On January 18, 2020, my mother and I headed to Eudora Farms Drive‑Thru Safari in Salley, South Carolina, a place I had bookmarked months earlier after reading about its unique, interactive experience. The weather was sunny but cold—perfect for a winter outing—and we were excited to see what this rural safari adventure had in store.

After paying the entry fee, we purchased two buckets of animal feed, knowing the animals would come right up to the car. What we didn’t anticipate was how fast they would arrive. The moment we passed through the gate, animals of all sizes began walking toward our windows with eager expressions, clearly familiar with the routine. I kept my window mostly closed, only cracking it open to take occasional photos. Most of my shots ended up being through the windshield, but they still captured the fun chaos of the experience.

My mother, however, rolled her window down with full enthusiasm. She held out her bucket of feed, and within seconds, a large animal stuck its entire head inside, splattering feed everywhere—on her, on the car, on the dashboard. Even though we expected something like this, the sudden appearance of big, drooling faces invading our space was still a shock. Mom screamed, dropped her bucket, and I laughed harder than I had in years. It was one of those moments you replay over and over because it’s just too good.

Eudora Farms is home to over 200 exotic animals, and many of them roam freely along the three‑mile drive‑through trail. I was surprised by how many species I couldn’t name—antelopes, watusi cattle, zebras, camels, llamas, emus, and more. The animals were friendly, curious, and definitely not shy. When they realized my window was closed, several simply moved on to the car behind us. One particularly clever llama inspected my passenger side first before deciding to visit the next vehicle. Their personalities made the experience even more entertaining.

The animals were eager to eat, but I wasn’t about to hand‑feed them the way a little girl in the car ahead of us did—especially during the pandemic. The buckets were more than enough interaction for me. Still, watching the animals approach, sniff, and gently nudge the car was unforgettable. It felt like being part of a living, breathing wildlife parade.

Eudora Farms is only about an hour away, and at $20 per car plus $5 per feed bucket, it’s an affordable and fun family adventure. The safari is both entertaining and educational, offering a chance to see exotic animals up close without leaving South Carolina. I would not hesitate to bring future visitors here—it’s the kind of place that guarantees laughter, surprise, and memories you’ll talk about for years.

If You Go

• Buy feed buckets — Animals come right to your window, and the feed makes the experience interactive.
• Expect close encounters — Animals may stick their heads inside the car, so be ready.
• Keep windows partially closed — Great for photos without getting covered in feed.
• Visit on sunny days — Cold, clear weather makes the safari more enjoyable.
• Watch for exotic species — Over 200 animals roam the three‑mile trail.
• Hold onto your bucket — Animals can easily knock it out of your hands.
• Avoid hand‑feeding — Use the bucket instead, especially during health‑conscious times.
• Bring visitors — Affordable, fun, and perfect for families or out‑of‑town guests.

Reference Eudora Farms Safari web site

Eudora Farms Photos