This morning Ryan and I drove out to Dade City to go on a safari in Florida!
Several months ago I bought a Groupon (<—affiliate link!) for two tickets to the Giraffe Ranch in Dade City, Florida. Neither Ryan nor I had ever heard of the Giraffe Ranch before, but when we visited the ranch’s website and read more about it, we became more and more intrigued.
The opportunity to feed a giraffe? The chance to go on a mini safari to see zebras and rhinos up close? As big-time animal lovers, a visit to the Giraffe Ranch sounded like something we’d really enjoy, so I bought two tickets and reserved a spot back in January for this weekend. (Weekend spots fill up fast!)
The ranch was located around 90 minutes from our house and we were told to arrive 15 minutes before our 11 a.m. tour time. We left a little after 9 a.m. and arrived 10 minutes early which gave us a chance to explore the ranch a bit and check out some of the adorable animals.
Most of the animals were quite curious (or they just hoped we had food) and we had a fun time talking to them and laughing at their funny antics.
The ranch is located on 47 acres of lush pastures and wetlands and is family-owned and operated.
Our tour began with an informative session about the animals on the ranch. I love learning about animals, so I really enjoyed the talk.
After the talk, those who purchased a ticket to feed the lemurs were able to feed the lemurs little bites of fruit which was so fun to watch. One of the mama lemurs carried her twins around on her stomach and back which was so adorable. Everyone fell in love with the little lemurs!
Though the babies were obviously quite cute, my favorite lemur was this guy who was much more chill and preferred to spend his time meditating.
He cracked me up!
Eventually it was time to hop in the safari tour vehicles for a ride around the ranch to see the bigger exotic animals.
The ostrich were wide-eyed and hungry! They came right up to the vehicle and wanted some grub!
Feeding the giraffe was definitely a highlight.
It took some time for them to feel comfortable approaching our vehicle and we all had to be sure to keep still and not make any sudden movements.
Their long tongues touched our hands as we fed them leaves and cabbage. It was so, so cool!
As the mini safari continued, we saw warthogs, zebra, pigmy hippos, rhinos and more.
Our guide did a great job of teaching us about the animals and sharing funny anecdotes about some of his favorite animals on the ranch. We left the ranch raving about our experience!
It was a great way to spend a Saturday!
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Hahaha that ostrich, that is too awesome.
I adore the zoo, I wish we had one out here! The best we have is a petting zoo, not quite the same.
Looks like so much fun!
As soon as I saw your blog title, I got SO excited! I have a slight(not really, it’s actually huge!) obsession with giraffes! They just crack me up and have a special place in my heart as my all-time-favorite animal. I like to think that a four year old drew a picture of some ridiculous thing, a creature with a elongated neck, dexterous tongue, polka dots, and stubby horns, handed it to God, and He said, “What the hell, why not!” and made them. It seems like the only plausible explanation for how creative they look ;). I’m so jealous you got to see them up close!
Ha! I love this!!
That’s so cool! Sounds like such fun!
This is SO cool! And the little baby lemurs are so cute!
There’s something similar to this about an hour, hour and a half away from my house. But instead of riding in safari vehicles, you basically just drive around in your car and animals may or may not approach you. I’ve never been, but it sounds awesome!
This looks like a lot of fun! And awesome that it was relatively close to home!
How fun! I love all of the animals. The little lemur’s hanging on tight are really funny. I didn’t know they did that.
that looks like so much fun!
Going on a safari is my ultimate vacation dream! This sounds like such a good idea to sort of make it come true!!!
I once saw a baby lemur at the zoo that was only like a month old. It was beyond adorable. Sounds like a great experience!
What I would give for that experience! Giraffes are my favorite and that seems like such a fun day(: hope it was as fabulous as it appears to have been!
Thats awesome! Some of my in-laws were there today as well, they said it was so fun too!
Aww! Looks like you guys had a blast! I love doing things like that. Maybe I’ll check it out since I live in Florida too 🙂
What a cool day date!!!
Oh my gosh!! I am so jealous!!
Uh, this is awesome! What a great date idea. I fed a griaffe some crackers at the zoo once. Their tongues are so weird!
What awesome photos! Don’t giraffe’s and ostrich have the most beautiful eyes? But that little piggy’s picture just stole my heart! Looks like you had a great day!
Oh I just love animals…Wish there was something closer to where we lived like that because I know my little boy would love that too. He’s 2 1/2 now so I think this summer we are definitely going to try a zoo trip 🙂
I live near Dade City but have never been to the ranch. I really want to go now!!
That looks like so much fun Julie! My hubby took me to Australia Zoo for my birthday last year here in Australia where we live (the zoo Steve Irwin’s family run), it was amazing! A little far away for you I know but you will have to google it at least 🙂
As part of my job as a teacher I took 20 sixteen year olds to Africa on a school trip last Summer (yeah I know, tough right?!) and I was so excited about seeing giraffes on safari, but we were in a part of Africa that didn’t have giraffes. 🙁 Really sad. We did get to see lots of awesome animals like hippos and elephants and crocs though!
Those lemurs are too cute! That is awesome you got to feed the giraffes too 🙂
Very cool that you can have that experience so close to home! Animals are the best. 🙂 I had to go all the way to Kenya to get my safari experience haha.
This is great! I’ve been to the zoo once and loved it. Not much for safari animals up in NH! But I must tell you, you inspired me to run my first 5K yesterday! There was a VERY large hill that I was not prepared for but otherwise it was a great experience and I had so much fun! I can’t wait to do the next one.
This looks like SO much fun. My husband and I live in south Alabama and they have a zoo in Gulf Shores that has tiger encounters which he took me too a few years back, and we also got to play with baby kangaroos 🙂 Not quite a safari and its a small zoo but it was still fun. I’m pretty sure I like animals more than people ha!
I was just wondering what kind of camera you have? I read your blog and your travel photos are FANTASTIC! I go out of the country a lot but never feel like my photos are that great!
I LOVE giraffes! They’re so cool! This sounds like a a great time! Love your pics!
This looks so awesome! You get so close to the large animals. I would love to get that close to a Rhino. The next time I’m in Florida I’m going to make it my business to check this place out. Thanks for the post 🙂
How fun to feed them!!!
My family went on safari a few years ago in Tanzania and it was absolutely incredible. We obviously didn’t get close enough to any of the animals to feed, though. It was probably the best vacation I have ever had.
I did also get to go to an elephant reserve where we got to feed the elephants and I went to a lion reserve where I got to pet and play with 3 month old lion cubs!!!
giraffes are so cute!
This looks awesome! Are the animals bought and held here, or is there a rescue story behind why they came? I was just wondering. We did something similar on a trip to the Dominican Republic. We fed and explored with rescued monkeys. Very cool!
This looks so fun! I didn’t even know something like this existed! Such a fun day date!
This sounds so fun!!
have you seen this video of a little girl meeting a camel?? oh my gosh it is SO funny!!!! the camel like goes crazy and almost gets inside the car!! and the parents stay calm through the whole thing!! here is a like but you can also find it from googling “little girl meets camel” http://holycuteness.com/2013/04/30/baby-girl-meets-camel/
This looks awesome!!! It looks pretty clean from the pictures, but did it appear that the animals were well taken care of and that their pens were large enough for them? I’m always curious about places like this, but fear that they do it more for the people and less for the animals! I’d definitely consider a visit to Giraffe Ranch if you say it looks like an ethical place!!
Cute pics! Also your red little purse is super cute, where is that from?
What fun! I love how funny the giraffe’s lips/mouth look when they’re going in for the food. It looks like they’re puckering up for a kiss heheh.
That looks like so much fun! That monkey sitting on the other monkey’s back reminds me of the video “baby monkey riding on a pig”!
Omg what a fun trip! Josh and I would love this!
That is so cool! I’ve been somewhere similar in Arizona. Who knew that giraffe’s had those crazy long purple tongues? Theyre so silly looking.
How fun! I would love to do something like that!
Love that up close shot of the giraffe!
What a fun day!! Those giraffes are adorable!
I am so jealous that you got to feed a giraffe amazing experience! I love love love animals they are such beautiful creatures! I have to look and see if my group on has something similar, it is the perfect weather to visit the zoo! Happy you had a great time! Love + Shine Courtstar
Animal pictures are a great way to start a Monday 🙂 I laughed out loud at the meditating lemur!
How cool! Looks like they take good care of the animals. I think the LA zoo just had a baby giraffe born, it is SO cute!
-AJ
FitTravelerAJ.com
omg. that looks like such an amazing experience!! 🙂
i would love to feed a giraffe one day!
Aww!! So cute! Today I went and played with a baby lion and tiger at Single Vision, INC in Melrose, FL. I know you’re fairly close to there and it was DEFINITELY worth the 45 minute drive from Gainesville. You should check it out! They were so adorable and playful 🙂