Lions, tigers, bears, oh my! Imagine seeing these types of creatures all from the comfort and safety of your own car. In Florida’s sweltering heat, no matter what time of year, walking around outside to see your favorite animals could practically induce heatstroke. But getting to see animals close up with air conditioning blasting and your favorite tunes playing is far superior. Zoos are out, and drive-through safaris are in. Especially at Lion Country Safari in Florida. Here’s everything you need to know before visiting.
This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
What is Lion Country Safari?
Growing up in South Florida, one of my favorite activities was going to Lion Country Safari. Lion Country is a drive-through safari park where you bring your own vehicle and view animals from the comfort of your car, much like you would on an African safari. There you’ll see lions, rhinos, ostriches, zebras, wildebeest, and more. There’s also the option to rent a vehicle for $10.
There is also a more typical zoo setup that you can enter after the drive-through portion. Inside the zoo area, you’ll find a petting zoo, an array of animals, and my personal favorite, the giraffe feeding area. There’s a deck you can stand on to get up close and personal with the giraffes while you feed them. There’s also plenty of human food to be found. You can dine at a variety of restaurants and stands throughout the park.
Where is Lion Country Safari?
Lion Country Safari is located in West Palm Beach, Florida. It is about an hour and a half from Miami, for those more familiar with that area. The Lion Country Safari address is 2003 Lion Country Safari Rd, Loxahatchee, FL 33470.
Is Lion Country Safari Safe?
Yes, Lion Country Safari is safe. Despite the fact that many of the animals can come up to your car, being enclosed in it means you get closer access to the animals without the danger of getting hurt. Just make sure your windows are rolled up when the animals get close! We did have an incident of an ostrich pecking at our car once. But it didn’t do any damage and honestly was just a really funny encounter. Also, the animals that you’d likely be most afraid of, such as the lions, are still behind a fence, providing even more distance and security.
Is Lion Country Safari Ethical?
Lion Country Safari has AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accreditation. This means that it maintains a high level of care for the animals. The park practices conservation efforts and prides itself on being an educational establishment. It’s not just a tourist destination! It’s a place to learn more about a variety of animals. There’s also a great veterinary staff on-site to regularly check in on the animals’ welfare.
The Best Time to Visit Lion Country Safari in Florida
As we mentioned before, the perk of the drive-through safari is that you can stay cool while seeing the animals, even in the warmest months. But some of the animals are more likely to be hidden in the shade during the summertime. Visiting in the other seasons makes it more likely that you’ll see the animals roaming about or lying in plain sight. We especially like visiting in the first few months of the year when the weather is cooler. As far as time of day goes, early morning and late evening are the best times to visit. Animals are more active during these times, as they’re also the cooler points of the day. You’re also more likely to escape some of the crowds at these times.
Lion Country Safari Hours
You can visit Lion Country Safari year-round. Their hours stay the same throughout the year, from 9:30 am to 5 pm. But do note that the drive-through safari park closes at 4 pm. So we recommend starting with the drive-through before going to the zoo section.
Who Lion Country Safari is For
Lion Country Safari is a treat for visitors of all ages. Going through the toddler tantrum phase? Enjoy plenty of privacy in your vehicle while seeing the nearby animals. Have a physically impaired or older relative with you? No problem! They can enjoy seeing dozens of species from the comfort of the car. It’s excellent for families and those with young children because of the drive-through element as well as the children’s area inside the zoo. One of my favorite parts of visiting as a kid was running through the sprinklers and going down the slide at Lion Country Safari water park. This also helps the kids beat the heat on a particularly hot day!
How Much Does Lion Country Safari Cost?
Lion Country Safari tickets are $54.99 plus tax per person. Children ages 3-9 are $43.99 plus tax. Children two and under are free. We think this cost is worth it for all the lion safari offers.
Pro Tip: Visit Monday-Thursday for a special discount. Tickets on those days are about $5 cheaper per person.
You can get $25 off your booking on TripAdvisor with the code BOOK25 if you book before 1/31/26.
VIP Experiences
If you’re willing to pay a little bit of a premium, you can get even more out of your Lion Country Safari visit. Some of the VIP activities include giraffe painting (where the giraffes create a picture for you!), a VIP tour with a knowledgeable guide, a toddler petting zoo encounter, and a zoo patrol game where you have to solve puzzles to “save” an animal.
We hope this post encourages you to spend your next family outing at Lion Country Safari in Florida for an immersive animal experience you and your family won’t forget.
For more animal encounters, check out our post on the Cage of Death croc encounter!
