Global Wildlife Center (Tangipahoa Parish)
If I told you there were zebras, giraffes, camels, and bison in Southeast Louisiana, you would probably think I’m nuts. But it’s true! The Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, Louisiana has a 900 acre wildlife preserve and this is no simple drive through experience. The Global Wildlife Center is one of the largest free-roaming wildlife preserves of its kind in the country! They are home to over 2,000 exotic, endangered, and threatened animals from all over the world.
The staff were all so amazing! They showed us around the kangaroo and capybaras’ areas and told us all about how the animals are cared for.
Safari Tours
For an afternoon of fun, you can take a safari tour and feed the animals right from the vehicle.
On our trip, we took the 4×4 Pinz Tour. This off-road vehicle can seat 8 people and allows you to get up close and personal (and off the main path). It’s $50 per person and in my opinion – totally worth it! If you’re okay with staying on the main path, you can opt for the Wagon Tour. Wagon tour pricing ranges from $15 to $21 per person and is a great option for families and larger groups.
Giraffes are considered gentle giants, which is no surprise considering they have the largest heart of any land mammal! Their hearts can weigh up to 25 pounds! Global Wildlife’s family of reticulated giraffes is growing, but not as quickly as the babies! At birth, giraffes weigh 150 pounds and can be up to 6 feet tall. On average, giraffes are 15-18 feet tall, and their tongues are 18-20 inches long. At one point, we had giraffes swarm our vehicle and reach their long necks right into our truck for food! Giraffes are my favorite animal, so it was a truly amazing experience for me!
The facility is free-roaming, so the animals, including the giraffes, can make the decision to approach the safari wagons to be fed. The giraffes love to interact with visitors and approach plenty of safari wagon tours, but they can’t guarantee it! If giraffe interactions are a priority, you will definitely want to take the Private Pinz tour, as the 4×4 can traverse in many areas of the property that the safari wagon tours cannot.
If you’re looking for a unique experience in Southeast Louisiana, this is it!
