FAQs
Q: Can I bring my dog to the safari park if they stay in the car?
A: No, we do not allow dogs (including service dogs/animals, therapy dogs/animals, and emotional support dogs/animals) or any other outside animals at the park or campground at anytime. The majority of the animals at the park are prey species. Many of the species at the park have a extreme “flight response”, this means with a simple loud noise a gazelle will flee in the opposite direction and run as hard as possible regardless of what is in the animal’s path. Often times in these situations the animals with high “flight response” injure themselves on fencing or other obstacles. Federal Law also makes it illegal for us to knowingly put our animals in danger of psychological or physical harm due to the
Animal Welfare Act of 1972. This does not mean we are afraid your dog will injure our animals – it’s probably the other way around. Dogs and prey species are a recipe for disaster at zoos and we have no interest in risking the well being of our animals, you, or your animals. The park animals live here and we do our ultimate best to make them our #1 priority.
Q: Can I just drive my own car through the park?
A: No, we are not a drive through park. We offer only a guided tour on our safari vehicles and you will have a tour guide with you the entire time.
Q: What days are you open?
A: Southland Safari Cabins and Campground are open 7 days a week, Southland Safari Guided Tours runs tour by reservation only.
Q: Do we need to make a reservation?
A: Yes you must make a reservation for the Cabins as well as the Guided Safari Tours.
Q: Can we just walk around?
A: No one is allowed to walk around the Safari. This is for your safety as well as the animals.
However, If you are staying at Southland Safari Cabins you are welcome to walk around the Campground and even enjoy the walking path up close to the animals. YOU ARE NOT PERMITTED TO ENTER IN WITH THE ANIMALS
Q: How long will the Guided Safari Tour last?
A: Approximately 2-2.5 hours
Q: How long does The Encounter Package last?
A: Approximately 1 hour
Q: What will we be doing during the encounters?
A: During the Encounter Package at Southland Safari you will be entering into the walk-a-bout with kangaroos, feeding giraffes, and petting a sloth. You are welcome to take pictures with your own devices during the encounters.
Q: Can I just send my children to the encounters?
A: Anyone under the Age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
Q: Can I go into an encounter and just watch?
A: Anyone attending these areas must purchase a ticket
Q: What happens if I show up with a pet or animal in my car?
A: If you come to the safari park or cabins with a pet you will be asked to leave with NO REFUND.
Please respect us and our animals with this. We have made this rule very clear
Q: Are you Wheel Chair Accessible?
A: We are not wheelchair accessible but we will do the best we can to accommodate individuals that need special assistance. Please Call/Email and discuss your situation with us and we will attempt to accommodate your needs so that everyone can enjoy the tours.
Q: What else is there to do in the area?
A: There are several attractions in our area. Please visit the “Area Attractions” page.
Q: Can I feed the animals food that I brought with me?
A: Absolutely NOT. Our animals are on a special diet and the food that you have brought could harm them. Please only give the animals feed that is given to you by the Southland Safari STAFF or from the feed machines located at the petting zoo.
Q: Am I allowed to have friends and family visit while staying in the cabins?
A: We do not allow any outside visitors to enter the cabins/campground, this is for the privacy of our other guest.
Q: Who funds Southland Safari?
A: Southland Safari is family-owned and privately funded. We do not receive financial support from the community or government entities