Written By: Felecia Causey
Photography By: Felecia Causey (Enjoy!)
Guess what? I finally checked out Alabama Safari in Hope Hull! It's only about a 40-minute drive from my house, and the drive itself was gorgeous – all scenic countryside, which totally reminded me of my childhood. Getting in was a little bit of a quirky adventure though! The ticket booth was empty when I arrived, so I ended up grabbing my ticket at the gift shop window. Their internet was down, but it wasn't a problem at all – I was one of the first people there. They have the prices (plus tax) clearly displayed, both at the entrance and at the gift shop, so there are no surprises.
So, my safari adventure was seriously amazing! I started out a little nervous – all those safari videos flooded my brain, you know? But then I saw this herd of animals waiting for their snacks, and it was too scary. They were like, "Hey! Food?"
The llamas were something else! Such sassy personalities – they totally gave me "feed me or else" stares! And the emu chicks? Total chaos! Little balls of fluff running around like crazy. They were hilarious.
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Lots of the animals were just chilling in the shade, totally relaxed – like me after a long week, haha! I didn't get to see everything up close, but it was still cool.
The camels were ready for their close-up and a snack. One of the workers was giving them water when I drove past. Oh, and the Scottish Highland Cattle? My fave! Seeing one run towards me for food was both adorable and a little nerve-wracking, even after seeing so many other animals. It was so cute!
A lot of the drive was pretty quiet, lots of trees. I tried to get a good picture of the bison, but when a whole herd headed towards my car, I totally chickened out and rolled up my window! They had tons of babies, too!
Halfway through, I saw a park worker with a bale of hay, and the animals went WILD! Zebras and water buffalo scattered – it was pretty funny to watch. One water buffalo even waddle in the middle of the path, totally unhurried, reminding me of those people who take forever crossing the street! Then there were the wildebeest, all huddled together in the shade – I couldn't help but think of Mufasa from The Lion King! And the waterbuck just looked like it was saying, "Can't you see I'm trying to eat my lunch?!" Lots of animals were munching right on the trail; I guess it was feeding time.
After driving the trail, I checked out the Village Walk-Thru. It's small but cute, and you can buy food to feed the goats and pigs. I skipped that part this time though. It was getting pretty warm by then (around 10:25 am). I saw some giant tortoises hiding in the shade, but the capuchins were too shy for me to get a good look.
The giraffe tower was awesome! I chatted with Brianna – such a sweetheart – and she told me all about the giraffes. It was really cool and shady there, a perfect escape from the heat.
Next, I hit up the Budgie Adventure Aviary. Those birds are so colorful! Just a heads-up, if your kids are a little scary, maybe keep a close eye on them – those budgies fly everywhere! Ms. Alley was super nice and told me a bit about the birds, even though she was busy.
Finally, I saw the kangaroos. They were totally unbothered by everything, just chilling in the shade – I don't blame them, it was HOT!
I snapped a pic of the playground – they're building a food truck area too, which is cool. I almost left, but then I decided to feed the giraffes – that was the absolute highlight! I grabbed some lettuce, and it was such a fun experience.
Pack smart: hand sanitizer, wipes, and cloths are a must (those giraffes are slobbery!). Bring plenty of food, snacks, and water, because they *do* allow outside food. Wear comfy walking shoes – I wore Crocs, big mistake! Flip-flops are a no-go too. If you're sensitive to the sun, don't forget sunscreen, a hat, sunglasses, and maybe a long-sleeved shirt.
Going early in the morning (like I did on a Monday) is a good idea, but be prepared for some stops on the trail, especially if it's busy. And *definitely* fill your gas tank before you go – there's nowhere to get gas on the trails. Also, no restrooms on the trail, so everyone should go before you leave or arrive.
You can’t feed the giraffes from your car. No pets allowed, though, so leave your furry friend at home. Summer might be a bit hot, and the animals might stay in the shade more, so keep that in mind. Oh, and no smoking at the park.
I had a blast, but there are a few things I missed out on that you might want to consider for your trip! The wagon rides looked awesome, but they're only on weekends and cost an extra $10 per person (includes animal feed). Also, the sloth encounter is $40 extra on top of admission – definitely something to budget for. I didn't see the anteater or peacock – maybe they were shy! Hopefully, you'll have better luck spotting them.
Honestly, the prices are pretty typical for this kind of place. As a mom, I know the memories are worth it, but being budget-conscious is key! Also, skip the gift shop unless you’ve got a ton of cash; everything is super cute but also super expensive. They do have vending machines for something to drink, however if I remember correctly they started at $4. Yikes!
If you plan on feeding the animals, be aware that the lettuce is pricey ($10 for two cups!), and the animal food might get wasted depending on how the animals react, so don't go overboard. Don't feel pressured to do all the add-ons either; there's plenty to enjoy with just the regular admission.
Overall, despite the anxiety, the heat, and a hurting swollen knee, I'm really glad I went! It was a unique experience, and the kids would absolutely love it – getting to pet some of the animals is amazing. Just remember to take lots of pictures to capture all the fun! It's totally worth it in the end. You'll have a great time!
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