Texas Zoofari Park

Texas Zoofari Park in Kaufman offers a safari-style animal encounter experience about an hour east of Dallas — a slightly off-the-beaten-path alternative for families who want hands-on wildlife interaction without the 90-minute drive to Fossil Rim in Glen Rose.

The park features a collection of exotic animals including giraffes, zebras, and other species in open outdoor environments. The format is more intimate than a major zoo — this is a smaller operation, which means animal encounters can feel genuinely personal and close in a way that's hard to replicate at a crowded city zoo.

Animal feeding experiences are the core draw: getting to hand-feed a giraffe or other exotic species is a childhood highlight that kids talk about for years. The smaller staff-to-visitor ratio at a park like this often means more direct guidance from keepers who are passionate about their animals.

Practically, it's an outdoor experience — pack accordingly for Texas weather. Sunscreen, hats, and water are essential, and the summer heat makes morning visits in warm months strongly advisable. Spring and fall visits in comfortable temperatures are ideal.

For families already making day trips from Dallas, it's worth checking current programming and animal offerings on their website or social media before the drive, as availability can vary. This is a smaller private operation, so the experience can shift depending on the current animal roster and staffing.

If you've already done Fossil Rim and want another animal encounter experience, or if the drive to Glen Rose is too far, Texas Zoofari Park fills a genuine niche in the DFW area animal experience landscape.