The park was founded by Eric Rust, who began his career as a professional animal trainer in the film industry.
Many of the park’s residents were formerly private pets that owners could no longer manage or house properly.
The facility functions as a retirement home for animals that have aged out of professional exhibition circuits.
The drive-thru format is specifically designed to reduce animal stress by minimizing direct pedestrian foot traffic near the enclosures.
The park maintains a consistent focus on animal enrichment, using puzzle feeders and habitat changes to stimulate natural behaviors.
Aloha Safari Park is a 60-acre drive-thru zoo in Cameron, North Carolina, specializing in the care of rescued and surrendered exotic animals. Visitors navigate the grounds primarily by personal vehicle, allowing for up-close observations of various species from the safety of their cars. The park serves as a permanent sanctuary for animals that cannot be released back into the wild due to injury or previous domestic handling. The resident population includes a diverse array of wildlife, including camels, zebras, giraffes, and various big cat species. The park layout utilizes open-air paddocks designed to replicate natural habitats while ensuring animal welfare. Interactive experiences are limited to designated contact areas supervised by trained staff members. Education is a central mission, with signage providing information on the origin stories and unique needs of individual rescued residents. The facility is fully licensed and inspected by the USDA.
The giraffe feeding station, where you can capture eye-level photos of the animals from your vehicle.
Bring a cooler with water and snacks, as the drive-thru experience can take longer than expected on busy days.
Keep your windows partially cracked to hear the animals, but follow all posted signs regarding when it is unsafe to roll them down completely.
Plan to visit on a weekday to avoid the significantly higher weekend traffic volume.
Avoid exiting your car in non-designated areas; this is a safety hazard for both visitors and the free-roaming animals.
Closed on certain weekdays during the off-season; check official website for seasonal calendar changes.
Remain inside your vehicle at all times unless in a designated pedestrian area. Do not feed the animals human food or outside snacks.
