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What is Wild Florida?
Wild Florida is a family-run animal park located in Kenansville, FL. It's just under an hour south of the major theme parks in Orlando. At Wild Florida, you can find several things to experience from airboat rides to a gator park, as well as a drive-through safari park.
Where is Wild Florida located?
Wild Florida is situated in Kenansville, FL, which is just under an hour south of the major theme parks in Orlando.
What are the main attractions at Wild Florida?
Experience 100,000 Acres of Protected Swamp on the Airboat Ride
There are four different tours to choose from: a 30-minute tour, an hour tour, a one-hour private tour, and a one-hour private evening tour.
The two most popular are the 30-minute tour and an hour tour. The tours start every morning at 9 a.m. and run until 4:30 p.m.
For a full list of tour options and updated ticket prices, click here.
If you want to add the airboat ride to your day, I highly recommend the 9 a.m. tour if you're going in the summer, and noon if you're going in the winter to see most animals.
Wildlife is harder to see as the day gets hotter, and Florida often gets thunderstorms around 2 p.m. in the summer, so booking earlier in the day is best.
The airboat tour covers the 100,000 acres of protected swamp, marshes, and rivers at the headwaters of the Florida Everglades. So, you'll get a front-row seat to see wildlife in their native habitat, including alligators, birds, turtles, and more.
We did the 30-minute tour at 9 a.m. on our visit, and it was a really fun experience. Our captain was very knowledgeable and pointed out several spots to see gators and other animals.
On our tour, our captain took us to an area where he knew a mother gator was located. We got a little too close and she hissed at us as we made our way by her.
He did make sure to turn off the engine so that we wouldn't disturb her and the babies too much, which I appreciated. Even though floating slowly by a hissing momma gator was a little unnerving!
After the Airboat Ride, Don't Miss the Gator and Wildlife Park
If you purchase a tour to either the airboat ride or the drive-through safari, included in your ticket is a visit to the Gater and Wildlife Park that you won't want to miss! This park features several exotic animal species, species native to Florida, and three live shows throughout the day:
Exotic Animal Show
The Exotic Animal show is a 15-minute show where you’ll meet some of Wild Florida’s residents like the:
“Red” the Boa Constrictor.
“Blue” the blue-tongued skink.
...and “Fluffy” the alligator.
The trainer will walk around so you can get a closer look. Make sure to be in the front row if you want the chance to pet any of them.
Crusher Show
Crusher is the biggest alligator at Wild Florida and is over 14 feet long and 1,000 pounds. His show demonstrates how well-trained he is, and it's really impressive. It's definitely a show you won't want to miss!
Gator Feeding Show
During the Gator Feeding Show, you'll watch alligators and crocodiles jump for an afternoon snack. I was amazed at how surprisingly high out of the water they can jump considering how big they are!
During the show, you'll get to learn how the trainers train the alligators without the use of binding. It's pretty impressive. I know I couldn't do it!
Other Animal Encounters
If you love alligators, you'll want to visit the various enclosures. This includes the gator pond, that you see below.
There is also the gator fishing pond that holds the park's teenage gators.
They also have enclosures for albino gators...
...as well as crocodiles!
If you're looking for a little less intimidating feeding experience for the kids, they have a walk-in aviary to feed birds.
They also have a petting zoo to feed goats....
...as well as this adorable baby pig!
Hawk Swamp Trail
If you have time, I highly recommend taking a quick walk on their Hawk Swamp Trail. On this, you'll find these beautiful cypress trees. And even if the swamp is dry, the trail is still a beautiful experience.
Exotic Animals
Towards the front of the park, you'll see exotic animals like snakes, the African crested porcupine, wallabies, lemurs, and more.
There are also several sloth enclosures, and you can participate in add-on experiences like the sloth encounter, giraffe painting, dining with Crusher, and close encounters with lemurs and capybaras.
What are the dining options at Wild Florida?
If you are staying in the park for a while and looking for a bite to eat. Wild Florida has the Chomp House where you can find a hot meal, drinks, or a frozen treat.
What is the Drive-Through Safari at Wild Florida?
After visiting the gator-park we headed to the Drive-Through Safari. At Wild Florida's Drive Through Safari, you can see more than 150 native and exotic animals that roam freely and takes about an hour to drive through.
Note: You need to have a top on your vehicle; convertibles with the top down and motorcycles are not allowed.
Pro Tip: You'll want to use the bathroom before heading into the safari as it can take an hour or more to drive through, and has no stops.
Summer Tip: Animals may be harder to see during the hottest part of the day, as they seek shade to stay cool.
Feeding the Giraffes
One of the biggest highlights of the drive-through safari for me was feeding the giraffes. You'll find the giraffes at the very end of the safari and you can get out and feed them for $5 for 3 pieces of lettuce.
You'll want to have your phones and cameras ready before approaching the platform because the experience can go quick! However, this was one of my favorite experiences that I had at Wild Florida. Both times I have done this there has been a queue, but don't let that deter you. The line goes pretty fast and it's a fun experience.
How much does it cost to visit Wild Florida?
Ticket prices vary for different experiences. Check the Wild Florida website for the most up-to-date prices and to book your tours and encounters.
Tips for Visiting Wild Florida
Book Early: For the best wildlife viewing and to avoid summer thunderstorms, book airboat tours for the morning.
Stay Hydrated: Bring water, especially during the summer months.
Explore All Areas: Don’t miss out on the Gator and Wildlife Park, Hawk Swamp Trail, and the Drive-Through Safari.
Check the Schedule: Look up showtimes for the Exotic Animal Show, Crusher Show, and Gator Feeding Show to plan your visit.
Wild Florida is a fantastic family-run attraction. They have a wide variety of experiences, from airboat rides to wildlife shows and a drive-through safari. If you’re looking for more family-run attractions in Central Florida, check out my blog on Gatorland, another family-owned gator park with over 2,000 live gators.
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