The Scoop: Since opening in 1967, Lion Country Safari has delighted people with its drive-through and walk-through tours of wildlife habitats. This South Florida attraction was one of the first cageless zoos to open in the U.S., and it currently looks after over 1,000 animals on a 600-acre reserve. Couples looking for a wild date experience can take a drive through the pridelands or book an up-close feeding experience at Lion Country Safari.
Lion Country Safari opened in 1967 with the ambitious plan of bringing the African safari experience to South Florida. It was one of the first cageless zoos in the U.S., and it has certainly made an impression on visitors in search of wildlife encounters.
The hot climate of Palm Beach County has proven to be ideal conditions to house big African cats and other animals commonly found on the savannah. Visitors can drive through this area to see herds of zebras and giraffes gathered on an open plain.
Instead of fences or cages, Lion Country Safari uses natural landscape barriers to keep its animals in their own habitat space. The 300-acre park features many herds, flocks, and packs that roam and lounge in full view of visiting cars. Some bold animals have even been known to saunter up to cars and practically pose for pictures.
Lion Country Safari provides a unique, immersive experience where visitors can get an up-close look at African wildlife and learn more about the conservation efforts being made in Florida and around the world.
Over 1,000 animals live in Lion Country Safari’s drive-through and walk-through areas, so visitors will find plenty of wildlife encounters to grab their attention. Daters can spend many engaging hours exploring the park’s beautiful terrain and spotting many animals along the way.
“The park prides itself on caring for large social groups of animals, including some of the largest herds of zebra, giraffe and rhino on record in North America,” the Lion Country Safari team told us. “A visit to Lion Country Safari brings people closer to wildlife and supports conservation efforts to save species.”
The 300-Acre Park Offers Unique Drive-Through Experiences
Lion Country Safari has created an African savannah in Florida’s backyard, and its immersive environments allow visitors to escape the hustle and bustle of the city for a couple hours. Couples can go on a safari date to this 300-acre park to have personal encounters with animals that range from a baby rhino to a 90-year-old tortoise.
Rhino baby Bash and lion cubs Atlas and Mara were among 62 animals born at Lion Country Safari in 2019. These young ones can be spotted scamping through the park and drawing oohs and aahs from all visitors.
Lion Country Safari typically welcomes about 500,000 guests per year; however, 2020 has somewhat changed its inflow of guests. The park is currently operating under limited capacity, and all walk-through tours are on hold due to COVID-19 restrictions. The drive-through tours are currently the main attraction because they allow for proper social distancing and still offer a fun safari experience.
If you’re taking a car ride through Lion Country Safari, you can get an audio tour to learn fun facts about the animals you see as you traverse a four-mile road through their habitat. These tours are available in English and Spanish.
Local couples can get an annual pass to save money on return trips to Lion Country Safari. The park offers a wild world to explore whenever couples are feeling stir-crazy or tired of typical movie dates. People of all stripes can find something to love about the park, and the wildlife experts can even curate a premium experience if given advanced notice.
You can wow your date by booking an exclusive animal encounter at Lion Country Safari. These experiences include giraffe painting and flamingo mingling, and the wildlife keepers are on hand to ensure couples have fun getting to know the park’s friendliest animals.
Educating the Public About the Importance of Conservation
Lion Country Safari maintains high standards when it comes to animal care, ethics, and conservation. The park is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means it has passed multiple on-site inspections and been found to have top-notch environments, education programs, and veterinary services.
“Our team is united by their passion and love for animals,” according to a Lion Country Safari spokesperson. “In the wildlife department alone, there are staff members with long histories of animal care experience and college degrees in biology, zoology, and even arts or tourism.”
Lion Country Safari employs a Wildlife staff of about 50 people with approximately 790 cumulative years of experience.
Over the years, Lion Country Safari has sent staff members to support conservation initiatives in Sierra Leone, Kenya, and Namibia. These wildlife experts also participate in many nationwide conservation programs, including the Species Survival Plans and Saving Animals From Extinction (SAFE), in an ongoing effort to foster greater biodiversity and help ensure the survival of endangered and at-risk species.
Visiting Lion Country Safari is a good way to learn about and support wildlife conservation, and it can also support a person’s long-term health. A 2020 research study conducted by the Saint Louis Zoo found that spending time in immersive, naturalistic exhibits can lead to positive changes in the physiological and psychological measures of health and well-being of visitors.
There are many good reasons for couples to plan a visit to Lion Country Safari. Not only is it a fun date activity, but it can also have good ripple effects on an individual’s health and in the overall environment.
“Lion Country Safari is deeply committed to inspiring the next generation of conservation leaders,” the team told us. “Through connections with wildlife, we hope to encourage guests to take action to help save animals in the wild and to help protect wild habitats.”
A Romantic Environment for Couples to Explore
Lion Country Safari can give visitors access to an exciting landscape where lions lounge in the sun and monkeys chatter in the trees. It’s a fun place to explore on a date because it puts a world of wildlife within close range. Couples can look out their car windows and witness the beauty of an African savannah — without leaving Florida.
“Each trip fosters connections with both animals and your companions,” the team said. “There are so many opportunities for special shared experiences and meaningful memories between guests on safari.”
Since its opening day over 50 years ago, Lion Country Safari has entertained countless couples on date nights, honeymoon trips, or anniversary celebrations. It has even been known to facilitate a wild marriage proposal every so often.
The team is always happy to arrange private animal experiences or deck out private events spaces to host couples during their romantic moments. Reach out to the team to make an inquiry.
“Thank you for helping set up the amazing experience,” one couple said in a thank-you message to Lion Country Safari. “The staff and the entire weekend was amazing. We are now annual pass holders and will definitely be back time and time again.”
Lion Country Safari offers a unique and romantic backdrop for celebrating life’s milestones, and it has won many awards for its dedication to fostering an amazing guest experience. The park has been named the Top Local Attraction in Palm Beach County by The Palm Beach Post, and it has been ranked among the top 10 best safari parks by USA Today’s Readers’ Choice Awards.
Lion Country Safari Paves the Way for an Outdoor Adventure
Whether visitors are driving through lion territory or walking through the aviary, Lion Country Safari is full of unforgettable sights, sounds, and smells. The park invites people to explore several unique environments where they can let their imaginations run wild.
By visiting Lion Country Safari, couples have the chance to get closer to nature and get closer to one another along the way. The park’s drive-through and walk-through tours provide up-close animal encounters that don’t happen every day and can create special memories — and some great photo ops as well!
“At Lion Country Safari, we continuously strive to be a leader in animal care, conservation, and education to inspire meaningful connections,” the team said. “Lion Country Safari provides a unique and wild adventure that makes for an extraordinary date experience.”