Last Updated on August 14, 2024 by Amy Albers
A new wildlife conservation attraction is just minutes from Madison’s historic downtown. Georgia Safari Conservation Park is home to a variety of animals commonly found on African savannas. Stay on-site in one of their luxury accommodations and make a weekend getaway with the park’s animals while exploring Madison’s history and culture.
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Lodging
There is no roughing it during a stay at this wildlife tourism park! You can’t go wrong with a choice between luxury safari tents, the Honeymoon Hideaway, or the Giraffe Suite. The safari tents and Honeymoon Hideaway stays include:
- A guided safari driving tour.
- The giraffe and rhino encounter.
- A keeper chat with one animal ambassador.
The opportunities are not private to your party and will likely include other guests. A stay in the Giraffe Suite includes:
- A private VIP safari tour.
- A private behind-the-scenes tour of the giraffe and rhino barn.
- A private, extended animal encounter with the animal ambassadors.
Luxury Safari Tents
Yes, these are tents—shipped in from Johannesburg and assembled on-site. The canvas walls and forest setting are where their association with most tents ends. The units have two bedrooms: one with a king bed and the other with two XL twin beds. My 6’2″ son appreciated the extended bed! The unit is air-conditioned and includes a kitchenette, living area, and bathroom with a rainfall shower and a luxurious soaker tub.
They offer all the comforts of home, but the real star is the deck and the view. The tent boasts a wrap-around deck with covered, comfortable seating. The deck faces the pasture, where you can spot various animals. The ostriches were the first to come and check out the latest visitors, but we also watched watusi and waterbuck amble by. Each bedroom also has windows that face the pasture. I’m an avid tent camper, but I certainly didn’t mind these luxury accommodations.
The Honeymoon Hideaway
This exceptional lodging has many of the same amenities as the luxury safari tents, such as a king bed, a kitchenette, and a full bathroom. What makes this space unique is the second private deck. Accessed from the bedroom, this space holds a secluded outdoor tub from which you can soak in the sun or stare at the night sky. A main deck is accessed from the living space and gives you the pasture view of the safari tents.
Giraffe Suite
The Giraffe Suite is the ultimate viewing experience! The private suite is adjacent to the giraffe barn. It offers two viewing windows: one from the living room and another from the bedroom. Watching a unique animal that is nearby is mesmerizing! The suite can sleep up to four with a king-size bed and a queen-size sleeper sofa. It has a kitchenette, a full bathroom, and a cozy covered seating area outside the front door.
Georgia Safari Conservation Park Tour Options
There are several ways to lay eyes on the animals that call the Georgia Safari Conservation Park home. Keep in mind that besides the giraffe encounter, you won’t be getting too close to the animals, much less feeding them. These are wild animals that are here mainly for conservation and education purposes. The trucks will remain at a respectful distance from the animals (except for the ostriches – they are SUPER nosy) while the guide delivers information about them.
Guided Safari Tour
Visitors will join other guests in a safari truck to explore the Georgia Safari Conservation Park pastures. Guests can see common savanna ungulates (hoofed animals) such as zebras, bison, and elands. We played a lot of “I Spy,” trying to catch sight of the impalas and the reclusive Asian water buffaloes. Along the way, Animal Care Specialist Tiffany Portillo shared what made each animal special and facts about them. The features of the various habitats are noted, highlighting how they fill the animals’ needs.
Safari Wild Encounters
This is an up-close giraffe and rhino encounter that’s guaranteed to be memorable! Our group toured the brand-new giraffe and rhino barn, where we met Phoenix. Phoenix is a “toddler” giraffe just settling in at the park. His keepers gave us information about giraffes and how the Georgia Safari Conservation Park cares for them. Phoenix enjoyed eating lettuce from our hands, and we enjoyed hearing more about him. This encounter was especially meaningful to my son, who plans to go into wildlife care and received excellent advice from the friendly keepers.
Private VIP Tour
If your group wants more personal attention, purchase the private VIP tour. The charge is per vehicle up to a party of eight, and reservations are required. Enjoy the chance to have a safari guide dedicated to your group and give you specialized information.
Conservation
The main goal of the Georgia Safari Conservation Park is to offer tourism and education opportunities in the area while working to conserve threatened and endangered wildlife. Hearing about the breeding programs in which the park participates was fascinating. Zoological organizations across the country share information and sometimes animals to ensure that the species’ breed and their genetic information is considered to avoid inbreeding. This offers a greater chance of offspring health and longevity.
The park’s education programs are designed to instill an appreciation and understanding of wildlife and their habitats. The animal ambassador program highlights animals such as the Argentine Black and White Tegu to remind guests to research before taking in an exotic animal as a pet. Many tegus are released into the wild when their owners decide they are too hard to care for. Tegus will eat pretty much anything, including eggs. This impacts an area’s ground-nesting species. Part of the Georgia Safari Conservation Park’s mission is to inspire the next generation of conservationists with valuable animal encounters and impactful education opportunities.
Other Things To Do In Madison, Georgia
The Georgia Safari Conservation Park recently opened and has expansion plans. Until the expansions, such as a restaurant, are completed, explore the historic downtown area of Madison and the surrounding area.
Hard Labor Creek State Park
Opposite of what the name suggests, Hard Labor Creek State Park offers relaxing and fun outdoor experiences for families. Georgia’s second-largest state park offers lakes for fishing and boating, a sand beach, and a golf course. There are over 20 miles of trails for hikers, mountain bikers, and horseback riders. You can tent camp or park your RV in the campground, but their renovated cottages offer stylish lodging.
Historic Home Tours
Stop by the Madison Visitor’s Center on the Square to get a map of a self-guided walking tour of the area. Established in 1809, many of the town’s antebellum houses still stand. Legend states that Senator Joshua Hill, an anti-secessionist, personally pleaded with General Sherman to spare his city’s buildings. True or not, you can spot beautiful historic houses around the city.
Museums and Galleries
Explore the arts and culture that Madison and Morgan County have to offer. From the Morgan County African-American Museum and the Steffan Thomas Museum of Art to the Madison Artists Guild, you’ll surely enjoy your time viewing and learning. For another form of art, I suggest Madison’s historic cemeteries. Listed in the tourist brochure as “Madison’s oldest art museum,” the cemeteries are rich with ornate ironwork and funerary sculpture.
Madison Restaurants
The area has a good variety of flavors and atmosphere. My favorites are coffee from Oconee Coffee Roasters and beautiful pastries from Patisserie on Main for breakfast. Scoops Ice Cream Shop is just right for a cold treat. You can’t go wrong with Farmview Market for fresh meat and produce for lunch. The hearty and delicious meals at The Madison Chop House Grille or Amici Pizza & Brewery will satisfy you for dinner. There’s a new restaurant on the Square that you may want to try. Betty Gene’s is open for breakfast and lunch, boasting Southern classics “just like Mom made.”