A new zoo and safari park is set to open in Texas, US, next month, with the Aggieland Safari describing itself as the "Serengeti of the South".

The name "Aggie" is the term for a student at Texas A&M University. The safari park is owned and operated by the student body, born, it says, from "a love of animal stewardship and dedication to conservation". Set over 450 acres at Bryan, which is 90 minutes from Houston, the park will give visitors the chance to interact with more than 100 species of wildlife, including several that are endangered or are already extinct in the wild.

It features a drive-through safari across 250 acres, where visitors can purchase a bucket of feed for some of the animals, while the "adventure zoo" includes an on-foot safari experience over 20 acres of land. Here also there are feeding opportunities with animals such as kangaroos, tortoises, otters, birds and giraffes.

The new attraction also offers a covered pavilion, an activity recreation area for kids, and dining at the Savannah Grill. These facilities can be booked for functions, while schools can arrange educational field trips to the park. Aggieland Safari is also planning a variety of special events, such as outdoor movie and entertainment nights through the year, following its grand opening on 9 May.