Last Updated On – 7th September, 2025
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Houston has a wilder side, filled with amazing animals you can see up close without even leaving your car! That’s right, I’m talking about drive-thru safaris, where lions, tigers, and giraffes aren’t just pictures in a book.
The drive through safari near Houston showcases awesome places like the Franklin Drive Thru Safari, Fossil Rim Wildlife Center, and the Grapeland Safari!
So, buckle up because here are our top choices to visit for your next safari Houston, TX adventure!
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.
Also, check out our articles on Best Indoor Playgrounds in Houston, Best Dog-Friendly Restaurants in Galveston, and Free and Cheap Things to Do in Houston with Kids!
Drive Through Safari Near Houston – Under 3 Hours From Houston
Franklin Drive Thru Safari
Imagine an adventure where zebras peer curiously into your car and giraffes gently pluck lettuce from your hand. Yep, this has happened to me! At Franklin Drive Thru Safari, this is the everyday experience.
Just a short trip from Texas’s major cities, this sprawling 100-acre park invites you to journey through winding roads, where over 500 animals roam freely. The highlight for many is the opportunity to feed the animals from the comfort of your own vehicle, creating unforgettable, close-up moments.
For an even more personal experience, you can try the special “baby room” where you can interact with playful young animals.
Where: 4324 W Hwy 79, Franklin, TX 77856
How Far: 2 hours and 14 minutes
Operating Hours: Daily: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: Entry Price FREE for children under 2 years old; $20 per person | Group of 30+ $20 (Free Tour and Food)
Aggieland Safari
Image Credit: Aggieland Safari FB Page
Have you ever wanted to share a moment with a capybara or get a selfie with a curious giraffe? Aggieland Safari offers this and so much more across its expansive 250-acre park.
In this drive through safari near Houston, the experience is a two-part adventure: a scenic drive-thru safari and a walk-around zoo.
From the comfort of your car, you’ll journey through three distinct habitats, encountering over 100 species, with zebras, bison, and llamas approaching for a personal greeting. Then, you can explore the Walkabout Adventure Zoo, a wonderland of lemurs, monkeys, and exotic birds.
Where: 18075 FM974, Bryan, TX 77808
How Far: 2 hours
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: CLOSED | Thursday – Monday: 9 am – 5 pm
Cost: $25 – $30 for safari | $35 – $40 for walkabout zoo | $125 for family four pack
Drive Through Safari Near Houston – Under 4 Hours From Houston
Rocky Ridge Drive-Thru Safari
This sprawling 200-acre park in Eustace offers an intimate, self-guided journey where over 25 unique species roam freely, waiting to greet you. One pound of feed is already included with your admission, so you already become a main attraction to the gentle giraffes, curious bison, and playful llamas roaming your path.
If you’re looking for a laid-back, yet truly engaging drive through safari near Houston, this is one I always recommend. After your adventure, be sure to swing by the safari center for a souvenir to remember your incredible wildlife experience.
Where: 3350 FM1256, Eustace, TX 75124
How Far: 3 hours
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Wednesday: CLOSED | Thursday – Monday: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: FREE for 2 years & younger | $14.95 for kids 3-12 years old | $18.95 for adults | $16.95 for 65 years & older
Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari
Image Credit: Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari FB Page
Spanning 300 acres just outside Jacksonville, Cherokee Trace Drive-Thru Safari invites you on an expedition through its natural, open habitats, designed to resemble the native lands of its residents. Here, you can observe, feed, and photograph an incredible array of exotic and endangered species, from majestic Watusi cattle and shaggy Highland cattle to graceful antelopes and towering camels.
A pound of animal feed is included with every ticket, ensuring you can interact with the friendly fauna at your own pace.
Where: 1200 Co Rd 4405, Jacksonville, TX 75766
How Far: 3 hours and 17 minutes
Operating Hours: Monday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Sunday 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Cost: $14.95 for children 3 – 12 years old | $ 19.95 per adult | $17.95 per senior (65+ years old)
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch
Image Credit: Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch FB Page
This sprawling 450-acre haven is home to over 500 animals from more than 40 different species. As you navigate the six miles of winding roads, you’ll be immersed in their world, observing majestic rhinos, graceful giraffes, and curious zebras roaming freely.
But the adventure doesn’t stop with the drive. You can also explore the Walk-A-Bout area, where you can visit the petting barnyard and marvel at the primates on their very own Lemur Island. For a truly unforgettable experience, I suggest considering a private VIP tour for an up-close encounter.
Where: 26515 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd, San Antonio, TX 78266
How Far: 3 hours and 24 minutes
Operating Hours: Daily: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $31.99 per adult; $21.99 for children 3 – 11 years old
Texas Zoofari Park
Step into a truly massive wildlife sanctuary at Texas Zoofari Park, where over 1,200 rare and endangered animals from across the globe roam freely across 900 sprawling acres.
From the comfort of your vehicle, you’ll be treated to up-close encounters with a spectacular array of species, including rhinos, bison, and Grevy’s zebras. You can even feed them.
Once you’ve completed your journey, head over to the Safari Village to stretch your legs, get a personal encounter with a giraffe, or simply enjoy a picnic amidst the wildlife.
Where: 9773 Farm to Market 429, Kaufman, TX 75142
How Far: 3 hours and 38 minutes
Operating Hours: Daily: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Cost: Free for kids under 2 | $21.95 for kids 2 – 12 | $23.95 for seniors (65+) | $25.95 for adults
Exotic Resort Zoo
Image credit: Exotic Resort Zoo
From a single baby elk named Dottie, I know, how cute is that, to a sprawling sanctuary for over 600 animals, Exotic Resort Zoo is a true labor of love. Established by a couple who were captivated by the beauty of the Texas Hill Country, this independently operated park now spans 137 acres and is home to more than 45 exotic species from around the world.
You can choose your own adventure here: hop on a guided tractor-trailer tour for up-close encounters, or explore at your own pace in your private vehicle. The animals, from camels to zebras and kudu, are known to eagerly approach for a chance to be fed and petted.
For a truly immersive experience, the park offers eight safari-style cabins, each with a private petting zoo and unlimited drives included.
Where: 235 Zoo Trail, Johnson City, TX 78636
How Far: 3 hours 30 minutes
Operating Hours: Daily: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $15.95 for children 2 – 12 years old | $17.95 for seniors (60+) | $19.95 for adults
Topsy Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari
Embark on an interactive adventure at Topsey Exotic Ranch & Drive Thru Safari, a family-run gem in Central Texas since 1988. As you navigate the three-mile loop, you’ll be surrounded by a diverse collection of exotic animals from six continents, roaming freely across a 250-acre preserve.
Beyond the drive-thru, guests can explore a walk-around area with a petting zoo and enclosed species like monkeys and kangaroos.
Where: 945 Co Rd 118, Copperas Cove, TX 76522
How Far: 3 hours and 38 minutes
Operating Hours: Daily: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Cost: $12 for kids 3 – 12 | $14 for seniors (62+) | $16 for adults
Drive Through Safari Near Houston – Under 5 Hours From Houston
Busy B Ranch Wildlife Park
Spanning over 125 acres of picturesque East Texas landscape, this park offers an unparalleled drive-thru safari adventure where you can get up close with over 50 species of native and exotic animals. From the gentle mini Highland cows to the unique sight of kangaroos, every turn offers a chance to feed and observe these incredible creatures from the comfort of your own vehicle.
But the fun doesn’t stop there. Busy B Ranch also hosts seasonal events like “Zoo Boo,” and for a truly unique experience, you can book an educational encounter with animals like two-toed sloths.
And for those who want to truly unwind, the ranch offers cozy log cabin rentals on private lakes, making it a perfect drive through safari near Houston that doubles as a serene country getaway.
Where: 1100 W Prospect Rd, Jefferson, TX 75657
How Far: 4 hours 30 minutes
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Thursday: CLOSED | Friday – Monday: 10 am – 4 pm
Cost: Starts at $10
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Image credit: Fossil Rim Wildlife Center
Since the early 1980s, Fossil Rim has been at the forefront of breeding programs for endangered species, celebrated for its remarkable success with cheetahs and scimitar-horned oryx, among others.
Home to over 1,000 animals from 50 different species, including majestic giraffes, rhinos, and zebras, the center offers a truly unique educational and immersive experience. Beyond being just another drive through safari near Houston, it is a living classroom and a vital sanctuary dedicated to protecting the planet’s most vulnerable creatures.
Where: 2299 Co Rd 2008, Glen Rose, TX 76043
How Far: 4 hours and 19 minutes
Operating Hours: Daily: 8:30 am – 4:30 pm
Cost: Public Guided Tour FREE for children under 3 years old; $44.95 per person | Self-Guided Drive FREE for children under 2 years old; $24.95 for children 3 – 11 years old; $29.95 per person
North Texas Safari Park
Journey with me just north of Dallas to discover a hidden gem of the wild at North Texas Safari Park. This charming drive through safari near Houston adventure invites you to navigate winding roads through picturesque pastures and woodlands where a menagerie of exotic and native animals roam free, from majestic bison and camels to graceful antelope and a variety of deer and birds.
Where: 2920 US-82, Bonham, TX 75418
How Far: 4 hours and 46 minutes
Operating Hours: Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 am – 3:30 pm
Cost: Free for kids under 2 | $20 for kids under 12 | $25 for adults
FAQ: Drive Through Safari Near Houston
- How long does a drive-through safari typically take?
Most drive-throughs take around 1 to 2 hours for a full loop. For example, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours - Do I use my own car, or can I ride in a safari vehicle?
Most parks require you to drive your own enclosed vehicle, though some may offer guided safari vehicle tours for an upgraded experience. - Are convertibles, motorcycles, or open-top Jeeps allowed?
No. Only fully enclosed vehicles with solid doors and windows are permitted. Motorcycles, convertibles, soft-top Jeeps, or vehicles with open parts are generally prohibited. - Can I exit my vehicle in the drive-through area?
Absolutely not. Guests must remain inside their vehicles with doors closed at all times for safety. - Am I allowed to feed the animals—and what methods are safe?
Yes, feed buckets provided by the park are allowed. Only feed animals using these approved buckets and follow park feeding zones; do not hand-feed or use outside food. - What if it rains—are the safaris still open?
Yes. Parks like Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch stay open rain or shine, though heavy rain may affect animal visibility as they seek shelter. - When’s the best time of day to visit?
Morning visits tend to be ideal. Animals are more active, and the crowds are lighter. Arriving early (around opening) can enhance your experience.
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