--- title: Drive-Thru Safari or Zoo? Do Both in One Day! description: Why choose between a zoo and safari? Wild Florida offers both! Feed giraffes, see 150+ animals, and explore at your own pace. image: https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXet6D78gMDe10SAtapyjfKTB6mIEye3Tr2NgRrchcyWf47ddWKemEzM7uIPFtVQhvtb6RL9k_l4KpjdwEVmarA8Fa2JIWKghfVgSlINFcz2oQhnDeU6rr5ZX2TKiLVBip1oS2jOKw?key=JvTW1hZgWRsBKHPMT6JdVdOt --- orlando's only airboat, gator & drive-thru safari park ![Clock](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/Clock-icon-white.svg "Clock") 9AM-6PM | CLOSED ON SUNDAYS ![Tickets](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/ticket-icon-white.svg "Tickets") [tickets ](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/buy-wild-florida-tickets) ![Faq](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/faq-icon-white.svg "Faq") [FAQs ](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/wild-florida-faq) ![Contact](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/contact-icon-white.svg "Contact") [contact ](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/contact-us) [![WFAP-LOGO_COLOR-1](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hs-fs/hubfs/WFAP-LOGO_COLOR-1.png?width=120&height=87&name=WFAP-LOGO_COLOR-1.png "WFAP-LOGO_COLOR-1")](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/) ![Search Icon](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/search-icon.svg) This is a search field with an auto-suggest feature attached. - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. ![Close](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/x_icon.jpg) # Drive-thru Safari vs. Zoo: What’s the Difference? [ Gator Park](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/topic/gator-park), [ Drive-thru Safari](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/topic/drive-thru-safari) [ Posted by Sam Haught ](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/author/sam-haught) on April 23,2025 01:19:PM Ever dreamed of stepping into the wild, where every turn reveals animals from around the globe? That’s exactly the kind of adventure waiting for you on a drive-thru safari. If you’re deciding between a classic zoo visit or a more untamed experience, we’ve got you covered.  We’ll walk you through the best of both worlds and show you how Wild Florida brings them together in one unforgettable day! ![Family inside a white SUV watching wildebeest at a Wild Florida Drive-thru Safari Park surrounded by palm trees and greenery.](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXet6D78gMDe10SAtapyjfKTB6mIEye3Tr2NgRrchcyWf47ddWKemEzM7uIPFtVQhvtb6RL9k_l4KpjdwEVmarA8Fa2JIWKghfVgSlINFcz2oQhnDeU6rr5ZX2TKiLVBip1oS2jOKw?key=JvTW1hZgWRsBKHPMT6JdVdOt) ## Drive-Thru Safari: Wildlife on Their Terms A drive-thru safari is an animal adventure where you stay in your car while the wildlife roams free around you. Instead of walking from exhibit to exhibit, you’re the one cruising through wide-open spaces, spotting animals as they go about their day. At Wild Florida, our [Drive-thru Safari Park](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/drive-thru-safari-park) puts you right in the middle of the action. Set across 170 acres of beautiful Florida wilderness, this one-of-a-kind experience lets you meet animals from all over the world without ever leaving your vehicle! As you follow the path, you’ll come across more than 150 animals, including giraffes, zebras, bison, water buffalo, antelopes and much more to discover. You might see a camel trotting across the trail, or catch a giraffe stretching its neck toward the treetops. These animals have the space to roam, which means you get to see them behaving just like they would in the wild! ## Zoos: Up-Close and Full of Discovery Zoos offer a more traditional way to connect with animals. Instead of staying in your car, you’ll walk along winding trails, explore different exhibits and get a closer look at animals in thoughtfully designed habitats. This kind of setup makes it easy to ask our keepers any questions and enjoy face-to-face moments with some incredible creatures. We’ve brought the best parts of the zoo experience to life in our [Gator Park](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/gator-park), where you can come face-to-snout with over 200 native and exotic animals! From adorable bobcats to colorful tropical birds, every corner of the park has something amazing to discover. And of course, you can’t visit without meeting the true stars of the park: our monster gators! Every day, our Croc Squad takes the stage for the Alligator Feeding Show, where you’ll get to see these powerful reptiles in action. It’s thrilling, it’s educational, and it’s the perfect way to learn why alligators are such a beloved part of Florida’s wild side. ![Close-up of a bobcat with wide eyes inside a shaded enclosure at Wild Florida’s Gator Park.](https://lh7-rt.googleusercontent.com/docsz/AD_4nXfS8n2YLKdAEMI_ebEgdNwlEIR7cQSrHcBW4FRjXgyo7rLZs3GJ94A_K20nhlmX5ytCk8AaydptoGQC_UcHxNtlCTt5st4yHFQBdtMy5t5Nnfl3Ygbd3p76bPknlSkgE-ujvYi-ig?key=JvTW1hZgWRsBKHPMT6JdVdOt) ## Different Layouts, Same Mission Whether you’re driving through the open safari or strolling through Gator Park, every inch of Wild Florida supports the same mission: to inspire a love for animals and wild places. Our team works hard to create meaningful connections between guests and animals all across our Adventure Park. From drive-thru moments with free-roaming wildlife to up-close [animal encounters](https://www.wildfloridairboats.com/book-animal-encounter-experiences) at our Gator Park, every experience is designed to educate and engage. By visiting, you’re helping us support wildlife education, local conservation efforts and the protection of Florida’s natural environment. No matter how you choose to explore, you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the animals we share this planet with and the importance of protecting their wild homes. ## So Which Is Right for You? At Wild Florida, you don’t have to choose. You can explore the wide-open landscapes of our Drive-thru Safari Park and enjoy the hands-on fun of our walkable Gator Park all in one visit. Plan your visit today and see how two unforgettable ways to explore come together for one wild adventure. [![Join the Herd & Book Your Tickets!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/499806/interactive-185801120548.png) ](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hs/cta/wi/redirect?encryptedPayload=AVxigLIkA%2FdDV%2FWK1Apm90znsCPzZ4xQfdTLF%2BWpEznAht8mbOpYiKeZfa1mVAE8J0CmXBpZIYoKMM5J3mrEJp%2BddpLY10M6uWjxxiRUPMHTmxU%2Bj4j0b05AROU%2BoDbXbnWO5%2FCxkIq5YC0RyGB2R3447UUFku3XQZMrnG%2FiuWfJxcAv506CKF7XV7ngshYeyZ1aqBRBsZoqWFVQn1XZNFqjxmQjZr5mrNtEWawpg37sW5txX8sB1p4Ocg1LdrHiLRHClIf%2BIfJ0M4zIIL9oiMNvO0Lcw8u7aYLBhzWbkxu%2F4IwWtr0j3p7fHLQA0h6I1mwcwDQjrJ9%2Fy9dYSeBrlMZeMBeuW9eBwENKqHlsUu9m2z1c&webInteractiveContentId=185801120548&portalId=499806) --- --- [![Project icon](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/arrow-left.svg) ##### Next Post #### Meet the Majestic Watusi Cattle ](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/watusi-cattle) [![Project icon](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/hubfs/raw_assets/public/Wild_Florida_Airboats_October2023/images/arrow-right.svg) ##### Previous Post #### National Alligator Day: Fun Gator Facts You Didn't Know ](https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/national-alligator-day) --- ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Sam Haught", "url" : "https://blog.wildfloridairboats.com/author/sam-haught" }, "dateModified" : "2025-04-23T17:30:16.298Z", "datePublished" : "2025-04-23T17:19:43.000Z", "headline" : "Drive-Thru Safari or Zoo? 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