Out of Africa Wildlife Park
Set on 100 acres of high desert outside Camp Verde, Out of Africa Wildlife Park houses more than 400 animals including lions, tigers, giraffes, hyenas, wolves, and zebras. It is a working sanctuary as much as a tourist park; many of the cats were rescued from private collections and roadside zoos. A solid half-day option, especially with kids who have hit their hiking wall.
What it is
Out of Africa Wildlife Park opened in its current Camp Verde location in 2005 after a decade as a smaller operation in Fountain Hills. Owners Dean and Prayeri Harrison have built it into one of the largest exotic-animal sanctuaries in the Southwest — home to lions, tigers (including white tigers), leopards, hyenas, wolves, giraffes, zebras, sloths, kangaroos, and a serpentarium with more than 30 species of snakes.
Why visit
Two things separate Out of Africa from a typical zoo. First, the African Bush Safari Tour — a 30-minute open-air tram ride through a 50-acre savanna enclosure where giraffes, zebras, and oryx walk up to the vehicle (often close enough to feed by hand from the keeper-provided lettuce). Second, the daily Tiger Splash show — keepers play with adult tigers in a swimming pool while narrating tiger behavior; the cats genuinely enjoy it and the interaction is striking. The park also runs a Predator Feeding presentation (raw meat tossed over the enclosures while keepers discuss each animal\'s rescue story). All three are included in admission.
Practical tips
Plan for four hours minimum. Arrive at opening (9:30am) — the animals are most active in the cool morning, and the parking lot fills by 11am on weekends. Wear sturdy walking shoes; the paths between enclosures are gravel and the elevation changes add up. Bring water (refill stations on site) and reef-safe sunscreen — shade is limited. The on-site cafe is decent; better to pack lunch and use the picnic ramada near the giraffe enclosure. Check the daily schedule at the entrance: Tiger Splash typically runs at 1pm, the safari tram every 90 minutes.
Stay nearby
Out of Africa is a 40-minute drive south on I-17 from any of our Sedona properties — easy day trip, comfortable to be back at the rental by dinner. Browse Sedona Haven Rentals rentals for a base in West Sedona or the Village of Oak Creek (the latter saves you 10 minutes of drive time). More area context at Visit Sedona.
