CEG Winner: Southland Safari

CLARKSBURG, Tenn. — A local business brings wildlife to West Tennessee.

WBBJ-TV partners with local businesses to give back to small businesses in West Tennessee through a monthly competition. The winner receives a $6,000 advertising bundle.

September’s Corporate Entrepreneur Grant recipient is Southland Safari in Clarksburg. The safari has been open to the public for 4 years but took more than 20 years to build.

It’s one of three facilities in the U.S. that’s built where you can stay the night surrounded by animals. They offer a campground area where you can feed the animals, along with recreational fishing, grilling and games for the kiddos. It’s a completely guided experience.

“You get a tour guide like myself to go with you and we tell you what everything is, what you’re looking at, some fun facts about them. We make some jokes along the way as well and then we also do some very private encounters,” said Michael Avery, head tour guide and zookeeper for Southland Safari.

You can go inside with the kangaroos and also meet the giraffes, the sloths and a couple of their relatives. There are more than 800 animals with more than 60 different species represented on location.

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