it's also a place to learn about the wonderful, wild world of animals.  Click on the articles below or on "Read More" to learn something you didn't already know! 

Wild Nature Institute for Education

Teacher's Prompt: Conservation

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Outdoor Adventures , Texas , travel · January 20, 2023

15 Drive-Through Safaris in Texas

Texas is home to some of the most unique drive-thru zoos in the country! From petting zoos to exotic animal safaris, these drive-thru zoos in Texas are sure to delight animal lovers of all ages.

Whether you’re looking for a fun family activity or an educational outing, you find the best drive-through zoo in Texas which will offer a one-of-a-kind experience that can’t be found anywhere else. 

READ NEXT: Best Zoos in Texas

Best Drive-Through Safari in Texas

Below is the ultimate list of the best drive-thru zoos in Texas and all the wonderful activities they have to offer.

Looking for more Texas adventure? Check out this list of the best amusement parks in Texas .

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch – San Antonio, Texas

Drive through 450 acres in the comfort of your vehicle while enjoying the rolling hills, live oak trees, creek beds, and beautiful live oak trees. The ranch features over 500 animals that span 40 different species, including several endangered species. 

Admission offers multiple trips through the safari as every trek offers different adventures in the free-roaming environment.  

Guests can tour in their vehicle or book a guided tour that takes guests on a safari in either the Safari Rover or Safari Shuttle.

Note that there are many discounted days for admission during weekdays. Be sure to check the calendar for detailed information regarding hours and pricing. Guests can also purchase a feed bucket at the gate.

Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari – Copperas Cove, Texas

Enjoy a Texas safari as you drive along 350 acres. With more than 50 species of wildlife at this safari park, visitors can feed the animals in their natural settings.

READ NEXT: Best Texas Roadside Attractions

Sanctuary Serengeti – West Point, Texas

This is a smaller drive-thru zoo that will take approximately one hour. Animal sightings include lemurs, llamas, goats, pigs, zebras, and buffalo. Open only on Saturday and Sunday. 

Buena Vista Wildlife Safari – Evant, Texas

For a unique experience, visitors can book an overnight stay at the RV Park or rent a cabin. 

Spend the day exploring and feeding the goats, chickens, pot-bellied pigs, alpacas, llamas, and more. The park features over 23 animal species from 10 different countries.

Exotic Resort Zoo – Johnson City, Texas

Located on 137 acres, this zoo features 700 animals and 45 different species of animals, including some species which were at one time endangered. 

When you purchase tickets, you have the option of a Drive-Through or a Guided Tour. Reservations are not required.

Franklin Drive Thru Safari – Franklin, Texas

This drive-thru adventure park sits on over 100 acres and has exotic animals from around the globe.

Guests can take a self-guided safari or book a VIP private tour. The tour is for those wanting a more in-depth experience and information on the animals. 

Blue Hills Ranch & Giraffe Sanctuary – McGregor, Texas

Blue Hills Ranch has over 150 acres of gently rolling hills and 4 beautiful ponds that provide the perfect backdrop to world-class sunsets. Relax under the barn, while being surrounded by our amazing animals who call this land home.

Although this isn’t a true drive-through zoo because you are unable to drive your vehicle, I still wanted to include it on the list. However, you book an RV hookup or cabin. Once on the property, you will encounter free-roaming animals that include giraffes, zebra, camel, emus, bison, and more.

The ranch also offers unique experiences such as swimming with otters and bottle-feeding giraffes.

Aggieland Safari – Bryan, Texas

Travel through our 250-acre safari land and see many different animals along the way. The safari park is packed with scenic views, dozens of animal species, almost 700 wild animals, and fantastic, knowledgeable Zookeepers.

Guests can also enjoy the animal encounters will you get to meet animals like giraffes and kangaroos and get a more detailed look at how they live. 

Before leaving, stroll through the 20-acre adventure zoo. Here you can feed animals at the interactive exhibits. 

Aggieland Safari also has a safari dining, gift & souvenir shop. 

Fossil Rim Wildlife Center – Glen Rose, Texas

A Texas-size safari sits 2 hours from DFW but makes you feel like you are on a different continent. It’s the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. 

This drive-thru park is a great place to see exotic animals in their natural environment. Each car can purchase one bag of feed for the animals. Be sure to bring binoculars so you can view the animals at the overlooks.

The park consists of a 7 miles drive with over 1,000 animals and expect to spend several hours driving through the park. They have a gift shop and restaurant about halfway through the drive.

Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru Safari – Eustace, Texas

This East Texas wildlife park has 200 acres that are home to over 25 species of animals spread across the diverse terrain of Rocky Ridge.

The self-guided tour allows guests to view and feed the animals, enjoy scenic views, and photograph an abundance of wildlife all from the safety of their vehicle.

North Texas Safari Park – Bonham, Texas

North Texas Safari Park is the place to encounter exotic and endangered animals all from the comfort of your car. It’s located about an hour north of Dallas, making it an easy day trip with the family.

Visitors can enjoy the petting zoo, explore the dedicated Australian exhibit, and feed a giraffe.

Lonesome Dove Drive-Thru Safari – Jefferson, Texas

Over 80 animals roam free on 65 acres. Animal encounters include wildebeests, bison, red deer, donkeys, camels, zebras, and more. 

Your entire family will enjoy this Texas safari and even get a chance to feed some animals from the comfort of your car. Guests can also enjoy taking amazing photos, purchasing a souvenir, and visiting the petting zoo. 

Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park – Jefferson, Texas

You don’t have to fly to Africa to go on a Safari. This wildlife has plenty of exotic animals and up-close encounters with the wildlife. 

The 3-mile driving trail takes you along 125 beautiful acres in East Texas. You will even see the picturesque view from one of the highest points in Marion County all from the comfort & safety of your vehicle. 

Grapeland Safari – Grapeland, Texas

Drive thru the 59-acre park to see a llama, zebras, aoudad sheep, camels, Tibetan yaks, buffalo, waterbuck, sulcata turtles, wallabies, kangaroo, beefalo (yes, that’s a thing), fallow deer and more.

The park also offers a gift shop, picnic area, pony rides, train rides, reptiles presentations, and a petting zoo.

Sharkarosa Zoo – Pilot Point, Texas

The zoo sits on 126 acres where guests can drive their vehicles on a self-guided drive, and enjoy a walk-thru petting zoo, private tours, field trips, and an outdoor dining area.

They feature over 180 different kinds of animals in their natural habitat. Animals include beefalo, alpaca, monkeys, lemurs, macaw, Sedona, horses, big cats, albino eastern grey kangaroo, bears, sloths, wallabies, and more. 

These are the best drive-thru safaris in the lone star state that the whole family will enjoy. Many of these allow you to purchase a bucket of feed and enjoy the safari from the comfort of your vehicle. You’ll feel like you are in South Africa, viewing a dozen exotic and wide variety of animals. 

About Chastity Velasquez

Chastity Velasquez is an outdoor enthusiast based in Fort Worth, TX. Chastity enjoys sharing affordable travel tips and bringing new places to life through her fun writing style. When she’s not writing or planning the next vacation, you can find her hiking, sipping on sweet tea, cheering on her son at his sporting events, or spending time with her husband.

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We want every visitor to our park to have the best experience possible and to be safe as well as keep our animals safe. 

Lonesome dove drive-thru safari rules:.

Stay inside your vehicle at all times. Riding in the bed of a truck is prohibited. 

Do NOT FEED ANIMALS from your hand.

Must have car windows either all the way up or all the way down. 

Stay on the safari road. 

Remove flags, balls, or any other objects from the outside of your vehicle.

The speed limit is 5 MPH.

Feed the animals with ONLY the food we provide. 

NO ALCOHOL allowed on the property.

NO DOGS allowed on the property.

Keep doors closed at all times. Jeeps must have side doors and a top. Convertibles must have top up.

LONESOME DOVE DRIVE-THRU SAFARI ASSUMES NO LIABILITY FOR DAMAGE TO ANY  VEHICLES, PERSONS, OR PROPERTY AS A  RESULT OF INTERACTIONS WITH THE ANIMALS AND FACILITIES. 

LONESOME DOVE DRIVE-THRU SAFARI RESERVES THE RIGHT TO REMOVE, WITHOUT REFUND, ANYONE WHO VIOLATES THE RULES.

Safari Drive-Thru

The Texas Zoofari Park, located in Kaufman, offers visitors the opportunity to see and feed animals up close to their vehicles in the safari drive-thru attraction.

Texas Zoofari Park is fun for the entire family!

In the Safari, you'll see animals run and frolic with abandon on our expansive property. Take your time as you drive along the four miles of maintained gravel road. Feed the animals through your vehicle windows, and be prepared to stop for them as they stroll across your path or even lie down.

Our animals are allowed to roam freely and act instinctively. This means you might see males competing with each other for the females’ attention, resulting in cute baby animals being born throughout the season. You could be among the lucky visitors who witness a live birth and the first steps of the newborn.

Feed the Animals

As you make your way along the safari drive, stop every once in a while to feed the animals our specialty grain mixture.

You’ll never forget the experience of one of our watusi or zebras eating from your bucket of feed. Drive through as many times as you like to give everyone in your group a chance to have a memorable encounter like this.

Safari Village Walk-Thru

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Animal Feeding

Village Walk-Thru