Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, NC Offers a Ride-through Safari and More

Horse Drawn Wagon Ride at Lazy 5 Ranch Drive Through Safari in Mooresville NC ©Katrena

The Lazy 5 Ranch, located in Mooresville, North Carolina, offers visitors the chance to see over 750 exotic animals from six continents. The ranch evolved from school kids circling the driveway of the private owner, Henry Hampton, to the development of a small zoo that began with a crew of five "lazy" people!

Find Egyptian Geese and Other Rare & Exotic Animals at Lazy 5 Ranch ©Katrena

Start driving down highway 150 between Salisbury and Mooresville and one can easily feel as if the farmland goes forever and passengers can enjoy the rolling hills of the Piedmont of North Carolina. Riders might expect to see cows, goats, maybe some chickens gracing this rural area. The Lazy 5 Ranch stands out as people may spot llamas, camels, and other exotic animals among the cattle in the field near the road.

Drive Through Zoo at Lazy 5 Ranch - Photo of Blackbuck ©Katrena

School groups particularly enjoy visiting the Lazy 5 ranch and scheduling wagon rides. The safari ride is often the highlight of the visit where people ride in an open wagon for 3 1/2 miles and get a chance to feed the animals with buckets of food purchased at the front gate. It is amazing to me that a privately owned ranch without public funding offers such a nice variety of animals, even kangaroos, blackbucks, elk, muntjac, watusi, Texas longhorns, pygmy zebu, east African crown crane, mackaws, a rhino, Vietnamese pot-bellied pigs, and more.

Feed the Animals at Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville, NC ©Katrena

Visitors may also choose to drive their own vehicles through the Lazy 5 Ranch. Don't worry – there aren't any lions or monkeys on this safari, but check safety precautions just the same. The first time I ever drove my car through the safari, I was definitely not expecting the rheas to stick their heads right into my car and start slinging food all over the place. Rheas are huge birds with long necks that sort of look like ostriches.

Fun Family Activities in Mooresville NC - Lazy 5 Safari ©Katrena

My kids were wide eyed and trying to figure out if they might be next on the menu! The rheas are pretty intelligent and know that the food buckets are fullest at the beginning of the safari, so be careful to only crack the windows at the beginning of the ride, especially if a long-necked bird approaches with hungry eyes!

See Baby Animals Like This Watusi Calf at Lazy 5 Ranch in NC ©Katrena

In case you are wondering, nobody got hurt during the food slinging incident and my kids got really good at watching for the rheas during the rest of the safari ride. We still laugh when we reminisce about that fun and rather wild safari ride! Review written instructions before driving through the ranch because some animals should not be fed from the vehicles and nobody should exit a vehicle during the safari. If an animal decides to block the road, avoiding beeping the horn and instead enjoy the beauty of nature.

Feeding Area and Petting Zoo at Lazy 5 - Camel Smiling for Photo! ©Katrena

One of the benefits of a self-guided tour in one's own vehicle is that riders may stop and gaze and take the time for some great photos. The animals are beautiful and it is interesting to go during different times of the year to see how the atmosphere and coats of the animals change. The animals are free to roam, and many of them are quite happy to see riders coming through and will approach stopped vehicles.

See Beautiful Birds at Lazy 5 Zoo - East African Crown Crane ©Katrena

I would highly recommend purchasing one of their books that gives loads of details about the animals they host at the Lazy 5 if you like to learn more about animal species. The pictures in the book are excellent and can help you to easily recognize the animals on display. Their web site also offers lots of photos and information about their animals and special events.

Funny Llama Photo - Animals Everywhere at Lazy 5 Ranch in Mooresville ©Katrena

I've been fortunate enough to ride on one of their famous horse-drawn wagons. The wagons are large, open, and can hold quite a few people, so make sure to call ahead if you wish to ride because space is sometimes limited and reservations may be required. The guides are quite knowledgeable and will point out various animals and offer interesting added information. The last time I rode, an ostrich was sitting on a nest with about 40 eggs, some laid by other females. I might have missed that if the guide had not mentioned this great learning opportunity.

Fun Family Activities in Piedmont - Giraffe at Lazy 5 Drive-through Zoo ©Katrena

The wagons also allow visitors to feed the tall animals like the giraffes. Feeding giraffes from a private vehicle is not encouraged, but if you're smart enough to save some food, the giraffes may reach right over the fence and enjoy a treat from the back of the ranch wagon.

Hands-on Ways to Learn About Animals at Lazy 5 in Piedmont NC ©Katrena

Lazy 5 Ranch also offers a walk-through area that features a lot of their smaller animals. They have a wide variety of birds, fish, ring-tailed lemurs, tortoises and more. The walkways are paved and there are several areas where the larger animals like goats, sheep, and camels may come for food. Be aware that camels can spit. You might even see a peacock or peahen wandering around in the parking lot!

Active & Fun Education at Lazy 5 Ranch - Playground Area ©Katrena

A playground and picnic area is located in a wooded section on the other side of the small parking lot. A few animals may wander up to the fence adjacent to this area as well. My kids enjoyed the playground, and the shade is a welcome relief from the North Carolina sun during hotter summer months.

Feed Big Animals Like This Watusi at NC Lazy 5 Ranch ©Katrena

Seasonal activities are also available at the Lazy 5 Ranch. They offer a pumpkin slingshot, straw slide, corn sand, and lots of other fun activities during in the fall. At Christmas, you just might see Santa with the reindeer!

Fan Family Activities - See Water Buffalo at Lazy 5 Ranch ©Katrena

The Lazy 5 Ranch is a very nice zoo with quite a few fun activities and a large number of exotic animals. Those who have trouble walking may enjoy the smaller walking section of this zoo when compared to larger ones like the larger Asheboro Zoo. I would highly recommend the guided horse-drawn wagon rides for the safari. Think of it as a drive-through zoo. Sit near the front and feel free to ask questions of the friendly and knowledgeable guides...and don't forget your camera!

Check out the Lazy 5 web site for hours, rates, special events, directions, and more. Looking more more fun activities for the whole family? Visit the Travel NC With Kids site map!