In an effort to revamp campus tours and drive up interest for incoming students, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has unanimously decided to allocate funding towards bold new “safari-based” tour programs, unsurprisingly dubbed “Wild UMD Safari Tours.” 

The program entails a thrilling expedition to the heart of the University of Maryland’s sprawling wilderness, all from the safety of a safari van. Riding in comfort with leather seats and air conditioning, tourists can snap pictures of the great beasts of campus and take in spectacular sights, from the sprawling savannahs of McKeldin Mall to the lofty jungles of North Campus. The tour vans will even take safari-goers on a treacherous climb up to the summit of Stamp Hill for some of the most scenic views of campus.

The highlight of the tour is the opportunity to see some of the most impressive wildlife College Park has to offer. While smaller fauna, such as the elusive Bagel-Eating Squirrel, make appearances if you look closely enough, the true spectacles of this mighty ecosystem are the students. From herds of freshmen migrating across the great plains of McKeldin to the impressive dominance displays of Eppley gym rats, tourists can snap pictures and engage in up-close experiences of the most incredible wildlife they’ll ever see. (The Office of Undergraduate Admissions discourages safari-goers from feeding the wildlife, stating that the wildlife can pay for their own food.)

Wild UMD Safari Tours will begin rolling out van treks in May. For an enhanced wildlife touring experience, visitors can also pay an additional fee for the Air Safari Tour, where they can view the great plains of McKeldin from the skies in a loud, annoying Piper plane. Big-game trophy hunting expeditions will be offered at a later date for a premium to raise more funding for on-campus tourism.

Image Credits: Joseph Kleinman