SheSue Experience

Emu at Wildlife Safari

Imagine an emu pecking at your front windshield or lions fighting for territory 20 yards in front of your car.  You might be out in the wild, or you might be at Wildlife Safari in southern Oregon.  It is the only place in the U.S. where you can drive your car through the park.    The experience can be so up close and personal that you are not allowed to drive a convertible, even with the top up.

Bison at Wildlife Safari

Set on 600 acres, you can drive a four mile route through Wildlife Safari entering different habitats including Africa, Asia and America.  You will see camels, emus, tigers, bears, bison, elephants, cheetahs, hippos, giraffes, lions and more.  These animals are allowed to live just like they do in the wild.

On my drive through the park, it took some time get past several emus that were standing in front of our car and pecking at all the windows.   We also had to wait before entering the lion area as there were two males that were vying for dominance.  It was fascinating to watch them size each other up, circling and growling.

There’s a lot more to do than just drive through the park at the Safari.

1. You can attend animal keeper talks – Learn all about cheetahs or wolves
2. Visit the petting zoo – You can pet, and even feed a llama, deer or goat
3. Ride the train – Don’t have a car?  Ride the train through part of the park
4. Take a ride on a camel
5. Have your car washed by an elephant – Guaranteed to Not get your car clean
6. Have your photo taken with  a Cheetah – Learn about Taini, and have your photo taken with her

If you want to really get into the thick of things, check out the Get Inside Events.  You can feed a giraffe, take a walk with a cheetah, feed the lions or bears, be an assistant to a park ranger for a ½ day, meet an elephant or help bathe an elephant.  These events have to be reserved ahead of time and are very popular, so I didn’t get a chance to attend any this time.

Zebra Family at Wildlife Safari

If you go to the park, plan on spending several hours there.  The drive through is very slow paced and you have to stop before entering each section.  Be sure to take your camera for some memorable shots.  Most of the programs are aimed at small children, but can be fun for everyone.  The park also has a café and gift store.   Best time to go?  The animals are most active in the morning and on days when the temperature is cooler.