Timbavati Wildlife Park
4.3(4.2K)google
3.0(185)yelp
WildlifeWildlife WatchingKidsOutdoorInteractiveImmersiveEducational
Overview
Located in Wisconsin Dells, Timbavati Wildlife Park offers an immersive exotic animal experience featuring over 400 animals representing more than 70 species worldwide. Visitors can ride the historic Safari Train through open pastures, feed beautiful giraffes, hold unique reptiles, and see majestic tigers and leopards. The park focuses on educational wildlife encounters that promote global conservation awareness.
Practical Info
Every day9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Suggested Duration2.5-4 hours
Best TimeBest visited during the summer months (May to October) between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM. This early midday window aligns perfectly with scheduled departures of the park's signature continuous Safari Train ride cutting straight through the exotic grasslands, and ensures you catch the morning live wildlife educational presentations and giraffe feedings.
Getting TherePositioned directly alongside the main Dells arterial tourism loop. Drive via I-90/I-94, take Exit 87, and follow US Highway 12 (Wisconsin Dells Pkwy) north past Noah's Ark for half a mile. The African safari-themed park gates and its massive, complimentary gravel surface parking lots will be immediately visible on the left-hand side.
Travel Tips
- General admission permits walking past standard enclosures only; riding the historic Safari Train through open-range herds requires a specific upfront ticket bundle. Crucial meteorological barrier: The open-air rail system halts immediately if localized temperatures drop below 55°F (13°C) or during lightning squalls.
- The wildlife park executes a near-total cashless register framework; credit/debit chips and mobile wallets are required across all food shacks and retail depots. To insulate exotic species from human viral pathogens, outside catering and disposable plastic straws are barred via mandatory gate baggage checks.
- The free surface lot relies on graded gravel and lacks automated storm drains, causing severe localized flooding and muddy traps after mid-day downpours. Low-clearance sports cars risk getting high-centered or stuck; divert aggressively to high-ground grass overflow fields nearest the parkway.
Reviews
Positive
- Core value lies in rich wildlife interactions; you can ride camels, hand-feed giraffes, and view rare white lions up close, providing high visual impact and fun.
- The premier hit is the historic Safari Train; the vintage train loops you right through free-ranging herds of antelope and ostriches, an immersive ride that lives up to fame.
- Complete and solid infrastructure; accessible ramps are well placed with clear signs and shaded picnic benches, offering great convenience for family road-trippers.
- Queue lines are managed orderly; passionate and knowledgeable animal keepers share great wildlife conservation insights, balancing moderate commerce smoothly.
Heads up
- General admission runs expensive, and core activities (train rides, camel mounts, animal feed cups) demand separate paid tickets, running up painful total costs.
- Visiting during intense mid-summer heatwaves means gravel roads bounce heat like an oven, and sun-baked wildlife slips deep into shaded dens to snooze.
- Some older avian and primate cages feel tight and rustic; compared to modern open ecological safari builds, it keeps an institutional cage look that dampens spirits.
- The snack shack serves monotonic fast food at typical tourist markups, and public restroom maintenance drops during high-density afternoon spikes, causing odors.