Kristi K. Higgins
Well, it happened...I regressed in age, but that’s a good thing!
During my recent mini-vacation, I did something for the first time that I highly, HIGHLY recommend for people of all ages. It’s a thrill that can happen even during this life-altering coronavirus pandemic.
Going to the Virginia Safari Park [VSP] in Natural Bridge makes for a great day trip. It’s located in the Shenandoah Valley minutes from the Blue Ridge Parkway and totally worth the short drive from Chesterfield County to Rockbridge County to experience the 180-acre drive-thru adventure!
Upon entry, visitors receive two zoos for the price of one to see hundreds of animals from around the world at both the VSP and the Safari Village. Animal lovers will be happy hearing that same day re-entry to the zoos is permitted by presenting your receipt.
Entry, parking, and zoo visitor instructions are easy peasy. At the entrance, reasonably-priced feed buckets are available that will provide you with plenty of attention. Each vehicle receives a handy-dandy souvenir guide to the park animals.
What did a Texas native have to say about the zoos?
“It’s our first visit here. The zoos are really good and interactive especially with the animals,” said Ms. Siaenz of Texas. “The kids and my father-in-law loved it.”
My traveling companion and I opted to stretch our legs through the 10-acre Safari Village walk-thru first. It was an enjoyable, average zoo setting.
While taking a cheeseburger break at the Watering Hole Cafe inside the Village, six-year-old Sadie Hershey of Lancaster, Pa. made my day.
I snapped a photo of Sadie taking a photo of a peacock that was foraging for food around the tables. While introducing myself to her parents, Sadie handed me the polaroid photo she had just captured of the peacock. How sweet!
“My mom tells me I’m a good photographer,” said Sadie. “May I please see the photo you took of me.”
I told Sadie, “I love those manners.”
On a side note...my twenty-seven-year old son Forrest told me just the other day that he finds himself complimenting other people on their politeness...just like I do. Moms like to hear something good was instilled in the next generation.
Sadie and I became fast friends, and she invited me to visit her home. Ha!
When Sadie handed me the photo, I was quite surprised, since I thought polaroid cameras were a thing of the past. I’m glad to see they still exist, because I remember how cool I thought it was when my Grandma Lynn and Grandpa Bubbles would take photos and lay them out on the counter for all of us to watch develop.
The Butterfly receives good advice.
“The Rocky Mountain Elk are relentless,” shared Brandy Muller of Hagerstown, Md. during her second visit to the Virginia Safari Park. “They’ll either take your bucket by sticking their nose in it forcibly to knock it out of your hands, or they’ll steal it out of the bed of your truck.
“This one tried to bite me and got yuck on me,” added Muller while pointing at a photo of the aggressive, grain thief cow on her phone. “They swarm you.”
After our yummy bite to eat, we ventured onward to the three-mile drive-thru safari which was anything but typical.
We were greeted by a couple of African Watusi which are known as the “cattle of kings” because of their long horns. As soon as the huge, docile pair decided to ‘mooooove’ aside, we got started on the ‘BEST DRIVE EVER’.
While riding in the back of a pickup truck, I was approached by dozens of friendly free-roaming animals along the safari road. I lost count! It was truly an unforgettable experience. I touched and fed animals I never dreamt possible.
The VSP brochure stated, “Hold on to your feed buckets...if you can!”
Due to an overly rambunctious African Eland named Nairobi, I indeed lost a bucket along with two fingernails. Ha! I happened to be filming at the time, so if you want to see me wrestling with him trying with all my might to retain the bucket, you’ll have to go to our website to view it along with numerous, humorous clips all rolled into one exciting video.
“The kids enjoyed the buffaloes the most. They even lick the side of the car,” shared Rob Strickland of W.Va. “It was a fun, safe family activity during this unprecedented time.”
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Visitors are not allowed to exit their vehicles under any circumstances, so my recommendation is to purchase two buckets or more of grain...just in case. If visitors run into a wee bit of trouble along the way and need assistance, drivers are asked to honk their horn to alert the park ranger.
If I absolutely was forced to pick a favorite, it would have to be the Scotch Highland cow named Blondie. She was very sweet, beautiful, and lovable. I wanted to take her home with me along with the entire Scotch Highland fold.
My second would have to be the Rocky Mountain Elk bull named Timber. I loved capturing him in all his majestic glory. He looked regal and stately standing in the woods with the sunlight rays beaming through the trees. It was a sight to behold!
While feeding the sweet, friendly yak named Sherpa, my driver continued on before I was ready which caused me to have a minor, whiny, hissy fit. Where did that come from? Ha!
I could go on-and-on about this spectacular experience, but you’ll just have to trust me and check it out for yourself. You will not regret becoming a kid again!
Speaking of ‘blond’...I had a moment. After the safari, I asked my chauffeur where the drinks were located because I was really thirsty. He said, “You’re sitting on them.” Ha! Ha! Ha! I was so caught up in the amazing, wild adventure that I forgot my waters were underneath me the entire time. Ha!
Before we headed home for the day, I went into the Safari Trading Post Gift Shop located at the entrance to both the Safari Village and the VSP where I met Prince George, Va. native Becky Huels of Buena Vista who serves as the Safari Park’s office administrator.
“It’s always an adventure. I get to drive through and see all the animals you don’t always get to see especially the new babies,” shared Huels. “And, I get to meet lots of cool people.”
It’s easy to see why the Virginia Safari Park was voted as a Top 10 Animal Attraction in the U.S. by FamilyFun Magazine in 2015.
I would like to thank VSP manager Ariella Mejia for the fantastic eyeball-to-eyeball adventure with friendly, slobbery animals, and I’d like to give a special shout out to employee Taylor Campbell [safari lead keeper and giraffe keeper] for her superb assistance helping me identify animals for my story.
Visit progress-index.com to view the photo gallery and video to learn more about my exciting first-hand account at the Safari Village and Virginia’s ONLY drive-thru safari adventure.
For pricing, directions, and more information to assist you in planning your visit, go to virginiasafaripark.com.
FYI...no pets are permitted on the property...for obvious reasons, and please remember to check the zoo’s website for their latest COVID-19 update.
Kristi K. Higgins, aka The Social Butterfly, can be reached at khiggins@progress-index.com. On Twitter: @KristiHigginsPI
