Tanganyika

While in Wichita last weekend to visit Craig's family, we hit up Tanganyika, a zoo-like wildlife park that offers way more interaction than a zoo.  We got up close and personal with a number of animals--the boys were able to feed a giraffe, pet a kangaroo, and ride a camel! 



The giraffes were our first exhibit and also probably the most impressive of all of them.  I couldn't believe how close we were able to get!






There were all sorts of weird rules when it came to the kangaroos.  Only pet the ones laying down.  Approach them only from the back.   I can't remember the rest, but it was a little nerve-wracking!
 




Brantley...the goat-whisperer.


 And then there were the bunnies.



And turtles.


Shortly after this next picture, Brantley got bit.  He was just trying to be nice and ensure the turtle got the last little bit of lettuce.  Oops!


I just couldn't resist this photo.  Perhaps this makes me a bad mom?  Or maybe I'm a bad mom because I was acting as mamarazi and not helping to keep my child's fingers out of the turtle's mouth?


Never fear, he was over it rather quickly and onto the camel.  Quite literally.








Come to find out, Brantley, Holden, and I could have ridden the camel altogether.  Kind of like the time my mom, sister, and I rode an elephant.  But we didn't know that until after the fact.  Next time, for sure!

Here we are waiting to visit Lemur Island.  Brantley was able to feed a lemur on the island, but unfortunately, they didn't allow photos because the "lemurs were new and 'in training'".  Riiiiight.  That would explain their professional photographer then, right?



Our final exhibit was the lama-pulled barrel train.  I mean, not everyone can say they've been in a train pulled by a lama!!





We saw lots of other animals while at Tanganyika - a white tiger, a panther, a leopard, monkeys (both boys loved them), an albino alligator, a rhino, zebras, etc.  Ironically, a lot of the same animals in the book Dear Zoo, which is one of Holden's current faves!  Albeit hot, it was a fun trip and it was nice to explore a part of Wichita I had never been!

4 comments:

  1. Oh my gosh!!! How cool they got to be so close to the animals! And feed them and pet them. That's so awesome! What a fun place. Your boys are so brave!

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  2. What a great place!! I'd love to visit a place like this, for myself! ha!

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  3. This is so cool! I had no idea it even existed! The next time we're back home I'm going to request we make a trip to Wichita just for this. The giraffes alone would make the trip totally worth it (at least for me)! :)

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  4. Wow, this pace is awesome!!! I really want to go there next time we're in Wichita. Also, Arden is loving reading your blog with me while Nash naps this morning. She keeps saying "let me look at Brantley's blog" ;)

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