Located in Central Florida, Safari Wilderness is a 260-acre landscape set halfway between Tampa and Orlando. This family-owned, working ranch offers an up-close encounter with herds of roaming exotic animals while guests stay in safari tents.
Guests now have the option to stay in one of 10 safari tents. One of the best parts of an African Safari is sleeping in the bush—watching the sun go down after a day of game viewing, enjoying a sundowner drink, gathering with friends for an evening meal, and recalling the highlights of the day around a roaring campfire Then, at first light, guests awaken to enjoy a cup of coffee and soak in the sights and sounds of nature once again.
The safari base camp consists of nine tents for Classic Safari Camping, each of which sits on its own mobile wooden deck for guest safety and comfort, and offers a panoramic view of the animal herds on the veldt. Base camp is close to the Welcome Barn, a 13,000-sq.-ft., two-story safari structure that has indoor seating, a gift shop, restrooms and three private showers for guests. There is a second-story game viewing lounge available for overnight guests to enjoy. The price per night is $400, and up to two additional guests can be added to the tent for $25 pp, per night.
Guests looking for a few more creature comforts can opt for the Premium Camping experience. The Overlook, centrally located and with an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the entire property, is the site of the Premium Safari Tent. On top of a tall wooden deck, the Overlook has a private bathroom with air conditioning and a shower, as well as the best game viewing location on the property. Surrounding the Overlook is a game fence for animal and human safety. On one side of the deck below is the cheetah family, another side features a pond with grazing and aquatic animals. And, on the other side is a family of ring-tailed lemurs. The cost is $1,500 per night (double occupancy) and includes travel from the Welcome Barn to overnight accommodation by camel-back (or by safari vehicle, if preferred).
Both camping options include continental breakfast, and there is a safari concierge on-site 24 hours/day. Additional guests may be added for $25 per night, pp and the maximum occupancy is four individuals.
Throughout the property located within the Green Swamp, the second largest wilderness area in Florida (after The Everglades), guests have the chance to enjoy close-up encounters with wildlife such as Eland, Red Lechwe, Sitatunga, Waterbuck, Grant’s Zebra, Greater Kudu, Watusi Cattle, Barasingha, Axis Deer, Fallow Deer, Water Buffalo, Scimitar-Horned Oryx and Nilgai. There is also a variety of common local waterfowl and upland birds such as Killdeer, Egrets, Herons, Ibis, Spoonbills, Cormorants, Wood Duck, Anhinga, Bald Eagle, Kestrel, Red-shouldered Hawk, Meadowlark, Black and Turkey Vulture.
Overnight guests have also have the opportunity to experience organized sundowner safaris, bird watching safaris, and mountain bike excursions.
In addition to camping and tours, Safari Wilderness offers facility rentals—including the option of a full buyout—to host weddings, field trips, birthday parties, company holiday parties and corporate groups.
For more information, visit safariwilderness.com/rentals.
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