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A Tennessee Safari?
Travel to Tennessee and go on a safari? It's true. Tennessee is known for breathtaking mountains, Elvis, the country music capital of Nashville and so much more but I never knew that you could go on safari there.
Briarwood Ranch Safari Park is located in Bybee, TN, 7 miles off Interstate 81 near Morristown. It is about an hour east of Knoxville and an hour east of Pigeon Forge.
The safari may be taken in your own vehicle or (by reservation) on a wagon ride. The four mile road is rough in spots but easily accessible in any enclosed vehicle. Buckets of feed (about two-quart size) may be purchased to feed the animals on the trail or you can opt just to observe.
There are picnic areas with grills available, a gift shop and petting zoo.
A wide variety (about 65 different species) of animals may be observed at Briarwood, including: zebra, deer, elk, buffalo, pig, peacock, alpaca, llama, emu, ostrich and many others.
As you slowly drive down the road, watch for the animals. You may stop when you encounter one and per instructions when starting out, feed the animal at hand. Some of them are VERY eager so be prepared. We had buffalo and zebra heads poking in our vehicle. They were quite persistent. Some animals can be fed from a flat, open hand; others require food being dropped on their tongue; some eat from the bucket and others from food scattered on the ground. Be warned that you will probably end up with quite a bit of feed in your car and animal slobber on the side.
Briarwood Safari is great for animal lovers and those who typically like petting zoos - getting "up close and personal" with wildlife.
Ron, the owner, was very friendly and eager to show off his animals. I'm looking forward to a return trip.
Briarwood Safari Website
- Briarwood Auto Safari
This is the online home of Briarwood Ranch, featuring animals from around the world. An auto safari just 45 minutes away from the Great Smoky Mountains, here is an afternoon that will make your vacation complete.
Other Neat Stuff to Do in the Area
- Favorite Outdoor Attractions in the Pigeon Forge Area
There are so many things to do in the Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, area that it can be hard to choose what to do. If the weather is nice outside, here are some suggestions for outdoor activities. - Travel to Tennessee - The Museum of Appalachia
It's a great time to travel to Clinton, Tennessee and the Museum of Appalachia. Preserving all things Appalachian is the idea behind this one-of-a-kind exhibit that covers 60 acres. Founded by John Rice Irwin, it has been a popular vacation spot for - Our Llama Adventure
Looking for something a little different to do on your visit to the Smoky Mountains? Smoky Mountain Llama Treks may be just what you need. - Visit the Great Smoky Mountains
One reason the Great Smoky Mountains National Park is such a great place to visit is that it is within one day's drive of more than two-thirds of the population of the United States. It is the only national park with no entrance fee and there are ton
