Wild Florida’s Drive-Thru Safari Park lets you explore 170 acres of open Florida wilderness from the comfort of your own car.
This guide was updated in July 2026. Every safari ticket now includes free admission to the separate Gator Park, a bundle worth $15 on its own that many older guides still list as a paid extra. The park is also closed on Sundays, so it’s worth checking your visit day before booking. You can book your ticket in advance through Viator to secure your preferred date.
Quick facts about Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 3301 Lake Cypress Rd, Kenansville, FL 34739 |
| Hours | Monday–Saturday, 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. (closed Sundays) |
| Out-of-state admission | Adult $35, Child (3–12) $25 |
| Florida resident admission | Adult $25, Child $20 (valid FL ID required) |
| Nearest transit | None; a personal or rented vehicle is required |
| Typical visit duration | 45–90 minutes for the drive |
Why book Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari tickets?
- 🏛️ 170 acres of open wilderness: A four-mile trail through untouched Florida landscapes, all seen from your own vehicle.
- 🎟️ Two parks, one ticket: Every Drive-Thru Safari ticket includes free admission to the Wild Florida Gator Park.
- 🌿 150+ free-roaming animals: Giraffes, zebras, bison, watusi and oryx wander freely across the property.
- 📜 Hand-feed giraffes: Stop at the feeding platform after your drive for a $5 close encounter.
- 💰 Unlimited loops: One ticket lets you drive the safari trail as many times as you like in a day.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari opening hours
The park is open Monday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and closed on Sundays. Last entry to the Drive-Thru Safari is at 5 p.m. Reservations can be made by phone Monday to Saturday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. There’s no fixed schedule for the drive itself. Your ticket includes unlimited re-entry, so you can loop the trail as many times as you like before closing.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari ticket prices
| Ticket type | Adult | Child (3–12) |
|---|---|---|
| Out-of-state | $35 | $25 |
| Florida resident (valid ID required) | $25 | $20 |
| VIP Safari Tour (guided, ages 12+, vehicle provided) | $175 per person | — |
Children 2 and under are admitted free. Giraffe feeding at the platform costs $5 per person and isn’t included in the ticket price. Both ticket types include free admission to the Wild Florida Gator Park. Book in advance through Viator to lock in your preferred visit date.
How to get to Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
By car from Orlando, take the Florida Turnpike south to exit 244 for St Cloud, then head east on U.S. Highway 192. Turn south on Vermont Avenue, which becomes Canoe Creek Road, then turn west onto Lake Cypress Road. The park is roughly 30 to 60 minutes from most Central Florida attractions. There’s no public transport to the park, so Wild Florida recommends booking an Uber in advance if you don’t have your own vehicle.
Parking at Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
Parking is available in the on-site lot at no extra charge. No parking fee is mentioned anywhere on the official park information, which is standard for this rural, self-drive attraction.
How long to spend at Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
The drive itself takes 45 to 90 minutes, depending on whether you choose the shorter or longer route. Add giraffe feeding and a stop at the included Gator Park, and most visitors spend two to three hours in total.
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari accessibility
Because the Drive-Thru Safari is experienced entirely from your own vehicle, no separate mobility accommodation is needed for the trail itself. The included Gator Park is wheelchair-friendly, with ground-level exhibits and paths of compacted shell, boardwalk and concrete. Service animals are welcome, though vehicle windows must stay up while on the safari trail, and the animal must be leashed inside the Gator Park. Emotional support animals and animals in training aren’t permitted in either park.
What to see at Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
The Drive-Thru Safari Trail. More than 150 exotic and native animals, including giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, watusi, bison and oryx, roam freely across 170 acres of open landscape.
The Nuisance Alligator Pond. A large gator pond home to alligators relocated with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, now living out a safer life in a natural setting.
Giraffe Feeding Platform. After your drive, stop here to hand-feed the resident giraffes for $5 per person, a highlight for most families.
Wild Florida Gator Park. Included with every safari ticket, this separate 8-acre park is home to over 200 animals and live wildlife shows. Alligator demonstrations run twice daily, at 11 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.
Chomp House Grill. The on-site restaurant serves Florida-inspired platters, including gator and catfish, alongside the signature Swamp Slushy.
Practical visitor tips for Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Bring an enclosed vehicle | Convertibles, motorcycles and doorless Jeeps aren’t permitted; book the VIP Safari Tour if yours doesn’t qualify. |
| Loop the trail more than once | Unlimited re-entry is included, and animals may be more active on a later pass. |
| Time your visit around the gator shows | Live demonstrations run twice daily, at 11 a.m. and 3:45 p.m., at the Gator Park. |
| Book tickets in advance | Advance booking is recommended, particularly to secure a preferred visit date. |
| Bring $5 in cash or card for giraffe feeding | It’s a separate on-the-day charge, not included in general admission. |
Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari FAQ
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Is the safari open every day? | No, it’s closed on Sundays and open Monday to Saturday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. |
| Do I need my own car? | Yes, an enclosed vehicle is required; convertibles and doorless Jeeps aren’t allowed. |
| Is the Gator Park included in my ticket? | Yes, every Drive-Thru Safari ticket includes free admission to the Gator Park. |
| Can I feed the animals during the drive? | No, but you can hand-feed giraffes afterwards for $5 at the feeding platform. |
| How long does the drive take? | Between 45 and 90 minutes, depending on the route and pace you choose. |
Things to do near Wild Florida Drive-Thru Safari
St Cloud’s Lakefront Park is a short drive away, with a splash pad, playground and views over East Lake Tohopekaliga.
Lake Kissimmee State Park offers a short drive to hiking trails and a working 1876 living-history cow camp.
Boggy Creek Airboat Rides gives visitors a short drive to a classic Everglades-style airboat tour on East Lake Tohopekaliga.
Kissimmee’s Old Town is a short drive away, with retro shops, rides and a weekly classic car show.
Osceola Heritage Park offers a short drive to rodeo events, a livestock arena and seasonal fairs.
What to visit tomorrow
Genuine drive-through safari parks are rare in Florida, so options within a comfortable two-hour radius are limited to two.
Safari Wilderness Ranch in Lakeland is about an hour away and offers a reservation-only, self-drive tour through 260 acres of free-roaming exotic animals.
Lion Country Safari near West Palm Beach is roughly two and a half hours away, Florida’s original drive-through safari, with over 900 animals across a four-mile preserve.
More Florida travel
Other Florida travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Guide to the Marine Science Center and Ponce de Leon Inlet Lighthouse at Ponce Inlet.
- How to spend three days in Key West – including the Hemingway Home and Museum, Harry Truman’s Little White House and a cruise to Dry Tortugas National Park.
- Guides to key Miami cultural attractions: Frost Science Museum, Perez Art Museum, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, Graffiti Museum, HistoryMiami Museum.
- Visitor guides to the Lightner Museum, Old Jail, St Augustine History Museum, St Augustine Pirate & Treasure Museum and Oldest Store Museum Experience in St Augustine.
- Guides to the Tampa Bay CityPass attractions, including the Florida Aquarium and Glazer Children’s Museum.
