Wildlife Safari

Animals from three continents roam free

By Heather Irwin

OREGON—Just a thin pane of glass separates you from the wild beasts of Africa, Asia and the Americas. Lions, tigers and bears! Oh my.

Armed with an artillery of cameras and binoculars, visitors can go on a wild safari from the comfort of their own cars in Winston, Oregon. Located just outside of Roseburg (about 2.5 hours south of Portland), Wildlife Safari is 600 acres of drive-through, free-roaming animal fun. Exotic animals, including cheetah, rhinos, zebras, elephants, bears, giraffes and lions pad through grassland and wooded areas in special enclosures, often coming within feet of drivers.

Special Events at Wildlife Safari

- Camp Tiki: Enjoy an overnight stay in the park

- Elephant Trek: An exclusive meet and greet with the park's largest residents

- Lion Feeding: Get as close as you dare to hungry lions

- Cheetah Encounter: Seeing spots? Meet the mom and baby cheetah

- Half day with a ranger: Spend several hours learning about the park from the inside

More things to do
Camel Rides 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Train Rides 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Click and Reward Safari's New Show 2:30 p.m.
Elephant Rides 1 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. (except Tues & Wed)

And though coming face-to-face with a brown bear or bison can be more than a little disconcerting for some (and downright exciting for others), there's never really any danger here in the park. Animal keepers keep a close eye on their wild crew, shooing back over-eager animals and making sure humans keep their distance. Though, there are no promises than a rogue beak or two might take more than a passing interest in your camera.

More than just fun, however, the park has a purpose. Established in 1972, Wildlife Safari is a leading medical and research facility for the preservation of rare and endangered species, most notably the cheetah. Currently, the safari has more than 85 percent of North America's breeding cheetahs, with about 20 cheetahs calling Winston home. Since 1973, 35 litters and 143 baby cheetahs have been born at the park—an amazing success rate. The safari has recently added a lion and tiger breeding facility. Other zoo babies are born throughout the year, and visible year-round, including zebras, antelope, bison and rare birds.

For those willing to get very up-close and personal with four-legged beasts, the park offers camel and elephant rides daily, as well as special educational programs including lion feedings, cheetah cub viewings, and half-day ride-alongs with rangers who offer a behind-the scenes viewpoint of the park. The Scoop on Poop is a interactive program that takes a, ahem, deeper look at the food and droppings of animals, and is a fun, eye-opening program designed for kids.

Wildlife Safari also offers a restaurant and gift shop for those less interested in scatological education.

Want to know more? Wild By Nature, an educational CD is available for $5. Discover which bird lays the largest eggs, which animal sleeps the most and what animals the Egyptians regarded as sacred, among other fascinating facts.

If you go:
Wildlife Safari, 1790 Safari Road, Winston. (541) 679-6761. Office Hours 9 a.m. - 5 p.m., White Rhino Restaurant 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., Gift Shop 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Most activities are great for kids of all ages, though certain special activities, including Camp Tiki, require children to be at least 5 years old. Tickets for adults are $17.50 per person, for children 4-12, $11.50 and children under 3 are free.