Imagine hopping on a bus and having a rhino stroll right up beside your window, or leaning out to feed a giraffe from the palm of your hand. Somewhere in the rolling hills of Ohio sits a place that feels more like an African plain than the Midwest.
It is one of those spots you stumble onto and instantly wonder why nobody told you about it sooner. What starts as a simple day trip turns into a memory you will keep talking about for years.
A Safari Hiding in the Ohio Hills
Tucked along International Road in Cumberland, Ohio, sits a place that looks like it was airlifted in from another continent. The Wilds is a wildlife and safari park spread across an enormous stretch of open country, where animals roam instead of pacing behind bars.
Instead of the usual zoo layout, visitors climb aboard a bus and ride through wide grasslands where creatures wander freely. One guest joked that the scenery made them forget they were in Ohio at all, and honestly, that reaction is common here.
The park blends the thrill of a safari with a serious mission to protect species that are struggling to survive. You will spot bison, giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and more across the landscape.
Beyond the animal tours, there are ziplines, horseback rides, fishing spots, and even overnight stays. Families, couples, and curious travelers all find something worth the drive.
What makes it click is the combination of adventure and purpose, letting you enjoy an unforgettable outing while supporting conservation work that genuinely matters.
10,000 Acres With a Second Life
Few people realize the ground beneath this park has a story of its own. The land was once used for mining, and instead of leaving it scarred, it was reshaped into a sprawling home for wildlife.
That transformation is part of what makes wandering the property so striking.
Stretching across roughly 10,000 acres, the space gives animals room to move the way they would in their natural habitats. Guests often mention how the sheer openness sets it apart from anything they expected.
One visitor pointed out that the history of the land was almost as fascinating as the animals themselves. Rolling hills, quiet lakes, and endless pasture greet you around every bend.
Because the animals have so much space, they behave naturally, grazing, roaming, and occasionally wandering close to the road. A few travelers noted the vastness can feel a little empty at times, but that spaciousness is exactly the point.
Seeing a place recover and thrive like this leaves a genuine impression, reminding you that damaged land can become something remarkable.
The Open-Air Safari Bus Ride
Climbing aboard the open-air safari bus is where the magic usually kicks off for most first-timers. The vehicle stays on the road while animals decide how close they want to get, and they often get surprisingly close.
Guests love how the guide pauses at each area, sharing facts and giving everyone plenty of time to snap photos. One family recalled zebras lingering a bit farther out while other animals strolled right up to the windows.
Rain or shine, the tours keep rolling. A visitor remembered a downpour that never dampened the fun because the guide kept things lively and informative the whole way through.
Because animals move around freely, no two rides are ever quite the same. You might catch ostriches strutting past one day and a herd wandering the ridge the next.
Many describe it as the perfect introduction to the park, relaxed yet full of surprises. It suits every age, and grandparents visiting with young grandkids often say it turned into one of the most special days they had shared together.
The Wildside Tour for Thrill-Seekers
For anyone craving a closer, bumpier adventure, the Wildside Tour delivers the goods. Unlike the standard route, this one heads off-road and brings you nearly nose-to-nose with the animals.
Riders rave about petting camels and rhinos and feeding giraffes straight from their hands. One guest said their morning Wildside experience was easily the highlight of their entire visit.
The smaller, more personal setup lets guides drive right up to the wildlife, park, and let everyone soak in the moment. That intimacy makes the encounters feel almost private.
Some travelers loved it so much they signed up for a second Wildside tour the very next day. Since the animals constantly shift locations, the repeat trip revealed creatures they had missed the first time.
A few folks paired the tour with an overnight yurt stay that included dinner and breakfast, turning a single outing into a full getaway.
If you want the deepest, most hands-on look at the park, this is widely considered the tour to book. Adventurous families and animal lovers alike walk away thrilled.
Feeding Giraffes and Meeting Rhinos
Nothing quite prepares you for a giraffe stretching its long neck toward your hand for a snack. That moment tops the list for countless guests, and it is easy to see why.
Rhinos are the true stars here, with the park earning recognition as one of the most successful places for rhino conservation outside of Africa. Visitors frequently mention getting close enough to appreciate just how massive and calm these animals really are.
Camels join the lineup too, often approaching curious guests with an easygoing curiosity of their own. Between the giraffes, rhinos, and camels, the up-close encounters feel almost dreamlike.
Guides make these interactions safe and meaningful, explaining how each species fits into the bigger conservation picture. One traveler left amazed to learn how many animals owe their survival to work happening right here.
Photos barely capture the scale of standing beside a rhino or looking a giraffe in the eye. For families with kids, these hands-on meetings tend to spark a lasting love of wildlife that outlasts the drive home by miles.
Ziplines, Horseback Rides, and Extra Adventures
Animals may draw the crowds, but the extras keep people lingering well past their tour time. Soaring over the hills on a zipline gives you a bird’s-eye view of the preserve that few visitors expect.
Horseback rides offer another way to explore, weaving through the landscape at a slower, more peaceful pace. One longtime guest shared that the horse tour had captivated them since childhood and remained just as thrilling as an adult.
Fishing and guided sunset viewing round out the menu of activities, perfect for those wanting to stretch a single visit into an entire day. Plenty of guests admitted they wished they had planned to stay longer once they saw everything available.
Summer camps add yet another layer, with kids spending several days learning and exploring under the care of enthusiastic counselors. Parents describe their children coming home glowing about the experience.
Whether you crave adrenaline or calm, there is a pace here to match your mood. That variety is exactly why so many families end up dreaming about a membership before they even reach the parking lot.
Sleeping in a Yurt Under the Stars
Ever wanted to fall asleep surrounded by 10,000 acres of quiet wilderness? Staying overnight in one of the yurts makes that possible, and guests describe it as unforgettable.
The yurts come with a choice of walking paths labeled easy, moderate, or difficult, and one visitor swore the tougher route rewarded them with far better views. A short downward slope and some gravel steps lead to scenery worth every bit of effort.
Meals are part of the package, with dinner offering a full menu of entrees served by attentive staff, followed by a hot breakfast buffet the next morning. It feels less like camping and more like a boutique escape.
Couples especially seem to treasure the peacefulness, with one calling it among the most memorable outings of their life. Concierge staff often go the extra mile to make the stay feel special.
Waking up to sweeping views and the calm of the preserve sets the tone for another day of adventure. For anyone who loves nature, animals, and stillness, an overnight here delivers a getaway that lingers in memory.
The Guides Who Steal the Show
Behind every great tour here stands a guide who genuinely loves the work. Time and again, visitors credit their drivers for turning a good day into a spectacular one.
Names like Ethan, Brayden, and Liv come up often, praised for weaving fun facts and trivia into every stop. One guest recalled how a guide’s passion for conservation felt downright contagious, leaving them with a whole new appreciation for the mission.
Guides drive right up to the animals, pause thoughtfully, and give everyone time to look and learn. Kids in particular seem to bond with them, with one parent noting how their son adored the tour leader.
Staff across the board, from the parking crew to the animal management team, earn warm compliments for their friendliness. A single review noted the experience can vary depending on which guide you get, so booking a weekday for smaller crowds is a smart move.
What shines through is how much these folks care. Their enthusiasm makes the animals feel more alive and the whole visit feel personal, which keeps families coming back again and again.
Planning Your Visit and the Final Verdict
A little planning goes a long way at this remote gem. Guests strongly recommend booking your tour ahead of time, ideally at least four hours in advance, to avoid any hiccups on arrival.
Parking comes in two flavors: leave your car at the bottom of the hill and grab a frequent shuttle for nine dollars, or park at the top near the cafe and gift shop for thirty dollars. The site is cashless, so plan accordingly.
Because the location is far from town, one traveler wisely suggested filling your tank first, since the nearest gas station sits about seventeen miles away. If accessibility is a concern, mention it when booking, as one tour stop involves a short walk.
On-site you will find a gift shop, a cafe, and even fresh lunch included with certain tours. Ratings run high, with the park sitting at a glowing 4.8 stars across thousands of visits.
Would I send friends here? Absolutely.
Between the animals, the scenery, and the mission, this is one Ohio adventure well worth the trip.
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