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Safari: New Braunfels Style
Ready for a little adventure? How about a safari--a
chance to spot wildlife, introduce the kids to species they've never seen,
and interact with nature for a while? Or how about a little spelunking,
exploring the wonders that lie beneath the world's surface?
Wait a second, you say, the vacation budget doesn't cover
a trip to Africa and your endurance level doesn't cover learning a new
sport!
Well, you're in luck. Just a short drive north of San Antonio,
you and your family can enjoy both an African safari and an underworld
exploration that's as mild or wild as you choose. The Natural Bridge Wildlife
Ranch and adjacent Natural Bridge Caverns are perfect for a one-day getaway
from the Alamo City, offering all the excitement of an adventure without
the plane ride or passports.
The park dates back to a grand opening on June 1, 1984
when politico Henry Cisneros' children cut the ribbon ushered the first
visitor into the Wildlife Ranch. "We have established ourselves as
the longest-running, most-visited safari park in the State of Texas,"
says ranch spokesperson Tiffany Soechting. "We are established on
a Texas Land Heritage Property, being used for agriculture by the same
family for over 100 years. The sixth generation now lives and works on
the ranch. We provide a safe home away from home to over 50 species from
all over the world."
June makes a wonderful time to visit the ranch. "Spring
always gives rise to many births at the ranch," points out Soechting.
"We currently have three baby giraffes (the youngest two babies are
the third generation), four baby zebras, two baby llamas, a set of twin
endangered lemurs and a single baby, many highly endangered scimitar-horned
oryx, just to name a few."
Throughout the 400-acre park, you'll see species which
range from addax antelope to zebras. You'll also have the opportunity
to feed animals along the 4 1/2-mile drive; several residents like the
Sicilian donkey, greater kudu, oryx, and buffalo are always ready for
handouts. The wide variety of animals helps account for the placement
of the ranch as one of Texas's top 30 attractions.
The park is also home to several endangered
species, which find that the South Texas climate closely resembles their
own native habitat. Keep an eye out for rare white rhinos, reticulated
giraffes, ringtailed lemurs, red ruffed lemurs, jaguar, and other endangered
species.
 But
the day's fun isn't over: just next door awaits the largest cave in central
and south Texas, Natural Bridge Caverns. Imagine the surprise of four
spelunkers from San Antonio's St. Mary's University when they discovered
the gargantuan halls of limestone in 1960. After its discovery, cave developers
worked to carve passages from room to room, resulting in a comfortable
walk through this long cavern.
Today, the cave offers two separate cave tours, depending
on the guest's activity level. The North Cavern Tour is a traditional
guided tour, taking visitors through enormous rooms that look like the
playing fields of prehistoric dinosaurs, labeled with names like "The
Castle of The White Giants." And for adventurers, there's the South
Cavern Tour for which guests are outfitted in spelunking gear. The mile-long
excursion descends to a depth of 230 feet below the surface and is rated
moderate to hard in terms of difficulty. Visitor activities range from
rappelling to crawling through passageways to view rarely seen cave features
such as a 14-foot "soda straw." You'll need to make special
reservations for this tour.
And for the smallest adventurers in your family, there's
the Natural Bridge Mining Co., home of Texas's largest sluice. Kids can
search for all types of gems and minerals in this fun activity.
For more information:
Return to New
Braunfels Travel Guide
Top photo courtesy Natural Bridge Wildlife
Ranch
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