Atlanta Safari Park offers a drive-through wildlife experience in Commerce, Georgia, about 70 miles northeast of downtown Atlanta. You’ll want to know whether this roadside attraction fits your schedule, especially if you’re traveling with children or looking for animal encounters beyond traditional zoo exhibits.
This guide explains what to expect at the park, how long to plan for your visit, what makes it different from similar attractions, and practical details to confirm before you go.
What Is Atlanta Safari Park?
Atlanta Safari Park is a privately operated drive-through animal park where visitors feed animals from their vehicles along a paved route. The park houses exotic and domestic species including zebras, water buffalo, ostriches, camels, and various deer species that approach cars for food purchased at the entrance.
Understanding the Drive-Through Experience
You drive your own vehicle through approximately 1.5 miles of paved road while animals roam freely around you. Most visitors complete the loop in 30 to 60 minutes depending on how much time they spend feeding and photographing animals.
The park provides feed buckets at the entrance for a fee, which you should verify before your visit. Animals are accustomed to approaching vehicles and will often stick their heads through open windows, so you’ll need to decide your comfort level with close contact.
What Animals You’ll See
The park’s collection changes based on breeding, acquisitions, and seasonal factors, but typical residents include:
- Zebras and watusi cattle with long horns
- American bison and water buffalo
- Camels and dromedaries
- Emus and ostriches
- Various deer species including fallow, axis, and sika deer
- Alpacas and llamas
The park also maintains a small walk-through area with goats, tortoises, and other smaller animals. This section typically takes an additional 15 to 30 minutes to explore.
Vehicle and Safety Considerations
Convertibles and soft-top vehicles are generally not permitted for safety reasons, though policies may change. Motorcycles and bicycles are also restricted.
Animals may lean on vehicles, lick windows, and drool while seeking food. Expect minor scratches from hooves or tongues on paint and glass, particularly if you have a newer vehicle you’re concerned about maintaining in pristine condition.
Keep windows partially closed if you’re uncomfortable with animals entering the cabin. Large animals like camels and bison can reach deep into vehicles, which excites some visitors and alarms others.
Planning Your Visit
The park is located off Interstate 85 in Commerce, making it accessible as a stop between Atlanta and the North Georgia mountains or South Carolina. Most visitors combine it with other area attractions rather than making it a standalone destination.
How Much Time to Allocate
Plan for 60 to 90 minutes total, including the drive-through loop and walk-through area. If you have young children who want to feed every animal repeatedly, you may spend closer to two hours.
The park works well as a morning or afternoon activity rather than a full-day excursion. Consider pairing it with visits to nearby Tanger Outlets in Commerce or continuing to mountain towns like Helen or Clayton if you’re on a longer road trip.
Best Times to Visit
Spring and fall offer the most comfortable temperatures for keeping windows down and interacting with animals. Summer visits mean heat and humidity, which can make the experience less pleasant in a slow-moving or stopped vehicle.
Winter visits are possible and often less crowded, but animals may be less active in cold weather. Weekday mornings typically see smaller crowds than weekends and afternoons.
What to Bring
Pack these items for a more comfortable visit:
- Hand sanitizer and wet wipes for cleaning hands after feeding animals
- Sunglasses and sunscreen if you plan to keep windows down
- Camera or phone with charged battery for photos
- Towels or blankets to protect car seats from animal drool
- Snacks and water, especially if traveling with children
The park does not allow outside food for the animals. Feeding anything other than purchased park feed is typically prohibited and can harm the animals.
Admission and Costs
Admission fees vary by age and vehicle type, and animal feed buckets cost extra. Verify current pricing on the park’s official website or by phone before your visit, as rates change seasonally and promotional offers appear periodically.
The park typically accepts cash and credit cards, but confirm accepted payment methods in advance. Budget approximately $50 to $80 for a family of four including admission and feed, though this estimate requires verification.
Comparing Atlanta Safari Park to Other Wildlife Attractions
Atlanta Safari Park differs significantly from Zoo Atlanta, which features more species, educational programming, and traditional viewing habitats. The safari park emphasizes hands-on feeding over conservation education or rare species.
Similar drive-through parks in the Southeast include Wild Animal Safari in Pine Mountain, Georgia (about 90 miles south of Atlanta) and the North Georgia Wildlife Park near Cleveland. Each offers variations on the drive-through format with different animal collections and pricing structures.
Who This Experience Suits Best
The park appeals most to families with children who enjoy close animal encounters and don’t mind repetitive feeding activities. Young children often find the experience thrilling, while teenagers and adults may consider it a brief, quirky stop rather than a highlight attraction.
If you prioritize conservation messaging, scientific information, or viewing animals in naturalistic habitats, a traditional zoo better serves those interests. Atlanta Safari Park focuses on entertainment and interaction rather than education.
Accessibility and Physical Requirements
The drive-through format makes the park accessible to visitors who cannot walk long distances or stand for extended periods. You remain in your vehicle throughout the main experience.
The walk-through area includes unpaved paths that may be challenging for wheelchairs or strollers depending on recent weather conditions. Contact the park directly to ask about current path conditions and accessible facilities if you have specific mobility needs.
Rules and Restrictions
Parks like this maintain rules to protect both visitors and animals, though specific policies vary and change. Common restrictions include:
- No feeding animals anything except purchased park feed
- No exiting your vehicle in the drive-through area
- No pets allowed in the park
- Speed limits enforced throughout the route
- No provoking, chasing, or harassing animals
Read all posted rules at the entrance and follow staff instructions. Violating safety rules can result in removal from the park without refund.
Weather and Seasonal Changes
The park typically operates year-round with reduced hours in winter months, though you should verify the current schedule before driving from Atlanta or other distant points. Severe weather may cause temporary closures.
Animals behave differently across seasons. They’re often more eager to approach vehicles in cooler months when natural vegetation is less abundant, while summer heat may make them less active during midday hours.
Photography Tips
You’ll have opportunities for close-up animal photos, though achieving good shots requires patience. Animals move unpredictably, and vehicle windows may have glare or dirt.
Clean your windows before entering the park for clearer photos. Use a fast shutter speed to capture moving animals, and be prepared for animals to block your view of other animals you’re trying to photograph.
Combining the Park with Other Attractions
Commerce sits at the intersection of Interstate 85 and Highway 441, making the park a convenient stop on routes to several destinations. You can combine it with shopping at the outlet mall, wine tasting at nearby North Georgia vineyards, or continuing to mountain communities within an hour’s drive.
The park lies about 20 miles from Gainesville and 30 miles from the southern edge of Chattahoochee National Forest. Braselton, home to Château Élan winery and resort, is approximately 15 miles southwest.
What the Park Doesn’t Offer
Atlanta Safari Park is a focused attraction without extensive amenities. Don’t expect restaurants, playgrounds, extensive educational exhibits, or air-conditioned viewing areas.
The park has basic restroom facilities and a small gift shop, but you’ll want to eat before or after your visit at restaurants in Commerce or along Interstate 85. The experience centers entirely on the animal feeding rather than a broader zoo or theme park experience.
Before You Go
Confirm the following details through official sources before your visit:
- Current operating hours and days, especially during holidays
- Admission prices and feed costs
- Accepted payment methods
- Vehicle restrictions and requirements
- Weather-related closures if visiting during uncertain conditions
- Any special events or temporarily closed sections
Call ahead if you have specific questions about accessibility, large group accommodations, or special needs. The park’s policies and hours may differ from other attractions you’re accustomed to visiting.
Making the Most of Your Experience
Arrive early in the day when animals are typically more active and crowds are smaller. Purchase enough feed for all passengers who want to participate, as running out halfway through disappoints children.
Move slowly through the park and let animals approach at their own pace rather than chasing them. Some animals are more food-motivated than others, and you’ll have better interactions by being patient.
Atlanta Safari Park delivers a straightforward drive-through animal encounter that works well for families seeking an hour of interactive entertainment along Interstate 85. Check current hours and policies on the park’s official channels, then decide whether the experience fits your travel style and schedule.
We hope this guide helps you plan a memorable visit to this unique wildlife attraction and make the most of your time in the Atlanta area.