Giraffe Ranch, Dade City: Address, Phone Number, Giraffe Ranch Reviews: 5/5
Giraffe Ranch
Giraffe Ranch
5
About
Go on a high-quality, guided safari on a working exotic game ranch in Tampa Bay, Florida.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.
Popular mentions
5.0
485 reviews
Excellent
432
Very good
26
Average
4
Poor
9
Terrible
14
MelJo777
Parrish, FL16 contributions
Sep 2020
What a delightful experience. We pulled up to the gate about 15 minutes prior to our entry time. At the exact entry time a young man rolled up on a Segway to let us in. He was actually our tour guide.
We followed the young man on the Segway thru the working ranch. He guided us to stopping points to view the animals in different areas while he gave info about each. He made sure that we had time in each area to take photos and just view the beautiful animals.
The ranch is exceptionally well kept. One can tell that the animals are well cared for, loved, & respected. It was refreshing to see the habitats were not only large enough but they appeared happy.
The giraffes, of course, were the highlight. They new the drill. :) They waited as the guide got some tree branches that he placed into the fence in front of our vehicle. It kept the giraffes in front of the vehicles long enough for us to get some great photos and to observe the beauty of these magnificent creatures. I will say though, laughingly, when they are done with the branches, they don't hang around, lol! :)
The tour was exactly an hour long. We enjoyed ourselves so very much and the hour flew by. We did not opt for any of the additional things after the tour, such as feeding the Lemurs, etc. (Extra fee).
I will say that we cannot wait to return again.
This is a low key adventure and a working ranch. Different than other drive thru safari type places but in my opinion so much better.
I highly recommend Giraffe Ranch!
We followed the young man on the Segway thru the working ranch. He guided us to stopping points to view the animals in different areas while he gave info about each. He made sure that we had time in each area to take photos and just view the beautiful animals.
The ranch is exceptionally well kept. One can tell that the animals are well cared for, loved, & respected. It was refreshing to see the habitats were not only large enough but they appeared happy.
The giraffes, of course, were the highlight. They new the drill. :) They waited as the guide got some tree branches that he placed into the fence in front of our vehicle. It kept the giraffes in front of the vehicles long enough for us to get some great photos and to observe the beauty of these magnificent creatures. I will say though, laughingly, when they are done with the branches, they don't hang around, lol! :)
The tour was exactly an hour long. We enjoyed ourselves so very much and the hour flew by. We did not opt for any of the additional things after the tour, such as feeding the Lemurs, etc. (Extra fee).
I will say that we cannot wait to return again.
This is a low key adventure and a working ranch. Different than other drive thru safari type places but in my opinion so much better.
I highly recommend Giraffe Ranch!
Written September 14, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Howard R
Lexington, KY1 contribution
Jan 2021 • Friends
Did the Camel Tour. Everything here is small groups, and the staff show great passion for their work. Our group of 6 had the owner for our tour guide and 3other handlers, so the expense was understandable and at the end of the day, it was a good value. Make a reservation, there’s no just driving up on a whim fir this experience.
Written January 24, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Jordan K
3 contributions
Oct 2020
Giraffe Ranch was such an amazing experience. We did the Segway Tour and we did the tour with the owner of giraffe ranch. Being so close to the animals was amazing, you can tell the animals are so well taken care of. We did the lemur and giraffe feeding which was amazing. Wish we did the otter feeding too but we will have to try that next time. I would 100% recommend Giraffe Ranch to anyone who loves animals and wants wants a very different experience than what a zoo has to offer. Cant wait to go back :)
Written November 6, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Don
1 contribution
Mar 2022 • Couples
Running late for our booked experience ( as a result of faulty satnav and no mobile signal, we were eventually contacted by a staff member who I suggest needs to attend a PR course as soon as possible. Because we were late we were told in no certain terms that we had missed the start of the tour , there was no refund or rebooking ( not that we asked for one ) and their time was very important to them. This contact left us completely shocked and upset. So much so that we turned around and went home. I hope our $ 282.50 comes in handy for them to provide some customer relations training. Wouldn't rebook here if it was the last wildlife zoo in USA.
Written March 30, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Savana B
1 contribution
Jan 2022 • Solo
Very poor customer service, they take several weeks to get back to you by phone and refuse to help you with any changes or edits you may need to make to your order. DO NOT book here if there is any uncertainty in your travel plans AT ALL. They will not accept any changes to time or date.
Written January 4, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Ruth M
Zephyrhills, FL33 contributions
Feb 2020 • Friends
On February 9 I took four friends to The Giraffe Ranch which is about 7 miles north of Dade City on Michler Road.
I've been doing this for years and everyone has enjoyed the experience especially hand feeding grapes to the lemurs. It's a must to do that. Those beautiful little creatures will wrap you around their tiny, delicate fingers so fast! You'll never forget the experience.
Then you'll go out on one of the safari trucks to hand feed branches of leaves and wedges of cabbages to the giraffes. They are magnificent gentle giants. All the while before leaving on the trek and during the trip you'll be treated to hearing fascinating information about the giraffes and other animals from the owners, Lex and Elena. You'll enjoy seeing the herds of animals, the rhino, camels, ostriches, zebras ... so many.
I highly recommend going on one of their adventures.
I've been doing this for years and everyone has enjoyed the experience especially hand feeding grapes to the lemurs. It's a must to do that. Those beautiful little creatures will wrap you around their tiny, delicate fingers so fast! You'll never forget the experience.
Then you'll go out on one of the safari trucks to hand feed branches of leaves and wedges of cabbages to the giraffes. They are magnificent gentle giants. All the while before leaving on the trek and during the trip you'll be treated to hearing fascinating information about the giraffes and other animals from the owners, Lex and Elena. You'll enjoy seeing the herds of animals, the rhino, camels, ostriches, zebras ... so many.
I highly recommend going on one of their adventures.
Written February 11, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for the kind words, especially about the add-on lemur feeding, which is always a guest favorite! We hope to welcome you back soon, or to our sister property Safari Wilderness in Lakeland, located halfway between Tampa and Orlando!
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Linda L
St. Petersburg, FL113 contributions
Nov 2020 • Friends
The owner and tour guide gave a fascinating safari tour, which allowed us up-close views of the animals he manages at the ranch. The giraffes, camels, and ostriches were incredibly significant to see. However, there were zebras, deer, tapirs, rhinos, hippos, and more. It is well worth the ticket cost to see these beautiful animals and hear how they thrive.
Written November 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
T. MacK
Maple Ridge, Canada47 contributions
Mar 2020
A great wildlife experience. A small five acre ranch with various African animals. We were lucky to be on a small tour and had extra opportunity to feed the animals. If the tour was full, we wouldn't have had the same experience. High priced, but it's not cheap taking care of large/exotic animals. We did the otter feeding, lemur feeding and rhino feeding. The rhino feeding was by far the best part of the experience. Remember though, we were on a small tour, so we had extra time with each of the animals. For example, I was the only person on the otter feeding. I would recommend taking the camel tour or one of the smaller tours over the truck tour should the truck tour be 50% full or more. Time with the animals was what really made the experience for us. We wouldn't have had that if the truck was full.
Written March 29, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for taking the time to share your experience and for giving us a five-star review! To clarify for the rest of our TripAdvisor community, all of our tours are small group tours, and during COVID-19, we are even offering a new drive-thru safari tour to accommodate those who feel safer in their own vehicles. Now is a great time to get out in nature and enjoy a safe, family-friendly and upclose animal encounter!
Written June 28, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
erichlaumer
Sarasota, FL104 contributions
Feb 2020
We went with AllAround BUS Tours out of Venice Florida. The trip was excellent.
The owners of the Giraffe Ranch worked in Zoos before, so they are very knowleable on how to care for their animals. The Giraffes are kept in two fenced areas, so there is no inbreeding. The safari bus takes you to the fenced in areas and the giraffes come to the bus to get the cabbage you are allowed to feed them, and come face to face. They are very freindly. In the wide open areas you have other animals like Zebra, a zebra mix, (their guard Donkey had his way with a Zebra when he managed to escape the area he was supposed to be guarding). So you will see a donkey with Zebra stripped leggs. There are African species of which there are only a handful left in the world, and hopefully these can multiply. They also have a rhino, warthogs. ( You can go on a camel ride, or interact with Lemours and feed them for a fee). They also have free range chickens, they explained how free range eggs don't have to be kept in the fridge. You will come away with a new understanding of these wonderful animals and gain an undersatnding of how many species we have lost. We had a great time! Well worth the admission. Yes they also have a gift shop.
The owners of the Giraffe Ranch worked in Zoos before, so they are very knowleable on how to care for their animals. The Giraffes are kept in two fenced areas, so there is no inbreeding. The safari bus takes you to the fenced in areas and the giraffes come to the bus to get the cabbage you are allowed to feed them, and come face to face. They are very freindly. In the wide open areas you have other animals like Zebra, a zebra mix, (their guard Donkey had his way with a Zebra when he managed to escape the area he was supposed to be guarding). So you will see a donkey with Zebra stripped leggs. There are African species of which there are only a handful left in the world, and hopefully these can multiply. They also have a rhino, warthogs. ( You can go on a camel ride, or interact with Lemours and feed them for a fee). They also have free range chickens, they explained how free range eggs don't have to be kept in the fridge. You will come away with a new understanding of these wonderful animals and gain an undersatnding of how many species we have lost. We had a great time! Well worth the admission. Yes they also have a gift shop.
Written February 10, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Thank you for taking the time to write such a detailed review, and thank you, All Around Bus Tours, for bringing us such special guests! We hope to welcome you back soon. Or you may want to check out our sister attraction, Safari Wilderness, which features other kinds of animals and safari types, including an all-new ATV safari!
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
Payton S
1 contribution
Feb 2020 • Family
We went on the premium Giraffe Encounter which was $1300 for 4 people to feed the giraffes for 30 minutes. We couldn’t pet them or feed other animals with out additional charges. We were charged in addition over $100 to feed otters 2 handfuls of fish. We thought it was way over priced for what you get and the owners were not particularly friendly. The monkey enclosure was small and rows of long cages which was sad to see. This isn’t something we would do again.
Written February 23, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
To clarify this review for the rest of the TripAdvisor community, this guest received a gift certificate for a premium giraffe encounter for four. Their group had the privilege of a private, hand-feeding of our herd, including a special experience of seeing two moms with their calves. The group elected to leave early, so they did not receive the full vehicle safari, during which they would have experienced other animal encounters. The additional otter feedings they chose were not covered in the gift certificate.
We take great pride in providing high-quality, small-group animal encounters, unlike those found at theme parks or zoos. We encourage all guests to call us in advance to have a better understanding of how we are different and what to expect from their tour.
Written March 8, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of TripAdvisor LLC.
sdzon
Pittsburgh, PA51 contributions
Would really love to come visit with my husband. But $75 per person is a bit much. Good Lord.
Tom D
Winter Haven, Florida32 contributions
The cost you pay is to help them maintain their animals and their property for the animals.
We did the excursion where we were able to feed the Giraffes and while it was a good bit more than $75.00 per person, we left feeling like we got our money’s worth and are planning our return trip already.
world_traveler0888
New York City, NY687 contributions
Is the custom vehicle safari $120 per person? Any discount for kids under 5?
Denise M
Bridge of Weir, UK121 contributions
this is described as a working game ranch. Does this mean that the animals are raised for hunting. If not what does Game Ranch mean. I dont want to go anywhere that supports hunting
CauzIsaid
95 contributions
NO!! This is a working ranch. They have animals that they take care of each day. There is nothing hunted on this sanctuary.
JzTz2013
Tampa, FL263 contributions
My 85 year old mother would like to tour with us. It this facility walker or wheelchair accessible? Are there courtesy wheelchairs?
jwwagnersr
Winter Haven, FL17 contributions
Tour is in a bus. Must be able to climb up steps into the bus, rocky trip
Parisgirl2018
22 contributions
How are these animals acquired?
Brian S
Portland, ME4 contributions
They usually just find them wondering around the mall
666lcfirestone
Delray Beach, FL
what is the nearest hotel
angelri2016
Chicago, IL17 contributions
We stayed at the Sheraton in Tampa.
666lcfirestone
Delray Beach, FL
Do u give senior discount?
How will I know if I will actually feed a giraffe
Thank you
HollyTulsa
Tulsa, Ok.12 contributions
I don’t know about the Sr discount, but we were all able to feed a couple of giraffes. Once they warmed up to us, all but one of them came over for food. I guess it’s impossible to say for sure that they will come to the fence to eat, but we fed about 3 of them, with no problem. You can also feed other animals, but they are an added cost. My niece fed Lemurs and LOVED it. And I paid to feed the Rhino, who was very sweet & excited for his watermelon. For him you have to be willing to basically put your whole hand in his mouth & get a little slimy, so may not be for everyone. I thought it was a really cool experience! We had lots of fun there!
We would like to do a tour and also add in a lemur feeding. Is there time restraints for the add-ons or can you do them at any point through out the day?
DDHinthorn
Huntington, IN14 contributions
You can add them the day of your tour.
Frequently Asked Questions about Giraffe Ranch
- Hotels near Giraffe Ranch:
- (6.78 mi) Hampton Inn Dade City - Zephyrhills
- (6.55 mi) Hampton Inn Brooksville Dade City
- (6.21 mi) Microtel Inn & Suites By Wyndham Brooksville
- (2.21 mi) Sawmill Camping Resort
- (2.01 mi) Pasco Motel
- Restaurants near Giraffe Ranch:
- (5.46 mi) Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant
- (5.75 mi) Kafe Kokopelli
- (9.23 mi) Papa Joes Italian Restaurant
- (9.70 mi) Pancho's Villa Mexican Restaurant
- (5.82 mi) Lunch On Limoges