Somewhere off a quiet road in Wanette, Oklahoma, there is a place where you can hand-feed a giraffe, feed and pet fruit bats in the bat cave, and spend the night with lemurs just outside your window. Safari Stayz is a family-run wildlife ranch that offers something you simply cannot find at a typical zoo.
The experience is personal, unhurried, and genuinely unforgettable. Whether you are planning a family trip, a solo adventure, or a weekend getaway, this Oklahoma ranch delivers the kind of close-up animal encounters that most people only dream about.
Keep reading to find out exactly what makes Safari Stayz one of the most talked-about wildlife destinations in the entire region.
The Story Behind Safari Stayz
Not every wildlife destination starts with a lifelong dream, but Safari Stayz did. Owners built this ranch from the ground up, turning a passion for animals into a fully functioning exotic wildlife experience.
The ranch sits at 31617 Propane Rd, Wanette, OK 74878, tucked into the rolling Oklahoma countryside. From the very beginning, the goal was simple: give people a real, hands-on connection with animals in a setting that felt personal rather than commercial.
The owners’ love for the animals is obvious to anyone who spends time there. Staff members are knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely excited to share what they know.
The enclosures are solidly built, the grounds are well-maintained, and the overall atmosphere feels more like visiting a passionate animal lover’s home than walking through a tourist attraction.
Safari Stayz opened with a clear vision, and that vision has only grown stronger over time. Plans for expansion are already in motion, which means each visit might offer something new that was not there before.
Hand-Feeding the Giraffes
Standing face to face with a giraffe and placing food directly into its mouth is one of those experiences that stays with you for a long time. At Safari Stayz, the private giraffe encounter makes this possible in a way that feels safe, supervised, and completely thrilling.
Giraffes are surprisingly gentle animals when they are well cared for, and the ones at Safari Stayz are clearly comfortable around people. The staff guides you through the experience step by step, making sure you feel confident before you even approach the animal.
What sets this encounter apart from a typical zoo visit is the one-on-one time you get. There is no crowd jostling for position, no rushed schedule, and no barrier keeping you at a distance.
They occasionally introduce new animals, so there may be someone new to meet.
For families with kids, this moment tends to become an instant favorite memory. Adults are just as captivated, often finding themselves surprised by how calm and connected the whole experience feels.
If you only do one thing at Safari Stayz, the giraffe encounter should be at the very top of your list.
The Two-Hour Guided Tour
The two-hour guided tour at Safari Stayz is the heart of the whole experience. It takes you through a wide variety of animal encounters, and the pace is relaxed enough that you never feel like you are being rushed from one stop to the next.
During the tour, guests get to feed tortoises, otters, porcupines, kangaroos, and fruit bats. You can also pet camels, zebras, and prairie dogs, which makes the whole thing feel more like a hands-on adventure than a standard guided walk.
Tour guides bring real enthusiasm and deep knowledge to every stop. They explain each animal’s habits, background, and personality in a way that is easy to understand and genuinely interesting for all ages.
Questions are always welcome, and the staff takes time to make sure everyone gets their moment with each animal.
Families who have driven hours to visit consistently say the tour alone was worth every mile. The combination of variety, interaction, and expert guidance creates a two-hour stretch that flies by far too quickly.
Saturday tours at noon tend to be popular, so booking ahead is always a smart move.
Otters, Bats, and Other Surprising Residents
Most people expect to see giraffes and maybe a zebra or two at a wildlife ranch. What they do not always expect is a fruit bat landing on their hand or an otter splashing around during a private encounter.
Safari Stayz has a way of exceeding expectations at every turn.
The otter experience is one of the most talked-about highlights on the property. Visitors can book a private otter encounter experience that goes well beyond anything a typical zoo would offer.
Otters are curious, playful, and endlessly entertaining, and spending dedicated time with them is something most people have never done before.
Feeding and petting fruit bats in the bat cave are another crowd favorite, especially because so many people arrive with preconceived ideas about them. Feeding one up close has a way of completely changing how you feel about the species.
The same goes for the porcupines, wallabies, and turtles that round out the animal roster.
Chip, a well-known resident that visitors have mentioned with real fondness, has become something of a local celebrity on the ranch. Each animal at Safari Stayz has its own personality, and the staff is happy to introduce you to every single one of them.
Staying Overnight at the Safari Airbnb
Spending a night at Safari Stayz takes the experience to a completely different level. The on-site Airbnb accommodations are cleaner and more comfortable than many hotel rooms, with a full kitchen, Wi-Fi, streaming, and a cozy atmosphere that makes it easy to settle in and unwind.
The real magic happens when you look out the window. Ring-tailed lemurs live in the living room area of certain units, and ruffed lemurs can be spotted from the bedroom.
Watching them move around just a few feet away, especially in the quiet of the evening, is the kind of thing that is genuinely hard to describe without sounding like you are exaggerating.
Fire pits, a barbecue area, and a play space for kids are also available on the property, making it a great choice for families who want a full overnight adventure. The deluxe Airbnb unit upstairs comes highly recommended for those who can manage the stairs.
Guests have flown in from Pennsylvania and driven from North Dakota just to stay here, which says a lot about the reputation Safari Stayz has built. Waking up to the sounds of the ranch around you is an experience that no standard hotel can replicate.
In-Room Animal Encounters You Will Not Forget
Beyond the guided tour, Safari Stayz offers something truly rare: in-room animal encounters. These are private, scheduled sessions where select animals come directly to your accommodation, turning your room into a personal meet-and-greet space.
Lemurs are the biggest draw for the in-room experience. Having a ring-tailed lemur perch on your shoulder or curl up nearby while you sit in a comfortable room is a moment that most visitors describe as a highlight of their entire trip.
The staff manages each encounter carefully to make sure both the animals and the guests feel at ease throughout.
These sessions also give you extended one-on-one time with Kamy and her team, which means you can ask all the questions you did not get to during the main tour. The depth of knowledge they bring to every conversation makes the encounter feel educational as well as entertaining.
Families with children find the in-room encounters especially powerful. Kids who might have been nervous around exotic animals during the outdoor tour often open up completely in the quieter, more intimate setting of the room.
It is the kind of interaction that plants a genuine love of wildlife in young minds.
The Animals Are Clearly Well Loved
One of the first things people pick up on at Safari Stayz is how relaxed and friendly the animals are. This does not happen by accident.
It is the direct result of consistent, attentive care from a team that genuinely prioritizes animal well-being above everything else.
The enclosures are well-built and thoughtfully designed. Animals have space to move, appropriate environments for their needs, and regular human interaction that keeps them socialized and comfortable around visitors.
You will not find anxious pacing or signs of stress in the animals here.
Kamy and her staff are transparent about how the animals are cared for, and they welcome questions on the topic. Their willingness to talk openly about their practices is reassuring for anyone who cares about ethical animal experiences.
The animals seem to genuinely enjoy the interaction, which makes every encounter feel more authentic.
Levi, one of the ranch’s resident animals, has developed such a fan following that visitors mention thinking about him long after they have returned home. When an animal leaves that kind of impression on a person, it is a clear sign that something special is happening at this Oklahoma ranch.
Who Should Visit Safari Stayz
Safari Stayz works beautifully for a wide range of visitors. Families with young children find it endlessly engaging, grandparents have brought grandkids and called it one of the best trips they have ever taken, and solo travelers or couples looking for something out of the ordinary tend to leave just as enthusiastic.
Aspiring young veterinarians and animal lovers of any age will find the experience especially meaningful. The educational side of the tour is strong, and the staff’s depth of knowledge gives kids a real window into what it means to care for exotic animals professionally.
People have traveled from across the country to visit, including guests from North Dakota and Pennsylvania who said the journey was completely worth it. That kind of dedication speaks to how unique the experience really is.
For Oklahoma residents, the fact that something this remarkable exists in their own backyard makes it even more special.
Safari Stayz Tours run by reservation (typically noon and 3 p.m.), and you don’t need to stay overnight to enjoy the tour. Day visitors are fully welcome, and the experience stands on its own even without the overnight accommodations.
Practical Tips for Planning Your Visit
Getting the most out of your Safari Stayz visit starts with a little planning. The ranch is located at 31617 Propane Rd, Wanette, OK 74878.
Booking tickets in advance is strongly recommended, especially for weekend tours and special experiences like the private giraffe encounter or the otter swim. The ranch has limited capacity by design, which is part of what keeps the experience so personal and unhurried.
If you are planning to stay overnight, the deluxe Airbnb unit is worth the upgrade for the full lemur-viewing experience. Bring food to cook on the barbecue, or pick up a pizza from the convenience store a few miles down the road.
The property also has fire pits for evening use, which makes for a relaxing way to end an action-packed day.
You can reach Safari Stayz by phone, or visit their website at https://safaristayzok.com/ for current availability and pricing. Following them on social media is also a great way to stay updated on new animals and upcoming experiences.
Why Safari Stayz Stands Apart from Other Animal Experiences
Plenty of places in the United States offer animal encounters, but very few deliver the combination of variety, intimacy, and genuine care that Safari Stayz brings together in one location. The difference is felt from the moment you arrive.
At most facilities, you watch animals from a distance. At Safari Stayz, you feed them, touch them, and spend real time with them in a setting that never feels rushed or transactional.
The staff is never watching the clock, and neither are you. That unhurried quality is rare, and visitors notice it immediately.
The pricing is considered excellent value for the depth of experience provided.
People who have compared Safari Stayz to other exotic animal destinations in Oklahoma and neighboring states consistently say this ranch offers more interaction, better care, and a more personal atmosphere than anywhere else they have tried.
Safari Stayz has earned a perfect rating, with guests traveling from across the country to experience it. For anyone in or passing through Oklahoma who wants an animal encounter that goes far beyond the ordinary, this Wanette ranch is the clear answer.
It is the kind of place you visit once and immediately start planning to return to.
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