Nestled In Savannah, Georgia Is A Once-Private Island That Now Has A Family-Friendly Center To See Wildlife

When it comes to vacationing in Savannah, Georgia, the city's downtown gets most of the attention. Visitors can walk through its public squares, admire its historic architecture, or visit landmarks and attractions such as Forsyth Park, the American Prohibition Museum, and the Cathedral Basilica of St. John the Baptist. However, travelers seeking a family-friendly adventure in Savannah can also explore a maritime forest and see native wildlife just a short 15-minute drive away. Oatland Island Wildlife Center is a stunning nature sanctuary just 7 miles east of Savannah's Historic District. But it wasn't always open to the public.

Oatland Island used to be a privately owned cotton plantation before it became a wildlife center. After changing hands several times throughout the 20th century, the property became the Oatland Island Education Center in 1974. The facility has operated under its current name, Oatland Island Wildlife Center, since 2007. It occupies more than 100 acres of coastal wildlife park and scenic, family-friendly trails and is home to over 100 North American wild and domesticated animals.

Visitors at the Oatland Island Wildlife Center should be ready to do a lot of walking since, instead of viewing most animals from one central area, exploring the center entails following a roughly two-mile loop through the forest. One visitor on Google said the loop and its connecting trails are "well maintained and are very fun to walk on." However, the center says you'll need roughly two hours to move through all the exhibits. Near the welcome center, guests can view birds in a small aviary before following the trail toward the alligator, cougar, bobcat, and fox exhibits. At the center of the property, Georgia Farm houses domesticated animals, with the center's current collection including goats, chickens, rabbits, donkeys, ducks, and Ossabaw Island hogs among its many residents. Bald eagles await at the Birds of Prey exhibit along the western portion of the loop, while gray wolves, flying squirrels, and American bison will greet visitors toward the end of the trail.

Although the trail brings families relatively close to large predators, there are fences and other barriers that separate visitors from the habitats. Oatland Island Wildlife Center's website says guests should "respect all fences and boundaries," explaining that they protect both visitors and the animals. Guests are also reminded not to "yell at or tease the animals, tap on or hit their exhibits, or throw any objects." In addition to following these safety rules, families should consider a few practical details before hitting the trail.

Oatland Island Wildlife Center offers families an affordable alternative to the more expensive attractions in Georgia's oldest city. Admission for two adults and two children between the ages of 4 and 17 costs $24 total, while children age 3 and younger enter for free. Additionally, complimentary parking and the option to bring food can keep costs down, and visitors can also enjoy picnic tables and public restrooms on-site. However, Savannah's heat and insects may require more preparation than just paying the admission price. A recent Google reviewer advised people who were planning to visit to "bring bug spray!" And while another reviewer said the trees did provide a degree of shade against the "blistering heat," they also pointed out that all the trails leading to the animal enclosures had to be explored on foot. For these reasons, the center recommends that visitors wear "good walking shoes" and carry essentials like water, sunscreen, and insect repellent. The gift shop sells drinks, snacks, and bug spray.

From there, travelers can make the center their main outing or pair it with another nearby attraction. If you're heading back toward downtown Savannah, a city with one of the best historic districts to visit in the country, you can visit Old Fort Jackson. There, travelers can learn more about the 19th-century military fort and attend its daily cannon firings. Those continuing east can spend the afternoon on Tybee Island, Georgia's charming, affordable beach getaway.