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The Wilds: Open Air Safari

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We've taken our niece & nephew numerous times. We typically take the enclosed bus rather than the open air because the kids are a bit skittish around animals -- plus it's always really, really hot when we go.

It's a lot of fun. From the vehicle, you get some great looks at rhinos, bactrian camels, giraffes, plus several other animals. The camels have gotten really close to the bus, so if your kids might freak out in an open-air vehicle, the closed bus would probably be a better choice.

There is a stop where you can watch the cheetahs, dhole, & wild dogs, but they typically have not been very active when we have gone.

They used to have it setup where they would drop you off at an enclosed area where you could hang out for as long as wanted watching the various animals and just grab a bus when you were ready, but they have changed that and you now have to take the same bus all the way through, which was not a welcome change.

We typically pack lunches in a cooler and then eat afterwards at the picnic tables near the parking lot.

Also, if you have a Zoo membership, you can get discounted tickets. FWIW.
 
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Thanks Katt. When we booked, it would have been 120 bucks for the tour for the family plus one grandpa. Then we asked about membership to The Wilds, and since we are zoo members, Wild membership is only 75 bucks, and that gets you free safari rides. So it was a no brainer to just become members.



really looking forward to it. Gonna take a ton of pictures because this will probably be the closest I ever come to a safari adventure.
 
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WolverineMike;2343366; said:
Thanks Katt. When we booked, it would have been 120 bucks for the tour for the family plus one grandpa. Then we asked about membership to The Wilds, and since we are zoo members, Wild membership is only 75 bucks, and that gets you free safari rides. So it was a no brainer to just become members.



really looking forward to it. Gonna take a ton of pictures because this will probably be the closest I ever come to a safari adventure.
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thinking about taking the family so please share your feedback.
 
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Place was pretty awesome. I'll post some pictures in the next couple days.



Totally worth getting the membership for a year, because the open air tour is free with the paid membership. So we'll probably go back in September or something.
 
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WolverineMike;2343366; said:
When we booked, it would have been 120 bucks for the tour for the family plus one grandpa. Then we asked about membership to The Wilds, and since we are zoo members, Wild membership is only 75 bucks, and that gets you free safari rides. So it was a no brainer to just become members.

really looking forward to it. Gonna take a ton of pictures because this will probably be the closest I ever come to a safari adventure.
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Wolverines are obviously pussies with wild animals, they just go to a drive thru and stay in the car; real Buckeyes do the up close hands on personal encounters.

Here I am (last month) at the Tiger Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand just hanging out, socializing and/or walking with a few of my favorite tigers.

tiger1zp.jpg
tiger2f.jpg
tiger3i.jpg


:tongue2:
 
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I've been fortunate enough to go on multiple safaris in Africa in my lifetime, and my parents a few more than me. We all greatly enjoyed our time at The Wilds and promptly scheduled another trip with my wife's parents when they came to visit.

The wide open expanse of the park feels much more real than a zoo and gives you a slightly more natural habitat in which to observe them. Safaris also tend to be inconsistent with what you get to see. Plus you get stuck in the mud and need an armed guard as protection from looters in the rift valley.

Bring your binoculars and zoom lens.

Go for the open air tour. If that means rescheduling around the heat, do so. It feels so much more authentic and personal in the open air safari like mini bus vs the air conditioned greyhound.
 
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ScriptOhio;2343691; said:
Wolverines are obviously pussies with wild animals, they just go to a drive thru and stay in the car; real Buckeyes do the up close hands on personal encounters.

Here I am (last month) at the Tiger Temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand just hanging out, socializing and/or walking with a few of my favorite tigers.

tiger1zp.jpg
tiger2f.jpg
tiger3i.jpg


:tongue2:
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We really need to make that bottom pic into a "haters gonna hate" gif.

You kinda look like Jack Hannah in the middle pick. :lol:
 
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They might have canceled the service, package or tour, but I remember reading a couple years ago (in the Dispatch) about the behind the scenes tour at the Columbus Zoo for $350 or $450 where you kind of work as a zookeeper.

It was a family tour and had mundane jobs such as feeding the animals, some health activities and other stuff (cleaning stalls).

I thought that would be an interesting tour, but I don't know if the Zoo kept it (might've canceled it since it was $350 or $450).
 
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It is pricey, $45?
WolverineMike;2343727; said:
yesterdays temp was perfect, but I could see where going in July or August would not be that great for the open air safari. Jwins brings up a great point.
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I would just be prepared to be flexible with when you go. I have gone in the summer when it was chilly and in September when it was really hot.

The out of state parental visits limited our flexibility on weather rescheduling.
 
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