Interested in riding a camel in Florida? Fortunately, there are a few petting zoos, ranches and wildlife parks in the state that offer camel rides.
The following is a list of places in Florida where you can ride a camel:
Giraffe Ranch:
Address: 38650 Mickler Rd, Dade City, FL
Website: girafferanch.com
Established over 20 years ago, the Giraffe Ranch is a wildlife park and giraffe farm in Dade City that offers drive-thru safaris during which visitors can feed giraffes.
The ranch has over 70 different types of animals to view including giraffe, zebra, bongo antelope, otters, lemurs, hippos, pere’ Davids deer, warthogs, monkeys and more.
Visitors to the ranch can explore the safari in their own vehicle while following a lead vehicle through the park or they can experience the safari in one of the ranch’s 4-WD vehicles.
Another way visitors can enjoy the safari is through a camel safari tour. The camel safari tour is a 1.5 hour safari tour on camel back. The safari is led by two experienced tour guides/camel handlers and visitors can ride either a dromedary (one-hump) or Bactrian (two-hump) camel.
The ranch states the camels are treated well and they actually enjoy the daily safari rides and line up at the gate each morning in anticipation. After each safari, the herd returns to their large grassy pasture to rest, play and recharge.
In addition to the camel safaris, the ranch also offers animal experiences such as an otter feeding experience, a ring-tailed lemur feeding experience and a premium giraffe encounter.
In 2022, the Giraffe Ranch was ranked #1 in Money Inc’s article on the 20 Best Things To Do in Dade City, Fl and U.S. News Travel named it one of the 20 Top Things To Do In Orlando With Kids.
Giraffe Ranch is accredited by the Zoological Association of America and licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Lex Salisbury is the owner of Giraffe Ranch.
Lonesome Chicken Camel Ranch:
Address: 6289 SE 57th Ct, Trenton, FL
Website: sites.google.com/view/silkroadcamels/visit-the-camel-ranch-lonesome-chicken-camel-ranch
The Lonesome Chicken Camel Ranch is a 70-acre ranch in Trenton that features chickens and camels.
Visitors to the ranch can groom, interact, care for a camel and even ride through the Florida woodlands on the back of a dromedary (one hump) camel.
Lodging is also available to visitors who want to spend more time among the chickens and camels. Lodgers can stay in a comfortable RV on the property where they’ll enjoy viewing the camels and chickens right from their window.
The ranch is owned and operated by Carolyn and Mark Rice who are experience animal trainers who use positive reinforcement techniques to train their animals.
The Lonesome Chicken Camel Ranch is owned by professional animal trainers Carolyn and Mike Rice.
Petting Zoo Ocala:
Address: 11150 West Highway 40, Ocala, FL
Website: pettingzooocala.com
Established in 2013, the Petting Zoo Ocala is a petting zoo in Ocala that features farm animals along with monkeys and camels.
The petting zoo has animals such as raccoons, squirrel monkeys, lemurs, camels, cows, pigs, sheep, goats, wallabies, rabbits, miniature horses and a zebu.
The petting zoo also has reptiles such as lizards, tortoises, bearded dragons and birds like peacocks, roosters and emus.
In addition to the petting zoo, the zoo also offers pony rides, train rides and camel rides.
The Petting Zoo Ocala is licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
The Petting Zoo Ocala is owned by Marcia and Luis Palacio,
Safari Wilderness:
Address: 10850 Moore Rd, Lakeland, FL
Website: safariwilderness.com
Safari Wilderness is a 260-acre wildlife safari park in Lakeland that offers drive-thru safaris.
The park features a variety of animals such as red lechwe, sitatunga, waterbuck, Grant’s zebra, Watusi cattle, barasingha, axis deer, fallow deer and water buffalo.
Visitors to the ranch can explore the safari in their own vehicle or they can experience a group safari in one of the ranch’s vehicles. Visitors also have the option to experience the safari on an atv.
Yet another way visitors can enjoy the safari is through a camel expedition. The camel expedition is a 1.5 hours safari tour on camel back. The expeditions are led by two experienced tour guides/camel handlers. Visitors can ride either a dromedary (one-hump) or Bactrian (two-hump) camel.
Safari Wilderness Ranch is accredited by the Zoological Association of America and licensed by the United States Department of Agriculture.
Safari Wilderness is owned by Lex Salisbury and Stephen Wehrmann.
Sources:
“Petting Zoo of Ocala.” Ocala Marion County, ocalamarion.com/directory/petting-zoo-of-ocala/
“Camel Safari Tour.” Giraffe Ranch, safariwilderness.com/experiences/camel-expedition/
“Camel Expedition.” Safari Wilderness, safariwilderness.com/experiences/camel-expedition/
Johnson, Holly. “20 Top Things To Do In Orlando With Kids.” US News Travel, 14 June. 2022, travel.usnews.com/features/top-things-to-do-in-orlando-with-kids
Flyn, Liz. “The 20 Best Things To Do in Dade City, FL.” Money Inc, 12 June. 2022, moneyinc.com/best-things-to-do-in-dade-city-fl/
