Spanning 180 acres in Natural Bridge, Virginia Safari Park is Virginia’s most unique animal experience. Nowhere else in the Commonwealth can you drive your own vehicle through fields of exotic animals typically viewed beyond fences at zoos. Zebras within reach? Yep. Ostriches eating from your hand? For sure! We’ll give you a teaser of what awaits, but this is one destination that is worth more than the fanciest words we can muster.
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Virginia Safari Park is comprised of The Safari Drive-Thru and The Village Walk-Thru. Your admission gives you access to both. In your own car (completely enclosed except for windows) or aboard one of their hay wagons, you can meander along the road through the park to see and interact with the animals. The Village Walk-Thru is more of a zoo-like experience with some extra perks and unexpected delights, like the budgie and pheasant aviaries and giraffe feeding station (watch for Poppy, the new reticulated giraffe born during the off season).
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Some of the animals you’ll want to watch for are the endangered King Cheetah, talkative spider monkeys, adorable African penguins, the mighty Southern white rhino, the enormous-horned Watusi, and – in our best Veggie Tales voice – the water buffalo!
Fun Fact: Virginia Safari Park is the only park in America with King Cheetah.
Just the Facts, Ma’am
- Acres: 180
- Species: 85
- Animal Feeding: Yes, but only what is purchased at the park
- Dining On-Site: Yes, The Watering Hole Cafe
- Picnic Area: Yes
- Pets Permitted: No
- Drones Permitted: No
- Smoking Area: No
- Photography Permitted: Yes, but not for commercial use or profit
Planning Your Visit
The Virginia Safari Park is open daily, though the hours vary by season. Generally, it’s safe to plan your visit for any day of the week between 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. now through September.
Special discounts are available for law enforcement and active and retired military. Animal feed is available for purchase. Outside grains or other animal feeds are not permitted.
Get the lay of the land with a peek at the Park Map and the Guidebook.
Special Event: Moms receive a free bucket of feed when they visit on Mother’s Day (May 12)!
Care to Take a Closer Look?
Intimate animal encounters are available at Virginia Safari Park for an additional fee. Get a behind-the-scenes look at residents like the rhinos, two-toed sloths, and penguins. Ask whatever you’d like to know in a conversation with a Zookeeper. The sloth and penguin encounters are great experience for families, but the rhino encounter requires children be 10 years of age or older.
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Ready to go? Purchase your tickets at VirginiaSafariPark.com.
Header Image: Virginia Safari Park