I packed neutral colored clothing, a safari hat and a pair of boots in my carry-on. Then I loaded my car and drove from my home in the suburbs of Atlanta along Interstate-20. But this time, I did not turn into the exit towards Atlanta airport. Instead, I headed straight to the Georgia Safari Conservation Park near Madison.
After checking in with the park ranger, we drove to my lodging—a luxurious one-bedroom safari tent with a king-size canopy bed, zebra-striped cushions and handcrafted decor from South Africa. There was a spacious bathroom with hotel amenities, an outdoor shower and bathtub, plus a kitchenette stocked with everything I needed for a meal in. Unlike the safari camps I stayed at in Africa, this one had air conditioning and heating to brave the Georgia weather.
From my expansive deck overlooking a private savanna, I had a clear view of wildlife: giraffes straight ahead, rhinos to the left, and ostriches hopping around to the left. Surrounded by a private, boma-like enclosure, it felt quiet and peaceful. I could lounge on the rocking chairs, watching wildlife roam the open grasslands for hours on end. The best part? What would have been a 16-hour flight to an African safari was instead a little over an hour’s drive from Atlanta.
About Georgia Safari Conservation Park
Opened in the summer of 2024, Georgia Safari Conservation Park was built with one goal in mind: to conserve threatened and endangered species through programming, guided tours and interactive experiences. “We wanted to create an authentic safari experience as close to what it is like in Africa, including having mud and dirt tracks, and safari tents,” says Bill Killmer, landscape architect-turned-chief development officer at the park. “Here, the animals don’t come to the trucks and beg for food. We simply enjoy them in their atmosphere.” Today, the park is home to 63 wild and non-native species, spanning several continents.
I don’t like seeing animals in captivity, which is why I avoid zoos and aquariums. But the animals at this Georgia Park have lots of free range. Most of them are rescued from other facilities, as a result of overcrowding, breeding issues and animal conflict. The park partners with Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery and the International Rhino Foundation to help protect wildlife and increase their chances of survival.
After I settle in, my safari guide directs the other guests and me to an eight-seater vehicle with comfortable leather seats, and we set off on a game drive. Within minutes, we spot a herd of bison, impalas, addax, kudu, eland, roan, rhinos, water buffalos and zebras. Along the tour, we learn fun facts about the species—impalas are called “McDonald’s of the Bush,” because they have a big M on their hinds, and predators view them as “fast-food.” The guides recite the names of each animal by theme—the elands are called Ziti, Penne, Linguini and Gnocchi.
Next, we head to a fancy barn—a state-of-the-art building used to house and provide medical care for the animals—to get up-close and personal with the giraffes. There are skylights, lots of deck space and open doors for the animals to come in at night and move around freely during the day. We meet Phoenix, a male reticulated giraffe who came from a safari park in Texas. He rushes over to our guide, who’s carrying a bucket of fresh lettuce, with the younger kids showing the most excitement to hand-feed the giraffe.
Stay the night with giraffes
One perk of the park is that you can spend the night with giraffes, thanks to a modern Giraffe Suite. This luxurious accommodation comes with a bedroom, living room, two private decks and panoramic windows that offer a view of the barn’s interior. You can spend hours admiring the giraffes' graceful movements and intricate social dynamics—all from the comfort of your couch.
The Giraffe Suite is one of three types of accommodations available at the park, with the other two being luxury safari tents and a honeymoon hideaway safari tent for couples.
Currently, there are no dining facilities at the park, but a short 10-minute drive gets you to downtown Madison. It’s home to locally-owned cafes, restaurants and gourmet food markets. My go-to spots include Betty Gene’s for Southern-style breakfast, the Sinclair for coffee and sandwiches and the British-style Hart and Crown Tavern for a drink and a hearty dinner. I also pack freshly baked French croissants and pastries from The Patisserie on Main for the road.
You can take a day trip, too
If you don’t wish to stay overnight, you can still visit the park for a day tour. A $39 ticket per person gets you a 90-minute safari drive-through experience, similar to a game drive but on a larger vehicle that accomodates up to 25 passengers. Combine it with a giraffe and rhino encounter to visit the barn for an additional $125 per person. Have a larger group? Groups of 8 or more guests can book an ultimate three-hour long VIP adventure for $2,500. Children two years and younger can visit for free. Make sure to check tour timings online at www.georgiasafari.com, as they change seasonally and bookings are required in advance.
An African safari in Atlanta’s backyard
While nothing compares to the experience of a real-life safari in Africa—because watching orange-hued sunsets silhouetting picturesque acacia trees is truly a magical experience—the Georgia Safari Conservation Park is a great alternative. It doesn’t require long flights, spending thousands of dollars or taking weeks of PTO just to see wildlife.
I’ve been fortunate to travel to Africa many times, but I’ve realized that traditional game drives are often inaccessible to very young children and people with disabilities. Closer to home, however, the Georgia Safari Conservation Park offers an inclusive, luxurious safari-like experience where everyone can appreciate the world’s most remarkable and wild animals.