Lion Country was founded in 1967 as the first drive-through wildlife preserve in the country. Their habitat provides a means for visitors to observe endangered or threatened species including: Southern White Rhinoceros, African Elephant, Chimpanzee, Brazilian Tapir, Siamang, White-handed Gibbon, Blackbuck, Brown Pelican, and Cinereous Vulture.
When you first arrive, you pay your ticket price and get a complimentary cassette or CD to guide your tour of the preserve. An informational pamphlet and map is also provided. The tour takes you through each of the sections of the preserve providing information about the animals and playing background music.
The preserve is divided into seven sections:
Las Pampas: South American Grasslands
Ruaha National Park: African wilderness
Kalahari Bushveldt: Southwest African plateau
Gir Forest: Indian National Park
The Gorongosa: Northern Mozambique wildlife area
Serengeti Plains: East African wildlife area
Hwange National Park: Western Zimbabwe Reserve
You drive at your own pace on a two-lane dirt road. Be aware that you can go through the safari again for free at the end of your trip (we found different animals moving and engaged in different activities each time). We had a rhinoceros walk right next to the car. They are HUGE. Chimpanzees are kept separated from the vehicles by water-filled canals so you can see them interacting with each other without worrying about them doing damage to your vehicle. At the end of the tour, you can park and visit the petting zoo, gift shop, cafeteria, and walk-through animal sanctuary. Before departing, you return the audio tour tape. We found a lot of fun souvenirs for the kids in the gift shop. Prices were pretty reasonable.
Ticket prices:
Adults (ages 10 and over): $17.95
Seniors (ages 65 and over): $15.95
Children (ages 3 through 9): $13.95
Children 2 and under: Free
Parking (per vehicle): $3.00
I suggest getting an Entertainment Card for the Palm Beach area and you can save the price of several adult tickets (worth buying the book for that savings alone!)
Note that convertibles are not allowed. Rental vehicles are available at the front office for cars and minivans seating up to eight people for $8 and 15-passenger vans for $15 per 1.5 hours.
Hours:
Open every day of the year--
Vehicles admitted: 9:30am-4:30pm
Park closes: 5:30pm
Lion Country Safari is located in West Palm Beach, Florida, 20 miles west of downtown.