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Macaroni Kid Adventure: Safari

3 Houston Area Safaris To Attend With The Family

By Sonia Sanchez June 29, 2016

Find the hidden treasures of the Houston-area and take your family on a safari-like trip close to home. You can get guided tours and private parties at some of the following three locations:

Photo Credit: TGR Exotics Wildlife Park

 

  1. TGR Exotics Wildlife Park in Spring, Texas

You can get up close and personal with up to 100 different animals of over 25 different species. Some of the animals include a bengal tiger, a lemur, a red kangaroo, a warthog, and many more. Check out their online calendar at www.tgrexotics.com to find “open to the public” dates for tours. All tours are guided, walking tours that will last approximately an hour and a half, and are on a first come first serve basis. For your safety, closed-toed shoes are required for the tour. It is also important to note that not all animals will be on display on all dates.

 

You can even schedule a private party at TGR Wildlife Park! Your guests will enjoy a guided tour, and you can choose from either an entire indoor climate-controlled jungle room or outdoor to be close to animals. Outdoor parties can include fire pits for guests to sit by the fire making chocolate smores.The choice is yours!

 

TGR exotics is the creation of Troy and Gwen Scott. All of their animals have been raised hands-on which brings out their own unique personalities.

 

TGR Wildlife Park

22115 Sherrod Lane

Spring, TX 77389

281-771-3700

 

Photo Credit: Bayou Wildlife Zoo

 

      2. Bayou Wildlife Zoo in Alvin, Texas

This is one of only four open-range animal zoos in the state of Texas in which the animals it obtains roam freely across their 80 acre habitat. You will get a safari-like adventure throughout the park. When you finish you can relax at a picnic shelter, take your kids to the petting zoo, or browse the souvenirs in the gift shop.

 

Their zoo holds more than 500 different animals and birds from 60 different species. Their petting zoo is home to pigs, goats, deer, and various of other types of baby animals. Walk in to pet them or purchase a bucket of food to feed them.

 

This zoo also welcomes all kids under 90 pounds to participate in a pony ride! One of the staff members will lead your child on a very tame, medium-sized pony on a three-minute-walk around the fence of their riding ring.

 

Admission for adults in $20 plus tax and for children ages 2 - 11 years old is $10 plus tax. Contact them for group rates, and note that  for methods of payment they only accept cash or check. No credit cards will be accepted.

Over the years, zoo owner, Clint Wobston, has been developing his private animal reserve which he then turned into a zoo open to the general public.

 

Bayou Wildlife Reserve

5050 FM 517 Road

Alvin, TX 77511-1828

281-337-6376

 

Photo Credit: Franklin Safari Drive Thru

 

     3. Franklin Safari Drive Thru in Franklin, TX

Guided tours are available upon request at this location and group discounts are available if you are planning to have a party or field trip. They have a gift shop, drinks and snacks that are available for purchase, and shaded picnic tables available for picnics with the family. They also have a small play area, bounce house, and petting zoo.

 

They open at 9 am, check in the last car at 5 pm, and close the gates at 6 pm. They are open 7 days a week, but if the weather is bad call before you come to make sure they are still open. Admission is $10 per person and children under 2 years old are free. They have recently opened their new baby room, which admission will be $10 per person as well. Contact them at franklinsafari@aol.com or visit their website at www.franklinsafari.com for more information.

 

Franklin Safari Drive Thru

4324 Hwy 79 W

Franklin, TX 7786

979-828-5256


These trips might be a long road trip from where many of you live, so plan accordingly. Consider lodging nearby the locations depending on what might be best for your family, and enjoy your safari adventures close to home in the Houston area!