Dallas has long been considered a tourist magnet thanks to its unique architecture, fascinating museums, and beautiful natural attractions. But just outside the city lies one of the largest safari parks in the region — Texas Zoofari Park. Today, we’ll take a closer look at its history and development. Read more on dallas-name.com.
The History of the Park
Texas Zoofari Park spans 900 acres and is the largest property in the Zoofari Parks network, which also includes Virginia Safari Park, Gulf Breeze Zoo, and Alabama Safari Park.
The story of Zoofari Parks dates back to the early 2000s, when Eric Mogensen founded the concept of drive-through safari parks, opening the first one in Virginia. Over time, additional locations were established in Florida and Alabama. In Texas, the park was developed by Zoofari Parks LLC, a company dedicated to wildlife conservation, education, and the exhibition of unique animal species in semi-natural habitats.
Texas Zoofari Park officially opened in 2023. Designed as a family-friendly drive-through safari, the park is home to more than 1,200 animals that roam freely in large enclosures modeled closely after their natural environments. The park’s main priorities include biodiversity preservation, educational outreach, and charitable initiatives supporting endangered species. Notably, the park does not receive government funding — it operates through donations, sponsorships, and visitor support.
A Unique Visitor Experience
One of the highlights of Texas Zoofari Park is its six-mile drive-through route, which visitors can explore in their own vehicles. Along the way, guests can encounter herds of rhinos, rare Grevy’s zebras, deer, camels, watusi cattle, buffalo, ostriches, and many other animals.
In addition to the safari route, the park features an interactive zone with educational exhibits and family-friendly attractions: a giraffe feeding area, aviaries with budgerigar parrots, a petting zoo for children, and a domestic animal farm. Texas Zoofari Park also boasts one of the largest collections of African, Asian, and American herbivores in the region — and the collection continues to grow.
Texas Zoofari Park is not only one of the largest and most educational safari parks near Dallas, but also a key center for animal care, conservation, and public engagement. The zoo is constantly expanding its collection, improving animal habitats, investing in educational programs, and supporting international wildlife protection initiatives.
Visitors can get up close to many animals and even feed them directly from their car windows. The park also offers dedicated feeding areas for giraffes, a walk-in parrot aviary, and a children’s farm where young guests can interact with friendly animals.
Education is a vital part of the park’s mission. Texas Zoofari Park promotes environmental awareness, introduces visitors to rare and endangered species, and educates the public about the importance of biodiversity. The park also participates in global conservation programs, such as supporting anti-poaching efforts, collaborating with other zoos on animal exchange and breeding programs, and working to preserve threatened wildlife populations.
Admission to Texas Zoofari Park ranges from $22 to $25, depending on age. Children under two years old can enter for free. A ticket includes access to both the six-mile drive-through safari and the Safari Village pedestrian area with its interactive exhibits. Visitors can also purchase animal feed and souvenirs separately.
We hope you found this article interesting and learned more about this wonderful attraction in our region. Have you ever visited Texas Zoofari Park? What were your impressions? Share your thoughts with us on social media!
