The 7 Best Experiences For Animal Lovers In Mississippi   

Don’t let the name fool you; you’ll find a lot more than buffalo at this 210-acre park. To be more specific, the park is home to over 260 animals! And the best way to view the menagerie of animals that call the park home is by taking a tour. Choose between the Monster Bison Bus Tour, Open-Air Trolley Tour, or private VIP Tour. Additional park perks include pony rides, a petting zoo, and zipline.

Opened just last year, Wild Acres is a hands-on discovery park that offers visitors the chance to interact with exotic animals from across five different continents. In addition to viewing the park’s adorable residents, there are plenty of opportunities to hold them and take pics with them. A variety of events, which include things like sloth experiences and wine expeditions, only add to the park’s fun.

Despite its smaller size, Hattiesburg Zoo continually impresses visitors. The 12-acre zoo is home to more than 80 species of animals from all around the world as well as a variety of attractions, including a petting zoo, high ropes course, train, carousel, and splash pad. One of the zoo’s most popular offerings is its Sloth Experience, which affords participants the chance to hold, feed, and learn all about sloths. Because of its popularity, this event is often sold out for months at a time, so be sure to check the zoo’s website for openings.

Bringing "Africa to your back door," this 446-acre park is home to a myriad of animals, including several rare and exotic species. The best part is, you can drive through the preserve and interact with and feed the animals from the comfort of your own car. The park offers several other options for up-close animal encounters, including a foot safari, petting zoo, camel rides, and giraffe and lorikeet feedings.

With a drive-thru safari tour, going wild is not only tolerated at McClain’s Safari Park, it’s expected! An action-packed adventure, the safari affords visitors the opportunity to observe more than 200 animals as they roam throughout the 60-acre Safari Park, looking every bit as natural as on the Serengeti. The animals aren’t shy and will walk right up to vehicles, which means close-up views are practically guaranteed. Guests can choose between driving their own vehicles through the park or booking a private tour. Keep in mind that private tours, which can accommodate up to 12 people, must be booked 24 hours in advance.

Does playing with dolphins sound like your idea of a good time? If so, you’re in luck because Ocean Adventures, a marine park, specializes in up-close encounters with a variety of sea life. In addition to dolphins, visitors can interact with sea lions and stingrays. Special events, mini camps, live shows, and underwater viewing areas are also part of the fun.

When you’re ready to take a walk on the wild side in the setting of your choosing, SafARI T.A.I.L.S is your go-to. Basically a traveling zoo, SafARI T.A.I.L.S provides private, hands-on animal adventures, including sloth encounters.