giraffe ranch

In Tampa area for a quick visit with family ages 22-80. What a wonderful experience --- Safari style with many endangered animals. Owners run the ranch and tours. Very personal and they are extremely knowledgeable. Well worth the time and fee! A highlight of our trip---recommend to all. ( also smaller children on tour and they had a ball)

The Giraffe Ranch is a licensed working ranch that specializes in exotic species as well as domestic cattle and horses. The Guide, one of the owners of the farm, was informative and passionate about the knowledge and care of the animals.The grounds are kept in great condition while taking into account the needs of the animals. The large roaming areas for the larger animals are very adequate and we were able to see all the animals up close. Elana's passion and historic knowledge about each animal is astounding! Her husband Lex has an extensive knowledge of animals and they have traveled the world learning about their beloved creatures.We fed the giraffes! They come to the truck and gently take the leaves out of our hands! It is a wonderful experience! Elaina fed the White Rhinos and put her hand into their mouths to show us the inside of a Rhino mouth and how his teeth grow and chew his food! This ranch is a wonderful experience for both children and adults. We adults enjoyed the trip and wished for it not to end!

What a wonderful day: informative lecture, safari ride with a knowledgeable guide to see many animals we'd never seen before, plus the highlight -- a chance to fee giraffes!!! The $75 admission fee seems high, but I'd go again in a heart beat! Optional are the lemur feedings, otter feedings or a camel ride for $20.

A fabulous place for old and young...the owers were very nice and very accomodating, knowledgeable. The animals were so great but the most excting part was the GIRAFFES...I can't describe how it felt having interaction with one of the most beautiful, gentle and BIG animals in the world. Just looking into there eyes and seeing them, touching them, incredible.. If you get a chance, go. It was worth every penny. An experiance you will NEVER FORGET!!!:)

They are very nice people. You get up close with these beautiful creatures. It is also a great learning expirence. Go check it out! You won't regret it.

I have waited till after going to Disney to write this review ,so I might compare to wild kingdom.After arriving to Disney And hearing comments , I decided nothing could top Giraffe Ranch. Thank you, Thank you for the time, love, knowledge your family has put into this special magical oasis.Seeing how these animals are cared for, with total concern of their wellbeing is just so rewarding.I plan on visiting next year. Passed on Disney this was the best experience . Thanks

My husband and I visited the ranch and were very happy we made the decision to do so. We learned so much about the world zoos and preserves and animals that we did not know. We also got up close and personal with zebra, giraffe, monkeys, pigs, tortoise, havelinas, warthogs, rhinos and others. Elaina and her husband were very educated in their respective fields and shared their knowledge with one and all.We also rode the camels when our safari was over. Well worth the money. Don't forget to buy some eggs for breakfast!!

If you want to see girafes up close and personal--after a 1 hour plus animal lecture and another 45 minutes wandering around looking at hens and whatever--in pens--then sit in an open bus for another hour and half, by all means, spend $75/person.By per person, I mean ALL ages, from 1-70 = NO discounts.Secondly, when calling there, make sure to get a full detailed explanation of exactly what you are getting into. You do have a marvelous experience with the giraffes, but that consists of @ 1/2 hour of the 2 & 1/2 hours of everything BUT giraffes. I took myself, 2 adult daughters, and 2 grandsons--2 & 4 years old. Total bill = $401.So, if you love giraffes out in the open, go to a zoo, NOT here.

This place is truly an amazing experience! I have never been to a place that has the variety of exotic animals all under one roof. We took the 1.5hr camel ride around the ranch and saw some very unique creatures that I can guarantee you would not see anywhere else in Florida. The owners live on site and gave us the comfortable home feeling as they showed us all the animals and history behind them. At the end of our tour, we actually feed the giraffes! A Must experience place for sure.

This facility is absolutely fabulous! Before you decide to visit, you need to know you are guests and you are fortunate to be allowed to enjoy the experience. The purpose is the breeding and maintaining of the magnificent animal residents. The owners accomplish this with the help of two additional employees. Our tour began with a short demonstration and conversation by the owners. We took a short walking tour of the monkeys and various arboreal cage dwellers. We boarded safari style trucks with comfortable seats and covered tops for shade. Our "safari" was a leisurely drive around the property with frequent stops to visit with all sorts of animals, wart hogs, giraffe, rhino, zebra, ostrich, and many more. Some of us opted for hand feeding lemurs and giraffe. Seeing these animals living life in a natural setting was splendid. People with young children, or who expect to be waited on and catered to should think twice before a visit here. These folks are trying their best to share an authentic animal encounter experience while doing the animals justice. Visiting here is a gift of a lifetime.

Do not book an African Safari, you can see everything you need to at Giraffe Ranch and get to feed the Giraffe's too! I can't say enough about this amazing adventure we had at Giraffe Ranch. From the moments the owners opened the gates and warmly welcomed us with handshakes we felt like we were visiting old friends. They took such great care in making sure each and every guest felt welcomed and got a chance to feed each animal they wanted too. The owner has a PHD in Zoology and was so very informative telling us not only about the animals and their habitats but the history of Florida. You cannot believe the thrill you will get to feed a giraffe and have them lick your hands and gobble up pieces of cabbage leaves! We saw hippos, rhinoceros, lemurs (they were just too cute), giraffes, camels and more. There are many options of visiting the ranch from camel ride, to Segway, to the open air bus we rode on. The ranch is eco friendly and self sustainable. A rare thing today! They truly care about their animals and their well being and truly care about their guests! I will visit again and recommend this adventure to anyone no matter what age!!

This had been my second consecutive January visit to this remarkable, unforgettable venue and my husband's first visit. He summed up his experience at Giraffe Ranch as follows: "It is so evident that the owners do this for their love of the animals....not for monetary reasons..." I could not have described this any better.

Fantastic opportunity to take a "safari" among wild animals such as giraffes and you get to handfeed them! Definitely the best animal encounter I have ever had - can never visit a zoo again as I have been totally spoiled by this experience. If you want to know more, read the chapter about Giraffe Ranch in the book of Days Out from The Villages with Grandkids - after that you HAVE to go!

This was the best outdoor experience my wife and I had. We actually fed animals that were not domesticated!

This is a once in a lifetime experience - feeding a giraffe is amazing fun. The whole experience is wonderful. We absolutely love the lemurs - their little hands rest on yours and it feels like a baby's hand. Feed them grapes and they'll love you. The pygmy hippos, camels, fainting goats, the zebras, everything is a different experience. No matter how much you know about these animals, you'll learn even more. Well organized, educational, a humane home to all the animals. Love this place.