LAKELAND GUIDED TOUR FIELD GUIDE
Up Close and Wild: A Custom Vehicle Safari Across Lakeland’s 260-Acre Wilderness
A guided, customized safari truck tour that delivers close-up feeding encounters with zebras, camels, lemurs and other exotic species—this guide explains what to expect on Safari Wilderness Ranch’s flagship experience.
Up Close and Wild: A Custom Vehicle Safari Across Lakeland’s 260-Acre Wilderness.
On Safari Wilderness Ranch’s Custom Vehicle Safari Tour, you ride in a covered, stadium‑seated truck across 260 acres of naturalistic habitat to watch large herds of exotic hoofstock and endangered species, then disembark for a guided walk that includes a free‑flight aviary, a mammal house with lemurs and a petting‑zoo barn.
Highlights
Outing Highlights
Close‑range encounters with exotic hoofstock
Expect sightings and close encounters with species such as zebra, Defassa waterbuck, camels, red lechwe, nilgai and Watusi cattle; the tour’s layout and herd sizes create frequent viewing opportunities.
Customized safari trucks with stadium seating
Guides lead the trip from customized safari trucks that feature stadium seating and full canvas shade, with feeding opportunities offered directly from the truck for close animal interactions.
Guided walk‑around aviary, lemur house and petting barn
After the drive, a guided walk allows visitors into a free‑flight aviary, a mammal house housing lemurs and other species, and a petting‑zoo barn for hands‑on experiences.
What the day feels like
What the tour feels like
You board a shaded, stadium‑seated safari truck and traverse acres of open, naturalistic habitat while guides point out large herds and endangered species and offer feeding opportunities from the vehicle; the vehicle portion is followed by a guided walk that brings you into the aviary, mammal house and petting barn for closer encounters.
THE HERDS
Close‑range encounters with exotic hoofstock
Expect sightings and close encounters with species such as zebra, Defassa waterbuck, camels, red lechwe, nilgai and Watusi cattle; the tour’s layout and herd sizes create frequent viewing opportunities.
THE VEHICLE
Customized safari trucks with stadium seating
Guides lead the trip from customized safari trucks that feature stadium seating and full canvas shade, with feeding opportunities offered directly from the truck for close animal interactions.
THE CLOSE‑UPS
Guided walk‑around aviary, lemur house and petting barn
After the drive, a guided walk allows visitors into a free‑flight aviary, a mammal house housing lemurs and other species, and a petting‑zoo barn for hands‑on experiences.
Suitability
Who it's for
Who this tour suits—and who should reconsider.
Practical planner
Details to review before reserving
Tour length is 2 hours 30 minutes.
Tours are conducted from customized safari trucks with stadium seating and full canvas shade; feeding from the truck is part of the experience.
All guests, regardless of age, are required to purchase a ticket; unauthorized animals are not permitted anywhere on the premises and guests may not drive their own vehicles through the property.
Review cancellation policies before reserving.
Frequently asked questions
Planning Your Outing
How long is the Custom Vehicle Safari Tour?
The tour runs for 2 hours 30 minutes.
Can I bring my pet or other animals?
No—unauthorized animals are not allowed anywhere on the premises, including the driveway and parking lot.
May guests drive their own vehicles through the property?
No—all tours are guided and guests may not drive their own vehicles through the property.
What animals will I see on the tour?
Guests can expect close encounters with species such as zebra, Defassa waterbuck, camels, red lechwe, nilgai, Watusi cattle and more, plus walk‑around experiences with lemurs and free‑flight aviary birds.
Is the experience suitable for children?
Yes—the tour is described as a family‑friendly wildlife experience; note that all ages must purchase a ticket.
Will I have the chance to feed animals?
Yes—feeding opportunities directly from the safari truck are included as part of the guided tour.