Residents of a metropolis often dream of meeting wild nature, but are not always ready to spend time and money on long trips to Africa or Asia. Fortunately, in Moscow region and neighboring regions several work safari parks, where you can see lions, tigers, giraffes and even rhinoceroses in conditions as close to natural as possible. These destinations are ideal for family holidays, romantic getaways or simply for those looking to spice up their weekend.
Unlike classic zoos, safari parks offer unique format of interaction with animals: You drive your own car or bus along special routes, observing the inhabitants from a close but safe distance. Some parks allow you to hand-feed herbivores, while others allow you to spend the night in houses right on the territory, listening to the night sounds of the savannah. In this article we have collected 7 proven safari parks within a radius of 200 km from Moscow, compared them by price, selection of animals and ease of visiting, and also gave practical advice on how to make your trip memorable.
TOP 7 safari parks near Moscow: comparative table
To make it easier for you to choose a suitable park, we have compiled a table with key parameters. Please note distance from MKAD, animal species And features of the visit - this will help you plan your route and budget.
| Park name | Distance from MKAD | Key animals | Cost (adult/child) | Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Safari Park "Taigan" (Crimea, but with convenient logistics from Moscow) | ~1,300 km (air + transfer) | Lions, tigers, giraffes, hippos, rhinoceroses | from 2,500 ₽ / 1,800 ₽ | The largest in Europe, you can spend the night in safari hotels |
| "Wildlife World" (Yaroslavl region) | 180 km | Camels, ostriches, deer, mouflons, yaks | 1 200 ₽ / 800 ₽ | Hand feeding of animals is allowed |
| "Forest Safari" (Tver region) | 160 km | Elks, wild boars, bears, lynxes, wolves | 1 500 ₽ / 1 000 ₽ | Specialization in predators and forest animals |
| "Safari Park in Elagino" (Kaluga region) | 120 km | Llamas, ponies, goats, peacocks, pheasants | 700 ₽ / 500 ₽ | Ideal for families with small children |
| "Bison Park" (Vladimir region) | 200 km | Bison, deer, roe deer, wild boar | 900 ₽ / 600 ₽ | The only park in Russia with wild bison |
As you can see, the range of animals and prices vary greatly. If it's important for you to see exotic animals (lions, giraffes), we will have to go further - to Taigan or World of Wildlife. To get acquainted with the local fauna, parks in the Tver or Vladimir regions are suitable. And if you are with children under 7 years old, it is better to choose Elagino — there are no predators, but there are many contact animals.
- Taigan (exotic)
- World of Wildlife (feeding)
- Forest Safari (predators)
- Elagino (for children)
- Bison Park (bison)
How to prepare for a trip: 5 mandatory rules
A visit to a safari park is not just a walk, but a small journey with its own nuances. To avoid disappointment, follow these tips:
- 🚗 Check the car: In most parks the route is on dirt roads. Make sure you have enough fuel and that your tire pressure is correct (especially if you are driving on low-profile tires).
- 🍎 Take food for the animals: in some parks (for example, in World of Wildlife) you can feed deer and ostriches by hand. Buy carrots, apples or special food in advance (usually sold at the checkout).
- 📱 Download offline maps: in remote parks (for example, in the Tver region) there is often no stable connection. Save the route to
Google MapsorYandex.Navigatorin advance. - 👕 Dress for the weather: Even if it’s +25°C outside, it can be windy in a car with the windows open. Take a windbreaker and a hat.
- 🎫 Book your tickets online: There are queues at popular parks on weekends. Websites often offer discounts for advance payment.
⚠️ Attention: Never open windows wider than 10 cm in areas with predators (lions, tigers, bears)! B Forest Safari Cases have been recorded of wolves trying to climb into a car through a slightly open window.
Camera with zoom lens|Bottle of water (minimum 1 liter per person)|Tissues and wet wipes|First aid kit (plaster, antiseptic)|Phone charger-->
"Taigan" - the Russian analogue of an African safari
If you dream of seeing lions, giraffes and rhinoceroses not in cages, but almost in the wild, Safari Park "Taigan" in Crimea - your best choice. This is the largest park of its kind in Europe, where animals are kept in spacious enclosures, divided into zones by continent. You can drive here in your own car or on a bus with a guide who will tell you interesting facts about each species.
Park features:
- 🦁 African zone: lions, cheetahs, zebras, ostriches, wildebeest.
- 🐘 Asian zone: tigers, rhinoceroses, camels, yaks.
- 🏨 Safari hotels: you can spend the night in houses overlooking the savannah (from 5,000 ₽/day).
- 🎪 Additional entertainment: show with birds of prey, petting zoo, attractions.
Cons: the park is located in Crimea, so you can only get there from Moscow by plane (tickets from 3,000 ₽ in both directions) or by car (about 20 hours of travel). However this is the only place in Russia where you can see a rhinoceros in conditions close to natural.
How long does it take to inspect the Taigan?
The full route by car takes about 3-4 hours, but if you want to see all the shows and attractions, budget a full day. We recommend arriving at opening time (at 9:00) and leaving before closing (at 18:00).
"World of Wildlife" - where you can pet animals
This park is in Yaroslavl region (near the city of Gavrilov-Yam) is famous for the fact that it is allowed here feed and pet many animals. For example, you can feed an ostrich by hand, pet a deer, or even ride a camel. This makes the park an ideal place for families with children.
What awaits you:
- 🦒 Ostrich farm: More than 50 ostriches live here, which can be fed with special food (sold locally).
- 🐪 camel playground: children over 5 years old are allowed to ride camels (cost: 300 RUR per lap).
- 🦌 Deer nursery: Deer approach cars and take food directly from your hands.
- 🐐 petting zoo: goats, sheep, rabbits - you can pet them all.
Advice: if you are traveling with children, take a change of clothes - animals sometimes splash or lick your hands, and little ones may not like this. Also worth grabbing disinfectant for hands
⚠️ Attention: There are no large predators in the park, but Yaks And bison can be aggressive if provoked. Don't shout or wave your hands in their direction!
Come to the World of Wildlife on weekdays - on weekends it is very crowded, and animals can go deeper into the enclosures to hide from the noise.
"Forest Safari" - for lovers of predators and taiga fauna
This park is in Tver region specializes in forest animalsthat are difficult to see in the wild: bears, wolves, lynxes, moose. There are no exotic animals here, but you can get acquainted with the fauna of Russian forests.
What is interesting about the park:
- 🐻 Bear zone: brown bears live here and are fed right in front of visitors (food is thrown from a car).
- 🐺 Aviary with wolves: the only place in the Moscow region where you can see a wolf pack in natural conditions.
- 🦌 Elk nursery: moose come up to the cars and take apples from their hands.
- 🚗 Night safaris: In summer there are evening lantern tours (must be booked in advance).
Important: in this park It is strictly forbidden to open windows in areas with predators. Bears and wolves may become interested in cars, especially if they smell food. It is also not recommended to feed animals anything other than approved products (the list is posted at the entrance).
"Forest Safari" is the only park near Moscow where you can see wolves in semi-free conditions. This is especially valuable for photographers and wildlife enthusiasts.
Safari Park in Elagino: ideal for kids
If you are looking for a place where you can safe and fun spend time with children under 10 years old, pay attention to the park in Kaluga region (Elagino village). There are no predators here, but there are many friendly animals, which you can pet and feed.
What's here:
- 🦙 Llamas and alpacas: very friendly, approach cars and take food from your hands.
- 🐴 Ponies and donkeys: you can ride a pony (300 ₽ per lap) or feed the donkey carrots.
- 🦚 Poultry yard: peacocks, pheasants, guinea fowl walk right through the territory.
- 🎠 Children's playground: swings, slides and labyrinths for active games.
The park is small - you can walk around it in 1.5–2 hours. This is a plus if you have small children who get tired quickly. Thematic events are also often held here: the park’s birthday, Halloween, New Year’s performances.
FAQ: Frequently asked questions about safari parks near Moscow
Is it possible to visit the park by bicycle?
Most safari parks Bicycles are prohibited for safety reasons (animals may become frightened or chase the cyclist). Exception - "Wildlife World", where bicycle rental is allowed, but only on special paths away from the enclosures.
What to do if an animal approaches the car and does not leave?
Don't panic and don't honk - this can provoke the animal. Slowly (at a speed of 5–10 km/h) start moving forward. If the animal does not leave, wait for a park employee to help. B "Forest Safari" For such cases there is a special service on ATVs.
Is it possible to take dogs with you?
B everyone In safari parks near Moscow there is a ban on entry with pets. This involves the risk of conflict between your pet and wild animals, as well as the possibility of infection (such as rabies from foxes or raccoons).
What's the best time to visit?
Optimally - morning hours (9:00–12:00)when animals are active and approach roads in search of food. In summer, avoid midday (12:00–15:00) - many animals hide in the shade. In autumn and spring, it is better to go on weekdays - on weekends the parks are crowded.
What to do if the car stalls on the route?
Do not try to start it yourself - this may frighten the animals. Turn on your hazard lights and call the park's hotline (the number is usually on your ticket). B "Taigan" And "Forest Safari" There are tow trucks that will arrive in 10–15 minutes.