Few Louisiana outings let a kid hold out a cup of feed and watch a giraffe lean down for it. At Global Wildlife Center in Folsom, it happens from the bench of a covered safari wagon.

The safari wagon tour

Global Wildlife calls itself one of the largest free-roaming wildlife preserves of its kind in the country. It is home to more than 2,000 exotic, endangered and threatened animals. The guided wagon tour lasts an hour and 15 minutes and covers 900 acres of countryside with 12 ponds and a lake. Bison, giraffes, zebras, camels and elands roam freely while a guide explains each species.

Feed is sold separately: a 32-ounce souvenir cup is $5, a family bucket is $35, a sack is $71 and a bin is $82.

Going smaller

Private Pinz tours shuttle your group around the property in a Pinzgauer 4x4. The center says the 4x4 can reach parts of the property the wagons can't, and recommends it if giraffe time is a priority. Separate encounters include a 30-minute capybara visit (ages 8 and up, eight guests max), the self-paced kangaroo Walkabout and a sulcata tortoise snack-and-craft session for ages 6 and up. Encounters do not include a tour ticket.

Plan ahead

The center is open seven days a week with tours daily. Book ahead, because walk-ups aren't guaranteed a seat. Prices vary by season, so you'll see your date's adult, child and senior rates at booking. Wagons leave about 30 minutes after the listed check-in time, and the safari wagons are wheelchair accessible.

Cold-weather note

On chilly November and December days, keep this in mind: when it's below 50 degrees or the weather turns bad, the giraffes stay in their heated barn. Tours are canceled if lightning is within 10 miles, and once a tour starts there are no refunds or rainchecks.

No alcohol or firearms. Service dogs may stay at the visitor center but cannot ride on tours. The center is at 26389 Hwy 40 in Folsom. Groups of 25 or more can call 985-796-3585 for rates.

Photo courtesy of Global Wildlife Center.