Entry No. 45 — the New Orleans file — filed under: roadside-oddity
Global Wildlife Center
Tucked into the rolling north-shore countryside, this 900-acre free-roaming preserve holds more than 2,000 exotic and threatened animals from around the world. The 75-minute guided wagon rolls right into the herds, where giraffes, camels, zebras, bison, and kangaroos walk up to the canopy-covered cart to be fed by hand. The surreal sight of African and Asian megafauna grazing across Louisiana pasture is the whole appeal.
The story
Drive about an hour north of New Orleans across Lake Pontchartrain, past the pine woods of St. Tammany Parish, and you pull up to Highway 40 in Folsom. You are not expecting an African savanna in rural Louisiana, but suddenly there is a 900-acre open preserve holding more than 2,000 exotic and threatened animals. Giraffes, zebras, camels, bison, and kangaroos roam across pastures that look less like a slick zoo exhibit and more like an enormous converted ranch.
The mechanics are straightforward and entirely hands-on: you board a canopy-covered tractor wagon lined with bench seating, grab a container of grain feed, and roll directly into the un-fenced herds. Because the animals associate the wagons with food, they do not graze at a polite distance. Giraffes drop their long necks right down over the side railings to curl dark tongues around feed pellets in your hand, while camels and zebras crowd the wheels for their turn.
What it's like
Expect a dusty, open-air ride through the dirt tracks, so skip the dry-clean-only clothes and keep a tight grip on your grain cup—the camels are notorious for grabbing entire buckets right out of loose hands. The standard 75-minute wagon ride carries a good-sized group, so if you want to avoid a vehicle packed with excited field-trip kids, look into booking one of their private vehicle tours instead. Always double-check operating hours and tour slots online before making the trip across the lake.
The move: Grab a cup of feed, ride the covered safari wagon out into the herd, and let a giraffe lean down to eat from your hand.
- 📍 Folsom
- 💸 Free
- ⚡ Up for anything
- 🌗 Outdoors
Where: 26389 Hwy 40, Folsom, LA 70437
Hours: Added 2026-06-22 — confirm current hours before you go.
Pair it with
- Insta-Gator Ranch and Hatchery — Pair your Northshore exotic mammal feeding with a visit down the road to handle live baby reptiles at a working alligator conservation hatchery.
- Abita Mystery House (UCM Museum) — Follow up the pasture safari by taking a short drive to Abita Springs to wind through John Preble's chaotic maze of folk-art oddities.
- Canoe & Trail Adventures Moonlight Paddle — Trade viewing land animals from a safari cart for a night paddle through local bayous guided by a naturalist naturalist on Lake Pontchartrain's north shore.
Good to know
How long is the safari wagon tour?
The standard guided wagon tour lasts roughly 75 minutes, driving directly through the 900-acre preserve while you feed animals from your bench.
What animals can you expect to feed?
The preserve houses over 2,000 animals, and wagons frequently encounter giraffes, camels, zebras, bison, and antelopes up close.
Do I need to book wagon tickets ahead of time?
Yes, reserving your wagon ride or private tour in advance on their website is strongly advised, particularly for weekends and seasonal holiday rushes.
Are private tour options available?
Global Wildlife offers private vehicle tours in addition to their large public canopy wagons for visitors wanting a smaller group experience.
Plan a visit & invite your people →
Further reading: Official site · Wikipedia · Tripadvisor · visitthenorthshore.com · Reddit
last checked: 2026-06-22