Animal Encounters in Fredericksburg: Meet Giraffes & Rhinos

Feed giraffes and touch rhinos while specialists explain their care

A 75-minute guided animal encounter tour in Fredericksburg on 100+ acres where you meet and feed 5 giraffes, touch one of 3 resident rhinos, and learn about wildlife conservation from animal care specialists. Groups stay under 12 people. Tours run daily at 11am and 2pm on weekends. Reservations are required.

Step-by-step itinerary

Animal encounter and conservation tour

• Meet and feed giraffes
• Touch resident rhinos
• Engage with animal care specialists
• Learn about wildlife conservation
• Take photos with animals

The experience

Seventy-five minutes gets you behind the scenes with ambassador animals that most people only see from a distance. You'll meet the tower of giraffes and get hands-on with the rhinos while animal care specialists walk you through how each animal is cared for and what conservation efforts protect them in the wild. The 100+ acres give the animals space and give you room to move between encounters without feeling rushed.

Photo opportunities are built into the tour, and you'll have access to the state-of-the-art care facilities where the specialists work. The small group size, capped at 12 people, means you're not competing for the animals' attention or jostling for a clear shot. An English-speaking guide leads the whole experience, answering questions as you go and tailoring the pace to the group.

What’s included

• Animal feedings.
• photo opportunities.
• access to state-of-the-art animal care facilities.
• guidance from animal care specialists with Q&A sessions.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 11:00 and 14:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 to 90 years) · Youth (3 to 17 years) · Child (under 3)

GroupUp to 14

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortWheelchair accessibleStroller-friendly

Operated by Longneck Manor

Is this one for you?The tour runs on a fixed schedule at 11am and 2pm on weekends, so it fits easily into a weekend day trip from elsewhere in the region without needing to arrange your own transport to the property.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (3 to 17 years); Child (under 3).

How many giraffes and rhinos will I actually get to interact with?

You'll meet and feed a tower of 5 giraffes and touch one of the 3 resident rhinos during the tour.

What times do the tours run and how far in advance do I need to book?

Daily tours depart at 11am and 2pm on weekends. Reservations are required, so book ahead to secure your preferred time slot.

What will the animal care specialists actually teach us?

The specialists share insights on how the resident animals are cared for day-to-day and explain the conservation efforts that protect their species, with time for Q&A throughout the encounter.