KENANSVILLE, Fla. — Wild Florida Adventure Park took its Drive-thru Safari experience to a whole new level in 2021, doubling the attraction from 85 to 170 acres and expanding its safari trail from two miles to four miles.
The major expansion opened to the public on June 14, 2021, giving visitors even more opportunities to encounter exotic and native animals from the comfort of their own vehicles at the Osceola County attraction.
Along with doubling the size of the safari, Wild Florida expanded several of its existing animal herds. The park added wildebeest, water buffalo, Watusi cattle, eland antelope, Brahman cattle and zebra, building on a population that already included more than 150 animals.
The expansion also welcomed five additional Highland cattle, two camels, three ostriches and an all-white elk, with plans at the time to eventually introduce additional species including gemsbok, kudu and springbok.
“We’re thrilled to expand our Drive-thru Safari in more ways than one this summer,” said Sam Haught, co-owner of Wild Florida. “Not only will it be incredible to grow our existing herds and give them a more authentic environment they would normally have in the wild, but to also showcase this diversity of species to guests from the comfort of their own cars.”
The expansion represented another major chapter in the growth of Wild Florida, which opened along Lake Cypress in Kenansville in 2010.
Wild Florida began with airboat tours and a 14-acre Gator Park, with a focus on introducing visitors to Central Florida’s natural environment and wildlife. The addition and subsequent expansion of the Drive-thru Safari broadened that experience, allowing families to travel through large open areas populated by animals representing species from around the world.
At the time of the expansion, Drive-thru Safari admission was $31 for adults and $22 for children, with discounted Florida resident pricing of $22 for adults and $17 for children. Admission to the Gator Park was also included for guests purchasing an airboat tour, Drive-thru Safari admission or an animal encounter.
More than simply adding acreage, the 2021 expansion helped transform Wild Florida’s Drive-thru Safari into the experience visitors know today — 170 acres, a four-mile journey and an opportunity to encounter an impressive collection of animals without ever leaving the car.
Through its continued growth, Wild Florida has remained focused on wildlife education and its mission of protecting, conserving and enhancing Florida’s diverse ecosystem for future generations.
