Madison just got a little wilder. The Georgia Safari Conservation Park has opened a new habitat this week, giving visitors another close look at exotic species roaming across the property’s rolling savanna. The expansion adds to the 530-acre park about an hour east of downtown Atlanta and fits into a phased buildout that combines guided safari drives with luxury overnight stays. For locals, it is one more excuse to hop in the car and head for Madison.
As reported by FOX 5 Atlanta, the latest opening gives guests another chance for up-close encounters with animals across the savanna-style landscape. The TV segment, posted July 16, spotlights the visitor experiences now on offer just outside Madison.
Park basics and hours
According to the park’s official site, visits are by reservation only and hours run Monday through Sunday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with guided safaris as the primary way the public can explore the grounds, per Georgia Safari Conservation Park. The website also lists the address as 1761 Monticello Rd, Madison, GA 30650, and provides a phone number for bookings.
Soft opening and phased buildout
The attraction first began welcoming limited visitors on June 1, 2024, during a soft opening that brought acreage online in stages so animals could acclimate, the Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported. The AJC also noted that the park bills itself as Georgia’s first overnight safari, pairing glamping tents and a giraffe-viewing suite with daytime guided drives.
National recognition
TIME included Georgia Safari Conservation Park on its World’s Greatest Places list for 2025, putting the Madison destination on the national map. The recognition highlighted the blend of safari-style tours and high-end lodging and steered more travelers’ attention toward this corner of Georgia.
Tickets, tours and overnight stays
Guided safaris start at about $39 and up, while private VIP tours can run as high as $2,500, and overnight stays begin around $590, according to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. The outlet also reported that the park is rolling out amenities in phases, with dining options and larger carnivore habitats planned for future development.
What it means for Madison
Local tourism officials are leaning in. Visit Madison’s tourism page notes that the safari park sits just minutes from the downtown square and is being promoted as part of the broader Lake Country lineup, helping diversify the area’s visitor offerings, according to Visit Madison. The new habitat is expected to nudge weekend traffic upward as the park continues its phased openings and publicity push.
Reservations remain required, so anyone planning a tour or overnight stay should book through the park’s website or by phone for up-to-date availability. For details and bookings, visit Georgia Safari Conservation Park or call (706) 342-4296.
