Wild Animal Safari
Wild Animal Safari
4.5
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
About
Wild Animal Safari - Pine Mountain is nestled between Callaway Gardens and LaGrange in SW Georgia, about 55-60 minutes southeast of Atlanta off I-85 and I-185. Wild Animal Safari opened in 1991 and celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2021-2022. Wild Animal Safari - Pine Mountain was born out of love for animal conservation and education. Visitors to this 500-acre Wild Animal Safari Park can view exotic wild animals through the 3- and one-half-mile Drive-Thru Safari in their own car, or in a safari rental van, or in a complimentary safari bus with a tour guide. on a self-drive or on a group bus tour. Included in the admission price is the Walkabout Adventure Zoo where there are over twenty exotic animal exhibits including spider monkeys, lions, tigers, bears, lemurs, singing dogs, giant tortoises and much more.
Duration: More than 3 hours
Meets animal welfare guidelines
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- Laurie T8 contributionsGoing to have some funThe small zoo was much more than I expected! The drive through portion of the safari was great! Definitely buy at least 2 bags of food! Definitely don’t take your own vehicle-RENT theirs! Best 30-40$ you’ll spend! If it was to rain the day before your trip bring something to sit own or buy a poncho from the gift story. I had to learn this from a bad experience, but still had a great great time! Understand it is an up close experience!Visited December 2023Traveled with familyWritten December 13, 2023
- Cy VOrlando, Florida60 contributionsA Unique Animal ExperienceWe thoroughly enjoyed our visit. We opted to take a tour bus of the safari. Our bus driver Carol was amazing at telling us facts about the animals and the history of the park. She also gave great tips on feeding the animals. We got some fun photos that we will cherish. The bus sat higher that driving our own car or renting a vehicle would have, which I thought worked well for feeding the larger animals. My favorite was the giraffe, who stuck his entire head into the bus several times. The park was recently disturbed by a tornado, so there was still some damage. That being said, I was not as much a fan of the walk-through zoo area. It looks like they are trying to expand that area with new exhibits. However, the charm of the park is the safari where most of the animals free-roam. I wish they had applied that mentality when designing the cages for the walk-through.Visited March 2024Traveled as a coupleWritten March 23, 2024
- Bobbi FAragon, Georgia12 contributionsIt was a blast!We had a great time, but rent the Zebra Van! There is a Ram who's a huge jerk... he will eat the food you give him and then ram your car when you pass him. We saw him do this to 4 vehicles, including ours (luckily, we rented the van). He busted the persons tail light in front of us, who sadly did not rent the van... it was insane 😂 he's a lunatic.Visited April 2024Traveled with familyWritten April 18, 2024
- Guide326133737362 contributionsRented SUV is a must.When we arrived we were taken care of quickly. Received our SUV rental and off we went. We all thoroughly enjoyed driving through the exhibit and laughed so much. The animals do come right up to the vehicle and stick as much of their head in it so you can feed them. We really enjoyed that part of the experience. Didn't really care for the walkabout that much as it's small but I do understand that most of the experience is the drive thru safari. Buy your tickets online because it is a little cheaper. A little pricey but I do realize that there are many animals to take care of. Would definitely do the drive thru safari again.Visited May 2024Traveled with familyWritten May 2, 2024
- Renee NNewnan, Georgia1 contributionA fun girls day!Although I had been here before when my kids were little it was just as much fun as two adults going back. We rented a small van and were able to go at our own pace and feed and interact with so many animals!! I felt like a kid again! My only suggestion to other travelers is to buy more food than you think you will need! It's so hard to resist those cute faces on the drive. All of the staff were also very polite and knowledgeable! I will definitely come again! Thank you so much for a fun day!Visited June 2024Traveled with familyWritten June 6, 2024
- Reese N2 contributionsA Great Opportunity to see wild animals up close and personal!A wonderful experience for kids or adults. We rode the bus through the park and saw so many animals up close and personal -- and to feed them! Our guide was excellent but the speaker system on the bus made it difficult to understand everything he said.Visited July 2024Traveled with familyWritten July 26, 2024
- 165jeanettemLake City, Florida2 contributionsGo, you'll have so much funAbsolutely worth it!!! Enjoyed feeding the animals by hand, they come right up and put their heads in the vehicle. Rent a safari van (book in advance they sell out fast). Buy looks of feed, you'll run out before the end!Visited September 2024Traveled with familyWritten September 2, 2024
These reviews are the subjective opinion of Tripadvisor members and not of TripAdvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
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Samantha J
1 contribution
Feb 2022
I wish I had a warning about this place.
First of all the bison and buffalo were POORLY taken care of. One of them had a missing eye and the other had a missing horn. Both of the wounds were fresh and crusting over with blood. Buy the looks of the horn I'm assuming it got stuck in one of the windows of the vans and got ripped off. Also, we didn't see the giraffe which was the one thing my daughter really wanted to see and then there was one caged camel. The rest were deer and some kind of sheep.
Second, the walk thru pretty bad as well. The enclosures were too small for alot of the zoo animals, and some of them were walking back and forth like they had gone crazy. They were very stressed and so sad to look at.
Third, prices but were too expensive for what you get. It was $60 dollars just to get in and then an extra $40 to rent a van (which only lasted an hour for the drive thru) and pellets. The drive thru didn't have the giraffe which was the one thing my daughter really wanted to see and then there was one caged camel. The rest were deer and some kind of sheep.
First of all the bison and buffalo were POORLY taken care of. One of them had a missing eye and the other had a missing horn. Both of the wounds were fresh and crusting over with blood. Buy the looks of the horn I'm assuming it got stuck in one of the windows of the vans and got ripped off. Also, we didn't see the giraffe which was the one thing my daughter really wanted to see and then there was one caged camel. The rest were deer and some kind of sheep.
Second, the walk thru pretty bad as well. The enclosures were too small for alot of the zoo animals, and some of them were walking back and forth like they had gone crazy. They were very stressed and so sad to look at.
Third, prices but were too expensive for what you get. It was $60 dollars just to get in and then an extra $40 to rent a van (which only lasted an hour for the drive thru) and pellets. The drive thru didn't have the giraffe which was the one thing my daughter really wanted to see and then there was one caged camel. The rest were deer and some kind of sheep.
Written February 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
catk0
Cardiff, UK15 contributions
Jul 2022 • Couples
Our trip started with the woman in the car next to us changing her baby in the trunk, while muttering to her baby that she “wouldn’t change him anywhere near those horrible toilets”. We wandered up to these horrible toilets and were not surprised she didn’t want her baby near them - they were disgusting. With open bins overflowing with bloody tissues, dirty floors and doors, flies eating you alive while you do your business and nowhere to hang your bags and belongings (because you DO NOT want to put them anywhere near the floor), we then strolled over to the ticket station/cafeteria. We were told there would be a 2.5-3 hour wait to rent one of their vehicles which our response was “that’s fine, we’ll pay now and come back in 3 hours”. But no, that would be too easy wouldn’t it? We were told we would have to wait on the premises for this time or risk waiting another 3 hours when we returned, as this is how their waitlist works. They suggested we do the walkthrough zoo (which on their website states takes around an hour - so what do we do for the other two?!) which we declined and left. You cannot honestly expect people to wait for three hours in Georgia heat, so what part of this waitlist makes sense? What’s the difference between me being in the premises or coming back when it’s my designated time? And finally, at $30 per head plus $30 car rental, surely you can afford to maintain toilets that aren’t disease ridden?
Written July 16, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Amber H
Decatur, GA11 contributions
May 2021
We have visited Wild Animal Safari in the past and enjoyed our experience. However, I was very disappointed by my visit this weekend. I was hoping a mostly outdoor experience would be a safe treat for my family, but I was mistaken. If you take COVID safety protocols seriously, skip Wild Animal Safari for the time being.
1. Not a single staff member was masked. Not in the gift shop, not in the ticketing area, not in the van rental space. I did not visit the cafe area so I cannot speak to masking among food service staff.
2. Less than 50% of guests were masked. Normally I would not count this against the business, except there were no signs anywhere recommending masking and masks were not required on the crowded tour bus or inside the areas you are required to enter to purchase tickets or get to the walking tour.
3. There were no limits to the number of guests allowed in any area at any time. The ticketing area was very crowded and there were no reductions in the number of guests allowed on the tour bus to allow for social distancing.
4. If you are COVID-conscious, rent a van. The wait for a rental was 1.5 hours when we visited during a busy part of the day, but we were able to wait it out in the walk about. Here is where I awarded one star, because the van was much cleaner than vans we have rented in the past. I brought my own cleansing wipes since we had children in our party who are not yet vaccinated. Since there are no windows in the van and air is free-flowing, the actual tour through the park felt fairly safe.
In summary, the only acknowledgement that we are experiencing a pandemic from the Safari itself came from a sign in the bathroom recommending hand washing, hand sanitizer for sale in the gift shop, and a sign in the gift shop asking people to social distance when waiting at the register, which was laughable when none of the register staff were even wearing masks. Our family enjoys this park in normal times, but were very disappointed with their lack of concern for staff and guests on this trip.
1. Not a single staff member was masked. Not in the gift shop, not in the ticketing area, not in the van rental space. I did not visit the cafe area so I cannot speak to masking among food service staff.
2. Less than 50% of guests were masked. Normally I would not count this against the business, except there were no signs anywhere recommending masking and masks were not required on the crowded tour bus or inside the areas you are required to enter to purchase tickets or get to the walking tour.
3. There were no limits to the number of guests allowed in any area at any time. The ticketing area was very crowded and there were no reductions in the number of guests allowed on the tour bus to allow for social distancing.
4. If you are COVID-conscious, rent a van. The wait for a rental was 1.5 hours when we visited during a busy part of the day, but we were able to wait it out in the walk about. Here is where I awarded one star, because the van was much cleaner than vans we have rented in the past. I brought my own cleansing wipes since we had children in our party who are not yet vaccinated. Since there are no windows in the van and air is free-flowing, the actual tour through the park felt fairly safe.
In summary, the only acknowledgement that we are experiencing a pandemic from the Safari itself came from a sign in the bathroom recommending hand washing, hand sanitizer for sale in the gift shop, and a sign in the gift shop asking people to social distance when waiting at the register, which was laughable when none of the register staff were even wearing masks. Our family enjoys this park in normal times, but were very disappointed with their lack of concern for staff and guests on this trip.
Written May 3, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
joanie30735
Dalton, GA3,910 contributions
Jun 2020
Was here 11 yrs ago, brought our son. This time came back to bring our daughter. I bought our tickets online, great idea bc the line to get tickets at noon was backed way up (I'd say over an hours wait)! Recommend buying tickets online before going!
Upon arrival we had to park in their overflow parking area about a 4 min walk to the ticket station area. We decided to rent one of their vans for the trip, said about an hour wait, well that turned into over 3 hours!! Yeah, if we'd known this we would not have rented one of their vans!! While waiting we did their walk thru to see the animals, they were pretty active and neat to see. After that you just sit and wait, and wait! It was super, super packed!
So finally around 3:30pm we got our van and started the drive thru, well it was bumper to bumper and the line wasn't moving at all! It took us over 2 hours to get thru! Now remember their rentals do NOT have air, so here we were sitting with it over 90 degrees outside and hardly no wind blowing, inside this van! It was enjoyable until....it started to come a very bad thunderstorm with lots of rain, lightening and thunder! So, the vans you rent do NOT have windows, only bars so we got SOAKED!! Needless to say our daughter didn't really enjoy it, and this time neither did we. It was worth seeing the giraffes and zebras ONLY! Nothing else really stood out!
Oh, and if you decide to use the restroom here, note: it is the Most Nastiest Bathroom I've EVER been in!! There was no 6 foot rule going on anywhere due to the virus (as most other places were)!? This is really a neat place to go, but if its packed turn around and go another day! Our 1st visit 11 yrs ago was WAY Better than this one!
Upon arrival we had to park in their overflow parking area about a 4 min walk to the ticket station area. We decided to rent one of their vans for the trip, said about an hour wait, well that turned into over 3 hours!! Yeah, if we'd known this we would not have rented one of their vans!! While waiting we did their walk thru to see the animals, they were pretty active and neat to see. After that you just sit and wait, and wait! It was super, super packed!
So finally around 3:30pm we got our van and started the drive thru, well it was bumper to bumper and the line wasn't moving at all! It took us over 2 hours to get thru! Now remember their rentals do NOT have air, so here we were sitting with it over 90 degrees outside and hardly no wind blowing, inside this van! It was enjoyable until....it started to come a very bad thunderstorm with lots of rain, lightening and thunder! So, the vans you rent do NOT have windows, only bars so we got SOAKED!! Needless to say our daughter didn't really enjoy it, and this time neither did we. It was worth seeing the giraffes and zebras ONLY! Nothing else really stood out!
Oh, and if you decide to use the restroom here, note: it is the Most Nastiest Bathroom I've EVER been in!! There was no 6 foot rule going on anywhere due to the virus (as most other places were)!? This is really a neat place to go, but if its packed turn around and go another day! Our 1st visit 11 yrs ago was WAY Better than this one!
Written June 15, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jon R
Lawrenceville, United States4 contributions
Jun 2020
Totally unorganized and unprepared.
It was a magnificent failure in crowd control. No staff present to direct the crowd and signage was poor at best. They encourage you to buy tickets online the day before, but this caused an hour plus wait with only a single tent just to get your QR code scanned and then an additional 2 hour wait just to catch the bus after. Meanwhile, walk up tickets had no wait basically.
The safari itself was solid. Unfortunately by allowing people to drive their own cars it causes a massive backup and further delays the buses.
The walkabout was very underwhelming.
Once you are on the safari the kids will enjoy it, but it is a complete waste of time to go out of your way for this.
It was a magnificent failure in crowd control. No staff present to direct the crowd and signage was poor at best. They encourage you to buy tickets online the day before, but this caused an hour plus wait with only a single tent just to get your QR code scanned and then an additional 2 hour wait just to catch the bus after. Meanwhile, walk up tickets had no wait basically.
The safari itself was solid. Unfortunately by allowing people to drive their own cars it causes a massive backup and further delays the buses.
The walkabout was very underwhelming.
Once you are on the safari the kids will enjoy it, but it is a complete waste of time to go out of your way for this.
Written June 18, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Janet S
jacksonville92 contributions
Dec 2021
The drive through animal experience was stupendous. The animals walked up to our car to get you to feed them. I have never been so close to bison, zebras, ostriches and others. We arrived about 11:am and got right in. An early arrival time helps to ensure you can get in. The parking lot is not that big. Check out some of the negative reviews to see what can happen if you come too late in the day esp during the busy season. We bought 2 $5.25 bags of pellets to feed the animals. My grandchildren really enjoyed it. Great fun for adults too. These animals had alot of space to roam.
Now for the not so good--the zoo part was too small for alot of the zoo animals, and some of them were exhibiting stress with pacing back and forth. These days we know cramped quarters are not good for animals from the wild. That is the only reason I didnt give a 5 star rating.
Now for the not so good--the zoo part was too small for alot of the zoo animals, and some of them were exhibiting stress with pacing back and forth. These days we know cramped quarters are not good for animals from the wild. That is the only reason I didnt give a 5 star rating.
Written December 31, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Curious551866
1 contribution
May 2020 • Family
We took our daughter and her friend on Saturday May 16. We arrived around 11:00 (an hour after opening). We purchased tickets online but still had to stand in line to proceed. Their website (which I looked at carefully before deciding to go) stated that only 1 member of each party would be allowed In the ticket area. When we arrived there were people everywhere. I entered the building to redeem the online tickets (an unnecessary step) and there were tons of people inside. All members of groups in line. No social distancing except for the last few feet before you got to the desk where they had the floor taped off. Then there was the walk through- complete disregard for walking through at a safe distance. Traffic passing through in both directions. So then comes the drive through. The vans were already booked for 2 plus hours and despite the website saying there would be no more than 10 people on a bus, the buses were packed. We chose to drive our car through because of this. All in all our kids had fun but there website was completely false in regards to their efforts to keep the public safe. Beware.
Written May 17, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
namvet1946
Sharpsburg, GA9 contributions
May 2020
Only giving this a bad review because they let 3 car lots full of cars in so there was no social distancing at all. To get you own van it was a 3 hour wait after being open only 15 minutes. So you had to take tour bus which was extra fee and there was absolutely no social distancing on that thing. Wasn't even wiped down between tours. You even had to wait in line for 20 minutes to wash your hands afterwards. Intercom was not working on tour bus and it kept stalling 4 times during the trip.
Written May 24, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
chee_ chee_pizza
Thomasville, GA142 contributions
Dec 2019 • Couples
This was our 2nd time there. It isn’t cheep but it is a lot of fun! First, rent one of there vehicles. They are beat up and very dirty but your car could be scratched dented or at least animal spit and drool in it. The animals 🦒 🦓 antelope rain-dear gazelle pigs bison water buffalo all r there to feed. You will have to buy their food for the animals. There is a small walk through zoo. Children would live it. Adults too.
Written January 1, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
TrailBlazer372584
Hilliard, FL2 contributions
Feb 2020
Our trip started out fun because it was funny to watch the animals and the reaction to family members on the receiving end. It soon turned to being sad for the animals that look like they receive minimal or no care. On the ride through the condition of the animals was disheartening. The hair and hides of many looked mangy. I guess the worst was a poor horse with crusty matted up eyes.
The walk through was the absolute worse. The animals were kept in small cages and not appropriate in any way other than to cage them for monetary means. They were pacing back and forth and the smell was horrible. We could not finish the walk around. Toooo sad. The poor wolf was whimpering or crying. The bears were in a small enclosure as was the alligator. All of the monkeys/chimps.......just not in a natural environment.
I will say if you go and rent a van it would be wise to carry something to sit on. The vans are disgustingly dirty. If you don't mind seeing animals out of their environment, in too small for them cages and not healthy looking, this is for you.
The walk through was the absolute worse. The animals were kept in small cages and not appropriate in any way other than to cage them for monetary means. They were pacing back and forth and the smell was horrible. We could not finish the walk around. Toooo sad. The poor wolf was whimpering or crying. The bears were in a small enclosure as was the alligator. All of the monkeys/chimps.......just not in a natural environment.
I will say if you go and rent a van it would be wise to carry something to sit on. The vans are disgustingly dirty. If you don't mind seeing animals out of their environment, in too small for them cages and not healthy looking, this is for you.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Wild Animal Safari
1300 Oak Grove Rd.
Pine Mtn., Ga. 31822
800)367-2751
Written January 14, 2021
If online booking is closed will I be able to purchase tickets at the gate? This place is 2.5 hours away and I do not want to make the drive if I will not be able to enter the park.
Written September 6, 2020
Unless they are sold out or closed for event. I would call to make sure before you drive.
Written September 6, 2020
The drive around the loop takes an hour and then maybe an hour to walk around the other animal enclosures. 3 hours tops in total.
Written August 24, 2019
They sell food for you to purchase $6 a bag and $21 for 4 bags check online they may have discounts available but you have to purchase a day ahead
Written June 26, 2019
Do the animals do damage to your car if you drive your own car?
Written June 4, 2019
It is highly possibly. The smaller deer and goats will jump on your vehicle. The buffalo and other larger animals will ram your vehicle. I highly recommend renting one of their vehicles.
Written June 5, 2019
Do they give discounts to college students
Written April 28, 2019
Hi,
The normal price is $26.95 , You can save when You purchase online a single admission ticket for $23.49 , You can pick up tickets at the gate - the ticket must be purchased at least the day prior to Your arrival at the park. Tickets must be used within one year of purchase. Tickets are not for a specific date, therefore they are good anytime during normal operations. Online tickets cannot be combined with other offers , such as AAA and Military discounts. I hope this helps You. Have a great trip and enjoy !!!
Written April 29, 2019
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