Mississippi has two drive-thru safari parks, but only one is open right now. The big one near Memphis is closed for renovations until spring 2027, so for this season your option is the buffalo park in Tupelo, where you can drive through and feed bison from your car.
- Tupelo Buffalo Park & Zoo (Tupelo)
- Safari Wild Animal Park (Como): ⚠️closed until Spring 2027
TUPELO BUFFALO PARK & ZOO
Type: Drive-thru safari plus a walk-thru zoo and petting area. It has been open since 2001 and is the largest zoo in Mississippi.
Location: 2272 N Coley Rd, Tupelo, MS 38801
Phone: (662) 844-8709
Email: info@tupelobuffalopark.com
Website: tupelobuffalopark.com · Zoo & Safari · Reservations · Pumpkin Patch · Memberships
Social Media:
Size: 210 acres
Animals: 260+ animals, including a large American bison herd, zebras, camels, yaks, water buffalo, Watusi cattle, and deer in the safari fields. The zoo side has giraffes, tigers, a lion, a black bear, monkeys, kangaroos, exotic birds, and reptiles.
Admission (per person):
- General admission: about $11 (ages 2–64)
- Seniors (65+): about $9
- Drive-thru safari: about $10 per person
- Under 2: Free
- Feed buckets: about $3 each
- These prices come from recent third-party listings because the park doesn’t post prices online. Call ahead to confirm.
Hours:
- Summer hours (April 1 – October 31): Monday – Thursday 10 AM – 4 PM, Friday – Saturday 10 AM – 5 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 4 PM
- Winter hours (November 1 – March 31): Monday – Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM, Sunday 11 AM – 4 PM
- Open year-round, weather permitting. Closed Christmas Day.
- When it’s below 60°F, some animals can’t be viewed.
Other Experiences:
- Monster Bison Bus: A guided ride on a monster-truck bus that pulls into protective pens so you can hand-feed the buffalo
- Open-air trolley tours, VIP tours, pony rides, horse trail rides (Saturdays, weather permitting), a zip line, and a petting zoo
- Annual Pumpkin Patch: Running now, October 1–31
Park Rules:
- No pets
- No straws or plastic lids inside the park
- No smoking, vaping, or weapons
- Mississippi agritourism law applies, so you visit at your own risk.
Tip: Go early on a warm day, since cold weather keeps some animals indoors.
SAFARI WILD ANIMAL PARK
⚠️ CLOSED UNTIL SPRING 2027 for improvements. It’s listed here for future trip planning.
Type: Self-drive African safari park with a walk-through area
Location: 1549 Rooks Rd, Como, MS 38619 (about 45 minutes south of Memphis)
Phone: (662) 526-0001
Website: safariwildanimalpark.com · Our Animals · Park & Road Rules · FAQ
Social Media:
Size: 466 acres, with 6.5 miles of safari roads
Animals: African and exotic hoofstock and giraffes. The walk-through area has Lorikeet Landing and a children’s petting safari.
Rules: No pets
Tip: Follow their Facebook page for the reopening date and 2027 prices.
Explore Drive-Thru Wildlife Parks in Neighboring States:
Tennessee · Alabama · Louisiana · Arkansas