Experience Wild Fun with Houston’s Safaris
Looking for a wild adventure in Houston? Try a safari! While there are technically no safaris within the city limits, there are some hidden gems worth exploring right outside of town.
It’s the perfect activity if you want to see some wildlife or have little ones who love animals. We’ve tried just about all of the ones near the city, so we’ll take you through our top picks for them today!
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Website: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Address: 2299 Co Rd 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043, United States
Contact Info: +1 254-897-2960
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM
Prices: Starting at $29.95 per pax
Distance From Houston: 4 hours
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center spans over 1,700 acres of natural Texas ranchland. We like taking the special VIP tours because we get to feed some giraffes!
While driving around the park takes a few hours, there is much more to do. For example, you can try checking out their photo workshops.
Fossil Rim also has 14 tours, and plenty of cool lodging options for those wanting to stay overnight.
Pro Tip:
- Don’t just focus on the big animals like giraffes and rhinos. Keep an eye out for the smaller critters too! If you’re lucky, you may catch the adorable prairie dogs popping up from their burrows or the curious foxes peeking out from behind bushes.
Franklin Drive Thru Safari
Website: Franklin Drive Thru Safari
Address: 4324 W Hwy 79, Franklin, TX 77856, United States
Contact Info: +1 979-828-5256
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Prices: Starting at $20 per pax
Distance From Houston: 2 hours
Experience the thrill of hand-feeding giraffes, monkeys, and zebras up close and personal like we did at Franklin Safari.
When we went, we had a great time feeding the zebras in particular! While it tickled at first, the feeling of their soft lips gently taking food from our hands was definitely an Instagram moment.
Pro Tip:
- Be careful not to roll down your windows too far – some of them might try to stick their heads inside your car!
Aggieland Wild Animal Safari
Website: Aggieland Wild Animal Safari
Address: 18075 FM974, Bryan, TX 77808, United States
Contact Info: +1 979-599-5440
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 4 PM
Prices: Starting from $20 per pax
Distance From Houston: 1 hour & 45 minutes
At Aggieland Wild Animal Safari you can interact with over 80 different animal species, from zebras to ostriches. We recommend their guided safari tours, as they’re pretty well-done, in our experience..
Of course, if you’d rather drive solo, you can do so too. If you have little ones, you may want to check out their animal encounters exhibit and walkabout adventure zoo.
Pro Tip:
- Arrive early for the best chance to feed the animals and avoid crowds later in the day!
Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari
Website: Cherokee Trace Drive Thru Safari
Address: 1200 Co Rd 4405, Jacksonville, TX 75766, United States
Contact Info: +1 903-683-3322
Hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 10 AM to 4 PM
- Sunday: 1 PM to 4 PM
Prices: Starting at $18.95 per pax
Distance From Houston: 3 hours
This safari park allows you to get up close and personal with exotic animals like camels, kangaroos, and bison. Don’t forget your camera—you’ll definitely want to capture the moment when a camel pokes its head through your window!
But if you want to stretch your legs, they have an animal petting zoo where you can feed and interact with friendly critters. We’ve gone before and it’s quite fun even for adults!
Pro Tip:
- Make sure to bring plenty of snacks for the ride! The park offers food bags for purchase, but it’s always nice to come prepared.
Exotic Resort Zoo
Website: Exotic Resort Zoo
Address: 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, TX 78636, United States
Contact Info: +1 830-868-4357
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 5 PM
Prices: Starting at 15.95 per pax
Distance From Houston: 3 1/2 hours
Get up close and personal with some of the most magnificent animals on the planet. From zebras and giraffes to ostriches and emus, you’ll be immersed in their natural habitat and witness firsthand how they live and interact.
Pro Tip:
- Book a VIP tour for an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at how they care for their amazing animals.
Grapeland Safari
Website: Grapeland Safari
Address: 13440 US-287, Grapeland, TX 75844, United States
Contact Info: +1 936-687-5292
Hours: Monday to Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Prices: $7 per pax
Distance From Houston: 2 hours
Whether you want to see majestic lions lounging in the sun or curious giraffes coming right up to your car window, this safari has got it all.
If you really want to make the most of your visit, we recommend arriving early in the morning when the animals are most active. Plus, you’ll beat the crowds and have more time to snap pics of those adorable baby animals before they take their mid-day naps.
Pro Tip:
Make sure to bring some extra cash. They have a petting zoo where you can feed and play with the adorable goats and other farm animals!