Lions and tigers and bears – and hyenas, oh, my.

Should you choose to accept Out Of Africa Wildlife Park’s offer, just a chain-link fence could be separating you from these predators as you sleep this Saturday night. For the third consecutive year, the park is allowing visitors to camp out next to its predators for one night only, May 30, and experience what happens after the last guest leaves.

“The animals are definitely curious about why folks are here overnight,” stated Ashton Powell, Out Of Africa public relations director. “The hyenas and lions are the most vocal throughout the night, which doesn’t really allow for too much sound sleep. Once everyone really settles in to sleep, most everyone calms down. Last year it was beautiful sleeping under a huge blanket of stars. This is as exciting for them as it is for the people staying overnight.”

An employee of the park since 2009, Powell sees the event as an educational and entertaining opportunity.

“It is a personal experience to sleep among the animals, whether you are here in the Verde Valley or you’ve traveled across the world to Africa,” Powell stated. “The animals are allowing us to share their space and inviting us all to be a part of the evening …. We are a unique experience for visitors that both educates and entertains visitors about animals at the park and their backyards. We want to help people think of the relationships with animals in a very different way.”

To read the full story, see the Friday, May 29, edition of the Sedona Red Rock News.