Buena Vista - Evant, TX

Evant, the crossroads of Texas, is located at the junction of Highways 281 and 84, an hour from Waco, 1½ hours from Austin, and two hours from DFW. According to their chamber website, Evant, once a thriving farming community, had slowly dwindled to a passthrough town between Hamilton and Lampasas. But now, with the involvement of the entire community, Evant is becoming a full family destination.

One of those community members that have taken a participation to seeing the revitalization of Evant is the Drennan family. John Drennan’s paternal great-great grandparents, Pompey and Ellen Callie Lee Burney, moved to Evant in 1884. Their son, John W. Burney, operated the Burney Hardware Store on the west side of the square until around 1950. Drennan’s maternal great-great grandparents settled in the adjoining Bee House community around the time of the Civil War. Drennan spent summers with his grandparents in Evant, and remembers the thriving town as it was in the 1970s.

When the opportunity arose to purchase a former hunting preserve on the land where Coryell, Hamilton, and Lampasas counties come together, the Drennans jumped on it. They bought the nearly 1,000 acres, crossfenced it, built roads, brought in more exotic animals, installed cabins and RV sites, and opened Buena Vista Wildlife Safari and RV Park on January 23, 2019.

The Drennans both have fond memories of the simpler life when they visited their grandparents as children, and designed Buena Vista to have an “old home” feel. They wanted it to feel like you’ve stepped back into your grandparents time; tapping back into the idea of the letting kids use their imagination which is why there are no televisions in cabins (BUT free wi-fi is available throughout the property).

They are constantly adding new amenities to the Park, which includes a petting zoo; a swimming hole and a fishing hole; an orchard and a chicken coop (guests are often treated to free eggs!); a dog run and horse pens; and a walking path with old farm implements on display. The grounds also include a beautiful Event Center, with a full kitchen, living room, and dining room that is available to rent for corporate functions, weddings, and more.

Keeping in the vane of “old home” feel, they even have an old-fashioned playground which boasts a see-saw. D’Ann commented that many of today’s children have never experienced such a contraption and they have had to pull out the ice pack from time to time. However such a simple thing as a see-saw teaches teamwork, communication and motor skills. There is also a stage area for their own playful imaginations to perform. The goal is to gives kids that creative outlet on this new adventure.

Although some may have a first impression from Highway 281 as “simply a large parking lot,” once one ventures onto the property they are met with breathtaking views. Their RV Park hosts 35 sites, and they even have the option named “the bird’s nest” which is a fifth wheel available for overnight rental in case one is unsure of the RV life, and wants to give it a try. The RV Park is adjacent to the Wildlife Safari, so you will have beautiful views from anywhere in the Park.

They also have three cabins, with beds for five. The Orange Eland Cabin is handicap accessible (except for the upstairs loft), with a ramp to the front porch. It is pet and serviceanimal friendly. The Blue Wildebeest and Red Stag Cabins are allergen-free with no pets allowed. The newest addition to their lodging is “the bunkhouse” which sleeps ten to twelve people and is pet friendly.

The Safari is home to over 25 species of animals that live in a natural environment on 325 acres of land. The remaining land is held for private management of the animals and to rotate herds and stock. The road through the Safari is 3.5 miles long, and takes about an hour. You can drive it in the comfort of your own car, or rent the party bus for a fun trip through with people in your “pod.”

Some of the species, like the donkeys and the bison, are attention-hounds and come right up to the car. The property maintains its native landscape, offering brush wall screens for animal cover. Therefore, others are more like animals on a real Safari, and you have to look for them.

D’Ann says they designed their facility to be a little different: “We wanted the animals to live in the most natural, healthy environment possible. We feed daily. So when you come through with food, the animals aren’t starving. They get to choose whether they want to come see you.” The Drennans put the animals first in all of their planning, and it is evident; they carefully choose a selection of species that do not inter breed, because they keep an all natural habitat.

Of the different species there are many that have become favorites over the past year. One of D’Ann’s favorite is the Eland. It is one of the world’s largest antelope (just smaller than the Giant Eland) and can jump straight up in the air to ten feet! In Africa, Elands have been domesticated and farmed for meat and milk – just like a cow. Another species of interesting note is that of the Scimitar Horned Oryx. They have horns, not antlers; they never shed, but they can break and never grow back...this may have inspired the legend of the unicorn. They had become extinct in the wild, until 2016 when 23 were released into the wild in Chad (Africa).

You will see something different on every visit. Come in the Spring to see the babies; in the Summer to feel like you’re on an African Safari; in the Fall and Winter to see the antlers. Whenever you choose to visit, we know you will love our animals as much as we do!

A bit of inside information is this is the proper day trip. It is important to prepare oneself not to see everything all at once. As explained these animals are in as much of a natural habitat as possible and therefore don’t always want to be seen. Ideally take a couple of trips through the safari, once in the morning where you may see one group of animals. Spend time in the other areas of the park, grab a lunch either in town or enjoy your own picnic. Then travel the safari again, and see if you can find new animals that may have been a bit more shy earlier in the day. Most who have visited and truly enjoyed their time, understand that it is necessary to slow down and enjoy the park in its entirety. At Buena Vista Wildlife Safari we have an absolute 5 MPH speed limit at all times throughout our park. Our hope is that your experience with us can be a sanctuary from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. So take it slow, enjoy all the wonderful sights, and keep it safe for the animals.

John and D’Ann say that building Buena Vista was a family affair. “Our daughter, Kat, did a lot of the artwork that you see hanging in the cabins, designed our logo, t-shirts, and ran our Instagram account. Thomas, our son, loves working outside, so he has helped build the pavilion over the Petting Zoo and most recently helped remodel ‘The Bunkhouse’. which is our largest cabin for rental.”

The Drennans say one of the best parts of building Buena Vista is becoming involved and connected with the community: “We have the best staff and guests at Buena Vista! It has such a happy vibe, which spills over into the community,” says John’s wife, D’Ann.

Buena Vista Wildlife Safari is open every day of the year except Thanksgiving and Christmas. You can find more information at buenavistawildlifesafari.com or by calling 254.791.5441. If you are interested in growing your business in a building in downtown Evant, call 254.781.3138 for leasing information.