Tucked away in the small town of Yuma, Tennessee, Southland Safari offers an extraordinary wildlife adventure that rivals experiences you’d expect to find only in far-flung destinations. This family-owned safari park brings you face-to-face with exotic animals from around the world, from playful kangaroos and towering giraffes to adorable sloths and even a friendly rhino named Benny.
What makes this place truly special is the intimate, hands-on approach that lets you feed, pet, and connect with creatures you’ve probably only seen behind glass at traditional zoos.
A Hidden Safari Experience in Yuma, Tennessee
Most people wouldn’t expect to find zebras, rhinos, and lemurs roaming around a small Tennessee town, but that’s exactly what makes Southland Safari such a delightful surprise. Located on Crum Road in Yuma, this wildlife park has been quietly winning hearts with its collection of exotic animals and personalized tour experiences.
The family behind this operation has created something genuinely special by focusing on quality over quantity and putting animal welfare first.
What sets this place apart from your typical roadside attraction is the level of care and attention given to every detail. The property is immaculately maintained, with spacious habitats that give animals room to roam and behave naturally. Visitors consistently mention how healthy and happy the animals appear, which speaks volumes about the dedication of the staff.
The reservation-only model means you’ll never deal with overwhelming crowds or feel rushed through your experience. This approach allows guides to spend real time with each group, answering questions and sharing fascinating details about the animals. The intimate setting makes it feel less like a commercial tourist attraction and more like visiting a friend’s incredible private collection.
With perfect five-star ratings across hundreds of reviews, Southland Safari has earned its reputation as one of Tennessee’s best-kept secrets for animal lovers seeking authentic wildlife encounters.
Why Southland Safari Is Worth Booking in Advance
Spontaneity has its place, but Southland Safari isn’t the kind of experience you stumble upon during a Sunday drive. The reservation requirement exists for good reasons that actually enhance your visit rather than complicate it. By controlling the number of guests each day, the park ensures every visitor gets meaningful time with the animals and personalized attention from knowledgeable guides.
This advance booking system prevents the chaos that plagues many popular attractions. You won’t find yourself stuck in long lines or competing with dozens of other people for photo opportunities. Instead, you’ll enjoy a relaxed pace where you can actually absorb the experience and create lasting memories.
The staff uses the reservation system to prepare customized experiences based on your group size and interests. They know exactly who’s coming and can plan accordingly, ensuring they have adequate feed, properly scheduled animal encounters, and the right guide assigned to your tour. This level of organization shows respect for both guests and animals.
Planning ahead also gives you something to look forward to, building anticipation for your adventure. Many families make it an annual tradition, booking their favorite cabin and tour package months in advance.
The small-town location means availability can fill up quickly, especially during peak seasons and weekends, so securing your spot early guarantees you won’t miss out on this remarkable experience.
The Most Exciting Animals You’ll See Here
Benny the rhino steals hearts with his gentle personality and surprising friendliness. Getting to meet a creature this massive up close creates a thrilling moment you’ll talk about for years. The bond between Benny and his caretakers is obvious, and visitors often get the chance to feed, pet, and even brush this magnificent animal during special rhino encounters.
The sloth experience ranks as a favorite for many guests, especially those who’ve dreamed of meeting these impossibly cute creatures. Southland Safari houses multiple sloths, including occasional babies, and the chance to gently touch their soft fur while learning about their unique lifestyle feels almost magical. Their calm demeanor and endearing faces make them perfect subjects for memorable photos.
Giraffes tower above visitors, extending their long purple tongues to accept treats during feeding sessions. The sensation of a giraffe taking food directly from your hand creates an unforgettable connection. Kangaroos surprise people with their incredibly soft fur and relaxed attitude, allowing gentle petting and interaction that feels remarkably intimate.
Beyond these headliners, you’ll encounter zebras, buffalo, emus, ostriches, various deer species, alpacas, llamas, and more. The diversity of species represented here rivals much larger facilities, yet the smaller scale allows for better viewing and interaction.
Every animal receives individual attention from staff who clearly know and care about each creature’s personality and needs.
What to Expect From the Safari Experience
Your adventure begins with a guided tour aboard a safari vehicle that takes you through the park’s various habitats. Unlike driving through on your own, having an expert guide transforms the experience from simple sightseeing into genuine education.
You’ll receive generous supplies of feed, eliminating the worry about rationing portions or running out. This abundance means you can truly engage with the animals without stress. Some creatures approach the vehicle for treats, while others require you to toss food into their areas, creating varied interaction opportunities throughout the journey.
The VIP tour package includes special animal encounters that take the experience to another level. After the main safari portion, you’ll spend dedicated time with kangaroos, giraffes, and sloths in more intimate settings. These encounters aren’t rushed, giving you ample time to pet, feed, photograph, and simply enjoy being near these remarkable animals.
Tours typically last around two hours, though the exact timing can vary based on animal activity and guest interest. Guides tailor the pace to your group, spending extra time at exhibits that capture your attention.
The relaxed atmosphere encourages questions and conversation, making it feel more like exploring with a knowledgeable friend than following a rigid script.
Why It Feels Different From a Traditional Zoo
Traditional zoos serve important purposes, but they often create distance between visitors and animals through necessary barriers and crowds. Southland Safari flips that script entirely by prioritizing intimate, hands-on encounters that feel personal rather than observational. You’re not peering through glass or straining to spot animals in the distance—you’re sharing space with them in ways most zoos simply can’t offer.
The family-owned operation means decisions prioritize animal welfare and guest experience over corporate profits. This philosophy shows in countless small details, from the spacious enclosures to the genuine enthusiasm of staff members who treat these animals like family. There’s no sense of animals being mere attractions; instead, you witness real relationships between caretakers and creatures.
Scale plays a huge role in the different feel. While major zoos might house thousands of animals across hundreds of acres, Southland Safari’s more focused collection allows for better individual care and more meaningful interactions. You’ll actually remember the animals you met rather than feeling overwhelmed by endless exhibits.
The reservation system creates an exclusive atmosphere that contrasts sharply with the crowds typical at large zoos. Imagine having nearly private access to feed giraffes or pet kangaroos without jostling for position or waiting in long lines.
This personalized approach transforms what could be a hectic outing into a genuinely relaxing and memorable adventure that feels tailored specifically for your group.
Tips to Know Before You Visit
Dress for outdoor adventure rather than a casual stroll through an indoor facility. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are essential since you’ll be walking on natural terrain and potentially around animal areas. Weather in Tennessee can shift quickly, so checking the forecast and layering clothing gives you flexibility.
Bring your camera or ensure your phone is fully charged, because photo opportunities abound throughout the experience. From adorable sloth close-ups to dramatic giraffe feeding moments, you’ll want to capture these memories. The staff understands the importance of photos and often helps position guests for the best shots.
Consider booking one of the on-site cabins if you want to extend your adventure beyond the tour. These accommodations let you enjoy the petting zoo area at your leisure, try fishing in the stocked pond, and simply relax in the peaceful rural setting. Staying overnight transforms a day trip into a mini vacation.
The park provides feed for animals, but bringing your own snacks and drinks for your group makes sense, especially for visits with children. While there’s a gift shop with refreshments, having your own supplies ensures everyone stays comfortable throughout the tour.
Finally, arrive with an open mind and willingness to engage—the more you participate, the richer your experience becomes at this extraordinary Tennessee treasure.
Why Southland Safari Belongs on Your Tennessee Bucket List
Tennessee offers no shortage of attractions, from music venues to mountain vistas, but Southland Safari delivers something genuinely unique that you won’t find replicated elsewhere in the state. The combination of exotic animals, intimate encounters, and passionate family ownership creates an experience that stands apart from typical tourist destinations.
This isn’t just another checkbox on your travel itinerary—it’s the kind of adventure that reshapes how you think about wildlife experiences.
Accessibility makes it even more appealing for Tennessee residents and visitors alike. Located just off Interstate 40, the park sits within reasonable driving distance from Nashville, Memphis, and other major cities. You can easily make it a day trip or incorporate it into a longer Tennessee exploration without major detours.
The value proposition exceeds expectations when you consider what’s included. While the VIP tour isn’t the cheapest activity you’ll find, the generous amount of feed provided, the length of the experience, the quality of animal encounters, and the personalized attention from knowledgeable guides justify every dollar. Guests consistently express surprise at how much they received for the price.
Most importantly, this is the type of experience that creates lasting family memories and genuine joy. Children and adults alike leave with stories about petting kangaroos, feeding giraffes, and meeting sloths.
All the five-star reviews aren’t accidents—they reflect an operation that consistently delivers exceptional experiences worth celebrating and remembering for years to come.