1 / 2NOVA Wild
📍 Hunter Mill District, VA
NOVA Wild is a 501c3 nonprofit zoo in Vienna, VA with 40+ species including cheetahs, lemurs, capybaras, and wallabies. Highlights include a self-drive safari loop, hands-on animal encounters, and a food truck on site.
We enjoyed our experience. We walked through the zoo although not overly large. They had lots of cute animals. Our favorite part was the Safari ride that you could drive through yourself because you can go through more than once if you want we found it convenient to add the giant bucket of food. They gave you an extra bucket so that more than one person could utilize it when feeding the animals. Tip though do not tilt the bucket out of the window. Some of the animals will take your entire bucket. We watch that happen in front of us all in all, we definitely enjoyed our time there. It looks like they do have some animal experiences that we may look into next time!
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with kids roughly ages 3–10 who want more than a passive zoo visit. The self-drive safari with a giant feed bucket is the standout experience. Animal encounters suit curious younger kids; the walkable zoo section works well for strollers and toddlers.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →3,068 Google reviews
Abbigail Strakonsky
“We enjoyed our experience. We walked through the zoo although not overly large. They had lots of cute animals. Our favorite part was the Safari ride that you could drive through yourself because you can go through more than once if you want we found it convenient to add the giant bucket of food. They gave you an extra bucket so that more than one person could utilize it when feeding the animals. Tip though do not tilt the bucket out of the window. Some of the animals will take your entire bucket. We watch that happen in front of us all in all, we definitely enjoyed our time there. It looks like they do have some animal experiences that we may look into next time!”
Hamadi’s Hair Studio
“Team loved the experience”
Nouman Bhatti
“It was disappointing. I would look for somewhere else for next visit.”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Opened in 2023 on 30 acres of Northern Virginia woodland, NOVA Wild combines a walkable zoo with a self-drive safari loop where you can circle through multiple times. The animal roster spans cheetahs, lemurs, capybaras, colorful birds, and wallabies. Add-on encounters let families spend hands-on time with kangaroo joeys and capybaras. A food truck handles on-site dining. The nonprofit actively funds international conservation through WorthWild Africa.
