On March 13th, 2025, TIME Magazine revealed their annual ‘World’s Greatest Places’ list, which highlights 100 extraordinary destinations to visit and stay all over the world! And this year, they’ve honored two Georgia locations with a place on the list: Macon, Georgia’s Ocmulgee Mounds (as one of the greatest places to visit on Earth) and Georgia’s Safari Conservation Park in Madison, GA (as one of the greatest places to stay).
TIME Magazine says,
Entering the park, located 60 miles east of Atlanta in the predominantly agricultural town of Madison, feels like driving into the African plains. More than 40 wild and exotic species, including rhinos, addax, bison, eland, and impala, roam freely on 530 expansive acres of grasslands and receive care from a team of veterinarians and species-specialized barn staff. Working alongside Zoological Disaster Response, Rescue and Recovery, the park offers alternative housing for animals that are unable to stay at other facilities due to natural disasters, and helps increase genetic variability and species survival for critically endangered creatures.
This honor makes the Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park one of just twelve places within the United States.
What is the Georgia Safari Conservation Park?
The Georgia Safari Conservation Park is one of the many amazing zoo and wildlife centers in the Atlanta area, offering guests a chance to see, learn about, and help protect animals from the African savannah.
The Safari says,
Our Mission is to inspire in others a greater understanding, appreciation, and connection to the natural world. Our vision is to create a conservation legacy that will have a positive impact on the lives of people and animals.
What kinds of animals does the park have?
You’ll truly feel like you’ve stepped onto the African savannah, with all the gorgeous animals at the park. To name a few, the Safari has:
- Giraffes
- Southern White Rhinos
- Two-toed Sloth
- Common Eland
- Grants Zebra
- Ostrichs
- Emus
- Sulcata Tortoise
- Asian Water Buffalo
- Eastern Bongo
- Impala
- Boa Constrictor
- Sugar Gliders
And check out the Ocmulgee Mounds, which also made TIME’s list of the 100 ‘greatest places on Earth’!