Sidetracked! African Safari Wildlife Park
A taste of Africa, except in Ohio
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side·track (sīd´trăk): n. 1. A diversion from the main course. 2. A detour taken with children that you would never, ever take without them.
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Who and What:
My good friends Todd and Diana and their two children who take really cool trips, but refuse to be bullied into writing for my website. For this post, I had to just interview them.
African Safari Wildlife Park in Port Clinton, Ohio. A drive-through an animal safari park where you can feed the animals: either food out of a cup or carrots, depending on the animal. This is both exhilarating and terrifying. Admission includes unlimited trips through the safari as well as admission to their zoo, pony rides, camel rides (in Ohio!) and their animal show.
These are not big carnivores. Most of the animals are ruminants, with a few tortoises, ocelots, warthogs, and gibbons in the mix (and these are in another area).
Why:
Todd’s family lives in Ohio and they go back every summer, so they’ve pretty much ferreted out all the weird things to do within a 200-mile radius of Toledo.
The High Point:
Animals sticking their entire heads in the car. Feeding a giraffe a carrot through the sunroof.
The Low Point:
Explaining to Todd’s father why his whole car was smeared with buffalo snot.
The Kids’ Take:
Awesome and scary.
The Bottom Line:
A great place to spend the day if your kids love animals. Be sure to stay for the animal show–you’ll get to pet a porcupine and a raccoon and put a snake around your neck. Good times.
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January 16th, 2012 | by travelsavvymom 5 comments
1. Jill Bauer on January 16th, 2012
Thanks for reviewing African Safari Wildlife Park! We find it one of our gem tourist attractions. When visiting the region, see what else there is to do at http://www.SHORESandISLANDS.com. You’ll find, African Safari isn’t the only camel ride in town!
2. Jamie Pearson on January 16th, 2012
@Jill I wish I had some reason to go to Ohio, but so far, no dice.
3. Judy Nemet on January 16th, 2012
That’s our car and we still have some of the food..cereal type.. in our window track!!That was two years ago
4. Terri @ Travel 50 States with Kids on January 18th, 2012
My in-laws took my daughter there a couple years ago and she loved it. I think I was there once pre-kids, but it’s been a while. Jamie – there’s more to do in Ohio than you would think. I live on the other side of Ohio, but I know there’s fun stuff all over the state.
5. InACents on January 20th, 2012
We love the Port Clinton African Safari too. Just make sure to remember to bring some baby wipes and some quarters for the car wash.
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