Our family visiting Hollywild Animal Park
Recently our family made a trip across town to visit Hollywild Animal Park in Wellford, South Carolina. We already had a couple events earlier that day on that side of town so we just drove a little further and spent the afternoon having fun at Hollywild Animal Park. It was a beautiful day and it was great seeing as well as interacting with the animals.
Even though our girls are twins they have very different interests, however, they both share a interest in anything pertaining to animals. They love animals so this trip was a lot of fun for them. All the animals seemed very active which was fascinating to watch that day too. You could tell they were enjoying the Spring sunshine. The newborn baby animals were very adorable!
The only problem we had is between my husband and I we took a lot of pictures so it was hard to narrow down some of our favorites. We consolidated, but will probably highlight Hollywild in a couple posts in order to give you a full view our trip to this fun place.
If you live in the Greenville area you should check out this Hollywild Animal Park if you haven’t already especially if you have kids who enjoy being around animals. There a good variety of animals and you have opportunities for more interaction with the animals as well. It’s a great family event to do together. Not to mention it is educational for the kids.
After spending an afternoon at Hollywild the girls first comments were – “Wow, that was a lot of fun!” and “I wished we lived closer so we could go more often!” The kids give it a big thumbs up!
Here are some of the pictures from the animals we met while at Hollywild Animal Park:
The Canadian Geese were very friendly. This one decided to pose for me.
Brina talking with the bird. She loves all creatures!
Karlie found a rock to perch upon.
On the run….Karlie doesn’t want to get left behind!
Jake and his girls by the pond. Right behind them in the water you could see all kinds of turtles (including Red Eared Sliders like we have at home) and fish swimming around.
Beautiful cluster of ducks, the girls tried to get them to say AFLAC (guess that’s one commercial they remember, ha).
Karlie had to stop and pet the pony!
Having fun with my girls!
This little donkey was hoping we had some yummy treats still to share.
Brina soaking it all in. She wanted to make sure we didn’t miss any of the animals!
This Baboon was talking up a storm.
He really wanted something on the outside of the cage. We watched as he grabbed a stick to try and bring the item closer to him so he could grab it with his hand. He was very determined to get it!
Brina petting the pigs.
Beautiful iris flowers that caught my attention when I turned to walk to the next animal exhibit. Makes me think of my Grandma and Jake’s Grandpa.
Someone’s got a tasty treat and digging in! It was fascinating to watch him eat.
Looks like a sharp set of teeth in its mouth!
Intently watching the other one eat.
Pretty bear!
This one is getting a little closer!
Brina loved petting this super soft dog named Andorra!
Andorra was enjoying a good petting and laid down so Brina could continue!
Up on his rock jungle gym. The girls think we need to build a climbing rock structure for our goats too. I have a feeling the goats wouldn’t be the only ones climbing around on it though.
A little one….so cute watching him run after his Mom on long wobbly legs.
The camel watching us approach!
The camels were featured in the following:
More content watching the kids.
This picture makes me smile…
Beautiful Leopard Appaloosa was featured in the following:
So pretty! I think it is hoping for a treat!
We had a great time at Hollywild Animal Park!
Hollywild Animal Park Coupon Discount (Free Child’s Admission):
A special thanks to U.S. Family Guide and Hollywild Animal Park for offering a special discount to our readers. Any specific product information was provided by Hollywild Animal Park and U.S. Family Guide, however, the opinions expressed in this post are our own. We did receive tickets so our family could visit and share our experience.
Hollywild Animal Park, set in rural Upstate SC is a gem among parks and zoos – it’s a combination of both! The natural pathways and open spaces with plenty of picnic areas make it a great place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of life and explore: the laughter of your children, time together, and the great outdoors. But there’s more – more than 500 animals native to countries around the globe make their home at Hollywild. In the walking area of the park, you are close to all kinds of animals from the curious camels and humorous bears (who can be seen playing on the park’s webcam www.hollywild.org Eyes on Hollywild) to the majestic great cats (lions, tigers, leopards, and cougars), striking baboons and ambassador wolves. Petting areas are intentionally placed throughout the park. Children wanting to pet the “kitty” may need to be redirected if that “kitty” happens to be a 500 pound Siberian Tiger, but just a few feet away you find a petting area where donkeys, alpaca, goats, and even pigs can be found ready for some attention. Free roaming birds like the brilliant peacocks, guineas, and exotic chickens show their colors throughout the grounds adding another element of fun to your visit. A bit of learning is tucked into a Hollywild visit too, with the aid of signage and the Creature Feature programs in the park’s amphitheater. Both showcase details about the featured animals and give you the inside scoop on their unique adaptations and behaviors. There just aren’t many places where you learn a little then spread out a picnic blanket beside a waterfall in view of a rare white lion, one of the newest additions to the Hollywild family. His inspiring story and Hollywild’s partnership in an international effort to conserve the rare white subspecies make it easy to see why this place is a treasure on so many levels.
Hollywild Animal Park Coupon Discount (Free Child’s Admission):
Included in your admission is the Safari Bus Ride you won’t want to miss. Converted old-style school buses take you and yours on a journey you’ll not soon forget – on the ride you meet all kinds of herbivores: emu, donkeys, water buffalo, bison, watusi, and zebras who come to the bus for snack time. You just can’t see the foot-long tongue of a watusi up-close from anywhere – but you can at Hollywild! From the bus, catch a glimpse of “Tank” the park’s rare white rhino and star of many television commercials. In fact, that’s where the park’s name originated – through the movie industry. Hollywild has a 40+ year history – starting from a modest private backyard collection of animals to the nearly 100 acre public access park it is today. It grew as a result of Hollywood movie makers calling founder David Meeks and asking to film his animals. The funds raised by those efforts built the park to be the great resource it is today. Walking through the park you can see the star signs indicating the movies that Hollywild animals have appeared in during the park’s history.
The park converted to a non-profit organization more than 15 years ago so that it would be run by a board of directors who could see to it that the park lives on as a great resource for generations to come. Many animals have been born here or brought here as rescues and some as ‘retirees’ from circus acts. Each has a special story worth hearing. Though staff recommend at least 2 hours for a visit during Park Season, others recommend just planning to spend the whole day as you can ride the bus as many times as you like and just relax enjoying the nature abundant around you. Picnics are welcome or you can purchase light concessions on-site. The park’s website Hollywild has links to places to stay, eat, and play nearby making it easy to plan a weekend getaway to the Upstate area convenient to I-85 and I-26. For more information or directions the address is 2325 Hampton Road, Wellford, SC 29385 and phone number is 864-472-2038
The weather is warming up and there are a lot of fun activities happening all around. If you will be in the Georgia area any time between April 18th to June 7, 2015 you may want to check out the 30th Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival. I have also included a promotional code for you to use for additional savings!
30th Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival Details:
Every weekend and Memorial Day, starting April 18 thru June 7, 2015 The 30th Annual Georgia Renaissance Festival is a family-friendly event, and a different kind of theme park. Inside this 32-acre recreation of a 16th Century English Village you’ll find hundreds of costumed characters, the Queen and her Court, endless circus-style entertainment on 10 stages, shopping in over 130 artisan shoppes, food fit for Royalty, games and rides for kids of all ages, and the spectacular Jousting Knights on horseback. Patrons are invited to wear costumes and join in the fun too. It’s a whole lotta’ fun, and a little bit of History, every weekend and Memorial Day, April 18 thru June 7, 2015.
Georgia Renaissance Festival Promo Code Discount: