The Wilds Conservation Preserve in Ohio – A Midwest Safari

Ohio is not where you’d expect to find rhinos, giraffes and ostriches, but The Wilds, a branch of the Columbus Zoo about eighty minutes east of the capital, runs a genuine safari experience across open grassland. We went in with more than a little skepticism, especially having just spent three months on an actual safari-adjacent trip to Ghana, but visiting with excited nieces and nephews in tow made it impossible not to enjoy. Turns out the Midwest has its surprises too.