Eudora Farms adds acreage, altitude
Mar. 27—SALLEY — Emus, llamas, camels and the occasional wildebeest are among local creatures with a new view this month, with the expansion of Eudora Wildlife Safari Park to include about 40 more acres, including thousands of pine trees and plenty of extra shade for inhabitants and visitors alike.
Expansion into hillier, wooded territory makes sense in terms of land conservation and animal welfare, as well as improving the view, said Tristan Nisbet, a member of the park's founding family. The change, he noted, will also add about a mile to the driving tour, meaning that visitors will have 20-30 more minutes to take in the scenery.
The current arrangement includes guests having the option of traveling in their own vehicles (moving at about five miles an hour) or taking a wagon ride, which includes input from a tour guide.
The park, also known as Eudora Farms, is one of Aiken County's top tourist attractions and has expanded its offerings and territory since the arrival of COVID-19, providing a chance for visitors to have face-to-face encounters with yaks, ostriches, giraffes, alpacas, zebras and miniature donkeys.
Nisbet, a 2019 graduate of Wagener-Salley High School, is now in his senior year at Clemson, studying agricultural mechanization and business. His plans for the next few months include a summer internship in western Oregon, taking part in a 12-week internship at Wildlife Safari, in the city of Winston.
"I'll be in the hoofstock internship, so I'll be working with rhinos, elephants, different breeds of antelopes, giraffes and any animals that have hooves, pretty much," he said.
Closer on the horizon is the park's participation in the South Carolina Ag + Art Tour, described in promotional material as "a free, self-guided tour of farms and markets featuring local artisans at every stop." Counties participating include Aiken, Chester, Colleton, Fairfield, Kershaw, Lancaster, Lexington, Newberry, Richland, Sumter and York.
Aiken County's activities are set for May 13-14 (Mother's Day weekend): Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m.
"That will all be free ... to promote agri-tourism and art, as a combination," said Mark Nisbet, Eudora's founder, adding that Eudora's plans are for workshops for kids, focusing on wildlife art as it relates to conservation.
The park, at 219 Salem Lane, near the intersection of Lexington and Orangeburg counties, is also home to a variety of animals traditionally associated with American agriculture.
The schedule varies by season, and includes every day of the year except for Thanksgiving and Christmas Day. Open hours are currently from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday and noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday.
