St. Augustine Wild Reserve

Was a nice experience I totally enjoyed seeing the big cats! It’s not a zoo no petting or pictures allowed but totally worth it to me

Let me start off by saying that this is not a zoo. The experience that you would have here will be very different from what you would have at a Zoo. This reserve was specifically created as a rescue center for unwanted exotic animals. Let’s talk about the experience.
They offer tours only 3 times a week, and only by appointments. So, you got to ensure that you book your tickets from their website (you pay 50% at the time of reservation). Read the instructions at their Tours page on the website. Once you are onsite (I would suggest ~30 minutes before the tour), you have to pay rest of the money. It’s best to bring cash. If you decide to pay using credit card, you will be adding to the confusion that ensues there while checking-​in people. Once everyone is checked-​in, you will be given about 10 minutes of «orientation» with instructions/​warnings, etc. I would highlight the «no pictures» policy.
Depending on the size of your group, you might have problems seeing the animals when they would be fed, because there are only limited number of people who can surround the cage. The tour guide had a microphone and a speaker attached to her waist. I really liked that. Almost all of the animals were fed in front of us. Each of them had a story, which made the whole experience very real and moving. We even saw a while tiger (forgot his name) taking a bubble bath. It was a beautiful sight to watch. The kind of affection that these big cats show towards the volunteers at the zoo is unbelievable. That’s something that would only see on TV.
They also have a golf cart along with the group in case anyone gets tired and wants to sit for a while. They stock the cart with bottled water which is a nice thought, especially for summer season. After the tour started, we enjoyed every moment of it.
Since there is «No photos» policy, which honestly, I believe is good, they do sell CDs with pictures of the same animals without cages, for 5 $. There is no food available here, and there is a Port-​O-​Jon at the entrance as far as bathroom facility is concerned. If you are visiting the reserve during or after rain, have good shoes because the walking area is not paved.

This is an amazing experience. The animals were well taken care of, the tour was informative. While tickets are $ 30 per person, its easy to see how they use the money. The cats were also given pumpkins on the tour, which they loved! The tour took roughly 2 hours, there was walking, but most of it was actually standing and watching these amazing animals. They have a golf cart to ride on if you choose. They do say no photography, which is the one and only downside. Given how close you are to these cats with claws and fangs, don’t want to take a chance upsetting them! Great experience. Worth every penny.

This sanctuary is amazing! So many different species of cats. I will never be able to see a big cat as close as I did on this tour. This is an unforgetable experience. The staff is extremely helpful and nice. These people genuinely care for these abused animals and give them unconditional love. Highly recommended for people of all ages, since they have a cart on the tour in case you get tired, they give you cold water and towels to cool off during summer months.
Well done!

The big cats were amazing. The personnel were very informative with incredible interaction with the wild cats! Great setting. Animals amazingly cared for. Tour during feeding hours. Very insightful.
The staff was concerned to answer questions, provide cold water in the heat and a rude if needed. We brought a 20# bag of carrots and u would have thought they were gold bars! Organization is very appreciative of donations. Hats off for all your volunteer hours to make our tour special.

What a wonderful experience! I got high fives, hugs, and «thanks Mom!» ever since I surprised my 17 year old with a trip to the Wild Reserve! When I realized the only tour that would overlap with our visit was full, I sent an email to Deborah about getting on a wait list. She emailed me back immediately and even opened up two more spaces! The only thing more fantastic than the amazing volunteers… who were knowledgable, friendly, and patient… were the animals themselves! I can’t say enough about how beautiful and regal these animals were. It was obvious these animals were extremely well cared for and loved. There is a large golf cart for older visitors, children, or anyone tired and wanting a ride. The volunteers were great at answering all of our questions, even the cute, silly ones asked by the many children on our tour. I would definitely recommend Wild Reserve to anyone, of any age.

A lifelong dream of mine was to see BIG CATS and I was so freggin awestruck I almost cried during the 2 hour private tour. You cannot imagine what it feels like unless you do it and I learned (to my surprise) that these cats are happy even though they are in captivity. We just loved it and it’s at the top of the «best thing I’ve EVER done» list.

This visit changed my life. I loved it. The staff were so knowledgable I learned so much and find myself talking about it to anyone that will listen. we were safely so close to the most facinating beautiful large animals. I wish I had taken notes — I bought the CD and can’t remember which ones we saw. I highly recommend this place and can’t wait to get back there.

A must-​do for animal lovers when in Saint Augustine. An entertaining and educational tour. These wonderful volunteers are working very hard for a noble and necessary purpose.