Wild Florida: A Unique Adventure Near Orlando
As a family who loves animals and wildlife interactions, visiting Wild Florida Airboats, Gator Park & Drive-Thru Safari had been on our bucket list for a long time. Located about 45 minutes from Kissimmee and an hour from Orlando, this incredible destination offers an unforgettable mix of adventure, education, and wildlife encounters.
Thanks to the warm welcome from Experience Kissimmee, who helped us plan our day, we were able to explore everything Wild Florida had to offer. From feeding baby alligators and giraffes to meeting adorable capybaras and gliding through the Everglades on an airboat, we had one unforgettable experience after another. If you’re looking for a unique way to spend the day near Orlando, this is the perfect destination.
What to Expect at Wild Florida
Wild Florida is a sprawling wildlife park that offers something for everyone. Here’s what you can look forward to:
- Drive-Thru Safari: A 90-minute self-guided tour through a wildlife park with over 150 animals, including giraffes, zebras, elk, and camels.
- Gator Park: A walkable zoo-like area with exotic animals, interactive feeding opportunities, and exciting shows.
- Capybara Encounter: A chance to meet, feed, and interact with the world’s largest rodents in a personal, up-close experience.
- Airboat Rides: Guided tours of the Florida Everglades, with 30-minute and 1-hour options.
- Chomp House Grill: A lakeside restaurant offering burgers, BBQ, and even gator bites.
We spent the entire day at Wild Florida, and I’d recommend setting aside a full day to enjoy everything at a relaxed pace, especially if you’re planning on doing the safari, gator park, and an airboat ride.
Drive-Thru Safari: Wildlife in Every Direction
Our day started with the Drive-Thru Safari, and it was one of the most awe-inspiring experiences we’ve had. The safari takes you on a 90-minute drive through a massive area where over 150 animals roam freely.
One of the highlights for us was the bald cypress forest, which felt like stepping into another world. As we drove through the towering trees draped with Spanish moss, we were lucky enough to witness a stunning moment between a male and female elk, whose calls echoed through the forest in what felt like a private symphony just for us.
The surprises didn’t end there—a camel wandered so close to our car that we could practically reach out and touch it. My teens were constantly pointing out zebras, emus, wildebeests and other animals that seemed so at ease in this spacious, natural environment.
And the grand finale? Feeding the giraffes at the end of the safari. Watching my teens hold out lettuce and laugh as the giraffes’ long tongues gently wrapped around the leaves was a moment we’ll always treasure.
Tip: Plan at least 90 minutes for the safari, and arrive early for the best chance to see the animals when they’re most active.
The Capybara Encounter: Falling in Love With the World’s Largest Rodents
After the safari, we headed to the Capybara Encounter, and it turned out to be one of the most memorable parts of our day. If you’ve never met a capybara, imagine a giant, gentle guinea pig with the sweetest personality you can imagine.
Wild Florida offers lots of animal encounter opportunities from meeting gentle sloths, and crested porcupines (don’t worry they are safe to pet) to getting up close and personal with playful ring tailed lemurs and experiencing a VIP reptile encounter. We chose the capybara encounter because we are in love with these cute rodents.
My teens were immediately smitten. During the encounter, we got to feed the capybaras, pet them, and learn all about their behavior and habits from the staff. These sociable creatures loved the attention and snacks, and we couldn’t help but laugh as they gently nibbled on food from our hands.
One capybara in particular seemed to take a liking to my daughter and stayed close the entire time. By the end of the encounter, my kids were begging to take one home (not happening, but we have plenty of pictures to remember the day!).
The capybara encounter is perfect for animal lovers and gives you the chance to interact with these unique creatures in a way you won’t find at most parks.
Gator Park: Wildlife Up Close
Next, we explored the Gator Park, and it was another highlight of the day. Home to over 200 animals, the park offers a mix of exotic wildlife and Florida’s famous alligators.
One of the most exciting moments was watching the gator feeding show, where enormous alligators leapt out of the water to grab their food. It was thrilling to see their power and agility up close. My teens also had a blast feeding the baby gators—something they couldn’t stop talking about afterward.
Some of our favorite animals included Crusher, the 1,000-pound alligator, the unique albino alligator and the playful ring-tailed lemurs, who seemed to enjoy showing off for the visitors.
My daughter’s unforgettable moment came when a cockatoo struck up a “conversation” with her. She’s convinced the bird only wanted to talk to her, and it’s become one of her favorite stories to tell!
Walking through the shaded Hawk Swamp Boardwalk was another peaceful highlight. Surrounded by cypress trees, it felt like stepping into a quiet oasis where nature truly comes alive.
Tip: Wear closed-toed shoes for exploring the Gator Park, especially if you plan to participate in any of the animal encounters.
Airboat Ride: A Thrilling End to the Day
We ended our day with an airboat tour, and it was the perfect way to experience the beauty of the Everglades. We opted for the 1-hour tour to fully immerse ourselves in this unique ecosystem.
The view of the Spanish moss-covered cypress forest at the water’s edge was absolutely magical. As the sun began to lower, the light filtering through the trees made the moment feel like something out of a dream.
Wild Florida provides noise-canceling headphones, so you can focus on the sights and sounds of nature Wild Florida provides noise-canceling headphones, so you can focus on the sights and sounds of nature without being distracted by the hum of the airboat engine. Our guide was fantastic, pointing out alligators, birds, and other wildlife while sharing fascinating facts about the Everglades’ ecosystem. It was the perfect blend of excitement and education.
Gliding across the water, we were surprised to see a pair of cows wading through the flooded grasses. Our guide explained that it’s not uncommon to find cows cooling off in these areas, but it was a sight we didn’t expect!
Tip: If you’re short on time, the 30-minute airboat ride is still a great way to experience the Everglades, but the 1-hour tour offers a more in-depth adventure.
Dining at Chomp House Grill
We didn’t have a chance to eat at the Chomp House Grill, but it’s a great option if you’re planning to spend the whole day at Wild Florida. The menu features family-friendly favorites like burgers, BBQ sandwiches, and even adventurous options like gator bites.
With outdoor seating overlooking the lake, it’s the perfect spot to take a break and enjoy the peaceful surroundings before continuing with your adventure.
Tips for Visiting Wild Florida
- Plan for a Full Day: If you’re doing the safari, gator park, and airboat ride, set aside a full day to enjoy everything without feeling rushed.
- Dress for Comfort: Wear closed-toed shoes for animal encounters and light, breathable clothing. Bring sunscreen, a water bottle, and bug spray for outdoor activities.
- Book Ahead: Animal encounters and airboat rides can fill up quickly, so make reservations in advance.
- Bring a Camera: The photo opportunities here are endless, from the safari to the capybaras and beyond.
- Start Early: Arriving in the morning gives you the best chance to see active animals and enjoy cooler weather.
Why Wild Florida Is Worth the Drive
Wild Florida is more than just a wildlife park—it’s an unforgettable adventure filled with moments that will stay with you long after you leave. Whether it’s feeding giraffes, bonding with capybaras, or gliding through the Everglades, every experience here feels special.
For even more unique things to do in Central Florida and great itinerary suggestions, visit Experience Kissimmee. Their website is packed with recommendations to help you plan a magical trip near Orlando. And check out my article about our unique things to do in Central Florida. If you’re looking for a great place to stay near all the Central Florida attractions I highly recommend FantasyWorld Resort’s spacious townhouses in Kissimmee, check out my full review of FantasyWorld Resort and why we loved staying there (hint: they have an amazing waterpark and their spacious townhouses are so affordable!)
We loved every moment of our visit to Wild Florida and can’t wait to return for even more adventures!
The post Wild Florida: A Unique Adventure Near Orlando first appeared on 365 Things to do in Southwest Florida.
The post Wild Florida: A Unique Adventure Near Orlando appeared first on 365 Things to do in Southwest Florida.