hedrick's exotic animal farm

You can enjoy Hedrick's two ways: Stay overnight in their Bed & Breakfast or book a tour of the property only. A group of us decided to stay the night. I will be honest, I really didn't think this place was going to be very interesting, I assumed they wouldn't have more than a handful of animals and nothing to do. I was wrong. Firstly- ANIMALS! They had several varieties of exotic animals from around the world. They provided two lengthy tours around the farm so you could see and learn about the animals. The staff was extremely knowledgeable and responsible with every animal on the property. I can tell every critter was in good hands. They allowed you to feed (with supervision), touch and interact with several species including giraffes, zebra's and kangaroo's. We could also wander the grounds and interact with the animals on our own. There was an area for a select few animals that was like a regular petting zoo. You could walk in the petting area anytime and interact with a small cow, goats, etc. Included in our B&B stay was a camel ride. (Kids can have pony rides too) The camel stole my heart ( he was actually very cute for a camel and had a great personality, he was kind of like a big dog) Second- Bed & Breakfast stay. It was really nice. Right away when I walked in it smelled very pleasant and didn't smell like the farm at all. They had animal themed rooms with murals. The beds and ample pillows were cozy and warm. (mine had a fuzzy zebra blanket) Each room has a different view of the animals on the farm. The rooms were very sizeable and roomy. We had 4 people in our group sharing the zebra group and we could of still had 3 kids with us. This place is overall VERY family friendly with something for kids everywhere. There are 3 large common areas for playing games and relaxing so you don't have to keep your kids cooped up in your room. Our breakfast was great with lots of variety. Things to know:It is a farm, so it's dirty anywhere you go outside. If you don't like animal mess or smell than don't go. You have to wash your hands and clean your shoes when it's time to go inside. Especially if the ground is wet. There is some walking around, not a ton. So if you have any walking trouble, I doubt it would stop you from seeing some animals. The grounds were pretty flat with a few dips in the grassy areas, so that might be something a wheel chair would need to caution. One viewing area is kind of narrow, so if you are in a wheel chair, that would be difficult or impossible to navigate.

This is fun for any age. Each room has a different theme and are different sizes etc. Upon arrival we got settled into our rooms and got to go on a hayride. We had snacks in the roomy dining room and got a tour of the S.American animals. We got to feed the animals apples and sweet potatoes. We were in the "Ostrich room" which had a hot tub also. Unbelievable breakfast in the morning. Then we went on the main animal tour, I learned so much about a lot of animals. The camels are my favorite. Thankyou Saundra and Joe Heddrick

Hedrick's is the the perfect little getaway for a short weekend. We stayed at the bed and breakfast which also includes the tour of the farm. We got the camel room and it was very nice! I think it's a cute idea to have animal names for all of their rooms. You can literally pet and touch all of the animals, even the ostriches if you aren't afraid of them pecking you! The breakfast in the morning was very good, and there was plenty of food for everyone. There were even left overs! The staff was very friendly and the people that give the morning tour were very knowledgeable. We had a wonderful time and I would definitely recommend it to anyone and everyone ages 1-110!

What a unique and wonderful place. Where else can you feed a giraffe and he give you a kiss or ride a camel?? These animals are well cared for and the personnel maintain a deep personal attachment to the animals it appears. My 6 and 8 year grandchildren enjoyed it and said it was better than most zoos because you can pet the Zebra and have someone knowledgeable to tell you about that Zebra including how each one is identified and documented. The children loved the giraffe leaning down and nibbling treats. Feeding the Llama babies was fun as well as feeding, petting the kangaroos. They rode the camel and the little one rode the pony. These animals travel around the country and the people working with them are knowledgeable and respectful. I personally enjoyed the miniature horses and the tiny goats. They were so cute and friendly--looking for their treats. You are in the middle of it all so be sure and wear shoes that can be washed off!! Very, very Positive experience.

I just got home from our stay at the Hendricks exotic animal farm. We had a great time. The education value alone was worth the trip. I loved how these animals were treated with respect and kindness, beast of burdens they may be, they have the life. The staff was great and I had the honor of meeting Mr. Hendricks himself. I have a feeling that an afternoon and dinner of speaking to the man would not quench my thirst for everything he has to teach. I will go back and spend more time with them. Worth every penny.

This is both a working farm and a Bed and Breakfast. Myself and my 6 yr.-old grand daughter spent 1 night at the B&B. I rented "The Ostrich Suite" that had a separate room that contained a full-size hot tub. It was fun--but something like this is suited way more to being outside---too humid and hot in an interior room for my taste. They had a sofa that made into a bed in the same room as the hot tub----how anyone would ever attempt to sleep in that hot stuffy room with the tub---I wouldn't even dream to understand. Main sleeping room was closed off.. nice--but no table or dresser to set anything on. Walk around balcony was nice so you could step out your door and walk around for a perfect view of the ostriches, kangaroos, peacocks, and other animals down below. There were a lot of pigeon droppings on the one side of the deck which we didn't notice until---well, a little too late. But next morning all was clean and hosed off. Your overnight stay incudes a tour at 7:00 p.m., a 8:00 p.m. warm cookie and punch treat, breakfast with homemade muffins, breads, eggs, pancakes and a lot to choose from. Served in big Western themed room with Ping-Pong table, basketball, and other games. Other end of upper floor had a sort of living room with a Tee-Pee, stuffed animals, books, and lots of VHS tapes to borrow to play in your room. Also--a big glass window that overlooks the inside kangaroo pen where they sleep. You can turn on the overhead lights in their sleep room and watch them. Pretty cool! Your guide carries a tub of cut up sweet potato, and apple to feed to the animals you'll be introduced to. The night tour took us to the giraffes, kangaroos (you got to walk right around with them and feed them--it was great!!), and the guide went in and demonstrated the porcupines--which they petted and hand fed. We saw a parrot who could talk and got most upset when a pot bellied pig named "Beans" got part of his attention taken away. Next morning anyone who wanted could bottle feed some animals, saw cute baby donkey, and other babies who would wander up to you so you could pet them. Got to feed a Camel, see the Zebras, deer of different kinds and a lot more animals. Highlight for grand daughter was getting to ride the camel in a big saddle. He was gentle and they let people take 2-person rides on him as they led him around the main house. Also, the kids got to ride on a pony. This is really one of the most unique experiences I've had with an overnight stay or without. There are zoos and wildlife areas where you can pet and interact with SOME animals...but here you get a one on one experience with just about every animal in the vicinity. Even if you can't feed all of them..you can usually touch a nose, or fur, or something. I used to run a B&B out of my home and I see a couple reviews on here which rate this negatively because they just couldn't "drop in" for a tour without reservations....this is NOT an open attraction for that type of visitation. These owners work this farm..travel with the animals..live on site.. and it would be pretty rude to just drive in and expect them to show you around. If you want to visit---schedule a tour--if you want to stay overnight---make a reservation. Pretty simple! I think their brochures and advertising make it pretty clear. This is also not a ultra modern hotel----there are animal droppings on the ground outside but VERY clean on the interior, you have to follow the rules and not let kids run wild and scream and scare the animals, there is no HD TV, flat screens, VCR's or room service. If you want a thoroughly WONDERFUL experience that will be unforgettable for you and your family, or as a couple, or by yourself and you love animals...you will adore this place. My grand daughter will not forget her camel ride, having the baby goats nibble her shorts, or seeing the look on my face when I was in the baby animal petting section and looked up to find a giraffe's chin about a foot from my face. I don't think either one of us will forget our first "grandma/grand daughter" road trip and this is definitely the highlight!! Just noticed someone on here questioned the animals being in pens. If they would have listened to the talk given they would have learned that most animals are rotated to other areas, taken on trips to other locations for petting, special events, exhibits and other venues for educational purposes. As far as I could tell---the larger animals had lots of open air huge areas to run and play in..fresh food and water..and were very gentle to the people that worked with them and the strangers that viewed them. All precautions were taken to assure people and animals were protected and safe. If you're in the area.....or even if it means a trip... do not miss this undiscovered gem! We bought matching t-shirts and wore them onto Salina---we got asked several times about where and what it was.

We stopped here with our kids on a road trip through Kansas, and did the one hour tour -- well worth the time and money. The animals range from normal farm critters like sheep, goats and chickens to giraffes, camels, zebras, kangaroos, ostriches and more. (They have a teacup potbelly pig who has free range of the office building who is absolutely adorable. We are still talking about her.) Our kids were in heaven, getting to feed apples and sweet potato sticks to the various creatures on the farm. The kangaroos are very friendly. Our daughter wanted to take the baby lambs home. It is very cool to feed and pet a giraffe and a baby zebra. Our tour guide was nice and knowledgeable. The animals like people and seem well cared for. They have large pastures and room to roam. Our guide explained that Hedricks trains many of them for performances at theaters, fairs and so on. Hedricks also operates a bed and breakfast, and you can stay there to get even more of the animal experience. This is a working farm (you will step in animal poop) and you'll be outside most of the time on the tour, so dress for the weather and wear appropriate boots or shoes.

with the animals and the family/emmployees were very nice. I did kind of question weather this is the best way to keep animals. They seem happy and healthy. kids love this place.

Want to get up close and personal with animals? This is the place for you!! You are allowed to interact with the animals twice during your stay - once in the evening and then again in the morning. You can watch the animals from the bed and breakfast house or walk around. You have the opportunity to see peacocks, camels, kangaroos, zebras, ostrichs and many more types of animals. The staff is very friendly. The farm is set up to entertain kids - playground outside, play area inside in addition to seeing the animals. Highly recommended!!

Well worh the money. Each room has a different animal theme and the staff is very nice and informative. The place and animals are well taken care of and have lots of space to roam but you can see the animals from anywhere you go, no hiding spots.

We arrived in the early evening to Hedrick's Exotic Animal Farm. We received a mini tour and the kids had an opportunity to feed kangaroos and giraffes. We were given a snack and the kids spent time in their game room were weconversed with other guests. In the morning we were greeted with a full home cook breakfast and then followed with an engaging tour of the facilities and interacted with a wide range of animals; zebras, camels, horses and other farm animals. The kids and adults also got to ride a camel. We stayed in the Zebra room, decor which was so appropriate for our stay. The bedroom was spacious and slept up to 6. We left very happy and a great place to be for Spring Break.

Exotic is very true - the opportunity to feed and interact with kangaroos, giraffes, zebras, camels, horses, and more is incredible. We stayed in the Zebra room and it was decorated so cute! And their "all inclusive" is really all-inclusive. No extra fees charged on at the last minute. The kids got a huge kick out of the whole experience. Our 6 year old daughter was nervous around some of the animals at first, but by the second day she was feeding everyone! The game room that was available in the evening was a lot of fun and a great spot for the kids to unwind while the parents relaxed and viewed the animals out the windows. The staff was very good with the animals and the number of baby animals (which were ADORABLE!) was incredible. Watching the baby kangaroo climb in and out of his mother's pouch is something I'll never forget.

This place is amazing! I went over the weekend with some friends and had a blast. We stayed at the bed and breakfast so we got 2 tours with the animals. No animal was off limits for petting. Our guide gave us sweet potato chips to feed the kangaroos the first night. The kangaroos were friendly and receptive to people. The next day, we got the tour of the rest of the farm with included camels, giraffes, goats, sheep, zebras, llamas, and a whole bunch of other weird animals I can even remember. The guide had more sweet potato chips for giraffe feeding and we got to feed a baby camel from a bottle. I will definitely be going back here! If you decide to stay at the bed and breakfast, stay in the Pride of Kansas room. It overlooks the kangaroo area. You can watch them from your window all evening.

I was scheduled for a mini family vacation at this farm on 3 different dates. Because of Army duties, I had to reschedule. Each time I had to reschedule it was with 30-60 days notice. The last time I called to reschedule, I was told I could not reschedule nor could I receive my $50.00 deposit back. The reason given was because it is policy. While I understand policy, I also know there are reasons to make exceptions and apparently they did not feel performing Army duties is a reason to make an exception. After I sent an email they did respond with an offer of a Sunday night. Considering I work and one of my children is in school it would be impossible for us to accept that offer. I think it was a veiled attempt to offer minimum customer service. Their initial reaction tells you the type of customer service to expect from this company.

My children & I took a weekend getaway trip to Hedrick's. We Absolutely loved it! Everyone one the staff was warm & friendly, and it was a great atmosphere to relax with my children and have fun while learning new things about different exotic animals. We were taken on several tours during our stay. We got to interact with many of the animals as well as help to bottle feed a baby camel named Clyde. My son's favorite part of the trip was feeding a petting the baby kangaroos and going for a pony ride, while my daughter absolutely loved playing with the baby goats and getting to see all of the animals up close. We were able to pet and feed an ostridge, donkeys, goats, giraffs, zebras, alpacas, camels, kangaroors, and many other amazing and beautiful animals. I was pleased to see that all the animals seemed happy and very well taken care of. They were all very calm and content. We stayed in the Zebra Room and The Osrtigde Room. Both are very comforatble and charming with hand painted murals on the walls and bunk beds for the kids or a hot tub to relax in after running around the farm. (After Cleaning up of coarse.) There was a heated atrium viewing area that was set up for the kangaroos to come inside if they were cold that the hallway and play area wrapped around. It was a Fav attraction for my kids in the evening time. We could walk out of our room and glance down at the bouncing kangaroos. I can't say enough how great our stay was at Hedricks. What an experience! Would highly recommend to anyone that is looking for a fun family getaway or simply a quiet retreat.