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Going to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is the quickest way to take
an African safari with your family. Kids can watch animals out in the open – giraffes munching on leaves, cheetahs napping, elephants playing in the dirt (cools them off), beautiful okapis, rhinos running. |
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At the entrance – At the entrance are lockers (for extra clothing after the water play areas or souvenirs such as a large stuffed animal purple snake) and strollers available for rent. Ask about schedule of Journey into the Wild Amphitheater and animal encounters during the day. |
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Tip: Park docents wearing red vests are available throughout the park to answer questions about animals, how to get around, and what is open. |
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Conservation carousel – A big hit with little kids, ride around on endangered animals, such as a panda, jaguar, okapi, rhino, giraffe. |
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Start the day with a ride on the 25 min. Africa Tram, where
kids will see white rhinos, giraffes, lions, gazelles, ostriches, Cape buffalo and antelopes, grazing in the open. Tip: Go early as possible (or late in the day), to avoid a long lines for the tram. |
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African Loop Trail – One of our favorite walks is the African Loop Trail which goes through African Woods, African Outpost and Lion Camp. Animals you'll see – cheetahs, okapi, hooded vultures, tusked warthogs, bat-eared foxes, lions, and oodles of pink flamingoes. |
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Nearby at Africa Walk, stop into Mawazo Woods Discovery play area. |
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Elephant Valley – Step over a bridge into a large area, where African elephants roam free. Watch elephants eating away (they need to eat 7% of their body weight daily), splashing in water holes, tossing dirt over their back to stay cool, and social interactions of the multi-generational herd. |
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Mkutano Park – Trail from Elephant Valley goes right around this area with shaded picnic tables and grass to run around. |
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On the Nairobi Walk, stop into the animal care nursery, you might see an armadillo running in circles and white Fennec fox with huge ears, among other baby animals. Little kids will
enjoy Village Playground, with African drums. |
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Condor Ridge – The Safari Park has a breeding program for the endangered California
condor (chicks were originally fed with hand puppets); when the condors
are big enough, they are released back into the wild. Visit Condor Ridge to see these magnificent birds, as well as the desert bighorn sheep (native to California, but hard to see in the wild). |
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Walkabout Australia – Kids can see kangaroos up close, even touch them! On our last visit, baby kangaroo and mom were fun to see hopping around. |
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Water play areas – On a hot day, it feels good to cool off in Savanna Cool Zone water play area at Lion Camp and Jameson Island Water Play Area in African Outpost lagoon. |
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More activities and tours – Following activities and tours require an additional ticket: |
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 Wildlife Safari – Go out on the savanna in an open air truck, see giraffes close up, along with newest animal babies. For kids ages 3 and up. |
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On Flightline Safaris ride a 160 ft. zipline over the park for a bird's eye view of the animals below. Ages 8 and up, must be accompanied by a parent, wear closed-toed shoes. |
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Roar & Snore – Want to spend the
night at the Safari Park? Sleep in big tents, sit around the campfire, and,
during the night, you might hear a lion roar! Fun for everyone in the family, all ages. Advance reservations required. |
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Fun food – |
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At the park are a dozen places for meals and snacks. Besides hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and sandwiches, there's
Mexican food, salads, vegetarian burgers, crispy chicken, Asian inspired dishes, barbeque, plus snacks galore – ice cream, cookies, cold drinks,
fresh fruit. |
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Or, bring your own picnic lunch, drinks and snacks. Outside the Safari Park, just north of the entrance, are picnic tables. Inside the park, use any of the tables at eating areas or snack bars, shaded picnic tables at Mawazo Woods. No coolers, ice chests, glass bottles or straws inside the park. |
