Spring Break 2016

Spring Break was not very eventful for us this year--which I am finding as my kids get older, they prefer the "lesser" schedule.  It seems that most our weeks are filled to the brim with activities which makes us really appreciate these slower times.

Chris was of course out of town the entire time.  Ethan went on a campout for 4 days of his week-long break so we squeezed in one grand adventure on one day of our break--Out of Africa Wildlife Park.

I've seen advertisements for this place for many years but had never made the trek out there--it's a solid 2 hour drive away.  But why not?  We headed out at 7:30 am to be there right at park opening at 9:30 am.  I was delightfully surprised at how FUN this place is!  Nothing like I'd ever been to before. Here are some of the day's highlights:

Bush Safari:

First thing, we hopped on a bus for a "Bush Safari" where we got up close and personal  with several animals and even fed a giraffe right from our bus!  It's hard to see from the pictures but this giraffe was very "wrinkly!"  The guide referred to him as a "Shar-Pei Giraffe."  Most giraffes are NOT like this.  I think it made him extra cute:)  We all fed him from our hands--Max was trying to get it into his mouth for a "giraffe kiss" but the giraffe was too hungry and too fast:) 

Cutest little zebra family on this tour--new baby zebra born on Feb. 14th and named "Valentine."

Mom and baby Valentine

Animal Shows:

LOTS of chances to touch reptiles--NO THANK YOU for me!  I just took the pics of my kids:)

We didn't get to touch the porcupine but she sure was CUTE to watch:)

The kids moving in for a closer look at the gigantic albino snake.

This is a BIG pile o' snakes!  YUK!

Fun "cat-walks" throughout the park:)

We LOVED watching the prairie dogs eat and burrow:)

The best part of the park were the educational shows.  None of the animals are trained in these parks--the people work with the animal's instincts.  The Tiger Splash show was SOOO cool!  The tigers are just like big house cats that love to swat at toys and chase things on strings:)  We then all had the opportunity to feed these magnificent tigers.  I REALLY would have liked to pet one of these for sure but they kept us all at a safe distance and behind a fence--but it was still cool anyways.

We spent the entire day there and had a blast.  In my opinion, definitely worth the drive and very affordable too!  A great way to spend a day together:)