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Thread: Giraffe Ranch, Dade City

  1. #1
    Florida Expert
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    Giraffe Ranch, Dade City

    Not sure where I saw this advertised on a previous trip to Florida but I decided to book up for it this time around....and was not disappointed. Absolutely fascinating.

    Lex and Elena (Elaina?) have run this ranch/wildlife farm for several years after working all their lives travelling worldwide and working with all types of wildlife but you immediately get the impression that this is not a retirement or "winding down" project. It is a full time working facility, not only providing entertaining and educational facts to it's visitors but also undertaking scientific projects, to provide facts and valuable information to other wildlife organizations.

    We were greeted straight from the car by Elena and invited to register at the small office/shop/restroom area. From here we were taken to a seating area where we were treated to a short talk about the various species of wildlife we would get to see later. you might think this would be the "boring" part but Elena speaks with such passion and detail on her subject that you can not doubt her involvement and care for the wildlife they look after. Many of the animals come from poor quality and endangered backgrounds and are nurtured back to physical and social health at the farm. If the number of baby animals to be seen on our visit is anything to go by, the inhabitants are totally happy with their environment.

    Next we go on a walking tour of the enclosures of smaller animals at the ranch. Monkeys, Chimpanzees, Ring Tailed Lemurs, Porcupines, Otters, Various birds, Capybara etc are all to be seen. some of the visitors who elected for extra feeding options are taken separately by Lex while Elena continues with the others.

    Then comes the exciting part. We are taken (by whatever method of vehicle you book for.....Safari truck $75.....Camel Train $150 or Segway $150) to the large acreage of farmland to see the bigger animals including Giraffes, Rhinos, Gazelles, Zebra, Miniature Hippos, Ostriches and their herd of Irish Miniature Cattle. stopping every so often, Elena calls the various animals by name and encourages them to come to see her whilst describing to us all about the species.

    The undoubted highlight of the tour is stopping off to feed the giraffes. The safari truck we opted for gives a great elevated view of the giraffes and is a good platform from which to feed these mighty but somewhat timid creatures. although shy at first they were soon munching on the various tasty items of leaves (Acacia?), lettuce centres and carrot slices provided by the ranch. There were excited squeals of delight from the truck as the baby of the family overcame it's shyness and you could feel it's soft , velvety chin and long purple tongue brush against your hand. Amazing!

    The two and a half to three hour tour went by very quickly and our party of four all agreed it was and awesome experience and voted to come back again in the future.

    I will post a few photos here but further info can be obtained at their website http://girafferanch.com/

    Highly recommended for those who like wildlife close up!
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails IMG_4086 (800x600).jpg   IMG_4096 (800x600).jpg   IMG_4103 (800x600).jpg   IMG_4100 (800x600).jpg   IMG_4121 (800x600).jpg  

    Kevin


  2. #2
    Gold 5 Star Member E. Cosgrove's Avatar
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    Sounds fab, thanks for recommending and for the lovely photos.


    Liz


  3. #3
    Super Moderator caroline's Avatar
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    This looks like a fabulous day out. Will check out the website thanks.
    Caroline & Dave



  4. #4
    Florida Expert autumnc's Avatar
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    Thanks! One for the To Do list.
    Sarah


  5. #5
    Florida Expert
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    Thanks for the replies Liz, Caroline & Sarah. I am sure you will have a great time if you decide to go. We also got a tip from Lex about a good eating place called Steph's Southern Soul Restaurant in Dade City which is just a 5 - 10 minute car ride from the Giraffe Ranch. They do typical home cooked Southern food like Southern Fried Chicken, Baked Chicken, Liver & Onions etc with mash potato, gravy, and a variety of vegetables also salads and a range of home baked pies and desserts all at reasonable prices. We were welcomed by Steph herself who said "Ahh y'all must have come from the Giraffe Ranch" and made us extremely welcome. (She must know the end times at the ranch plus how long it takes to drive from there so if strangers appear it's a good guess where they're from) The food was great just as Lex had said! (Lex probably gets to eat there for free from his referrals but the meals certainly are excellent )
    Kevin


  6. #6
    Florida Expert autumnc's Avatar
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    Even more perfect, we love some home cooked Southern food.
    Sarah


  7. #7
    Florida Chatterbox mary and colin's Avatar
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    Sounds wonderful. Something different to try.
    The photo's are lovely.
    Our to do list is getting longer and longer.

    Mary


  8. #8
    Florida Junior
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    So what is the best route to drive to The Giraffe Ranch at Dade City ?

    From Hwy 27 / I 4 area


  9. #9
    Florida Expert
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    Hi Cork,

    We followed the directions from Orlando to Dade City from the Giraffe Farm website.....

    http://girafferanch.com/directions

    .....but I notice from your post that you are in the Hwy 27 area so you would probably be better going north up Hwy 27 towards Clermont then take a left (west) onto Hwy50 through Mascotte, Mabel & Tarrytown then south on Hwy301. Proceed 4-5 miles to Mickler Rd (Mickler Rd is the 1st left after you pass Hwy 98 on right). Proceed on Mickler Rd over railroad tracks about 1/4 mile. Giraffe Ranch is on your right.

    You'll need to watch carefully for Mickler Rd. as there are no big signs (or any signs we could see) until you get the the ranch itself
    You'll need to book ahead too as groups are limited to two tours a day 11am and 2pm.

    Have a great time if you go.
    Last edited by KevinT; 29-05-2015 at 09:49.
    Kevin


  10. #10
    Gold 5 Star Member SDJ's Avatar
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    Sounds like a different day out and we shall certainly look into visiting on our next trip. Thank you for posting.


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