Amazing! Where else can you hold a baby kangaroo, an otter and tiny baby monkeys. What a great…read moreexperience and super friendly and knowledgeable staff/owners! It was very clean and the animals look loved and cared for. We highly recommend and will be back!

From the owner: Wild Encounters is a hands-on exotic animal experience located in Alachua, FL. We offer private,…read moreinteractive encounters with a variety of friendly and well-cared-for species, giving guests the chance to learn, connect, and create unforgettable memories. From otters and kangaroos to parrots and farm favorites, every visit is educational, unique, and tailored to all ages. Book a personal encounter and experience wildlife up close in a safe, fun, and welcoming environment. Follow us on social media: Instagram: @wildencountersfl Facebook: Wild Encounters Inc.

Overall a really good time at Wild Adventures Theme Park and a solid value for the entrance fee…read more Parking was easy with plenty of space which made getting in and out simple. The park has a good mix of rides and water attractions so there is enough to keep you busy. They also had a wide selection of animals on display which was great to see, though some of the habitats could have been a little bigger. The concert area looked legit even though we did not stay for the Taylor Swift cover band. Their lineup of performers also looks pretty strong so that is a nice bonus. The train ride to see the animals was worth it. We only waited about ten minutes but the line filled up fast so expect a longer wait if you go later. Lockers were also reasonably priced which was nice. The biggest downside was Waters Edge Brews and Bites. It seemed like the only place to get beer and it was pricey. More importantly it was very disorganized. It took a long time to get drinks and my stepdaughter waited a while for food as well. Everyone was friendly but it felt like no one really knew what was going on. I did not try the food myself so I cannot fully judge it. The park could also be a bit cleaner especially some of the bathrooms. Overall it is a fun park and worth checking out. I drove up from Gainesville and enjoyed it but would probably only come back if I was local or if there was a concert I really wanted to see.

We won tickets to Wild Adventures Theme Park at a local food festival and decided to make a day of…read moreit with our teenager and her friend. Overall, it was a fun experience with some highs and a few things that definitely need improvement. First thing to note is parking is an additional $18. Not a dealbreaker, but something to factor in. When you arrive, it may look like you should park farther out, but the entrance gate is actually closer to where you first come in, so keep that in mind. Once we got to the entrance, security and ticket scanning were quick and easy, which was a great start. The park itself has a really nice mix of rides and animal attractions. We especially loved the safari train. It was such a unique experience seeing animals like lions, tigers, and even an anteater, plus getting a glimpse of the on site camping area, which honestly looks like a really cool concept. I do wish we had taken advantage of the giraffe feeding. Ride wait times were surprisingly minimal for a Saturday, which was a huge plus. The vintage Ferris wheel was one of our favorites. It was not only fun but gave us some great views and photos from the top. Bathrooms throughout the park were consistently clean and well maintained, which I appreciated. However, the restroom near the garden had a sink that would not shut off, with water constantly running. That seems like something that should be addressed, not just for maintenance but also waste. Food prices were fairly reasonable for a theme park, with one exception being beer. At $10 per can, it felt a bit steep, and both times we went to grab one, the stands were clearly understaffed. At one point, the employee actually asked us to open our own beers, which was a first. It did not bother us too much, but waiting around 7 minutes just to get a few beers was a little surprising. We did make it over to the water park side and enjoyed the lazy river, but unfortunately storms cut that part of the day short. Every water area was clean as well. I wish we had more time there. The park also has a nice mini concert area, which is a great way to wind down the day with live music. There is even a buffet option that looked like a solid affordable choice, though we did not get a chance to try it. A couple more things to note. Lockers are an additional $18 to $22 for the day, which adds up quickly. While we had a good time overall, the park could definitely benefit from some updates and a good power washing in certain areas. All in all, Wild Adventures has a lot of potential. It is a unique mix of a theme park and zoo, and if you go in expecting something about half the scale of a major Florida theme park, with pricing somewhat similar to places like Hersheypark, you will have a good idea of what to expect. With some improvements and more attention to detail, this place could be really great.

Great place for the kids and family. They have a lot of animals for the kids to pet. The staffs are…read morevery friendly. When we were leaving, the owner greeted us and allowed my kids to pet the baby kangaroo he was holding. Now the kids want to come back again.

This is a wonderful place for kids. The staff are always helpful and will answer any questions…read more Great place to spend the day. We have been multiple times and are never disappointed. My grandson absolutely loves the cotton top tamarin, and my granddaughter is the same about the Black and white lemurs. We always average being there 4 to 5 hours. Their just never ready to go. They are always acquiring new animals and birds, so the experience is never dull. Always something new to see The only downside is there is nowhere to purchase food. The nearest food is an Arby's in a gas station off of highway 19. So, if you're planning a full day pack a lunch, especially with young ones.

The place wasn't fully done. A few exhibits were closed. The animals were cool though. We went for…read morea field trip, I didn't really learn anything. It was a cool experience!

This is such a fun place! There's a nominal entry fee on the weekends for $11. It's free for…read morechildren 3 and under. During the week they're open for field trips. We came on a Sunday around 4 and the farm closes at 6 but two hours was plenty of time to explore the 100-acre space. The animals, some exotic even, are all pretty friendly and the signage is clear of which ones to stay away from/not to feed. Emus, highland cows, Tortoise, goats, bunnies, birds are the ones I can recall. The staff is very friendly. There are activities and foods for the entire family to enjoy. I can't wait to visit again in the Spring.

This was was our first time going here and their first time opening in the spring. They usually…read moreopen in the fall with a corn maze. This spring they had beautiful field of flowers and their usual animals (goats, cows, alpacas, ducks, chickens, etc.). It's was pretty fun, certainly more fun for children with a tractor train ride and corn pit. They have concessions and take card for payment. Not as fun as other farms I've been to, but I would go aga

We headed up to Santa Fe College Teaching Zoo this past Saturday. They were having a Party for the…read morePlanet Day. They threw a party for the animals and celebrated Earth Day. There's a lot to see at this little zoo. We saw lemurs, a tree kangaroo, Visayan Pig, squirrel monkeys, gibbons, Caracals, owls, a beautiful bald eagle, Herons, Cranes, Emus, Kookaburras, Gila Monster, tortoises, a Wood Stork and more! Hard to get photos through some of the fences. What a fun time!

Well worth visiting if up in Gainesville for a medical appointment as we were…read more Cleo the caracal was our favorite. Many exhibits with much vacant land awaiting "The Master Plan". Numerous helpful staff who I think are students at the college. Paths are unpaved and leafy, not wheelchair friendly, but fine for walking. Gift shop had minimal adult sized shirts and none featuring caracals. Yellow parrots nice eye candy.

I love Single Vision and been a supporter of Carl's endeavor since Bruiser Bear was on his little…read moresurfboard many years ago. Anyone who loves wild animals who have been abused, abandoned, or unable to be released back into their habitat will enjoy seeing that they are special and loved by Carl and the employees and volunteers who care for them. Wish that I lived closer, but feel so fortunate that I was able to visit several times. Single Vision is worthy of your support and donations!

Amazing place! All the animals are rescues or zoo "rejects" that have found a wonderful forever…read morehome! The people who care for them absolutely love what they do and these animals are a top priority to them! The tour was glorious and safety if their priority! They could use the donations so recommend giving more than they ask for as their work is very worthy!

The best experience for a minication. I was lucky enough to not know where I was going for my…read morebirthday and it was the perfect surprise! (My wife did great!) Not only is the location a perfect portal to a different type of Florida , but the wagons are all the way in the back so it's perfect privacy. There's also a tent outside to sit and watch pigs take a bath in the fountain. The wagon room we got was the Piggies room! Perfect decor and amenities inside(towels/shampoo/conditioner/tissues/coffee mugs /even games!) Huge bathroom with incredible shower.There is ac but we spent most of the time with the screen door and bathroom window open & it felt great. Included inside:mini fridge, toaster, coffee/tea (included),microwave and a small heater. Plenty of plugs to charge & a full length mirror. We love that there was no tv because we got to watch highland cows instead !! We also got to sleep to rain and it was so peaceful especially waking up every morning to new friends like pigs and sheep! We also saw: 4 highland cows!! , 2 different types of pigs, a family of sheep (+Anya the sassiest girl), cats, dogs, goats, turkeys (that like hugs but scared meee), guinea fowls, chickens and hens, mini horses and a peacock that sounds like Kevin from UP in the nighttime !! All the staff were super friendly including miss Elaine! Truly an incredible place to visit and get to feed pigs all day.

I've been to Rooterville Animal Sanctuary twice, and both visits were totally worth the 2 hour…read moredrive from Orlando. The animals are well taken care of, the people working there are so nice and helpful and booking a highland cow cuddling session was amazing. You can even stay on site if you want that real "outdoorsy" experience - but it's perfect even for a quick day trip. Can't wait to come back again!

A great place to start your adventure and exploration of the Prarie…read more I recently stopped by the Payne's Prairie Preserve State Park Visitor Center in Micanopy, Florida, and it was a fantastic experience! Yes, you do pay the $6 per vehicle entrance fee to enter the state park, and it's a bit of a drive from the main gate along the park road to reach the parking lot. From there, you walk a short distance to the center itself. But once you arrive, it's absolutely worth it. The Visitor Center is very nice and modern building with large floor-to-ceiling windows directly across from teh entrance offering great views of the prairie itself. The staff, specifically Brad, was very helpful, The sets of displays provide an good overview of the prairie's natural and cultural history through interactive exhibits. There is also a short film in the theater room about the location. I really liked the observation area and spotting scopes. One scope was perfectly trained on a bald eagle perched about two miles away. I thought that was an incredible sight! It made the whole prairie feel alive and gave us a real sense of the wildlife that calls this special place home (wild horses and bison live here too). There is a small gift shop, restrooms, and the building provides easy access to trails and an observation tower nearby. It's a perfect starting point to understand and appreciate this unique place. If you're in the Gainesville area, make time for Payne's Prairie. The Visitor Center is a hidden gem that turns a simple stop into a memorable visit. I highly recommended it.

We took advantage of our Florida State Park Pass (saved us the $6 entrance fee) and took a drive to…read morethe park. This is a beautiful park to drive or hike. The drive in and to the visitor center is so pretty! The trees make a nice, shady canopy. You can see various animals from the observation tower, open range or hiking. It was late afternoon and hot when we were there so we didn't see much (one deer!) and I'm sure the animals were in the shade somewhere.

They really treat these creatures like human family. Was such an experience. Got to ride and feed…read morethem. There is so much room for them to roam more than any lame Zoo. They have a thing where you can bathe them. The people who run this are amazing. I know they have been through alot over the years and goad they are able to keep moving forward one giant paw at a time.

A wonderful place to learn about elephants (and the world) from Patricia…read moreI recently visited Two Tails Ranch in Williston, Florida. You have to reserve a spot online before you go. They will respond with a date and time to show up. The sign in the gate when you arrive says they open the gates 10 minutes before the showtime so you may be sitting in your car along the dirtroad if you arrive early. You are directed where to park and then choose what options you want (feeding, picture, ride) and they give you tickets for each item. If you are going to ride the elephant you cannot be over 200 pounds (there is a scale at the ticket counter). Once everyone is done buying tickets you go to the first top. Our group of about 20 sat in rows of chairs under the shade right in front of the elephant pen with Zika the elephant and Patricia Zerbini. She has decades of hands-on elephant care through her family's dedicated efforts. She is the real deal. She stands in front of you and will answer any question in a straight-shooting, authentic, and honest manner, no punches pulled. She shared her experiences about elephants past, present, and future while teaching us about their care and the importance of their current issues. After that, you move in a group to another enclosure with a different elephant where people can feed, get a picture and ride an elephant. I chose all three and found them each well worth the time and money. They are once in a lifetime experiences that I'll remember forever. Patricia then walked us around the ranch, showing us her tortoises, zebra, and lemurs. She will answer any question as she is touring the group around. We ended at the little museum and gift shop, packed with fossils, artifacts, and elephant memorabilia. Two Tails Ranch is a real hidden gem run with love and purpose. If you're even remotely interested in elephants, this is a must-visit. Patricia and her family are doing wonderful work. I highly recommend visiting and supporting their efforts.