Many years ago when I worked in Madison, the seat of Morgan County that sits about 60 miles east of Atlanta, there were rumors of a safari park in the works. We didn’t really know what that meant, other than relying on our own assumptions that it would involve animals and likely encompass a pretty large swath of land. Truth be told, we didn’t think much of the rumors. After all, what were the odds that someone was going to head out to a small town to construct luxurious yurts, develop multiple wildlife encounters, bring in a staff of highly-educated and well-trained team members, and even house giraffes (where you can stay overnight in a suite and directly observe them from your bedroom). Fast-forward several years, and boy was I wrong.
Over spring break, my wife and I decided to stay local. The first half of the week, we ventured up to the recently-opened Cloudland Lodge at Macklemore in northwest Georgia for a couples’ getaway. It was a great time; however, it was the second half of the week when we scooped up the kids and headed to exit 113 in Madison where the real fun began.
We booked a two-night stay in what the Georgia Safari Conservation Park refers to as its Safari Tents. Make no mistake, these luxurious accommodations seemed like anything but tents. We felt like absolute royalty staying there. As the website describes, “these two-bedroom lodging units can comfortably accommodate up to 4 guests and offer a seamless blend of African charm, modern comforts, and exquisite views. Immerse yourself in the soothing sounds of nature and soak up the breathtaking views of our amazing animals roaming the savanna from your private deck.” I’d have to agree. The space inside was expansive, chock-full of amenities and the massive deck had amazing views of a variety of animals, our favorite being the ostriches. There are multiple safari tents on property. Georgia Safari Conservation Park also offers a Honeymoon Hideaway tent, a nice touch for a fun celebration after you’ve tied the knot. And, for those seeking the opportunity to get a bit more up-close and personal with the property’s giraffes, the Giraffe Suite “offers the awe-inspiring opportunity to peer into the park’s 10,000 sq ft giraffe and rhino barn. This unique lodging option can comfortably accommodate up to four people. Inside you’ll find a well-appointed living room with a queen-size sleeper sofa, a dining room, and a kitchenette with a refrigerator, microwave, and coffee station.” (georgiasafari.com).
What was so nice about staying within this 530-acre park is how very quiet it is. The limited, let’s even call them exclusive, accommodations means there’s not a lot of noise happening. It really was a relaxing time that still packed plenty of adventure based on the activities available. We slept very well, even experiencing a downpour on our second night. I highly recommend falling asleep to a spring storm with rain pounding a canvas tent of this size. Talk about catching some good Zs! But let’s take it back. When we woke up after our first night’s sleep, we headed to the lodge where we staged for our two-hour guided safari tour. What we loved about the tour is that we weren’t confined to a vehicle the entire time. We began the first tour with a hands-on, educational walk-thru of several animal encounters, which included sloths, giant tortoises, rhinos, and, yes, the beloved giraffes. Our two children are six and eight, so the highlight of their tour, for sure, was being able to feed the giraffes – an experience they will undoubtedly never forget. After that, we loaded the safari vehicle with our guides. They were extremely knowledgeable, thorough, and engaging. They provided plenty of information on each animal we saw, including extinction threat levels, locations of origin, habitats, and more. We truly covered what felt like every square inch of land available to the guests. Notable animals included Addax, American Bison, Ankole-Watusi, Asian Water Buffalo, Common Eland, Common Ostrich, Grant’s Zebra, Reticulated Giraffe, and the Southern White Rhinoceros. Of course, this is just a sample of what guests can expect to see upon a visit to the park.
While there aren’t full-serve dining options available onsite (although the lodge does offer grab-and-go snacks and non-alcoholic beverages), the city of Madison itself is just five minutes away. In town, visitors will find plentiful boutique retailers, a dining scene that packs a major punch, and several local watering holes. Nearby Rutledge also offers even more of a small-town vibe and features one of the state of Georgia’s largest state parks, Hard Labor Creek State Park.
What’s even better? The park has plans to expand in the future. I won’t spoil it, but let’s just say what they have in the works will rival destination walk-thru zoos and seriously have guests traveling from all over to experience this memorable, special place.
For more information on guided tours, accommodations, and the animals of the Georgia Safari Conservation Park, please visit georgiasafari.com.
