Reserve Royale: A private, behind-the-scenes animal soirée at Hope & Joy Sanctuary

ALVA FARM FIELD GUIDE

Reserve Royale: A private, behind-the-scenes animal soirée at Hope & Joy Sanctuary

An elevated VIP visit in Alva that pairs extended, guided encounters with otters, sloths, capybaras and farm animals with a hosted drinks-and-bites reception—this guide helps you decide if the intimate Reserve Royale Tour fits your plans.

Reserve Royale: A private, behind-the-scenes animal soirée at Hope & Joy Sanctuary.

Duration
2 Hours
Location
Alva
Operator
Hope and Joy Sanctuary
Category
Farm
Robert Eric Crews
Founder & Editor, The Adventure Collective
Published Verified

The Reserve Royale Tour is Hope & Joy Sanctuary’s most exclusive offering: a privately guided, VIP-style visit at Scatter Joy Acres that pairs behind-the-scenes encounters with playful otters and other animal ambassadors with an intimate hosted soirée amid a working petting farm in Alva, Florida.

Highlights

Outing Highlights

THE ENCOUNTERS

Up close with exotic ambassadors

This VIP itinerary is built around extended, personal time with the sanctuary’s animal ambassadors — from sloths and capybaras to curious otters and kangaroos — with knowledgeable animal-care staff on hand to explain behaviors and habitats.

THE ACCESS

Private, curated behind-the-scenes touring

Designed as a fully private experience for your group, the VIP visit offers a slower-paced, deeply curated tour of the full facility led by a knowledgeable zookeeper so guests can connect more intimately with the animals.

THE SETTING

A hosted soirée at Scatter Joy Acres

After the exotic encounters, the experience culminates in a small hosted reception with light drinks and appetizers in the relaxed country setting of the sanctuary’s petting farm, where guests can continue to visit cows, goats, donkeys and even a camel.

What the day feels like

What the Reserve Royale feels like

The Reserve Royale unfolds as a deliberately intimate VIP visit: a private group meets the sanctuary team, spends extended time with a curated roster of exotic and domestic animals, moves through behind-the-scenes areas with a zookeeper, and finishes with a small hosted reception of drinks and light bites in the petting-farm setting.

Suitability

Who it's for

Who this visit suits — and who it doesn’t

1
Adults seeking a private animal encounterThe experience is presented as an exclusive, adult-oriented VIP visit; it’s aimed at guests who want a slow-paced, private tour and close interaction with exotic and farm animals.
2
Couples or small groupsDesigned as a fully private experience for your group, the tour works well for couples or small groups who value privacy, extended interaction and a hosted reception.
3
Animal enthusiasts and photographersWith extended, guided time alongside a range of ambassadors — from otters to sloths and small primates — the tour is a strong match for those focused on animal behavior and photography.
4
Families with older childrenAlthough the offering is described as adult-oriented, booking notes indicate child-age guidance; verify age policies before booking, as there are minimum-age constraints.

Practical planner

Details to review before reserving

Duration

The Reserve Royale VIP visit is listed with a roughly two-hour duration.

Meeting point

The experience begins at the sanctuary location on N River Road in Alva; guests should arrive at the listed meeting address for check-in.

What’s included & cost

The VIP package is a fully private, guided experience that includes extended animal encounters and a hosted selection of light drinks and appetizers; published starting rates begin at about $200 per guest.

Booking Notice

Review cancellation policies before reserving.

Frequently asked questions

Planning Your Outing

How long is the Reserve Royale Tour?

The operator lists the VIP experience at approximately two hours in duration.

Where do I meet for the tour?

Guests meet at the sanctuary location on 19861 N River Rd, Alva, FL 33920 for check-in.

What animals will I see and interact with?

The itinerary includes encounters with sloths, capybaras, otters, kangaroos and special visits with lemurs, bush babies and marmosets; the visit also includes a petting-farm area with cows, goats, donkeys and a camel.

Is food or drink provided?

Yes — the VIP experience includes light drinks and appetizers during the hosted reception portion of the visit, with both non-alcoholic and alcoholic options noted as available.

How much does the Reserve Royale cost and how many people can attend?

Published starting rates are about $200 per guest; availability is intentionally limited to preserve the experience’s intimacy and often requires advance booking.

Are there age restrictions?

Materials describe the offering as adult-oriented and also list age-related guidance; separate notes indicate a child minimum age of 8 years and a headline context that denotes 18+, so verify the operator’s current age policy when booking.