The park utilizes custom-built, open-air trucks to allow for direct interaction between guests and animals during the safari portion.
The animal collection includes the rare Watusi cattle, known for having the largest horn circumference of any cattle breed.
The facility is designed as a sanctuary that focuses on animal welfare while maintaining a high level of visitor engagement.
The layout separates the 'safari' drive-through from the 'petting zoo' to allow for different levels of supervised interaction.
The park provides specific animal feed at the safari level, allowing guests to hand-feed animals directly from the safari trucks.
Fort Chiswell Animal Park is a 45-acre drive-through safari park located in the Appalachian mountains of southwestern Virginia. The facility features a two-part experience: a guided safari truck tour through pastures containing exotic animals and a walk-through petting zoo area. The collection includes species from six continents, such as camels, emus, zebras, water buffalo, and Watusi cattle. Visitors remain on the guided trucks while moving through the open-range enclosures where animals frequently approach the vehicle. The petting zoo houses smaller domestic and exotic animals, including lemurs, coatimundis, and wallabies. The park is family-owned and emphasizes interactive, up-close animal encounters. It is situated in a rural valley setting in Max Meadows, Virginia.
The elevated deck area in the walk-through petting zoo provides a clear view of the park's enclosure landscape.
Bring a camera with a zoom lens, but be prepared for animals to get very close to the vehicle.
Wear comfortable, closed-toe walking shoes, as the petting zoo area involves walking on gravel and grass paths.
Check the weather before visiting, as the safari tours are open-air and operate in most weather conditions.
Do not attempt to feed animals from your own personal vehicle, as the safari must be conducted via the park's guided trucks.
Operates seasonally; typically closed during the winter months and on certain weekdays in the off-season. Always check for weather-related closures.
Do not feed the animals human food; only use the feed provided by the park staff. Keep hands inside the safari vehicle at all times unless instructed otherwise by the guide.
