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Experience Wild Fun with Houston’s Safaris 

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! 

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