![]() Some might call this place a tourist trap, but it at least is not the worst one in the Everglades. I enjoyed seeing the variety of different crocodilians on display, instead of just the American varieties. The presenter stated that they don't wrestle them like most attractions as it puts them under stress. This show at least involved 4 grown gators. The Alligator show wasn't as bad as the one at the Everglades Alligator farm which only involved a guy in a t-shirt dragging around and wrestling 1 gator. A positive was that all who boarded the airboat were provided with complimentary ear plugs, which is not the norm everywhere. Guests were also asked to provide a $5.00 "donation" to hold the baby alligator after the alligator show. There were signs posted throughout the interior of the boat which stated that the guide works for tips, which I felt was tacky. I almost felt like taking over the tour and pointing them out to the rest of the tourists on the boat so they wouldn't be bored. I personally spotted other wildlife on the airboat ride that the guide missed and didn't point out such as a great egret, turkey vulture, baby alligator, swallowtail butterfly, yellow bellied slider turtles, etc. Oh really, all the mammals and birds too? I am very aware that wildlife in the Everglades comes and goes as it pleases, but I felt insulted to be told this excuse. I found the airboat ride enjoyable, though there were a few negatives: it rained during the boat ride (not the guide's fault) and the whole tour the guide only located and pointed out 1 animal, an alligator (and that one was right by the dock waiting for a handout) The guide stated that due to the heat most of the wildlife was underwater. Within seconds of getting our tickets, we were already being lined up to board an airboat, which is followed by an "alligator Show", baby alligator photo opportunity, and a stroll around the boardwalk area at your leisure. It is run basically like an assembly line. It was better than the Everglades Alligator Farm or Gator Park, but I don't know if that says much. Overall we enjoyed the visit.Everglades Safari Park is one of the few attractions in South Florida I had never visited, so I was eager to check it out. The gift shop was closed so I am not sure of their selections. We stopped in the afterwards 2 canned soft drinks, 2 appetizers totaled $22. I believe animals are best in their natural habit being animals and not passed around or handled. There is an option at the begin of the tour for a photo (we declined this so I’m not sure the price of the souvenir photo) and afterwards, there is a Gator show (we skipped this only because I didn’t want to see any animals being aggravated or harassed so I’m not sure whether this occurs or not. Our tour guide for the boat was Giovanni and he was very personable and had vocalized several years (since 2007) working and driving the boats which helped me feel comfortable with the ride. If you have time I highly suggest making time for an airboat ride. Also, the boat is not too fast or bumpy at all, so don’t be afraid of that (I was worried). It was a bit chilly with the wind so we didn’t get to see many alligators but we did see some! The swamp is amazing and really a unique experience I highly recommend. The airboat tour felt like lit was about an hour (I could be wrong) and they provide you with ear plugs to protect hearing from the large fan. The last tour of the day goes out at 4pm and tickets were $30 each (make sure to bring cash to tip your airboat driver!). There are no airboat tours that operate within the actual national park, it the park does provide 3 operating airboats, Everglades Safari being one of the 3. After spending the day at the Everglades National Park, we drove almost an hour north to do an airboat swamp tour.
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