“USA 🇺🇸 Florida ~Lion Country Safari, its KOA Campground and We Made it to Georgia!”

• December 6, 2023
• By Pen
• 2 Comments

“Lion Country Safari “

Lion Country Safari was created by a consortium of British and South African businessmen, and was opened with 100 Lions, on August 29, 1967

…… It was 6:30AM and I was awake in bed, inside The Whale, listening to the Lions roar and do their growling/grunting noises. Boy Howdy, this took me back to the many Safaris I have taken, all around the world. (13 in total). There weren’t always Lions, on every Safaris, but there is a certain energy in the air, when hearing the “calls of the wild,” from any animal! On true safaris, nightimes and morningtimes are full of Baboons shrieking, Hippos calling, Lions roaring, Elephant trumpeting, Birds singing, Hyenas yipping and more. Staying right in the middle of a wildlife reserve, while on Safari in other countries, is one of my favorite things to do!

I know the wildlife who live here, are in captivity, as there would be no other way in Florida, but I still loved the sights and sounds. AND, while Daryl has been on many safaris, he had never heard the morning and evening sounds of the Lions, specifically; as he did not get to stay overnight on a reserve where Lions roamed. (yet) He has seen Lions on Safari….We were in Uganda and on a game drive in Murchison National Park; driving some distance on one particular day to see the “tree climbing” Lions, which are unique to this country. BTW, we saw two lion cubs by the road, patiently waiting for “mom” to return.

Anyway, here in Florida, we got to drive through the many acres acres, full of  “other land” species, not exactly found in America; otherwise. The Lions are the only wildlife here, behind an enclosure, (for obvious reasons) and the Chimpanzees are free-range on an island, (since they can’t swim). All other animals are just roaming or laying around, as one drives through the various parks, created here.

I’ve been to a few of these types of wildlife drive-thrus. I think they are quite special. I specifically recall taking my two grandchildren: McKenzie when she was very young, and Luke who was a baby. Kenz just lit up with all the wonder of the animals.

While I still prefer the quintessential Safari in foreign lands, this type of experience, is the next best thing.

THE LION COUNTRY SAFARI EXPERIENCE ⬇️

Lion Country Safari is situated on nearly 600 acres of natural area and home to hundreds of animals. Over the years, there were many of the same across the united states. Unfortunately, they have all ended up closing, except this one in Florida. It was the first location built, and now the only location left, in its chain of wilderness parks.

Daryl remembers the one in Irvine, California (not far from our house). After it closed, there were many, many Egyptian Ducks that ended up becoming completely wild, surviving on their own, after leaving the park.

Specific wildlife species can be found in six created and designated Parks, on this large, expanse of property ⬇️

Lion Country Safari is Florida’s largest drive-through safari and is home to nearly 1,000 animals, including some of the world’s iconic species roaming wide open natural habitats in large herds.

Here, at Lion Country Safari, roams the largest herd of zebras on record, in North America

⬆️ Mamas with their cute babies 

⬆️ Sharing is caring….

⬆️ I want one of these. Look at that face!!

WELL DONE Lion Country Safari!!

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Earlier…..

We left Sugarloaf Key and began our drive, North, through Florida, heading for Georgia. The original plan was to boondock for those two night, but it occurred to us that for our first of two nights, we were still in South Florida and we needed; okay, preferred shore power, because it is so humid, and sleeping is plain miserable, without A/C.  Yes, we have a generator, but we are running it during the day for the A/C, as we drive, because of the humidity then, too. We don’t run our generator day and night. 

So, I started looking for a camp ground and always start with KOA. As it would turn out, we made it to Loxahatchee. This KOA is quite special, as it’s part of the “Lion Country Safari.” It is a Wildlife Park.

What fun!

⬆️ A tented camp, emulating a Safari experience 

We have not seen any Lions, Chimps, Rhinos Zebras and more, in a very long time, so I got us all lined up! Since we were only staying one night, the KOA gave us a late check-out option, if needed, so we could work in the self-drive; game drive, in the morning hours, when the animals are more active. (they get hot too).

The only catch was, we were not allowed to drive Jonah through the Park, because she has a soft top. 🙃 But, all was not lost, as we were told the staff there would rent us a vehicle from the park ($25) for a few hours. Tickets were $30 pp and good for all day. 

After arriving at this awesome KOA, and as soon as we got The Whale set up in her Glamp spot, we could hear the Lions roaring, and growling. Super awesome!

We were looking forward to the morning activity!!

The KOA staff were super nice and helpful. On the morning of our Safari, they gave us a ride over to the next door Safari property, via golf cart. We signed into the Safari office and the guy just gave us one of their vans to drive around the enclosures, for free. That was a great deal and super appreciated!

After we were done with the drive through, we called the KOA office and they came right on over to pick us up and take us back to our camp spot.

There is a walking part of this Safari Park, too, where one can feed some animals. We did not take the time, because we had a big drive day ahead of us, and needed to get on the road.

If interested, here is Lion Country Safari Website: https://www.lioncountrysafari.com/

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After our fun stop to view Exotic Wildlife, we got under way, to continue our drive through Florida. As we got closer to Georgia, the weather cooled down for nighttime, so we had no problem boondocking, on our second night, without the A/C and generator on.

Driving From Sugarloaf Key to Loxahstchee, in Florida ⬇️

This would be a five hour day, including one fuel stop. 

I did not take many picture on this drive, because it was backtracking the miles we already did, going down to the Keys. I will say, the water was so still, it was like a mirror, though. We never saw this stillness the entire visit in the Keys. Now, that would have been so much nicer for our boating day and flight day to Dry Tortugas, because the water was not just super still, it was also very clear. Oh well.

Driving From Loxahstchee, Florida to a rest area somewhere in Northern Florida ⬇️

This was a 6.5 hour day for us, including a stop for dinner. We drive 55mph on this interstate as it’s a good road. the speed limit is 70, so yes, it takes us longer. We’ve been getting 8.5 miles per gallon on our visit in Florida.  It is a super flat state to drive through.

We have learned, through our USA travels, that Denny’s Restaurants are still very good, as long as they are associated with a truck stop. Truckers aren’t going to put up with a bad breakfast, so this is a good thing!! Otherwise, we don’t go to them, because they just disappoint. The same can be said about IHOP. I mean, I didn’t think breakfast could be screwed up. I was wrong.
Anyway, we love breakfast for dinner. 

⬆️ I’m guessing there’s no parking along this side of the highway 🤣

⬆️ Just as it was getting dark, we found a spot to stay the night. Rest Areas are not our first choice for boondocking, as it can get crowded and noisy, but I love the price. FREE!

Currently, we are just 509 miles from our campground in North Carolina, where we will be staying; I two more stops, AND, only 13 minutes away from family. We are getting very excited to see our Grandkiddos!!!!

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By day three, our final destination, in Georgia, was an easy 3-hour drive, including a fuel stop.

The temperatures have dropped to a comfy temp for me in Georgia; (50’s) but too cold for Daryl. I’m still my sundress and flip flops and Daryl is in long pants, socks, shoes and a jacket….🤣

We were excited to set up Glamping, explore the Historic area and meet up with friends, who live in Georgia and made a special trip, our direction, so we could spend time together!!

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More blogs coming, from Georgia!