The alligators, which can be seen a short distance from Orlando, are captivating. Motionless, they never blink. The absence of any movement only makes them more terrifying. Until we discover how slim their chances of survival are in the swamps of the Everglades. Apprehension then gives way to admiration.
The expeditions to discover so-called “wild” Florida, as offered by Wild Florida, had caught our attention. The prospect of exploring a section of the Everglades aboard an airboat was intriguing, as was the promise of seeing alligators up close. As a bonus, it was possible to be part of a guided tour, which picked us up from a hotel near where we were staying.
On this Tuesday morning, another family had taken place in a minibus from the company Gray Line Orlando Tours, departing from a hotel in Walt Disney World, one of the five meeting places offered. About forty minutes later, well prepared by our guide Greg, we arrived at our destination. We were in the right place: alligators were represented in various forms, everywhere.
Before boarding the airboat, we had some time to explore the zoo and make our first foray into the fascinating world of alligators. Impassive, the latter give the impression of making fun of the human presence. On dry land, young and old don’t move ab-so-lu-ly! But post yourself on the vast dock that overlooks the waters where they bask, and they’ll crowd at your feet in hopes of a treat.
Away from the park, curiosity leads us to take a very long wooden footbridge that leads to the discovery of a landscape of unsuspected beauty. With a length of 900 feet (274 m), it crosses a wetland of astonishing green where a particular species of cypress grows.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Away from the park, a very long wooden footbridge leads to the discovery of a landscape of unsuspected beauty.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Another footbridge, above a totally different ecosystem, leads to the airboats.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
A surprisingly green wetland, where a particular species of cypress grows, borders part of the park.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Airboats are designed so that everyone has an excellent view. As the propeller is noisy, protectors are provided to protect the ears. A coat will be appreciated when it is cool.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Our friendly captain made his way through the vast swamp, gliding over the shallow water and vegetation.
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You had to take another walkway, over a totally different ecosystem, to get to the airboats. The 300-acre private property overlooks a huge marsh, which is public and is at the source of the water that flows to form the Everglades further south.
Protectors were distributed in order to protect our ears from the noise produced by the enormous aerial propeller which propels the boat. David, our friendly captain, then made his way through the swamp, gliding over the shallow water and vegetation. He regularly stopped the flat-bottomed boat to draw our attention to various birds, including a blue heron and a bald eagle. After seeing a wild rabbit, he turned around to make sure we saw him too. But it is his explanations of the many dangers that lie in wait for alligators even before they are born, and their low survival rate, that captivates us. We were all amazed when he showed us a young alligator about a meter long near the only one of the three nests spotted last year where young were born.
PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Exploring a section of the Everglades aboard an airboat is fascinating. You have the chance, as a bonus, to see alligators in their natural habitat.
“Alligators are fascinating,” Sam Haught, co-founder and co-owner of Wild Florida, said later in a phone call. They are the main reason tourists come to our park. Whether they are on a business trip or on vacation, they want to discover the local culture at some point. We have airboats because that’s what we use to get around the swamps, to fish and to hunt. »
We provide insight into what Florida looked like hundreds of years ago and help people understand how the waters are interconnected.
Sam Haught, co-founder and co-owner of Wild Florida
The former campground for recreational vehicles, which served as a playground for fishing enthusiasts, changed vocation 14 years ago. Discovering how much visitors love animals and enjoy interacting with them, the owners have added exotic animals and depictions including alligators over the years to enrich the experience.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
The animators distinguish the alligators from each other and know them by name. Representations allow you to admire the reptiles with powerful jaws.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Impassive, the alligators give the impression of making fun of the human presence.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Stand on the expansive dock that overlooks the waters where the alligators laze, and they’ll swarm at your feet in hopes of a treat.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
Alligators are the stars of Wild Florida Park. Performances take place every day to see them in action and better understand them.
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PHOTO DANIELLE BONNEAU, THE PRESS
The Wild Florida park serves as a refuge for the Harley parrot, which is almost blind. Other animals, from as far away as Madagascar, can also be admired.
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They don’t compare to other parks in Orlando, like Animal Kingdom at Walt Disney World, and SeaWorld Orlando, which are in a whole different category. “We are certainly not as big as them, recognizes Sam Haught. But they allow smaller parks like us to operate. They attract so many people that some of their clientele at some point want to get off the beaten path and look for a smaller, slower paced place with a local feel. »
The more adventurous can go so far as to taste dishes featuring the alligator. It’s not really our kind of adventure…
Transportation to Orlando was provided free of charge by Air Transat, which exercised no right of inspection over this report.