Animal Experiences Near
Tampa, FL
Tampa is a great city, but the best animal experience within an hour of it has nothing to do with Busch Gardens. Chase Sanctuary offers best animal experiences near Tampa FL. It is a 20-acre nonprofit wildlife sanctuary where small groups get guided, up-close time with some of the rarest animals in the world.
Genuinely Wild
No theme park scale, no impersonal crowds -- just expert guides, genuinely wild animals, and an experience that funds real conservation.
The drive is under an hour via I-75 North, and first-time visitors consistently say it is the best thing they have done in Florida.
Book Your Experience →"First-time visitors consistently say it is the best thing they have done in Florida."— Location Details
Address: 6127 SE 122nd Blvd, Webster, FL 33597
Signature Experiences
Discover the encounters that make Chase Sanctuary unforgettable.
$75/person | Saturdays at 12:30PM
A guided group tour through the sanctuary with interactive animal encounters.
The most accessible experience -- ideal for families, birthday parties, and first-time visitors.
Book Tour$125/person | Tuesdays, Fridays & Sundays at 11AM
An intimate private tour centered on the lemur troop. Get up close, learn about their endangered status, and experience these remarkable primates firsthand. Chase Sanctuary's most popular experience.
Book Tour$95/person | Saturdays at 9:00AM
Walk through the open-air lemur enclosure with a guide, meeting lemurs, giant tortoises, muntjac deer, wallabies, and other open-air inhabitants at first light.
Book TourAdd-On Encounters
Add-On Encounters (+$75 each)
Otter Feeding Add-On
Hand-feed Chase Sanctuary's playful otters and watch them at their most energetic.
Sloth / Anteater Add-On
Up-close time with gentle sloths or anteaters -- always on the animal's own terms.
About Chase Sanctuary
Chase Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit wildlife sanctuary in Webster, FL dedicated to the rescue, rehabilitation, and conservation of endangered primates and exotic animals.
The sanctuary operates on WAZA welfare standards. Animal interactions are never forced.
Every dollar from your booking goes directly to animal care and conservation. No animals from Chase Sanctuary have ever been sold as pets.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How far is Chase Sanctuary from Tampa?
A: Chase Sanctuary is approximately 60 miles northeast of Tampa -- about a 55-minute drive via I-75 North to US-301. It is an easy day trip with no traffic issues outside of Tampa city limits.
Q2: Is Chase Sanctuary worth the drive from Tampa?
A: Visitors from Tampa consistently rate it as one of the best experiences they have had in Florida. The Lemur & Friends Private Tour and the Interactive Group Tour are the most popular starting points for first-time visitors.
Q3: What days is Chase Sanctuary open near Tampa?
A: Most experiences run on weekends. The Interactive Group Tour runs Saturdays at 12:30PM. The Lemur & Friends Private Tour runs Tuesdays, Fridays, and Sundays at 11AM. The VIP Experience and Keeper for a Day are available by appointment.
Q4: Can I book Chase Sanctuary as a day trip from Tampa for a group?
A: Yes. Chase Sanctuary accommodates families, friend groups, and corporate groups. The Interactive Group Tour is the best entry point for larger groups. The Ultimate VIP Experience can be arranged privately for special occasions.
Q5: Is Chase Sanctuary appropriate for all ages on a Tampa day trip?
A: Yes. The Mini Cows & Mini Tour and Interactive Group Tour are great for younger children. The Lemur & Friends Private Tour and Sunrise at the Sanctuary are ideal for teens and adults. Keeper for a Day is best for older teens and adults.