Unique Safari Experience Just Over An Hour From Augusta

It's been in the works for many years, and we just recently learned that the Georgia Safari Conservation Park is now open. It's a 530 acre park located at 1761 Monticello Highway, Madison, Georgia. Their website says it's "where the grasslands of Africa meet the hills of Georgia."

When I moved to the Augusta area over 7 years ago, we discovered a bit of a "backroads" route between where we were living to our new home in North Augusta, South Carolina. It has become a route we use routinely to visit family back home and also every other weekend to take my stepdaughter back and forth. Throughout the years, we've seen the signs about the Georgia Safari Conservation Park and were wondering when it would finally open.

I can't quite remember if the signs for the safari were up in the earlier days of our trips back and forth. But I can say the @gasafariconservationpark Instagram account was created back in April of 2019 with the first post going up on April 11th, so it's been at least 5 years in the making. According to that first post, the plan was to open in 2020. But it appears that the pandemic affected their original plan. A comment from the account said the pandemic pushed their schedule and the plan was then to open in Fall 2022 or Spring 2023.

I'm not quite sure what the delay was, but I can tell you, the Georgia Safari Conservation Park is now open. Strangely though, we didn't even know it had opened. When driving by, we didn't notice any "Now Open" signage, just a "Safari Entrance" sign. It took a Google search to realize they officially opened on June 1, 2024.

As an animal lover, I am already planning my visit to this safari. What I thought was really unique and interesting about this park is that not only can you take tours, they also have lodging. You could completely immerse yourself in a fun, exotic adventure right here in Georgia.

The park has two different lodging options: a private suite inside the state-of-the-art giraffe and rhino barn or a fully furnished, private safari tent. These accomodations will give you a unique and extraordinary view of the animals.

As for tours, they offer a Guided Safari Tour, Safari Wild Encounters, and Private VIP Tours. The tours are said to mimic "a true African game drive." You'll see wild, exotic animals, and get up close with the giraffe and rhino and the guides will teach you about the diversity of the animals.

In addition to giraffe and rhinos, the park also has zebras, ostriches, buffalo, elands, tortoises, and more.

According to the website, the safari plans to expand their offerings with night safaris, additional lodges and glamping, a full service restaurant, a small animal interactive area, and more.

The goal of the Georgia Safari Conservation Park is "inspire in others a greater understanding, appreciation, and connection to the natural world." They also want to create fun and engaging encounters and support conservation efforts in the wild. Learn more about their mission HERE.

It's been many years, but I do remember visiting another place in Georgia that features a variety of animals. That's the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia. They offer a drive-thru safari you can do in your own vehicle, or you can rent a vehicle or ride their bus with a guide. They also have animal encounters and a Walkabout Adventure Zoo with Bengal tigers, African lions, monkeys, and more. This one is a bit further away though. It's going to take over 3 hours to get there.

Address: 1300 Oak Grove Road, Pine Mountain, GA

There's also Eudora Wildlife Safari Park. I've never been here, but have heard from people that have. Since it's in Aiken County, I really should make an effort to check it out, since I'm a huge animal lover. This one is just over an hour from the Augusta area. This is a drive-thru safari experience with over 300 exotic animals to check out. There's also an enclosed petting zoo.

Address: 219 Salem Lane, Salley, SC

Visiting the zoo gives you a chance to get up close and personal with all sorts of animals. You can see creatures that might be super rare or hard to find in the wild. You can witness their behaviors, study their physical features, and gain a deeper understanding of their natural habitats.

Some may even say zoos are like schools because they teach us about wildlife conservation and the environment. You can check out cool displays, take guided tours, and listen to talks that raise awareness about protecting endangered species and keeping our planet healthy.

And you can’t forget that going to the zoo is a great way to spend time with family and friends. People visit zoos to get in touch with nature, learn about wildlife, have fun, and be part of something bigger by supporting conservation.

Here are ten zoos you should visit at least once.

The Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has a huge variety of animals from all over the world, like elephants, primates, colorful birds, and even marine life. You can get up close and personal with these incredible creatures and learn about the importance of conservation. They have interactive exhibits and fun programs that teach you about wildlife and how to protect it. You can explore underwater habitats and see stunning marine species, from vibrant coral reefs to graceful sea turtles. Visitors can walk through what the zoo calls the world's largest indoor desert and the largest indoor rainforest in North America. And if you don’t feel like walking back from the exhibits, you can take a steam-powered locomotive that circles around the 130-acre park.

The Denver Zoo is home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 450 species. They offer a schedule of exciting and interactive events, including close encounters with animals and diverse cultural performances. Kids can even join the thrilling 'Bunk with the Beasts' overnight stay, featuring up-close visits with animals, along with a pizza dinner, snack, and breakfast. Outside of the zoo, their Field Conservation and Emergency Wildlife Response teams work to safeguard species from threats like habitat loss and human encroachment.

The Toledo Zoo & Aquarium is home to 720 species and houses more than 10,000 individual animals. It places a strong emphasis on conservation, actively participating in over 80 species survival programs. The zoo hosts the popular Toledo Zoo Lights event during the holiday season and collaborates with research institutions. Visitors to the Toledo Zoo & Aquarium can try their hand at the Expedition Africa Aerial Adventure Course. They also have the opportunity to feed a variety of animals, including giraffes, goats, and alpacas.

Zoo Atlanta provides something for everyone, whether you prefer a relaxed walk through the African Savanna or an immersive experience in The Ford African Rain Forest. It's home to more than 1,000 animals representing more than 200 species from around the world, with many of them endangered. Visitors can see a variety of animals including gorillas, monkeys, and an array of reptiles and amphibians. Also, you'll get a chance to see giant pandas, naked mole rats, clouded leopards, and other animals in the Asian Forest.

Established in 1868, the Lincoln Park Zoo stands out as one of the few remaining free-admission zoos in the United States. They have a diverse animal population of over 1,200 animals that you can see through the zoo’s self-guided tours and interactive activities. It includes encounters with seals, polar bears, and penguins. It's must-see attraction is the Regenstein Center for African Apes, which houses chimpanzees and gorillas.

Spanning across a 100-acre site, the San Francisco Zoo serves as a sanctuary for over 1,000 wild animals representing more than 250 species. Notably, it holds the distinction of being the birthplace of Koko the gorilla, an iconic figure in primate communication studies. The zoo is home to several major exhibits, including the African Savannah featuring reticulated giraffes, and the Primate Discovery Center housing black howler monkeys, chimpanzees, macaques, mandrills, and more. Visitors can explore the Cat Kingdom, home to Indian rhinoceros, hippopotamus, African lions, snow leopards, Sumatran tigers, and even anacondas.

Zoo Knoxville is famous for a couple of amazing achievements. Back in 1978, they made history by breeding the first two African Elephants ever born in the Western Hemisphere. Zoo Knoxville has bred more endangered red pandas than any other zoo in the world. It also plays a significant role in the conservation of endangered tortoises through its leading breeding efforts.

The Smithsonian National Zoo sits on 163 acres in the heart of Washington, D.C.’s Rock Creek Park. Founded in 1889, the Zoo is currently home to more than 2,700 animals representing more than 390 species. Like all Smithsonian museums, admission is free. A popular feature of the zoo is its endangered giant pandas which include adults Tian Tian and Mei Xiang and one-year-old Xiao Qi Ji. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the zoo with the Animal Adventure Guide or spend some time chatting with the animal keepers at the Great Ape House. You can also get up close and personal with the American farm animals at the Kids’ Farm.

The San Diego Zoo was established in 1916 and is home to a remarkable collection of animals. With over 12,000 animals representing more than 650 species and subspecies, there is a lot to see and explore. You can encounter fascinating creatures like red pandas, African elephants, and bonobo apes during your visit. One such experience is the "Inside Look" program, which gives you a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the daily life of the zoo. Another must-try is the Skyfari aerial tram, where you can enjoy a bird's-eye view of all the different habitats in the zoo.

The Bronx Zoo occupies more than 265 acres. Within this space, there are over 10,000 animals for you to encounter. Plan to spend a whole day there. They offer a range of experiences, such as the Treetop Adventure, where visitors can enjoy ziplining through the trees. You can also visit the zoo's Butterfly Garden and witness over a dozen types of butterflies among meadow flowers and nectar trays. You don't want to miss the Congo Gorilla Forest or the Wild Asia Monorail.