A Unique Safari & Far-Reaching Experience | Six Flags Great Adventure
- cw3adventures
- May 6
- 5 min read
The Safari Up-Close, Touring Savannah Sunset & Time With NCAA Champion Fredrick Flips at Six Flags Great Adventure
NCAA Champion, U.S. Gymnast Frederick "Flips" Richard Kicks Off 2025 Season at Six Flags Great Adventure & Savannah Sunset Resort
Six Flags Great Adventure Resort offers thrilling rides and family fun in the theme park, numerous places to cool off and splash around in Hurricane Harbor, and over 1,200 animals from around the globe in Wild Safari. Additionally, the Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa, located within the 350-acre Wild Safari, opened for its first full season on April 11th. This unique resort provides a luxurious escape with breathtaking views, exotic wildlife, and world-class amenities, making it the ideal destination for relaxation and adventure.
On Friday, April 25th, we had a truly unique experience thanks to the teams at Six Flags Great Adventure and Bushtec Safari USA. After arriving at the park, we boarded a van that took us into the Wild Safari and dropped us off at the front doors of Savannah Sunset. There, we met with members of Bushtec Safari and the day's featured guest, NCAA Champion and 2024 Olympic Bronze Medalist Frederick Richard, along with his family.
Having just turned 21, Frederick "Flips" Richard recently won the all-around and anchored Michigan at the NCAA Championships. He was excited to finally relax and spend the day with the 1,200 animals that call Jackson, New Jersey, home. We couldn't wait to share in the day as well.
Fred and his family climbed into a Savannah Sunset Land Rover, excited to begin their private Wild Safari tour! Our first stop was a visit to Sawyer the Rhino. When we arrived, the private tour became even more unique as we had the opportunity to get out of the vehicle for an up-close encounter. We took pictures and even had the chance to pet Sawyer!
Next, we said hello to Coral the Giraffe, and Fred had the chance to bottle-feed her. Following this, we visited the larger-than-life elephants, baboons, tigers, and even stopped by the lions. Along the way, we also passed by many other animals residing in the Safari.
After spending a few hours enjoying this incredible experience, we returned to Savannah Sunset for lunch and took some time to explore the resort, admiring the beautiful accommodations.
Earlier, we mentioned the Bushtec Safari Team, and this was their opportunity to shine, as they are responsible for the resort's tent structures. Referring to them as "tents" or "glamping" is an understatement. These are luxurious accommodations with exceptional attention to detail throughout. The landscaping and location in the heart of the Safari make you feel as if you are far removed from New Jersey.
We even had the chance to tour Giraffe 3, a Couples' Suite, to get a better sense of what staying at the resort is really like. I had heard great things about the setup, but seeing it in person was even better. Here's a quick walkthrough to provide a clearer idea of the rooming accommodation experience.
After the tour, we returned to the main tent for a lovely luncheon provided by Savannah Sunset and Bushtec Safari. This was also our opportunity to spend more time with the day's special guest, Fred Richard. The Massachusetts native, who won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympics, described his trip to Savannah Sunset Resort & Spa as a bucket-list adventure. After experiencing it with him, we wholeheartedly agree.
As we all gathered, the Bushtec Safari Team kicked off this part by replaying some of Fred's Olympic highlights. Fred sat in front, watching, and it was an incredible experience to see him relive his performance.
Afterward, we had the opportunity to interview Fred, where we learned more about his training regimen and how crucial the mental aspect is in his preparation. He emphasized the importance of fully visualizing all aspects of a performance before actually executing it, and he spoke about the amazing support he receives from his parents and coaches.
I really enjoyed his reference to Michael Jordan and his greatness. Ultimately, it's not just about being better than the next person; it's about constantly striving to be your best and continuously improving. We also learned that health setbacks have made Fred appreciate his journey even more, fueling his drive and dedication. This type of drive and mentality helps explain why Fred has been so successful at just 21 years old, and he still has several more years ahead to keep growing and improving.
But why are we discussing an Olympic gymnast, a Safari tent maker, and Six Flags Great Adventure in the same context? As mentioned earlier, the connection between Bushtec Safari USA and Savannah Sunset Resort is clear. So, where does Fred fit into this picture?
I didn't expect this connection to be the day's highlight, but it definitely was. Fred does not take for granted the opportunities he had to train and learn from a young age with the right equipment and a strong support system. Now that he has become a standout in the sport, he aims to be a role model for others. One of his goals is to use these opportunities to grow the sport and make it accessible to those who typically don't have the same advantages.
The Bushtec Safari USA team shares a similar passion for men's gymnastics and would also like to see more opportunities available for others, particularly in regions like Africa, where many face challenges due to the lack of proper equipment, facilities, and basic financial resources. The synergy between Fred's goals and those of the Bushtec Safari Team has formed a dynamic partnership, and they are excited to work together to make a difference for others.
Frederick "Flips" Richard certainly lived up to his name during our Safari tour and at the resort, where he entertained us and the animals with his impressive backflips. During our sit-down, he shared that on Friday, May 2nd, he planned to attempt a new world record by completing over 1,001 backflips in 24 hours.
How did he fare? Not only did he break the record, he shattered it by finishing with an astonishing 1,111 backflips! Was this world record attempt solely for personal glory? Not at all. True to his word and in partnership with Bushtec Safari USA, the goal was to raise funds to donate gymnastics equipment to children in Africa. His world record-setting day raised $50K!
The entire day at Six Flags was incredible and filled with unforgettable experiences at the Safari and the Savannah Sunset Resort. It was even better to share these moments with a fantastic group of people. I had great conversations with Colin and Phil from Coliwood Studios, Andres from Thrills & Magic, and some members of CJ's Crazy Coaster Crew. I highly recommend checking out the Coliwood Studios vlog recap, which perfectly captured the day's fun and excitement!
After this amazing day, we all headed to Great Adventure for some rides. The park also organized a meet-and-greet with Fred for park visitors near The Flash, where he signed shirts and distributed copies of his book.
Thank you to Ryan and the Six Flags Great Adventure team for making this day enjoyable for everyone! It was a privilege to be able to join.
The warmth and friendliness of the Bushtec Safari USA team and Fred and his family were truly special. It's clear that FrederickFlips is just beginning his journey, and we're excited to see him pursue his personal goals and, more importantly, his mission to help many others!
