FAMILY VACATION TRAVEL -Animal Encounters
If your family is a crew of animal lovers than for your next family vacation travel adventure bring it to life with an animal encounter. I mean the expected kind…not the type from “When Animals Attack.” The opportunities out there can take an ordinary trip and turn it into something to remember for life!
Swimming with Manatees
Also known as the “sea cow” these gentle giants are in danger of becoming extinct. There are only a little over 3,000 of them left in Florida. Manatee Safari in Crystal River, Florida allows you to swim with them in their own environment. Unfortunately, the opportunity to see these extraordinary manatees may be diminishing since 25% of the deaths of these each year are due to boating accidents. Check out www.manateeinfo.com for a truly unique expedition to see these sweet, mammoth creatures.
Big Cat Rescue
Located in Tampa Florida is the world’s largest exotic big cat sanctuary, home of the only two white servals in the world. There are 140 cats including lions, tigers, leopards, panthers and many others. www.bigcatrescue.org
You’ll get to see the cats up close! Adult Day Tours ($25 per person) for ages 10 and older are offered Monday through Friday at 9am or 3pm, and on Saturdays at 9:30, 11:30 and 1:30, and last about an hour and a half. A Family Tour ($15 per child under 10 years and $25 per person over 10 years) is offered on Saturdays at 9am, and is the only tour permitted for children under age 10 along with their family. It is about an hour long, and is geared towards children’s interest.
Pet an adult tiger?
If that is not up close enough for you, travel to Santa Clarita, CA to “spend an afternoon walking a tiger, bottle feeding leopard, or have a grizzly bear present a gift…” These and many other animals are trained for Hollywood movies. Although pricey, $495.00/per person, you the experience of touching and interacting with these animals will make for a memorable day you will never forget! Totally amazing photo opportunity for your Christmas card too. Check out www.hollywoodanimals.com. They also have a “trainer for a day” where you learn what it takes to be an animal trainer and interact with tiger, bear and leopard actors. It is a one-on-one experience and you must be 16+ to do this training program.
Safari USA
If being in a vehicle makes you feel a little more secure, visit the Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, GA. Visitors can see, touch and feed hundreds of exotic animals. The drive through safari allows giraffes, ostrich and bison to come up to your car. The walk-about tour, which the animals are penned include ligers (half lions/half tiger), black bears, alligators etc. You may rent a zebra van, tour bus or drive your own car (they also have rhinos, just a note for decision-making purposes) Adults:$16.95 Children(3-12) $13.95 and 2 & under Free. Zebra van (7 passenger) is $11.00. Zebra bus (15 passenger) is $15.00. You can get more details at www.animalsafari.com
Butterflies and Birds of Prey
Since you are only a few miles down the road, you should visit Callaway Gardens. If you are doing both stay at the Callaway Gardens Resort. The Cecil B. Day Butterfly Center is home of 1,000 butterflies. We walked through and were amazed at the 50+ different types all around us. Note of caution: make sure to let your three year old know ahead of time not to swat at or try to catch them, major no-no! Callaway is also home of the Birds of Prey Show. We were taken by the free flighted show where raptors swoop down to take their place on the outdoor stage. This is one of few locations that has a live raptor show. If you are one of those people who have a tiny dog you carry in your purse, I would leave them at home that day. Visit www.callawaygardens.com. There is much more to the resort than the animal encounters, but that will be for another article.
Polar Bears & Beluga Whales
The Polar Bear Capital of the World! For an encounter with these big lovable-looking teddy bears you must venture to Churchill Manitoba in late October to mid-November. There bears emerge from hibernation and famished. They make their way out onto the ice for seal. At this time of year, you will probably see 250-300 of them. They are so in abundance, they have to have a Halloween Patrol so the children of Churchill can trick or treat without encounter. They have helicopters circling and the town ringed by emergency vehicles, all with engines on and spotlights on streets to keep polar bears from getting too close to costumed children. Go see the bears, it is a sight worth seeing. However, if you are going in the summer, there is an encounter of a different sort. Same location, different time of year, is where you can see Beluga Whales. Best time to do this is June-August when thousands are migrating.
Swimming with Humpback Whales
If you are more adventurous and would like to dip your toe in, check out the Silver Bank located between the Dominican Republic and Turks and Caicos Islands. It is the largest population of Humpback Whales in the North Atlantic. Here you will be able to swim with them! Go to www.wildquest.com/adventures to see about the expedition. You will stay on board to later plunge in for a journey into their world.
Sea Lions
Sea Lions @ Pier 39 in San Francisco, CA Since 1990 droves of sea lions hang out at the pier barking and kabitzing with tourists. The numbers can get to as many as 900 in the wintertime. If you are in San Francisco go to Fisherman’s Warf.
Swimming with Dolphins
Last by certainly not least lovable, dolphins. There are many places you can swim with dolphins and have a great encounter with these playful fellows. If your travels take you to Hawaii, Florida, Mexico, Carribean than you can go to www.dolphinworld.org and they have a listing of what outfits offer the excursions based on location.
Volunteer to feed baby foxes, raccoons and squirrels?
Urban Wildlife Rescue in Denver, Colorado has usually about 300 animals to care for and is in need of volunteers. There are many possibilities for a working vacation all over if you contact a animal rescue facility that has your interest. An animal encounter of the compassionate nature.
When planning your next family vacation travel experience maybe including an animal encounter with it could be just what you need to make this year’s family vacation unforgettable! I’d love to hear some of your ideas for unique animal encounter trips!