Alligators, Snakes, Airboats and Swamp Buggies, Oh My!

Billie Swamp Safari, located on the Big Cypress Seminole Indian Reservation, now offers a new 90-minute, in-depth eco-tour of the Florida Everglades. The Exclusive Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour is a private tour that is available for booking seven days a week between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m.

This new tour is an extended version of thier 60-minute, 32-person capacity Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour and is designed for guests who seek to indulge all five of their senses while exploring the Florida Everglades with their most experienced guides in a more personalized setting.

The tour also includes a traditional Seminole sampler platter (frog legs, gator nuggets, catfish, and fry bread) prior to departure, plus a special “survivor” memento.

On this personalized tour, visitors will have the opportunity to witness first-hand this unique ecosystem on the edge of civilization and the solitary beauty of tropical hardwood hammocks, cypress domes and abundant flora and fauna.

Here are a few examples of what guests may experience:

SEE: Native and exotic animals from alligators, crocodiles, deer, antelope and bison to razorback hogs, snakes and countless species of birds plus the fascinating indigenous and endangered flora of the Florida Everglades. The rare Florida panther has even been sighted at Billie Swamp Safari.

HEAR: The varied avian songs and calls of wildlife as well as other mysterious sounds of nature heard only within this wetland.

TASTE: Seminole traditional foods such as gator tail, frog legs and fry bread in addition to numerous native fruits, berries, and plants of the Florida Everglades including muscadine grapes, beauty berries and bay leaves.

SMELL: The fresh clean air and the many native flowering plants and trees.

TOUCH: The sharp “blades” of sawgrass and the rough scoots on an alligator’s back.

For more than 15 years, tourists from around the world have experienced the wonders of this amazing 2,200-acre eco-heritage wildlife park. On the large swamp buggies that can accommodate up to 32, guests travel comfortably high above the Everglades’ wet prairie edge for 60 minutes. Visitors can also glide effortlessly on a watery trail aboard one of the park’s thrilling airboat rides. Snake and Alligator Shows as well as a Swamp Critter Show are scheduled daily. True adventurers can stay overnight in a traditional Seminole chickee.

In the main compound area, visitors can enjoy an authentic Seminole village with many native Seminole chickees, a beautiful boardwalk nature trail, live animal and bird exhibits, including a herpetarium, an alligator pit, a traditional council house, a restaurant and a gift shop. The gift shop is open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. and is filled with native arts, crafts, clothing, jewelry and souvenirs. The Swamp Water Café serves American fare and Seminole delicacies and is open from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Billie Swamp Safari is located between Fort Lauderdale and Naples. Take Alligator Alley (I-75) to exit 49 (833) north for 19 miles. For further information, contact Billie Swamp Safari at 800-949-6101 (in the US and Canada) or 863-983-6101 (international.) Visit them online at www.billieswampsafari.travel. To book a day or overnight package, log onto www.seminoletours.com.

“COME AS YOU AREN’T” AND
GET 50% OFF AT BILLIE SWAMP SAFARI

BIG CYPRESS SEMINOLE RESERVATION, FL. (September 10, 2009) – Look out! They are lurking about! Billie Swamp Safari on the Big Cypress Seminole Reservation in the Florida Everglades is offering a discount of 50 percent off the regular ticket price of a Swamp Buggy Eco-Tour if you come dressed in a Halloween costume the entire month of October.

“Wear your favorite Halloween costume and bring your “ghoul” friends,” said Ed Woods, director of Billie Swamp Safari. This promotional offer cannot be combined with any other offer and is good for the entire month of October 2009.

Hang around for a spell and experience the wonders of the Florida Everglades as you visit land that has been preserved for your enjoyment. The Seminoles treat the land with reverence and work hard to preserve the natural environment. As a result, the wonders of the Florida Everglades continue to bring joy to visitors from around the world.

A true Everglades experience, Swamp Buggy Eco-tours and Airboat Rides are offered daily. Visitors can travel high above Florida’s untamed Everglades on a swamp buggy or glide effortlessly along a trail on an airboat. Witness first-hand the ecosystem of a land on the edge of civilization and the solitary beauty of tropical hardwood hammocks, cypress domes and abundant flora and fauna. Marvel at native and exotic wildlife from the rare Florida panther to alligators and crocodiles, deer, antelope, bison, snakes, southern razorback hogs and many species of birds.

A Snake & Alligator Show and the Swamp Critter Show are also scheduled daily. They combine entertainment and education and feature many animals and reptiles on an up-close and personal level.

The Big Cypress Seminole Reservation is located midway between Fort Lauderdale and Naples off I-75 (Alligator Alley). Take I-75 to exit 49, then drive north 19 miles. For further information, please call 800/GO-SAFARI or 863/983-6101. Visit us online at www.billieswampsafari.travel.

Happy Halloween, whatever you are!

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