Most Pennsylvania farms don’t offer the chance to meet kangaroos, feed capybaras, or get close to an armadillo. But Safari Farm Petting Zoo & Sanctuary in Lake Ariel brings these unusual animals together in one family-friendly destination.
The small sanctuary is home to kangaroos, capybaras, zebras, goats, reptiles, and other animals. Visitors can book special encounters that allow them to interact with selected animals under staff supervision, making the experience more personal than a typical zoo visit.
There is also a meaningful story behind the farm. Founder Lynn Closterman credits animals with helping her through a difficult childhood, and that connection inspired her to create a place focused on animal care and education.
Now operating as a nonprofit, Safari Farm offers reservation-based experiences and special events. For families hoping to spend time with animals they rarely get to meet up close, this Pennsylvania farm has some unexpected surprises.
A Kangaroo Farm in the Poconos Foothills
Safari Farm Petting Zoo & Sanctuary sits at 1675 Mt Cobb Rd in Lake Ariel, Pennsylvania. It is a small, family-run spot where many of the animals can be petted, fed, or held with help from staff.
The farm is not a giant zoo with long walking paths. It is compact, and that works in its favor.
Families can move from pen to pen without tired little legs giving out halfway through.
Kangaroos are the big draw here. Few people expect to meet them in rural northeastern Pennsylvania, so the surprise alone makes kids pay attention.
Zebras, goats, reptiles, and plenty of smaller creatures round out the lineup.
I find the size of the place appealing. A smaller farm means more chances to ask questions and spend real time with each animal.
It also means staff members are usually close by when someone wants a fun fact or a little guidance.
Lake Ariel is in Wayne County, a short drive from the Scranton area. That makes the farm an easy trip for many families in the region.
So who exactly lives here? The answer starts with some very famous joeys.
BellaRoo, Billie Jean, and the Joey Cuddles
Baby kangaroos have names here, and families tend to remember them. BellaRoo and Billie Jean are two joeys that have charmed plenty of guests during special encounters.
Joeys are young kangaroos that usually stay close to a pouch for comfort. At the farm, guests on certain experiences may get the chance to hold a baby roo while staff explain how these animals grow and behave.
Here is a fun fact to share with kids. A newborn kangaroo is tiny, about the size of a jellybean, when it first crawls into its mother’s pouch.
It stays there for months before it peeks out at the world.
Holding a joey is usually part of a paid add-on or booked experience rather than general admission. Some families choose to pay extra for joey time during events, and it seems to be a highlight for many of them.
Patience matters with baby animals. Staff guide each moment, so the joey stays calm and safe.
Kids should follow directions and use soft hands.
Once the little ones head back to rest, the grown kangaroos are ready for their own turn in the spotlight.
Snack Time With the Grown-Up Roos
Adult kangaroos are bigger and bouncier, but they can be surprisingly relaxed around people. During the Kangaroo Experience, guests sit with the older roos, offer treats, and learn about their feeding patterns and daily habits.
Kangaroos are grazers. In the wild, they spend a lot of time munching grasses and plants, often in the cooler parts of the day.
Hearing that from a guide while a kangaroo nibbles nearby makes the lesson stick.
The experience is booked ahead of time. Some couples have even given it as a holiday gift certificate, which is a creative idea for someone who has everything.
I’d suggest thinking of a few questions before you go. Kids might ask how high kangaroos jump, why they have such strong tails, or what they like to eat.
Staff seem happy to answer even the oddest ones.
Sit still and let the animals come to you. Quick movements can startle them, and slow, quiet guests often get the closest visits.
Kangaroos are not the only stars on the booking list, though. A certain oversized rodent has a fan club of its own.
Capybara Dreams Come True
Capybaras are the largest rodents on Earth, and they have become internet favorites for their calm, easygoing look. At Safari Farm, kids and adults can meet one up close.
The farm offers a Kangaroo and Capybara Experience. It takes place in a heated party room, lasts about 30 minutes, and welcomes a small group of guests of all ages.
That indoor setting is a smart touch during chilly Pennsylvania months.
Families have booked this for birthdays, including one teen who had been asking about capybaras for a long time. Getting a reservation means reaching out to the farm ahead of time, so plan early.
Fun fact time. Capybaras come from South America and love water.
Their eyes, ears, and nostrils sit high on their heads, so they can stay mostly hidden while swimming.
During the session, guests can pet and feed the capybara while staff share facts. Nobody is pushed into poses or rushed through the visit, which helps nervous kids warm up at their own pace.
Sometimes a few surprise guests join the room too. One of them wears a shell and has a very fitting name.
Scuttles the Armadillo and Gary the Cockatoo
An armadillo named Scuttles has quietly become one of the farm’s most talked-about residents. He often appears in private shows and encounters, sometimes alongside a kangaroo and a capybara.
Armadillos are covered in bony plates that act like natural armor. Only one kind, the three-banded armadillo, can roll into a full ball.
Kids usually love learning that little detail.
Gary the cockatoo sometimes joins the group as well. Cockatoos are smart, social birds with crests of feathers that rise when they get excited or curious.
What catches my attention is how these smaller animals balance out the big ones. Not every child feels ready to sit near a kangaroo.
A slow-moving armadillo or a chatty bird can be a friendlier first step.
Private shows let families feed and touch several animals while learning about each one. They are a good fit for small groups who want a calmer pace.
Bring curiosity and plenty of questions. Guides here seem to know their animals well, and they enjoy sharing.
Out in the open pens, a very different set of faces waits for visitors, including a pair of striped neighbors.
Goats to Brush and Zebras to Admire
Grab a brush and step right into the goat pen. Visitors are allowed inside to pet and groom the goats, which is a simple joy for young kids.
Goats here are not on the feeding list, so keep snacks for other animals. Brushing them is plenty of fun, though, and many kids end up picking a favorite goat before leaving.
Zebras live on the farm too. They roam in a fenced area, so guests watch them instead of petting them.
That distance is a good lesson for kids about which animals like close contact and which do not.
Did you know every zebra has its own stripe pattern? No two are exactly alike, a bit like human fingerprints.
Elsewhere on the grounds, cups of animal food can be bought to share with approved animals. A tortoise is one of the residents some visitors get to feed, which is a slow and steady treat to watch.
A turkey named Bob also lives here, though he stays in his own enclosure for good reason. Kids can still say hello from a safe spot.
Not every creature here has fur or feathers, as the reptile show proves.
Reptiles, Cockroaches, and Lessons Kids Remember
Hissing cockroaches might not top every child’s wish list, but they make a great conversation starter. The farm includes these noisy insects in its wide variety of animals.
Madagascar hissing cockroaches push air through small openings in their bodies to make their famous hiss. It sounds a little dramatic, yet these bugs are harmless and slow-moving.
Reptiles also have their moment during the farm’s educational animal shows. Birthday party packages have included a show, and staff use the time to explain how each animal lives, eats, and stays healthy.
I like that the farm treats learning as part of the fun. A former elementary teacher praised the calm, informed approach staff take with guests, and that kind of teaching style helps kids actually remember facts.
Shows are also a good break between walking and feeding. Little ones get to sit, listen, and watch animals up close.
Parents, here is a tip. Ask your kids afterward which fact surprised them most.
You might hear about cockroach hisses at dinner for a week.
All that learning builds an appetite for play, and the farm has a spot just for younger visitors.
Sand Tables, Tire Mountains, and Shady Picnic Spots
Small kids need breaks, and the farm planned for that. A sand and corn table with toys gives toddlers a hands-on spot to dig and scoop.
Older kids can climb a tire mountain or play a round of cornhole. These simple games keep energy moving while parents catch their breath.
Multiple shaded areas offer room to relax and eat. On a warm summer afternoon, a shady seat can make a big difference for the whole family.
Families who visit during general hours have been able to stay as long as they like. That flexibility helps when a child suddenly wants to see the goats one more time.
A little gift shop sits on site too. It carries small treasures like jewelry, earrings, and bags, so kids can pick out a keepsake before heading home.
My suggestion is to pack wipes and a change of shoes. Farms are farms, and mud happens, especially after rain.
Hand washing after petting animals is always a smart habit. Remind kids before snack time.
For families planning a celebration, the farm has a whole room built for parties, and it gets a lot of attention.
A Safari Party Room Made for Birthdays
Rainbow hanging lights, animal paintings, and a photo backdrop set the mood in the farm’s party room. It is decorated in a safari theme that fits wild-one first birthdays and animal-loving kids of any age.
The room includes a buffet area for setting up food and plenty of tables. One family fit around 45 guests comfortably, which gives a sense of the space.
After cake, guests head out to explore the animals. Party packages have included feeding time and an educational animal show, with staff helping kids feed animals properly.
Grown-ups get to join in too. Adults can enter the animal encounter areas, so parents are not stuck on the sidelines holding coats.
Planning tip: reach out early. Parties and private experiences are booked by reservation, and popular weekends may fill up.
I can understand the appeal for parents. Someone else handles the animal fun, the room looks festive, and kids leave with stories instead of a sugar crash alone.
Birthdays are not the only celebrations here. The farm also hosts holiday events that mix animals with seasonal traditions.
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