Live with the Animals at a Bed & Breakfast Near You

By James Careless

Safari West

Ah, wild life! Animals in their unspoiled homes; far away from the noise, pollution, and madness of urban life! Tall, waving woods, and fresh, clean flowing water. Who wouldn’t want to escape to such a natural world?

Well, you can make such an escape, without sacrificing the comfort and quality of a stay at a distinctive American inn. That’s because there are wonderful inns across this great country smack dab in the middle of nature, or just footsteps from it.

Hedricks’ Bed & Breakfast Inn

Hedricks’ Bed & Breakfast Inn – Nickerson, Kansas
Finally, for a whimsical combination of safari and the Wild West, head north to Kansas to Hedricks’ Bed & Breakfast Inn  in Nickerson. Also home to the Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm – many of whose residents are film and TV stars – the B&B resembles an Old West Main Street; complete with balconies that can be accessed by every room. However, the rooms themselves are decorated safari-style, to reflect that fact that you can feed camels, cuddle kangaroos and be kissed by giraffes while here! If this isn’t enough, you can even arrange an ostrich race with the help of Hedrick’s Promotions; the B&B’s sister company. One nice point: “Hedrick’s is licensed by the U.S.D.A. and has a veterinary service that provides 24 hour assistance to both farm and tour units,” says the B&B’s website. Not only is this reassuring to animal lovers, but it’s also good to know that the giraffe about to kiss you isn’t intent on revenge.

The Cats of Turpentine Creek

Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge – Eureka Springs, Arkansas
Adventure out into the woods to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge and Foundation in Eureka Springs. There you can sleep in a posh tree house modeled after the concept of those in Africa that allow people to safely view exotic animals up close. Watch lions and tigers playing throughout the night from the safety of your bungalow. A select few of Turpentine Creek’s 100+ lions and tigers inhabit the grounds new the cozy hide-away. The Wildlife Refuge Foundation offers inn-stayers many educational opportunities including habitat tours every hour on the hour from 11AM-4PM and educational videos in their Education Room.

Vision Quest Safari Bed & Breakfast – Salinas, Calif.
Vision Quest is ideal place for those who want to see lions, tigers, and elephants without having to trek to Africa. Located on a 51-acre ranch featuring an animal-themed canvas-walled, yet fully equipped African bungalow, the Vision Quest is home to a number of ‘wild animal stars’ (after all, this is the land of Hollywood!). They include Josef the Lion (“George of the Jungle”), Kolar the Bengal Tiger (whose poster has been hanging in my house for years without me knowing his identity), Brandi the Bear (“Return to Grizzly Mountain”), and Lisa the Elephant. If this isn’t enough, a continental breakfast is delivered to the tent daily – sometimes by pachyderm.

Safari West – Santa Rosa, Calif.
Close by in Santa Rosa, Calif., Safari West bills itself as offing “the spirit of Africa in the heart of Wine Country.” Safari West’s cottage and real canvas tents (nicely furnished with beds and hot showers; no sleeping bags here!) are nestled in the heart of a 400 acre animal preserve. Among Safari West’s residents are species such as the cheetah, giraffe, blue wildebeest, impala, lemur, and warthog. You can meet many of them on a guided safari tour, while your children can learn more about animals through this inn’s educational programs. And when hunger strikes, Safari West offers safari ranch style BBQ meals at its Savannah Cafe, and deli foods between meals at Delilah’s.

Blonde Bear Bed and Breakfast – Kenai, Alaska
Closer to the Arctic Circle on Alaska’s southern Kenai Peninsula, the Blonde Bear Bed and Breakfast offers easy access to salmon and halibut fishing charters, wonderful rugged scenery, and fly-out bear viewing adventures. Priding itself on offering “ALASKAN Sourdough hospitality, the Blonde Bear provides cozy accommodations in a rustic Alaskan setting. In the morning, it offers a hearty Alaskan style breakfast. At night, guests can gather around the Blonde Bear’s outdoor bonfire with a glass of homemade wine and Alaskan delicacies.