Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is a drive-through safari park near New Braunfels, set on rolling land north of the town. Since opening in the early 1980s it has become one of the best-known family stops in the area. Visitors drive their own cars along a loop through hundreds of acres, and the animals, many of them from Africa and Asia, roam freely and often approach vehicles looking for the bags of feed that visitors can buy.The loop takes around an hour, depending on how often you stop. You might pass herds of antelope, zebras, ostriches, deer and giraffes, and the larger animals are astonishingly gentle in spite of their size. The thrill of a giraffe tongue reaching through the window for a snack is hard to beat, and children usually remember it for years.

Make a plan before you arrive. Wear closed shoes, keep your windows secure from any animals that become overenthusiastic and follow the rules about staying in your car on the drive. Feed bags are sold at the entrance, and it is wise to buy more than you think you need because the animals can be persistent. Remove sunglasses and loose items from the dashboard, as curious noses will investigate everything.

A clean car is not guaranteed, so avoid wearing white. There is also a walk-through area at the start of the loop with smaller animals, such as goats, lemurs and exotic birds. The ranch has a gift shop and snack stop, and picnic areas make a convenient place to rest. Hours vary with the season, and animals are most active in the morning and cooler hours, which also makes for the best photographs.

Weekdays tend to be calmer. The ranch is a natural pairing with the nearby caverns: the two sit near each other on the north side of New Braunfels and many visitors do both in a single outing. Together they make a very good family day, with a cave in the morning and animals in the afternoon, or the reverse. Check the ranch site for ticket prices and current hours, and arrive an hour or more before closing to have time for a full loop.

Think about how you want to remember the visit. Bring a camera with a fast shutter for the moment a giraffe leans in, a pack of wet wipes for sticky hands, and a spare towel for the dashboard. If you visit in cooler months the animals can be especially lively, and in summer going early is kind to both the animals and your car air conditioning, which will be working hard.