Ohio has the Midwest’s original drive-thru safari, near Cedar Point, where giraffes poke their heads into your car window. It also has one of the largest conservation safari parks in North America, toured by guided open-air vehicle in southeast Ohio.
- African Safari Wildlife Park (Port Clinton)
- The Wilds (Cumberland)
AFRICAN SAFARI WILDLIFE PARK
Type: ZAA-accredited self-drive safari plus a seasonal walk-thru safari. It bills itself as “THE Ohio Safari Park” and the Midwest’s original drive-thru safari.
Location: 267 S Lightner Rd, Port Clinton, OH 43452 (Lake Erie Shores & Islands, minutes from Cedar Point)
Phone: (419) 732-3606 · (800) 521-2660
Website: africansafariwildlifepark.com · Daily Tickets & Pricing Calendar · Hours · Drive-Thru Rules & Safety · Animal Encounters · Season Passes
Social Media:
Animals: 400+ animals, including giraffes, bison, zebras, camels, alpacas, fallow deer, antelope, and Eastern bongo (a calf named Conrad was born July 12, 2026). The walk-thru area has capybaras, kangaroos, gibbons, porcupines, tortoises, and a sloth named Cayenne.
Admission:
- Admission is per person and includes unlimited same-day drive-thru trips plus one free cup of grain per vehicle.
- Prices vary by color-coded day. Most late-season days are 10 AM – 5 PM “Blue” or “Purple” days:
- Blue Days (walk-thru may be open): Ages 7+ $27.95, Seniors (62+)/Military/First Responders $24.95, Ages 3–6 $21.95
- Purple Days (drive-thru only): Ages 7+ $24.95, Seniors/Military/First Responders $21.95, Ages 3–6 $19.95
- Ages 2 & under: Free
- Save $5 per ticket by buying online. All sales are final.
- 2027 season passes are on sale now.
Hours:
- October: Daily 10 AM – 5 PM, last vehicle 4 PM. It’s closed October 8–9.
- November: Open Fridays – Mondays only, 10 AM – 5 PM. It’s closed Thanksgiving week midweek.
- The last day of the 2026 season is November 29. It’s closed all of December.
- The drive-thru is open rain or shine. The walk-thru safari closes for the season in early October.
- Warm-weather animals like giraffes and antelope may stay indoors on cool or rainy days.
Fall Special: A Pumpkin Smashing Wagon Ride is running now (see Special Events).
Drive-Thru Rules:
- Keep doors closed and never exit your vehicle.
- 5 mph speed limit.
- Feed only with park-provided cups. Hold the cup far out the window or toss feed on the ground. No hand-feeding, and no petting.
- No motorcycles. Vehicles must meet the park’s safety requirements.
- Pet dogs are allowed, but keep them from going nose-to-nose with the animals, and never leave them unattended in the car.
- Honk your horn if you need a ranger.
Tips:
- Drive through more than once, since each pass is different.
- Book animal encounters (giraffe barn, sloth feeding, capybaras) in advance.
THE WILDS
Type: Nonprofit conservation center and safari park run by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. It’s toured by guided open-air safari vehicle (not self-drive).
Location: 14000 International Rd, Cumberland, OH 43732 (reclaimed strip-mine land in southeast Ohio, about 1.5 hours east of Columbus)
Phone: (740) 638-5030
Website: thewilds.org · Open-Air Safari · Book Tours
Social Media: Facebook · Instagram (@thewildsohio)
Size: Nearly 10,000 acres of open pasture, woodland, and lakes. It’s one of the largest wildlife conservation centers in North America.
Animals: 30+ rare and endangered species roaming large pastures, including white rhinos, giraffes, Przewalski’s horses, Grevy’s zebras, Bactrian camels, Père David’s deer, and Sichuan takin. The Carnivore Center has cheetahs, African painted dogs, and more.
Open-Air Safari (about 2+ hours):
- Friday – Monday: $49 per person
- Tuesday – Thursday, morning tours (9 AM – 12:45 PM): $45
- Tuesday – Thursday, afternoon tours (1 – 4 PM): $35
- Ages 3 & under: Free on daytime tours (held on a lap, but still need a free ticket)
- Columbus Zoo members get a discount, and Wilds members ride free.
- All tours must be booked online in advance. ADA-accessible safaris run at 10 AM and 1 PM.
Other Experiences:
- Wildside Safari (ages 6+, feed giraffes and meet rhinos from a pickup truck): $139–$164
- Sunrise and sunset safaris, a Zipline Safari, Horseback Safari, and Fishing Safari
- Overnight yurts at Nomad Ridge (adults only) and cabins and a lodge (include a complimentary safari May – October)
Season:
- Open-Air Safari runs daily through October 31, with tours between 8:45 AM and 4 PM.
- From November 1 – April 30, only pre-booked winter tours run (Winter Wildside, Rhino Barn, Birding, and others).
Tips:
- Wear closed-toe shoes.
- Tuesday – Thursday afternoons are the cheapest.
- Fall color in the hills makes October a beautiful time to go.
Explore Drive-Thru Wildlife Parks in Neighboring States:
Michigan · Indiana · Kentucky · West Virginia · Pennsylvania