A 23-year-old animal enthusiast has turned a childhood fascination with giraffes into a viral hospitality business by creating a unique Airbnb-style stay where guests can sleep beside a real giraffe. Kamryn Grant launched the experience at Safari Stayz, attracting visitors from across the United States after videos of the property gained massive popularity on TikTok. The unusual accommodation allows guests to wake up just steps away from Yoshi, a giraffe that has become the centrepiece of the wildlife-themed getaway.

According to reports published by People Magazine, Grant’s interest in animals began at a young age, with giraffes always being her favourite. She said the idea behind the business came from imagining the kind of experience she would have loved as a child. The concept initially started with animal-themed stays featuring lemurs, which quickly gained attention among travellers seeking unconventional accommodation experiences. Encouraged by the response, Grant expanded the project by introducing Yoshi the giraffe and redesigning part of the property into a more immersive wildlife retreat.

The property includes a converted barn where guests can stay overnight while interacting closely with several animals housed on-site. Grant says experiences like this remain extremely rare in the United States, particularly those involving direct interaction with giraffes. To operate legally, she and her team obtained multiple permits and certifications, including Game, Fish and Wildlife permits; Chronic Wasting Disease certification; and licences from the United States Department of Agriculture. She emphasised that the facility follows strict regulations designed to ensure both animal welfare and visitor safety.

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Social media played a major role in transforming the business into a nationwide attraction. Grant revealed that videos featuring the giraffe stay regularly crossed one million views on TikTok, driving a sharp increase in bookings and public interest. She said many guests travel long distances specifically to experience the property, including one family that reportedly drove 23 hours from New York to Oklahoma. The viral attention has helped Safari Stayz stand out in a growing market for experiential travel and animal-themed hospitality offerings.

Beyond Yoshi the giraffe, the property is home to more than 100 animals, including zebras, kangaroos, camels, foxes, sloths, lemurs, otters, and other exotic species. Guests are allowed to participate in guided interactions that involve feeding animals, entering certain enclosures, and learning about wildlife care. Grant described the experience as highly interactive and educational, saying the goal is to help visitors develop a stronger connection with animals through direct engagement rather than passive observation.

The growing popularity of wildlife-themed stays reflects a broader trend in the tourism industry, where travellers increasingly seek immersive and social media-friendly experiences. While unique accommodations have become a major attraction across platforms such as TikTok and Instagram, experts also note the importance of maintaining proper animal care standards and regulatory oversight. For Grant, the project represents both a business venture and a personal passion, combining hospitality with her lifelong interest in exotic animals and wildlife conservation.

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