Don't worry: you won't get eaten by lions at this Florida RV park

You like wild animals? How about lions? Do you like to hear the big fellows roar? Do you think it would be pretty neat to camp right by a pride of lions? If you answered yes to that last question, then we have good news: there is no need to fly away to Africa -- just point that recreational vehicle of yours to the KOA campground in West Palm Beach, Florida. It's probably the only place in North America where you can sip a cool one by your RV and hear a lion roar at the same time. And good news: no need to worry about becoming the beast's dinner.

The campground is adjacent to the 320-acre Lion County Safari, where wide-eyed visitors drive through to get up close and almost personal with a whole bunch of wild animals -- lions, elephants, rhinos, chimps, and even the largest zebra herd in the USA. All together there are more than 100 species and 900 animals.

The West Palm Beach/Lion County Safari KOA includes 233 campsites including cabins. The Travel Channel named it “One of the World’s Top Ten Richest RV Parks” for the experience of sleeping yards from wild animals. The lion compound is just beyond the KOA gates.

For campers who still need some thrills after visiting with lions and other wild beasts, there's the Safari World Amusement Park with its giraffe feeding exhibit, giant Ferris wheel, petting zoo, paddle boats, carousel, mini-golf, dinosaur exhibit, animal theater, restaurants and gift shops.

Kampgrounds of America, Inc. recently honored West Palm Beach/Lion Country Safari KOA campground with the President’s Award and Founder's Award for its outstanding facility and operation.