By Tori Pfeifer
This summer, finding something new, exciting, and fun to do in town is on everyone’s mind. Opening May 9 is a brand new, Aggie owned and operated animal adventure park unlike any other. Aggieland Safari, a 450-acre drive-thru safari and adventure zoo, is one of the most anticipated animal attractions in the Brazos Valley. With an interactive animal drive-thru, walkable zoo, an on-site restaurant, and numerous other activities and amenities, Aggieland Safari is set to be one of the most exciting adventures coming to Bryan College Station this summer.
“The park will have over 100 animal species from around the world and more than 20 endangered species,” says Sarah Callaway, senior marketing specialist for Aggieland Safari. “Some of the animals people will see in the drive-thru are zebras, ostriches, bontebok, scimitar horned onyx, and dama gazelles.”
This is one of the many opportunities people will get to really interact with the animals, says Callaway. While they are wild animals, many are friendly and used to interacting with people, which is something that sets Aggieland Safari apart from other animal attractions.
“The animals will definitely be curious enough to come up to cars,” Callaway says. “It’s going to be very fun and interactive when they come up to your window to eat animal feed.”
Although the drive-thru is more than 250 acres of land, it’s not the only exciting feature of Aggieland Safari. Alongside it is a 20-acre walkable adventure zoo featuring countless animal exhibits, enclosures, and activities for people of all ages. Callaway says guests will get the chance to hand-feed lettuce and other fresh vegetables to giraffes and giant sulcata tortoises and spend time with newborn baby animals in the nursery. A free petting zoo will also have a wide variety of animals children and adults alike will love to interact with, she adds.
“The park’s also going to have a bird aviary for people to interact with parakeets and cockatiels,” says Callaway. “You’ll get a stick coated with honey and bird seed, and it’s going to be a great experience for people to walk around, let the birds land on it, and eat the feed.”
The owners are committed to making Aggieland Safari a fun and educational adventure for everyone. Since construction started, they’ve been dedicated to animal stewardship and conservation and making sure the animals are happy and comfortable in their new homes.
“Kids will especially enjoy meeting the different animals, getting to feed them, and really getting a chance to interact with them,” says Callaway. “There’s such a wide variety of birds, monkeys, hogs, and other beautiful animals around the park. There’s even tinier, really cute animals like lemurs that people are going to love.”
The location and hours, grand opening information, general ticket pricing, and other amenity information are online at www.aggielandsafari.com.
“This is a one-of-a-kind experience for the people of Bryan College Station to have,” Callaway says. “While there’s so many great things happening in this town now, this is going to be next-level; it’s like an adventure in your own backyard. Whether you’re in a small group or a large gathering, it’s going to be a wonderful experience either way.”
