Half-Day Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour

A hands-on animal adventure in Aruba with plenty of animal encounters, informative guides, and scenic stops—ideal for animal lovers and families alike. For just $57 per person, you’ll spend about four hours visiting three top sanctuaries, including the Aruba Ostrich Farm, the Donkey Sanctuary, and Philips Animal Garden. The tour is designed for relaxed, enjoyable exploration, with hotel pickup and drop-off included, making it a hassle-free way to experience Aruba’s caring and diverse animal scene.

What we particularly appreciated about this experience is the hands-on interaction with animals—feeding, petting, and close-up encounters that bring out your inner animal enthusiast. The second highlight is the knowledgeable, friendly guides, who don’t just tell you facts but make the stories come alive. A potential downside? The transportation isn’t always perfect, with some reviews noting older buses, but that doesn’t detract from the genuine animal encounters and scenic stops.

This tour suits those who want more than just lounging on the beach. It’s perfect for families, animal lovers, or anyone eager to see Aruba from a different perspective—up close with animals that are often rescued and cared for with love.

Key Points

• Authentic Experiences: Engage directly with animals in caring sanctuaries rather than just viewing from afar.
• Comfort & Convenience: Air-conditioned coach pickup and drop-off make the day easy and comfortable.
• Educational & Fun: Guides are well-informed and friendly, making the trip both informative and entertaining.
• Variety of Animals: From giant ostriches to adorable donkeys and exotic creatures, there’s plenty to see and feed.
• Time Management: Stops are around one hour each, giving enough time to interact without feeling rushed.
• Value for Money: All attraction admissions are included, plus bottled water, making it a good deal.

A Detailed Look at the Aruba Animal Sanctuary Guided Tour

How the Tour Starts: Smooth, Hassle-Free Pickup

The tour kicks off at 9:00am, with hotel pickup included in your ticket price—a real plus if you’re staying in Oranjestad. Most travelers report punctual pickups, which sets a positive tone. The transportation is in an air-conditioned coach, though some reviews mention the bus being older or not fully air-conditioned, which is worth considering if you’re sensitive to heat or noise. Still, the comfort of door-to-door service beats navigating Aruba’s traffic or parking.

First Stop: Aruba Ostrich Farm

The Aruba Ostrich Farm is a highlight for many. It’s one of the largest species farms in the world, boasting impressive, flightless birds. Your guide, possibly someone like “Danny,” makes this stop engaging with stories about ostriches and emus—these large birds are fascinating even if you’ve only seen them in zoos. Visitors rave about the opportunity to feed the ostriches, which can be quite a scene, especially if you’re in the mood for some funny photos.

The farm’s guided tour lasts about an hour and includes admission—the chance to learn how these impressive birds are raised and cared for. One traveler noted, “The farm also has a nice bar,” offering a relaxed spot to grab a drink if you want to unwind a bit.

Second Stop: Donkey Sanctuary

Next, you’ll visit the Donkey Sanctuary, a non-profit, volunteer-run facility dedicated to saving and caring for donkeys. Established in 1997, it’s a heartfelt project that turns into a memorable experience. Visitors often mention bringing carrots or apples to feed the donkeys—a simple but delightful interaction.

Reviews highlight how friendly and approachable these donkeys are, with some travelers saying, “Bring lots of carrots!” The sanctuary isn’t just about feeding animals; it’s about witnessing a community effort to rescue and rehabilitate. The free entry makes it accessible, and many appreciate the chance to connect with these gentle creatures. Expect about an hour here, giving you time to pet and feed the donkeys and observe their peaceful environment.

Final Stop: Philips Animal Garden

The last stop is Philips Animal Garden, a rescue and rehabilitation center working with exotic animals, from monkeys to peacocks. Founded by Philip Merryweather, the garden is a testament to animal rescue efforts. Visitors are often surprised by the diversity—“a million peacocks, burping monkeys, and cute goats,” as one review puts it.

This stop is especially popular for feeding and petting a variety of animals. The guide, “Danny,” or another host, is praised for their knowledge and friendly attitude. Many find the experience both fun and educational. Commenters especially loved “the little monkeys that will grab food from your hand”—a genuinely memorable encounter.

The tour allocates about an hour here, giving enough time to explore, take photos, and learn about the rescue work. Admission is included, making this a well-rounded, cost-effective experience.

Transportation & Group Size

The tour is limited to 25 travelers, which helps keep it personable and manageable. The bus ride itself is about 4 hours total, including stops, with most reviews mentioning plenty of time at each location. While the buses are mostly comfortable, a few travelers have mentioned that the older, sometimes noisy bus could be improved, but this rarely detracts from the overall fun.

Guides & Educational Value

Multiple reviews praise guides like Danny or Ricardo for their knowledge and friendly demeanor. They’re described as sources of local insights and fun facts, which enrich the experience. Many travelers mention that the guides keep the stops relaxed and give plenty of time to interact with animals without feeling rushed.

What Travelers Love Most

The highlight for many is the close-up animal interactions—feeding donkeys, petting goats, and even helping to feed the ostriches. Several reviews mention how these experiences are both fun and touching, especially if you love animals. “Bring your own carrots,” one reviewer advises, which is a small prep but makes a big difference.

Possible Drawbacks to Consider

Some guests found the transportation to be less than perfect, with a few noting the older bus and lack of air conditioning at times. Also, the length of the stops might be tight for those wanting a more leisurely pace or to photograph animals more extensively. Still, most feel the value and experience outweigh these minor inconveniences.

Who Should Book This Tour?

If you’re traveling with family, especially kids who love animals, this tour hits the right note. It’s also ideal for those wanting a more authentic, up-close experience with Aruba’s rescue animals. Nature lovers, animal enthusiasts, or anyone interested in supporting local sanctuaries will find it rewarding.

The Sum Up: Is This Tour Worth It?

For a modest price, this half-day Aruba animal sanctuary tour offers a genuine chance to engage with a variety of animals in caring environments, learn about rescue efforts, and enjoy Aruba’s natural beauty from a comfortable coach. It strikes a balance between fun and education, making it especially appealing to families, animal lovers, and curiosity seekers.

The friendly guides and the opportunity to feed and pet animals make this an experience you’ll remember long after your trip. While the transportation might not be the newest, the authentic encounters and the chance to see Aruba from a different angle make it well worth considering.

If your idea of a perfect Aruba day involves animals, meaningful interactions, and support for local sanctuaries, this tour is a smart pick.

FAQ

Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, most bookings include convenient hotel or port pickup and drop-off, making the experience hassle-free.

How long does the tour last?
Approximately 4 hours, with about an hour spent at each of the three stops, giving enough time for interaction without feeling rushed.

Are all attractions included in the price?
Yes, admission to the Aruba Ostrich Farm, Philips Animal Garden, and free entry to the Donkey Sanctuary are all included. Bottled water is also provided.

What animals will I see?
You can expect to see ostriches, emus, donkeys, goats, peacocks, monkeys, turtles, and other exotic animals.

Is the vehicle air-conditioned?
Most reviews say yes, but some mention the bus being older or not fully air-conditioned. Be prepared for potential warm spots.

Can I bring food?
You’re encouraged to bring carrots or apples for feeding the donkeys and other animals, especially at the sanctuary.

Is this tour suitable for children?
Absolutely, many reviews mention it’s very family-friendly and fun for kids of all ages, as long as children are accompanied by adults.

This tour offers a well-rounded, authentic look at Aruba’s animal rescue efforts, combined with the joy of close animal encounters and scenic island views—an experience that’s both meaningful and enjoyable for a wide range of travelers.