Camp Verde

Travelers' Takes

Rates and Deals

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

More Photos
cindylou11157
First Reviewer
5 out of 5
Avg. Member Rating
3
Reviews
13
Photos
Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-3 of 3
Editor Pick

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

  • April 16, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Kellie R. from Dallas, Texas
Out of Africa Wildlife Park

Travel just 30 minutes outside of Sedona to Camp Verde and you'll feel like you've been transported to another country. Our visit to Out of Africa Wildlife Park provided us with some once-in-a-lifetime experiences we'll never forget.

While there, we had the chance to pet giraffes and feed them soy biscuits right out of our mouths. (Their ginormous eyelashes literally brushed my face!) Not for everyone, I know, but it's completely optional. Not only that, but we saw an array of animals, including ostriches, tiger cubs, wildebeests, deer, hyenas, and zebras.

The $28 admission ($20 for children) includes two different experiences: the Serengeti safari and the wildlife preserve tour. The Serengeti safari is experienced from a safari-type vehicle called a unimog, while the other tour is conducted on a tour bus which you can dismount occasionally to get closer views of some of the animals. On both the safari and the tour, our park guides were extremely knowledgeable, friendly, helpful, informative, and respectful of the animals.

In fact, our tour was led by Dean Harrison, co-founder of the park along with Prayeri Harrison. The main message I took from him was what a profound respect for and understanding of these animals he had. To hear him describe the animal world in terms that humans can relate to, it was clear that his was a noble cause: to try to bring understanding and respect for animals to the human world.

The park is open Wednesday to Sunday 9:30am to 5pm. (Admission closes at 4pm.) Their website, http://www.outofafricapark.com/index.html, has tons of information and photos.

One helpful hint: make the, umm, "necessary arrangements" for anyone in your group who is squeamish about public restrooms (or in this case, the lack thereof), because the only facilities available at the park are port-a-potties.

From journal Day Trips from Sedona

Editor Pick

Out of Africa Wildlife Park

  • February 8, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by cindylou11157 from Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Out of Africa Wildlife Park

They are called CAREGIVERS, but they are more than that. They are their friends, caretakers, family, and part of their pack. This is the staff at Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

This refuge for exotic animals has no frills, but it has much, much more. The staff is dedicated to saving these animals and making their lives as pleasant as possible.

There are two parts to this park, The Wildlife Preserve and The Serengeti Safari. First we get on board a Mercedes Unimog to take our adventure through the safari. As I was driven through the safari, I realized that this is more than seeing animals. The guide told us stories about each of the animals. One story was about three zebras that are troublemakers and how they had to separate them from the rest of the zebras and a wildebeest. After they put all the troublemakers together with two 20-year-old horses they rescued, everyone lived in harmony. The horses were going to be put down until the staff of "Out of Africa" decided to rescue them. The horses were suffering from seizures until they came to this park. Now the horses will finish out the rest of their lives living in an open natural habitat. Another story was that the ostrich was gored by a sable and is having a speedy recovery. As a matter of fact, he came right up to the unimog to check us out. Each giraffe, zebra, ostrich, and sable, and all the other animals, all have names and stories. These caregivers have a very unique relationship with every creator.

Next we took the wildlife preserve tour. I was very lucky to have Prayeri as our guide. She is one of the founders of this park. I thought I was touched by the stories on the safari tour, but I was even more moved with the preserve. This area mainly has predators or the big cats. Prayeri had a compelling story about each animal; it brought tears to my eyes. I met Eclipse, a black African leopard, and how he survived cancer. The vet suggested putting Eclipse down; Prayeri would not hear of it. The cancer was removed and now he is relaxing on a tree branch just enjoying the day. Soloman, an African lion, was suffering from digestive problems. Prayeri researched his problem on the Internet, came up with something, and now Soloman is cured and on a regular diet. I was amazed how the animals come over when they see Prayeri. Aniko, an artic wolf, acted just like a dog. Prayeri enters the habitat and Aniko jumped up and gave her a big kiss. I enjoyed my visit here ten times more than my visit to The Animal Kingdom in Disney. It might not have all the frills, but this park is like a family of animals living in harmony with humans.

From journal Red Rock Country

Editor Pick

Out of Africa Wildlife Park Tiger Playtime

  • February 8, 2006
  • Rated 5 of 5 by cindylou11157 from Pottstown, Pennsylvania
Out of Africa Wildlife Park Tiger Playtime

Once in a lifetime, I think so. Something you will definitely never forget. Playing with baby tigers was awesome. My husband surprised me with this trip to Arizona, and our trip ended with me having playtime with two baby tigers. Their names are Harvest and Harmony, two Siberian tigers. What a way to finish off an already perfect vacation.

The tigers were brought in from the preserve in an animal carrier to the playtime area. I could hear them purring. The caregivers opened up the door to the carrier and out came two adorable 15-week old tigers, eager to play, and play they did. I was given a toy, a bottle tied to a string, for the tigers to go after. The caregivers told me this was like a big romper room for the animals. It was just unbelievable to be so close to the cubs. Their eyes are piercing, their fur so soft, and their personalities were fun, fun, fun. I loved just watching the two of them play. They really enjoy each others company. At one point, the caregivers tried to pull them apart to play with the toy but the one had the other by the foot and would not let go. It was like they were stuck together with Velcro. At times I was a little intimidated when they both came charging at me to play. The cubs weigh about 50 pouinds each. Playtime with the tigers ending soon, but you will be able to interact with them in splash time, which is coming in June of 2006. Check out the web at www.outofafricapark.com for more information.

If you are in the greater Phoenix area, you must take the 90-minute drive up highway 17 to this park. It is great fun for all ages. Your entry to the park will help feed the animals. Admission is $28 for adults and $20 for children, and I don't think that is a bad price for a day of entertainment. Tiger playtime ran $300 for up to four people in the play area, and the price included admission to the rest of the park. The staff thanked us very much, because this does help keep the park going.

Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Verde Valley Justice Ct. Rd.
Camp Verde, AZ
(928)567-2840
(928)567-2842
Hours: Wed-Sun 9:30am to 5pm

From journal Red Rock Country

Sort by: Most Recent|Positive|Negative|Most Useful
1-3 of 3

Compare Camp Verde Rates

1. Enter travel information

City

2. Select websites to compare rates

Each selected website will open a new window.

Camp Verde Travel Deals