This year, especially, South Carolinians have had to find new ways to gather with one another for fellowship and fun. If you’re seeking an adventure that’s family-friendly and offers a great deal of social distancing, then load up the car and head to a recently reopened animal preserve in Spartanburg County. The drive-thru safari at Hollywild Animal Preserve in Wellford is a wonderful way to get up close to hundreds of creatures that live in the preserve – and you can even hand-feed them right from you car.

First opened in 1970, Hollywild has had a bit of a storied past, but after a more than two-year closure, the preserve is back in business for drive-thru animal encounters as well as its annual drive-thru holiday lights safari.

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Family fun couldn’t be more laughable as you hand-feed the wonderful creatures that approach your vehicle to greet you (and get a bite to eat)!

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The preserve is home to hundreds of deer that live and forage on the land. Expect to see more than you can possibly count as you pass through the expansive safari.

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But mammals aren’t the only creatures that live at this upstate preserve. Peacocks and more are usually milling about.

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And big cats!

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You won’t find a white tiger in many places in South Carolina so prepare to be in awe of this one.

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The drive-thru safari experience at Hollywild is open only on Saturdays and Sundays from March through September.

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The hours are Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Hollywild (official website) The cost is $8 for adults, seniors (65+) and kids ages 3-12 are $6, kids 2 and younger are free.

Beginning November 20, 2020, you can drive through the holiday lights safari at Hollywild!

TripAdvisor/management Learn more about that here.

Be sure to add the drive-thru safari at Hollywild to you list of must-do activities in the spring! The animal safari is open March through September 2021!

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Facebook/Hollywild Animal Preserve

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Hollywild (official website)

The cost is $8 for adults, seniors (65+) and kids ages 3-12 are $6, kids 2 and younger are free.

TripAdvisor/management

Learn more about that here.

For another fun drive-through animal experience in South Carolina, head to Eudora Farms in Salley!

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Address: 2325 Hampton Rd, Wellford, SC 29385, USA