Everglades Safari Park

The Everglades Safari Park, also known as River of Grass, is one of the greatest ecosystems in North America. The place covers over 1.5 million acres and is home to a wide variety of plants and animals. See the world-famous American alligators and go for an airboat tour. Or visit Shark Valley, an area of wetlands, located in the heart of the Park. It’s named after the Shark River Slough, which is the river of grass making the Everglades famous. 

Moreover, you can enjoy a lot of activities—from exciting airboat rides to engaging educational programs, the Park has everything. When you’re in this Park, you don’t want to miss the airboat tour. You can have a thrilling and fun ride through the wetlands with airboats and get a chance to see exotic wildlife up close. For a more laid-back experience, go for a peaceful boat tour and enjoy the calm waters. Lastly, the Park’s focus on educational programs and conservation efforts helps visitors gain a deeper appreciation for one of America’s best natural environments.

Also, for an unforgettable experience, go for a guided night tour to see the park’s nocturnal animals. These tours offer an opportunity to see wildlife that is mostly inactive during the day. You can see owls, bats, raccoons, foxes, possums, coyotes, and whatnot. Your guides will let you use specialized equipment such as night vision goggles and infrared cameras to help spot the animals after dark. These tours typically give educational perspectives where guides explain the behavior, adaptations, and ecological roles of nocturnal animals.

CTA: Embark on the Best of Miami Tour + Everglades! 

 

What to Know

A part of Everglades National Park, where one of the biggest attractions is its airboat tours. These are flat-bottomed boats that skim over the shallow waters of the Everglades. It is very exciting to ride an airboat and as you speed across the wetlands—you get to see the stunning views and spot exotic wildlife. Your tour guide will lead these airboat rides, offering interesting facts about the Everglades Safari Park. They will give you information about wildlife, including American alligators, which are often seen lounging in the sun or swimming in the water. You will also get to know about the different plants including native flora—bromeliads and epiphytic orchids. 

Everglades Safari Park is not just about the airboat rides—it also features several exhibits where you can learn about the exotic wildlife of the Park. One of the main highlights is the wildlife show, where you can see live demonstrations and learn about the animals of the Park. The show is a great way to get educated about the animals and their roles in this unique ecosystem. Also, there is a special area with crocodilian exhibits. This trail is specifically dedicated to showcasing different species of crocodiles and alligators. The exhibit gives you information about these reptiles, including their conservation and behavior status. It is truly fascinating to observe these animals up close. In addition to crocodiles, the park features other exhibits with native birds, reptiles, and mammals too. These displays highlight the diversity of wildlife and educate tourists about the importance of protecting these habitats. 

For those who are more interested in the relaxed exploration of the Park, there are traditional boat tours. These boats move at a slower pace as compared with airboats and you can enjoy the calm beauty of wetlands. You will also get to see different bird species and other wildlife.

Educational programs are a crucial part of the Everglades Safari Park experience. The park offers several programs to teach visitors about the Everglades and the importance of its conservation. You can learn a lot from guided nature walks, interactive exhibits, and conservation talks. During guided nature walks, you can learn about different species of plants and animals. You can also learn about the diverse ecosystem and the relationship between different species. 

Interactive exhibits, on the other hand, offer a more detailed learning approach which is very useful for families and children. The unique hands-on learning experience will help you to understand the complexity of nature in a fun and engaging way. Lastly, the Park hosts conservation talks and workshops that focus on important issues such as habitat preservation and climate change. The focus of these talks is to raise awareness about the challenges the Park faces, and it also encourages tourists to support conservation efforts.

Moreover, the Park also explores the cultural and historical aspects of the Everglades region. You can find a lot of information about the Native American tribes that lived in the area, and also the impact of early settlers and modern development. It gives you a different perspective of the Park and shows the impact of human activities and how they have shaped this unique landscape. 

Lastly, the Park is designed in a way to ensure that you have a great time. It has several amenities, including a gift shop where you can buy souvenirs from your visit for your friends and family. You can find many items in the shop including themed merchandise, local crafts, and whatnot. The Park also has dining options with local specialties where you can enjoy the delicious foods of the Everglades. Gator bites for local cuisine are especially highly recommended. 

Also, to accommodate all visitors, including those with disabilities, the park gives access to tours and amenities, ensuring that everyone can enjoy and have a great time at the park. 

Overall, Everglades Safari Park is a great place to explore the wonders of nature. 

 

How to Get There

It takes around 35-40 minutes to get to the Everglades Safari Park from Miami downtown, Airport, and Beach. You can get a rental car and follow these directions: You can take Interstate 95 south to Dolphin Expressway, which is on the west side. Keep traveling west on the Dolphin Expressway and get to Florida's Turnpike. Then continue moving to the south and get to exit 25, SW 8th Street, which is also called Tamiami Trail or US 41. After you take an exit on SW 8th street, then travel west for approximately 24 kilometers. On the left, you will find Everglades Safari Park.

 

Best Time to Visit 

The best time to visit Everglades Safari Park is winter from December to February. The weather is great around this time of the year with less humidity and cooler temperatures. The temperature ranges from 10-25 degrees Celsius. It's ideal weather for many outdoor activities and wildlife viewing. Also, because it's the dry season, there is less chance of rain and mosquitoes. Winter is the peak season, so the park can be quite busy and accommodations might be more expensive too.

 

Features and Highlights 

- Exciting airboat tours through the wetlands to see the wildlife and beautiful nature.

- Live demonstrations in wildlife shows featuring alligators and other native animals.

- Gain educational insights with the trail filled with the crocodilian exhibits.

- Boat tours through the waterways for relaxed wildlife viewing.

- Get amazed by the Florida Everglades’ most complex hydrological system.

- Guided nature walks that provide education about the native plants and animals.

- Interactive exhibits for the hands-on displays for a deeper understanding of the Park’s ecosystem.

- Conservation talks and workshops on environmental issues to raise awareness.

- Gift shop for bringing souvenirs and themed merchandise.

- Delicious local cuisine at the gator bites. 

- Facilities and tours are designed to be easily accessible to all visitors, including those with disabilities.