White rhino calves Alissa and Tabitha join the herd at Lion Country Safari
Lion Country Safari staff welcomed the third generation of endangered white rhinos born at Loxahatchee Park.
Lion Country Safari, the driving safari park in Loxahatchee that’s home to over 85 species of animals, is no newcomer to the national spotlight. It’s regularly featured on top 10 travel destinations lists, including USA Today’s “10 Best” readers’ choice for best safari park. Now the park has secured another bragging right.
This time, the award comes from Newsweek, which named Lion Country to its top 10 list of animal encounter attractions in the 2024 Readers Choice Awards. The drive-thru park not only made the list, but climbed to the top, becoming Newsweek’s choice for the best animal encounter in the United States.
The list was compiled by a panel of experts and contributors and then voted on by readers to determine the rankings. The results were released on August 8. It was one of four Florida destinations to make the list.
“We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and are grateful to all of our supporters for voting for us. This award is a testament to our commitment to outstanding animal care and to providing a fantastic guest experience to the hundreds of thousands of guests we welcome through our gates each year,” said Jennifer Berthiaume, Vice President of Lion Country Safari.
Newsweek’s top 10 list for best animal encounters:
Lion Country Safari, Loxahatchee
Tanganyika Wildlife Park in Goddard, Kansas
Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch in San Antonio, Texas;
Wilstem Wildlife Park in Paoli, Indiana
Bearizona Wildlife Park in Williams, Arizona
St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park in St. Augustine
Northwest Trek Wildlife Park in Eatonville, Washington
The Wildlife Refuge in Keenesburg, Colorado
Marineland Dolphin Adventures in St. Augustine
Airboat tour through the Everglades Safari Park in Fort Lauderdale
Lion Country Safari celebrates World Lion Day on August 24
Lion Country Safari was founded in 1967 and was the first safari park in the country that you could drive through. Over 85 species of animals live here in spacious, natural habitats. These include wildebeest, giraffes, zebras, ostriches, chimpanzees, rhinos, impalas, greater kudus, Asian water buffalo, white-handed gibbons and, of course, lions.
On August 24, Lion Country Safari will celebrate World Lion Day from 11am to 3pm with activities, educational exhibits and special VIP tours, all designed to raise awareness of the plight of lions in the wild.
More: The best ways to get wet and beat the heat in Palm Beach County: From wading pools to pools
In addition to animals, Lion Country Safari also offers animal encounters. Guests can feed giraffes, experience a petting zoo, explore the aviary and feed the lorikeets. To cool off, there is also a water park with several slides and water games, mini golf, the Safari Queen pontoon boat and much more.
More: Extremely popular breakfast chain brings biscuits and Southern fare to Palm Beach County
Eddie Ritz is a reporter for The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. Reach him at [email protected]. Support our journalism. Subscribe today.
