A farm visit gets a lot more interesting when the guest list includes animals you normally expect to see on a safari, not a quiet Kansas getaway.
Camel rides and kangaroo encounters give this place the kind of “wait, you can do that here?” appeal that makes people lean closer the second they hear about it.
It is playful, unexpected, and perfect for anyone who likes their day trips with a little extra surprise. The fun comes from how different it feels without needing a complicated plan.
You show up expecting a farm, then the whole visit turns into something far more memorable.
Kids would be thrilled, adults would pretend they are only there for the kids, and I would absolutely be the one grinning hardest after realizing a camel ride in Kansas was somehow on the day’s agenda.
Kangaroo Encounters Go Beyond Just Looking
Most people have only ever seen kangaroos behind thick glass at a zoo. At Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn, you can actually get closer.
The farm offers tours where guests can feed and pet kangaroos, and the Bed and Breakfast has a sitting room where overnight guests can watch them in the evening.
That makes the experience feel more like a wildlife documentary you stepped inside than a typical farm visit.
During tours, guests can see the kangaroos up close, which encourages them to come right up near visitors. Young animals may sometimes be part of the farm experience, but availability can change.
It is one of those rare moments where an animal encounter feels completely genuine rather than staged, and it consistently becomes the highlight guests talk about most after leaving the property.
Camel Rides Are Actually Available to Guests
Not many places in Kansas let you climb onto the back of a camel and call it a Tuesday.
At Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn, camel rides are a real, hands-on activity offered to guests as part of their stay package.
The farm keeps dromedary camels, which are the one-humped variety most people picture when they think of these iconic animals.
Guests have described the experience as both thrilling and surprisingly smooth once you settle in.
Younger visitors who fall below the 60-pound weight limit are given pony rides instead, so no one feels left out.
Staff members guide the ride and make sure everyone feels comfortable and safe throughout. It is the kind of activity that turns an ordinary overnight trip into a story you will be telling for years.
Giraffes You Can Meet Up Close
Meeting a giraffe is one of those bucket-list experiences that most people assume requires a plane ticket to Africa.
Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn proves that assumption wrong without you ever leaving Kansas.
The farm keeps giraffes among its exotic animals, and official tour information says visitors can get up close to these towering animals.
During guided tours, guests may have the chance to see giraffes from a remarkably close perspective.
Visitors often describe the giraffes as a highlight of the farm, especially because seeing an animal that tall in rural Kansas feels so unexpected.
The guides walk everyone through proper interaction rules so the experience stays safe and enjoyable.
Getting near a giraffe, or as close to it as a human can manage, is the kind of moment that makes the whole trip feel worth every mile of the drive out to Nickerson.
The Property Houses An Impressive Variety Of Exotic Animals
Beyond camels, kangaroos, and giraffes, the roster of animals at Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn reads like a list from a wildlife documentary script.
Current official descriptions mention zebras, camels, ostriches, giraffes, kangaroos, and many other exotic critters, while Kansas tourism listings note animals such as antelope, deer, exotic cattle, porcupines, and more.
The exact lineup can change, but every corner of the farm reveals something new and unexpected.
Staff members are quick to note which animals love attention and which ones are better admired from a respectful distance.
Some animals are available for closer interaction, while others are safest and happiest when viewed with guidance.
The diversity of the animal collection is one of the main reasons families keep returning to this one-of-a-kind Kansas property year after year.
Guided Tours Are A Core Part Of The Experience
Wandering around a farm full of exotic animals without any context would be interesting, but the guided tours at Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn take the whole experience to another level entirely.
Overnight guests typically receive two tours as part of their stay: an evening tour and a more in-depth morning tour.
Guides share information about the animals, including their habits, diets, and individual personalities, turning each stop into a mini educational session.
The morning schedule is particularly popular because it leads into the ride portion of the stay, including camel and pony rides.
Guides are described by visitors as knowledgeable, warm, and genuinely passionate about the animals in their care.
The tour structure ensures that every guest, from toddlers to grandparents, leaves with a richer understanding of the remarkable creatures living on this Kansas farm.
The Bed And Breakfast Rooms Have Themed Decor
Staying the night at Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn is not like checking into a standard roadside hotel.
The rooms are individually decorated, with hand-painted murals and names that reflect the animal-filled spirit of the property.
One of the listed rooms is the Ostrich Suite, which comes with a hot tub room, making it a popular choice for couples celebrating anniversaries or special occasions.
Guests have noted that the rooms feel spacious and comfortable, with thoughtful decorative touches that make the whole space feel cohesive and fun.
The Bed and Breakfast also has a sitting room where guests can watch the kangaroos in the evening, which adds a memorable lodging detail that no chain hotel could ever replicate, no matter how many throw pillows they add.
A Home-Cooked Breakfast Comes With Your Stay
Some bed and breakfast spots hand you a granola bar and call it a morning meal.
Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn takes a decidedly different approach, offering a full, home-cooked breakfast that guests consistently describe as a highlight of the trip.
The menu has included fresh french toast, waffles, and a rotating selection of hot items made from scratch rather than reheated from a box.
It is the kind of breakfast that sets you up properly for a full morning of animal encounters and outdoor exploration.
The communal dining experience also gives guests a chance to swap stories from the previous evening tour and compare notes on which animals were their favorites.
For many families, sitting down together over a proper hot meal in the Kansas countryside turns out to be one of the most unexpectedly pleasant parts of the entire stay.
The Farm Offers Day Tours For Non-Overnight Visitors
Spending the night is the most immersive way to experience everything at Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn, but it is not the only option available to curious visitors.
The farm also offers tours by appointment for guests who are not staying overnight, making it accessible to day-trippers passing through central Kansas.
These shorter visits still provide the chance to walk the grounds, meet the animals, and learn from the knowledgeable staff who lead each group through the property.
Families who live within driving distance have used the day tour option as a way to preview the farm before committing to an overnight stay.
Tour groups have ranged from small families to larger gatherings, and the staff adjusts the pace and depth of information to suit the age range of each group.
It is a flexible setup that makes the farm welcoming to a wide range of visitors.
The Location In Rural Kansas Adds To The Atmosphere
There is something about arriving at an exotic animal farm in the middle of the Kansas plains that makes the whole experience feel even more surreal and special.
The wide-open landscape around Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn creates a sense of peaceful isolation that is hard to find anywhere near a city.
Located at 7910 N. Roy L.
Smith Road in Nickerson, Kansas, the property sits conveniently close to a major highway, making it easier to reach than its rural setting might suggest.
The surrounding countryside adds a natural backdrop to every animal encounter, making photographs look like they belong in a travel magazine.
Visiting during spring or fall is widely recommended because the moderate temperatures keep both animals and guests more comfortable and active.
The Kansas sky out here, big and uninterrupted by buildings, has a way of making even a simple walk around the farm feel genuinely refreshing.
It Is A Surprisingly Screen-Free Experience For Kids
Getting kids to put down their devices for more than ten minutes is a challenge most parents know all too well.
At Hedrick Exotic Animal Farm and Bed and Breakfast Inn, the animals do all the convincing without anyone having to ask twice.
Families have reported that children who normally gravitate toward screens spent the vast majority of their visit fully engaged with the animals, the tours, and the outdoor environment.
Kangaroos, camels, giraffes, and the general energy of the farm seem to work as a natural antidote to digital distraction.
The property also has a playground and sandbox on the grounds, giving younger children additional options for burning off energy between animal encounters.
For parents looking for a Kansas getaway that genuinely connects kids with the natural world in a hands-on, memorable way, this farm offers something that no theme park or resort can quite replicate.