Animal Encounters in Fredericksburg
Fredericksburg, United States

Animal Encounters

Outty Ranking 67 5.0 · 17 traveler reviews1.3 hoursFrom $125

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September 2026

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Adults

Age 13 and over

2

Children

Age 12 and under

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From, per person$125
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Outty Ranking

67/100

Solid Choice. Our proprietary evaluation. How we score

Traveler rating

5.0/5

Based on 17 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

Quick answer

Is Animal Encounters worth booking?

Animal Encounters is a 1.3-hour experience in Fredericksburg, United States, from $125 per person. It scores 67 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice, based on a 5/5 rating across 17 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.

Outty Ranking
67 / 100
Rating
5/5 (17)
Duration
1.3 hours
From
$125 per person

This Animal Encounter offers a unique opportunity to connect with wildlife on a 75-minute animal encounter tour. Located on over 100 acres in Texas, guests can meet and feed the tower of 5 giraffes, get up close and touc

What you get

    About this experience

    This Animal Encounter offers a unique opportunity to connect with wildlife on a 75-minute animal encounter tour. Located on over 100 acres in Texas, guests can meet and feed the tower of 5 giraffes, get up close and touch one of the 3 resident rhinos while engaging with animal care specialists who share insights on conservation efforts. This memorable experience includes animal feedings, photo opportunities, and access to state-of-the-art animal care facilities. Perfect for families and small groups, this tour fosters a deeper understanding of wildlife and the importance of conservation. - Interact with resident giraffes and rhinos. - Guided by animal care specialists with Q&A sessions - Limited to 12 participants for a personalized experience - Daily tours at 11am and 2pm on weekends - RESERVATIONS REQUIRED

    What's included

    Included

    • Animal Encounters

    What you'll see and do

    1. Step behind the scenes for an unforgettable encounter with our ambassador animals. Guests will meet and interact with giraffes and rhinos while hearing fascinating stories and learning about their care from our expert team. This intimate experience is both fun and educational — and every visit supports wildlife conservation through the Longneck Manor Foundation. Fun for all ages!

      75 minutes here

    Where it starts and ends

    Meeting point

    Fredericksburg

    Come to the Longneck Manor gate and call for the daily entry code. Reservations required. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before tour time.

    Hotel pickup

    No pickup: everyone meets at the start point.

    Ends at

    Come to the Longneck Manor gate and call for the daily entry code. Reservations required. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before tour time.

    Before you book

    Cancellation
    For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
    Languages
    en
    Ticket
    Mobile Only
    Runs on
    Every day
    Group size
    Up to 14 travelers per booking
    Operated by
    Longneck Manor

    Know before you go

    • Wheelchair accessible
    • Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
    • Suitable for all physical fitness levels

    Photos

    Meet the tower of giraffes and hand feed them from the feeding deck!Meet one of our rhinos up close! Touch the horn and give him a scratch.Check in at our beautiful Welcome Center.The feeding deck looks out onto the giraffe pasture.Tour slots are limited to ensure a quality experience for everyone

    What travelers are saying

    Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 10 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.

    The guide

    4 mentions

    Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.

    Knowledge and storytelling

    4 mentions

    Reviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.

    Food and drink

    2 mentions

    The tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.

    Good for families

    2 mentions

    Reviewers traveling with kids report it landed well with their group.

    Traveler reviews

    10 verified traveler reviews for Animal Encounters. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.

    5 star
    10
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    Audrey_D · July 2026

    A lot of fun

    It's a bit expensive, but my son loved it, and the money goes to a great cause so I didnt mind paying it

    via Viator

    jessicarX626CK · July 2026

    Wine and animals

    Aurora was super friendly! We enjoyed our animal encounter!

    via Tripadvisor

    JaneF667 · July 2026

    Fabulous 1.5-hour animal encounter tour!

    Fabulous 1.5-hour tour meeting Justin the rhino and family of giraffes. The facility is top notch, and you can tell the staff love the animals. Our tour guide Noah was so much fun and informative. Lots of educational information is provided as well as hands on feeding and photos. The gift shop is super cute, and t shirts are fab. Purchased three, washed and so soft. It was hot and windy but plenty of shade. Bring water and a hat. Well worth the admission price as part of the money goes to the conservation. And best of all, small groups. We also got to peek in a villa, and it is pure luxury.

    via Tripadvisor

    Reynaavila2 · May 2026

    Best animal experience in Fredericksburg

    This experience was so much better than expected! The animals are beautiful and the guides answered all my questions. Longneck Manor is a beautiful place, well kept and extremely friendly staff.

    via Tripadvisor

    CuppaChowda · April 2026

    Great FUN meeting and feeding giraffes and rhinos!

    We had great fun at the Longneck Animal Encounters tour. The two tour guides were both so knowledgeable and friendly and gave us plenty of rounds of food to continually feed the many giraffes they have. What a great experience and we learned a lot about the animals! The gift shop had some fun T-shirts and other items to purchase, and the building, as well as the rest rooms, were immaculate. We plan to come back to Fredericksburg in the Fall and will most definitely do this tour again.

    via Tripadvisor

    Good to know

    Duration
    1.3 hours
    Free cancellation
    Up to 24h before
    Minimum age to book
    All ages
    Availability
    Bookable today
    Runs on
    Every day
    Hotel pickup
    No pickup, meet at start point
    Booked in 30 days
    6
    Verdict
    Solid Choice

    Why this scores 67

    The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.

    Traveler sentiment (30% weight)93
    Review evidence (18% weight)50
    Booking momentum (14% weight)42
    Value for money (12% weight)22
    Listing quality (10% weight)85
    Local standing (8% weight)61
    Booking flexibility (8% weight)100

    Animal Encounters: questions travelers ask

    Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Fredericksburg.

    How much does Animal Encounters cost?

    +

    Prices start at $125 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Fredericksburg usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.

    How long does Animal Encounters take?

    +

    Plan for about 1.3 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Fredericksburg is not rushed.

    Is Animal Encounters worth it?

    +

    It holds an Outty Ranking of 67 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (5/5 across 17 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Fredericksburg, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.

    Can I cancel or reschedule Animal Encounters?

    +

    Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.

    Is Animal Encounters suitable for kids and families?

    +

    Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 1.3-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.

    How far in advance should I book Animal Encounters?

    +

    Around 6 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Fredericksburg can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.

    What should I bring or wear?

    +

    Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Fredericksburg and add a light layer if any part of the 1.3-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.

    Where does Animal Encounters start and how do I get there?

    +

    The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Fredericksburg within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.

    What are the best things to do in Fredericksburg?

    +

    Fredericksburg sells Texas Hill Country wine tours with tastings and transport, Enchanted Rock hikes, distillery stops, WWII Pacific War Museum visits and wildflower drives. On Outty we rank every Fredericksburg experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include All-Inclusive Social Wine Tour, Fredericksburg Historic District Narrated Tour, Boutique Winery Experience in the Fredericksburg Texas Hill Country. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.

    When is the best time to visit Fredericksburg?

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    March to May for bluebonnets, September to November for harvest. Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.

    How many days do you need in Fredericksburg?

    +

    Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.

    Do I book through Outty or through the operator?

    +

    Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.

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