Water nature safari near orlando

Question

Hi, I came to orlando many years ago and did a wonderful water safari up a river to a confluence with another crystal clear river. We were driven for quite a while to where we got on the boat, possibly at a lake. There were monkeys there that had escaped during the filming of the old tarzan movies. The boat travelled fast initially through marshes until it reached the river where it continued very slowly. There were about 6 people on the boat so it was a small trip. It was a full day trip and there was all sorts of wildlife, it was not coastal so there were no manatees. I would love do this again. Has anyone got any idea where I went and could they recommend a tour operator for this or a similar tour please? Please note that I do not have transport so a resort pick up would be best, 2 people, Universal endless summer resort, surf side. Thank you for any advice

Answer

Based on your description, it sounds like the tour you took years ago was likely in the Ocala or Central Florida area, possibly around the Silver or Wekiva Rivers, both of which are known for crystal-clear freshwater springs and abundant wildlife. The mention of escaped monkeys from old Tarzan movies points toward private wildlife refuges or smaller eco-tour operators that sometimes incorporate exotic animals in their tours, which is less common in large commercial operations today.

For a similar experience near Orlando, you have a few options that provide guided river or water safaris with small groups, wildlife spotting, and resort pick-up:

Kayak or Canoe Eco-Tours: Operators on the Wekiva River and Silver River offer guided kayak or canoe trips that explore marshes, rivers, and clear springs. Some trips are private or semi-private and can last several hours. Wildlife includes turtles, birds, and alligators, though no manatees are present as these are inland rivers.
Black Bear Wilderness Adventures: Located north of Orlando, they offer eco-tours and wildlife excursions on rivers with small-group private boat experiences. They also sometimes provide shuttle options from hotels.
Swamp Buggy or Airboat Tours: While more common in the Kissimmee or Ocala region, some operators provide eco-friendly, small-group tours through marshes and rivers rather than just high-speed rides in open wetlands. Confirm if they offer hotel pick-ups; some will coordinate private transfers from Orlando resorts.

Practical tips for booking:

Contact the tour operator directly to inquire about small-group/private boat tours for 2 people.
Ask about resort pick-up from Universal’s Endless Summer Resort; many eco-tour operators will arrange shuttle service for an additional fee.
Bring water, snacks, sunscreen, and insect repellent. Even though some tours provide lunch, it’s best to confirm ahead.
Verify whether the tour includes wildlife like monkeys or exotic animals; this is rare today, so consider it an additional feature if desired.

Recommended next steps:

Look up “Wekiva River Eco Tours” and “Silver River kayak tours” for small-group experiences near Orlando.
Reach out to smaller private operators in the Ocala/Leesburg area, as they are more likely to offer long, immersive trips similar to what you previously experienced.
Ensure your pick-up and drop-off logistics are confirmed in writing to avoid transportation issues from your resort.

While it may be challenging to replicate the exact tour you took years ago, these options will provide a comparable inland water safari with wildlife, crystal-clear rivers, and small group experiences near Orlando.

Water nature safari near orlando

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