THE ADVENTURE COLLECTIVE® · Independent discovery and booking for outdoor travel
Journey through 35 acres at the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary, where private walking tours offer rare access to lions, tigers, bears, and more. Tailored to your interests, these tours reveal the powerful stories behind Florida’s rescued wildlife.
Journey through 35 acres at the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary, where private walking tours offer rare access to lions, tigers, bears, and more. Tailored to your interests, these tours reveal the powerful stories behind Florida’s rescued wildlife.
Book with Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary
Verified experiences and guided adventures in the surrounding area.
Operated by Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary · Citra, Florida
Located in Citra, Florida, the Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS) offers an extraordinary glimpse into the lives of some of the world’s most impressive wildlife through its Private Tours. Spread across 35 acres, this sanctuary is more than just an animal refuge—it's a carefully managed space where lions, tigers, bears, and other exotic species live in habitats designed to meet their physical and psychological needs. The sanctuary’s Private Tours last between 1.5 and 2 hours and are fully tailored to your group’s interests, making each visit a unique educational journey.
Visitors walk under the shade of towering hardwood trees with the sounds of native Florida birds punctuating the quiet. The trail winds past sturdy enclosures where you’ll meet magnificent orange and white tigers, a rare liger, leopards, bobcats, and even curious monkeys. Guides share behind-the-scenes stories of the animals’ rescues and rehabilitations, as well as the urgent challenges that wild populations face in their natural habitats. This immersive setting transforms conservation into a tangible, real-world experience.
EARS stands out in Florida’s outdoor recreation scene because it combines adventure with responsibility. Unlike a traditional zoo, it prioritizes the rescue and care of endangered creatures while fostering a direct personal connection between guests and wildlife. The sanctuary’s strict no-contact policies and enforced distance rules ensure safety for both visitors and animals—a vital balance in engaging with such powerful species.
This private, personalized approach makes the sanctuary a standout destination for wildlife enthusiasts, families, and educators seeking more than just a passive viewing. It’s an opportunity to witness firsthand the resilience of these animals and the complexity of their care, right within Florida’s unique ecosystem. Whether you’re fascinated by big cats, bears, or primates, EARS offers a rare, intimate window into endangered wildlife conservation.
easy.
1.5–2 hours.
Suitable for most fitness levels; requires lightweight walking on uneven terrain.
Yes, children are welcome but must be held or in strollers at all times for their safety.
No photography, including phones and video devices, is permitted to avoid stressing the animals.
The tour involves walking on natural terrain and may not be fully accessible for all mobility devices.
Comfortable walking shoes and sun protection are recommended due to outdoor conditions.
For safety, physical contact with animals is strictly prohibited at all times.
Tours are customized to your group’s interests and are conducted with limited group sizes to ensure an intimate experience.
The sanctuary focuses on rescuing exotic animals often confiscated from illegal ownership or poor conditions, giving a second chance in Florida’s natural environment.
EARS practices sustainable care by educating visitors on wildlife preservation and maintaining habitats that respect the natural behaviors of rescued animals.
Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary (EARS, Inc.) in Ocala, Florida, operates a 35-acre rescue and sanctuary that offers guided wildlife experiences and a unique private dining encounter. The sanctuary is home to large carnivores including lions, tigers and bears and provides both public and private 1.5–2 hour guided walking tours across its property. Public tours present a structured, educational walking route where visitors learn the animals’ stories and see habitat areas up close. Private tours extend the same guided format with personalized focus tailored to visitor interests, allowing for deeper educational context and additional time with specific enclosures. Both tour formats are presented as guided experiences that move across the sanctuary’s 35 acres. The sanctuary also offers a signature experience called "Dinners with Max," a private, candlelit dining event where guests dine nearby a tiger named Max. The dinner experience is presented as an opportunity to support EARS, Inc. while enjoying an intimate encounter that combines fine dining and wildlife observation. Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary emphasizes visitor education through guided commentary and site-based interpretation. All public and private tours are described as guided walking experiences, and the property size provides room for multiple large-animal enclosures. Visitors seeking close-range wildlife encounters, educational tours, or a distinctive private dining experience in Ocala can choose from the sanctuary’s public tours, private tours, or Dinners with Max offerings.
Book with Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary