Pete's Safari

Pete's Safari is a small, family-run wildlife attraction in central Nebraska built around close animal interaction. The safari grew from owner Kevin "Pete" Petersen's background with exotic animals and his long-standing goal of operating a zoo. Today, the collection includes more than 40 animals, with the experience emphasizing direct observation, feeding, and opportunities to interact with selected animals rather than a large-scale zoo layout.

Hands-on experiences are a defining part of the visit. Guests can purchase food to feed animals, while dedicated encounters provide closer experiences with a sloth and ring-tailed lemur. The safari also hosts field trips designed around learning how animals live, interact, and play, giving school and group visits a practical, animal-focused component. Its relatively small scale and emphasis on personal interaction make Pete's Safari suited to travelers who prefer an informal wildlife outing where feeding and encounters are central to the visit. The family involvement behind the attraction also gives it a distinctly personal character compared with larger zoological institutions.