San Diego Zoo Safari Park

We had a great time in June. The cool weather in the morning had the tigers out and all the animals seemed happy. We enjoyed the safari cart ride and saw the rhinos we came for. It was really cool to see the different types and then to be so close to the giraffes. It’s obvious the staff and park as a whole really care about the animals. We will go back in a couple years when the elephant valley is completed. It sounds like it will be a nice addition to one of the best zoos we have ever visited.

Had a great time at the San Diego Safari Park! The park is massive, beautifully laid out, and offers a unique way to see animals in more natural habitats. We also loved the hot air balloon ride — such a cool way to get a bird’s-eye view of the park and the surrounding area. The carousel was a charming touch, especially for younger visitors (or adults who are kids at heart!). The park is very spread out with a lot of uphill walking, so wear good shoes. A memorable and fun experience for all ages — highly recommended!

This was very interesting and fun. I had already gone to the San Diego Zoo and enjoyed that. But the Safari Park is different. The huge open safari area is really neat to see and watch the animals in a more natural setting. Be sure to take the free tram tour first thing. And make use of the helpful volunteers throughout the park. They are knowledgeable, and you can tell they love what they do. Many of the animals are endangered, and the zoo helps with survival programs and educating on how we help just by buying a ticket or membership since they are a not for profit. And try to have a meal or drinks at the Watering Hole at Kijami Overlook if cool enough. Awesome view.

Unlike traditional zoos, wildlife parks feature open grasslands and valleys as their backdrop, allowing animals to roam freely in simulated natural habitats. Visitors can enjoy scenes of giraffes, rhinos, zebras and thousands of other species strolling about. As a breeding base for endangered species, the park conveys a strong message of animal protection. Tourists can get up close and personal with conservation efforts, making it especially suitable for family education. Remember to take the free tram tour (Africa Tram) upon entry: included in the ticket, it's a 25-40 minute ride through the African savannah area, allowing you to observe the herd animals from a distance. For a more in-depth experience, you can pay extra for the Safari Truck tour to get up close and personal with the animals. You can also pay to take a hot air balloon ride, where a tethered hot air balloon will lift you high above to overlook the entire wildlife park (height restrictions apply for children). Additionally, there are interactive experiences available: feeding giraffes, bird feeding in the bird area (50 cents per time), and the kangaroo walk-through area. Practical tips: 1️⃣ The walking distance is long and the park is vast. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. Electric scooters can be rented at the entrance to save energy. 2️⃣ Purchase tickets in advance. Online booking can avoid queues and often comes with discounts. 3️⃣ The food in the park is average with limited choices and low cost-effectiveness. It is advisable to bring your own simple meals.

It was a good 1st time experience, I wish for some live feedings. The platypus enclosure is extremely dark in the mornings, so really couldn't see anything. It was a hot day so most animals were napping under the shade not doing much. Alot of walking, so bring some good walking shoes, and plenty to drink, Park allows you to bring your own food and drinks, so that is awesome.

The platypuses were the most fun to see. They swam around in their water tank a lot and were very cute. They were smaller than expected, only about the size of a pigeon. You can watch them on livecam on the San Diego zoo website. The safari tour guide, Olivia, did a great job. She was well informed about all sorts of aspects of the giraffes, antelope, zebras, and other south African mammals we saw on the tour. I was hoping to see some free-range lions, to make the safari more exciting, but they didn't have that. The tigers were encased in a smaller habitat that was part of the regular zoo, not the "safari" portion of the visit.

So many amazing animals and plants! The bats were the best! They were eating, flying, climbing, and fighting. It wasn't crowded on Friday May 23. There is a tram that takes you out to see the gazelle, buffalo, zebras, and giraffes. The elephant habitat is being enlarged, but they take a few people at a time back into the construction zone so you can see the elephants. Lots of Aviaries.

We had such a wonderful time at the Safari Park! I went with my 12-year-old, and we made sure to arrive early, right when the park opened. It was totally worth it—parking was super easy. We got a spot close to the preferred parking and the entrance, and there was no line to get in. We went straight to the Africa Tram first, which was worth doing immediately. After that, we explored different parts of the park and enjoyed every bit. One highlight I recommend is planning to catch the Wild Journey show—it was an amazing experience! The only extra ticket I purchased was for the butterfly exhibit, which was $18. It was so worth it! Peaceful, beautiful, and a great photo op. Highly recommend this park for families—it’s a full day of adventure and nature!

Unlike traditional zoos, wildlife parks feature open grasslands and valleys as their backdrop, allowing animals to roam freely in simulated natural habitats. Visitors can enjoy scenes of giraffes, rhinos, zebras and thousands of other species strolling about. As a breeding base for endangered species, the park conveys a strong message of animal protection. Tourists can get up close and personal with conservation efforts, making it especially suitable for family education. Remember to take the free tram tour (Africa Tram) upon entry: included in the ticket, it's a 25-40 minute ride through the African savannah area, allowing you to observe the herd animals from a distance. For a more in-depth experience, you can pay extra for the Safari Truck tour to get up close and personal with the animals. You can also pay to take a hot air balloon ride, where a tethered hot air balloon will lift you high above to overlook the entire wildlife park (height restrictions apply for children). Additionally, there are interactive experiences available: feeding giraffes, bird feeding in the bird area (50 cents per time), and the kangaroo walk-through area. Practical tips: 1 The walking distance is long and the park is vast. It is recommended to wear comfortable shoes. Electric scooters can be rented at the entrance to save energy. 2 Purchase tickets in advance. Online booking can avoid queues and often comes with discounts. 3 The food in the park is average with limited choices and low cost-effectiveness. It is advisable to bring your own simple meals.

I live in San Diego and frequent the Zoo and the Safari Park. It's one of my favorite things to do. The Safari Park has a different vibe than the zoo and requires more walking, and it can be a little warmer since it is more North/Inland. But it is so worth it. They have a tram that will take you around- sometimes there is a wait, but try it out. This past weekend I used the half-off coupon for the Safari Experience and it was so cool. Like playing tourist in our own little city. The tour guide, Danny, and driver, Abby, were so nice and informative. It was so much fun getting to see the animals up close. Plus you get to ride around in a shaded truck for a couple of hours. Overall, both parks are amazing. If you don't live in SAN Diego and you like animals- well worth it. If you live here and like to get a nice walk for half a day and see some animals, also cool.

First time at the Safari Park and I really enjoyed it! From being greeted by the cutest bird at the entrance to going on the Wildlife Safari Deluxe, every second we spent at the park was worth it. We got there right as the park opened - there's plenty of parking. I thought we'd be there for at most 3-4 hours, but we ended up being there from open to close. We got lunch at The Watering Hole and got to see the animals from the restaurant. If you love animals, definitely do the Safari Deluxe tour get as close to the animals as you can. The tour is about 2 hours? Absolutely worth it.

I love the safari park! It's so big, there's so many animals and I love that they're roaming free! They also have really good restaurants! 10/10

One of the best zoos in the world! A great place to see animals (including okapi!) grazing in the open. With knowledgeable staff and large array of animals, SD Safari Zoo is the perfect location for that family day trip!

We returned with a renewed membership. It was a really, really fun day!!! It was bright and sunny, but still the temperature wasn't too hot or too cold. It was 72 Degrees!!! We started by renting my electric EV Scooter, which we got a 10% Discount, about $5.75!!! It makes the day completely DO-able for me. We used the basket to carry our lunch. We started with the GORILLAS, then wandered down the trails and the elevator to the TRAM. It's a 40 MINUTE GUIDED TOUR, which was amazing!!! Afterwards, we headed to the Lions, but they were not out. We rode the elevator back up to the top, and got a great glimpse of the HOT AIR BALLOON. We then had lunch, which we brought with us. It was then up to the top TIGERS AND KANGAROOS!!! It was an amazing 5 1/2 Hour Day, topped off with a Chocolate/Vanilla Ice Cream Cone. I should mention that we got FREE PARKING, with our Wildlife Protector MEMBERSHIP. Moreover, we got great parking privileges with our disabled placard.

If you ask me if I prefer the sd zoo or the sd safari zoo park I would say the safari. It's way less crowded and the animals has more free space here. My family and I really enjoyed it here.

Reviewing the Roar and Snore experience in particular - we went for a friends birthday and had the best experience! From when I called to reserve the tents, the person was so friendly and helpful - super excited for us to sign up. The staff were also super friendly and helpful from bag drop off to the tours and in between. We did the most basic tent which was definitely bare bones but you could bring any sleeping bags or blankets to help stay cozy. There's dinner and breakfast included as well as smores - plenty of food options including vegetarian as well. There's also a bar for purchased drinks for the adults. I loved the personal safari trolley tour in the morning - we saw so many animals and it was quiet and peaceful!

Thanks Doc for driving me to this adventure on Presidents Day 2025. Just happened that seniors got a free ride in during the month of February 2025- yippee! Lots of walking to get from the entrance to the African tram ride. The highlights were learning about the animals in their immense property. For example, the giraffe are 13 feet tall and the male's coloring was very dark and different. We got excellent views of the tigers especially. You can ride an air balloon, get a closer view of the animals based on viewing vehicle with additional fees. Hordes of families spending their holiday time together here. So many adorable little ones. If they are screaming behind you the entire tram ride they are not.

Such a beautiful place and a must visit if you have never been there before. I came here on 2/23/25 and it just so happens that in February, all seniors get free admission. It was my first time here and although it was super crowded, we actually completed the whole park (except the elephants) from 10:30am to closing time at 5pm. Most of the parking was taken up by the time we got there so to early if you don't want to walk too far. The African tram is included in the admission but there was a long wait time. I believe we waited for almost 1 hour. You can pay additional $20 per person to get priority but we decided to just wait because we had so much time left during the day. My favorites: tigers, sand cat, and the platypus! All super cute and so interesting to watch. There was also a show we attended that only happened at 3:30pm that day so make sure you plan ahead of time and make the most of your admission! Lots of volunteers there to help guide you and just so much to see! Pro tips: bring an empty water bottle to refill throughout the day. The people working the stands will refill your water bottle for you. Also bring your own refreshing snacks. We brought some fruits. Wear good walking/running shoes because there's A LOT of walking to be done. 10/10 highly recommend.

I love the safari park!!! Membership with parking is definitely worth it. The park is so spacious, bring comfy walking shoes and a hat. If you forget your hat, they sell them. They have plenty of parking snacks/food/ice cream for purchase. We love their gift shops. Our favorite was the platypus!!! We also loved the safari tram ride & seeing the rhinos. We can't wait to go back! Definitely a must see when in San Diego!

Came here recently for a President's Club member appreciation event a couple weeks ago and had a great time! Check-in was at 2pm and the park closed off to the public by 5pm for the event. Regardless of the event, the park was pretty empty which was nice! We got to see both platypus, all the tigers, and got on the tram to see the new baby giraffe. The event was great, lots of food and we enjoyed the show. If you've visited the Zoo, I recommend also visiting the Safari Park. It's just as great and there's plenty to see and experience!

This place was so fun! There are two types of parking. $20 for basic or $35 for premium. Premium is right up by the entrance. Depending on how busy it is, regular parking can be quite far and you have to walk up a decent sized hill. When you finally do get in the safari park, you immediately see a bird which is kind of like a fun surprise/reward for walking up the dang hill lol. Getting in the park if you already have your tickets is pretty smooth. They just scan and let you in. There are a couple stores - not many, to shop for zoo merch. There is a lot of stuff for little kids and some okay things to choose from. I feel like the selection could be better. They randomly have stuff for animals they don't even have at the safari park. The exhibits were great one aviary was closed because they are working on turning it into the temporary butterfly exhibit. It's a TON of walking. We walked the whole park except the world gardens. It's very high up and I didn't want to see the plants honestly lol. But even then we did about 18,000 steps for the day. They have a tram that takes you in the Africa part of the safari park. It is included with your ticket but the line is often very long. You have the option to pay $25 per person to jump the line. It's worth it. On a hot day when you're tired but really want to go on the tram. There are also much more expensive private/different tram tours. We didn't do those. You also have to wait to see the elephants. Which we didn't. There wasn't enough time in the day to fit that in which was a bummer. The staff and the volunteers especially were so enjoyable and sweet and helpful. They were full of fun facts and information about the animals and fielded all the questions from my teenagers. I don't know that I would personally go back just because once I've seen it all...but it was really great and I would recommend it.

Thank you SD Zoo for the Military Discount! I can't believe it took me so long to get out here. Beautiful grounds, spectacular views, incredible sweet supportive staff sprinkled all along the trails to guide you. A wonderful place to see God's creatures up close! Be sure and get on the tram (because after walking a few miles your feet are gonna need the rest). Don't miss the Lions and the Tigers! Their exhibit is an incredible array of bamboo walls, you really feel like you're somewhere far far away. What was more surprising to me than anything else was how spotless the grounds were! Not one single piece of trash was anywhere to be found! Don't believe me...next time you're there just look down at the trails and see for yourself. The only downer...is that honestly at first I walked around for like 30 minutes and the only thing I saw was a few pretty birds and a lizard...Uhhhh....where are the giant critters? By the time we reached the Gorilla Exhibit they were no where to be found. Bummer! Each exhibit takes a while to get to...so bring your water bottle, your granola bars and your comfy walking shoes, hat and glasses and extra phone charger because it will be a long day. BUT I HIGHLY RECOMMEND

Opened in 1972, the park operates as a sister location to the San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park; it features a more specific focus on animals from arid environments. You get to see rare animals like platypus; there are lions, tigers, elephants, zebras, giraffes, you name it. Only thing is the word safari gave me the wrong sense of chilling in the back of a jeep or something. While there is some ultimate safari worth 700 dollars or so (not sure what exclusive entry that gives) the common safari ticket is mostly walking till your legs drop, with a 20-25 min truck safari in the African area to see giraffes, zebras, rhinoceros etc with a guide. This safari park has two 2 platypus, and it's the only 2 outside of Australia apparently. Platypus is this unusual mammal that lays eggs in fact, has a webbed feet, weird flat looking head and tail like structure. Overall this safari is a one time experience. I did not bother to go to the elephant area as it was a 40 min wait to enter. Apparently they recommend everyone to start walking similarly , and finally a huge crowd reaches the elephant area, and they only allow a certain number to enter with a guide at a time for a walking tour there it seems. There was some presentation called journey into wild that was pretty cool, certain eagles etc flying on command, and a porcupine showing off.

A trip to the safari park is one of the last events that is truly fun for the whole family. Giant homes for the animals and a veritable safari that you tour through await. What I particularly enjoy is how each trip is different. Last time my mom had a nose to nose experience with a lion. Then, another trip had my father in law in stitches watching the baby gorilla steal a blanket from his dad. And as for me, wandering amongst the kangaroos and then at sunset they all get the zoomies at sunset was unforgettable. My only complaint is that for the summer of 2025 the zoo will be open until 4pm. Which is a total bummer compared to years past where they were open until 7pm in the summer.

ESCONDIDO SAFARI ZOO SAN DIEGO! This was my first time at the safari zoo, and I absolutely enjoyed coming here on a lovely sunny Saturday! There was no line, and i'd recommend buying your tickets beforehand so you're ready to scan. Prices can range up to $76 each person, and if you want more of the private rides and tours, it can be around $125 each person. The place itself was huge, and extremely clean. There were restrooms everywhere, trash cans, and lots of places you could stop by to rest. One of my favorite places was going on the African Tram, it is free admission for any general person admitted. Highly recommend, it is a 25 minutes ride! The gorilla was my best friend's favorite, she really enjoyed seeing all of them play and interact with each other. If you want to see the Elephant, take some time out of your day, because it was over an hour wait, not really worth it. Unless you are purchasing the expensive tours, it's really hard to see the animals especially those out in the safari, so be ready to zoom in with your camera! Souvenir were amazing to see, and I enjoyed getting gifts!

Its an experience worth spending on. Not as big as Africa but the best closest home in USA. Wear comfortable clothing and even more comfortable should be your walking shoes ... Plan to spend whole day there and go early- animals are still early risers... Navigating the park The Nairobi - straight from entrance The African- Down the lift Australian - Left from entrance. These three are the big lump separations, and if you can figure out in and out, and short cuts from one to other, you can easily navigate through the whole park. The path I followed in really brief terms - started with the Nairobi, took the lift to do the African tram and ring, stopped at the Gorilla site on the way back , went to the Amphi theatre for the show, once done repeated the Gorilla ring to reach the Lagoon loop, took the bridge on the loop to reach close to the main entrance. Then post lunch, took left and did the Australian ring, which coincidentally turned out perfect as the cactus area has a high point which on the long walk, I reached at sunset and the pics are gorgeous. I did miss some stops, or maybe many, its simply not possible to walk through all the safari in one day. Transport Have to drive or take a cab, it is about 35 miles North of Downtown, it is NOT the same entrance as the San Diego Zoo. The cost of the entrance ticket is almost the same. The main difference is that a lot of animals that are not carnivorous or at flight risk, are roaming free more freely , and you have the option to drive up close at extra cost. It cost me about $86 to get from Downton to the Safari and it took about 4omin in the morning, but on my way back irt costed me $110, and about 1hr.10 min due to city traffic !, make sure you accommodate for that when you visit the park. Staff: The staff is placed at decent intervals and they are just so ready to help you out with any questions you may have- , be it to find the closest food stop, directions - which you can easily confuse and get lost... At certain stations, like the Elephant one, they provided free guided tour . The African Tram is included in your ticket. Its a 25 min ride around the African inspired landscape and they go through the giraffe, zebra, even the animal Samolian ass- apparently there are very few in number left in the world, so they are here to be rescued before they get wiped off the earth. This is also a guided tour. Another thing you do not want to miss is the live animal presentation at the Benhon amphitheatre. It was amazing, very interesting ofcourse, but also very interactive. The staff gets 20 on 10...they are super nice! The various gardens- Not only animals , they also have education and awareness being spread about the vegetation as well. In fact on Sat and Sun there is a special tram tour - requiring reservation- focussing on the vegetation. I think it is free, but still requires reservation. Double checking is required. I chose a weekday to avoid crowds. Spent almost 8 happy hours discovering, getting enchanted....there is just so much to see. There are plenty of food and drink stations. There are also many interesting play areas for kids, with different animal structures kids can climb on and take pictures. There are bridges to cross, a Merry go Round kind game area...if the kids or the parents need a break. Shopping souvenirs. Quite a few options. Both of them were closed when I came at 4.30, so they probably close early on weekdays. Holiday decoration: With Christmas round the corner, their special lighting is up for a special viewing. Wheelchair and Scooter. There is a shaded scooter available for rent for $60 for a single person. They do have wheelchairs for those who need it and that's free of charge. Its an incredible place maintained by a non-profit organization. Feel free to sign up for donations for your favourite animal or bird. They also have a baby platypus in a dark corner of the safari, which is apparently a rare thing to view in a park.

This was my first time going to the Zoo Safari Park and I was amazed at the cleanliness and attractive design of the park. I do want to preface that this is more of an animal sanctuary as opposed to your standard zoo, meaning the animals have a way larger habitat and it can be difficult to see them from a distance. However, there are additional paid excursions within the zoo where you can get up close to the animals (Additional cost of $70-$120 per person). If you don't want to pay for this, I would highly recommend the African Tram which is included with admission and a 25 minute ride around 63-acres of enclosed wild animals. Overall I am very happy with my visit to the park, it is very obvious that the staff are very friendly, knowledgeable, and helpful! I spent about 5 hours here and felt like it was the perfect amount of time

Great experience for my toddlers to see so many kind of animals. The highlight experience is the wildlife safari ride where they can see the animals in their natural habitat. They also have animal show in certain hour. They also have a good variety choices of food. The restroom is also clean and the facilities is well maintained. Very impressive safari park!!

We had an outstanding time while visiting the Safari Park. Coffee was great and Pam gave us an opportunity that was amazing. Very clean atmosphere and beautiful flowers too.

I love coming to the Safari Park with my family! Very spacious and lots to do! We have the pass so we don't have to pay for parking. If you have a family member that has a hard time walking I'd recommend dropping them off close to the front as the walk up is steep. You can bring in a stroller wagon, diaper bag and lunch. This is convenient for having littles who want snacks all day and myself having a gluten allergy. They do serve food at the park and also alcoholic beverages for adults! We love seeing all the animals and going on the African Tram. So much fun for the whole family! There's plenty of restrooms and rest areas. We will definitely be back!

I love going to the Safari Park (or the Wild Animal Park, which was what it was previously called). As a local, it's a great place to just go for a walk and hang out and the membership pays for itself in just two visits. Some tips for locals: If you're living in San Diego though and plan on going often, I would recommend going for the slightly higher priced membership that includes parking at the Safari Park (Wildlife Protector Premium). If you're in a couple, what I've done before is one of us will get that one and the other person will get the San Diego Resident Premium (premium just means no blockout dates) because you really only need one person to have parking privileges. The most important thing to know: You absolutely have to GO ON THE AFRICA TRAM to appreciate the open concept of the safari park! You cannot walk to see all of these animals! I would also recommend going on the tram early. It's not as straightforward as a walk since it's more inside the park, but I would head there first since the wait can be ~30 minutes later in the day. There is priority boarding for $20/person, but I think that's a little steep. For the tram, it goes COUNTERclockwise, so the best place to sit is farthest away from boarding (on the left side if you're facing the front), so scoot all the way down. I also generally pack food to go here unless I'm with people visiting from out of town. The view is excellent from the Watering Hole, the only sit-down restaurant (you can literally have lunch while seeing rhinos and giraffes). The food is slightly better than standard tourist attraction fare, but the real draw is the view. Be sure to book a reservation to avoid a wait and that way you can also check to make sure they're open (it's also a wedding venue). Don't miss Walkabout Australia. It's basically set up like the aviaries where you go in and there are wallabies and kangaroos just hopping around (it's a smaller species of kangaroo that does not aggressively attack, by the way). It's right next door to the platypus exhibit, which have the only platypuses that are outside of Australia! They are nocturnal, hence why their exhibit is basically a cave.

The weather was lovely. Had a great day. Next year we will start at the safari tram because we left it for last and the wait was 90 minutes.

Been wanting to check this place out since we've been to the San Diego zoo a few times but haven't checked the safari park out. We finally checked this place off this list and really enjoyed the safari park. Parking was $20 but if you have a disabled person in the vehicle and have the placard, you can park in the preferred parking area which avoids the steep climb depending on where you park to get to the entrance. We pretty much checked out everything we wanted to go to with two 8 years old and a 6 years old along with two seniors. There's plenty of seat to rest and love the little play structures along the way for kids the play. We enjoyed the tram ride and went to that early during the day as I read it gets busier later in the day. Our kids love the platypus exhibit and we missed the kangaroos as they closed at 4 from one of the staff member. Overall, I like how the wild life are protected here but more in their natural habitat environment. Lots of staff members at each area to keep our kids engaged and learn more about each of the animals at the safari park. We had pasta and flatbread pizza from Okavango outpost after the Africa Tram and it was filling and our kids loved it. We also enjoyed the holiday lights a lot during this festive season. Wished we live closer to go more often and to be zoo members.

What a magnificent and special experience my family and I had. Yes it was hotter than, idk but amazing. The animals were happy, healthy, and roaming freely. It is a trek about, be prepared, where them walking shoes! No complaints! Would definitely go back!

This was a totally last minute decision & lesson learned, go with more time. The place is huge, lots of animals, mind you they're not all out at the same time. Lots of walking, tram rides available - which you should do to see the giraffes, antelopes, rhinos . I like that fact that this place is dedicated to helping keep the wildlife population up, active breeding programs! My one issue, get more folks up front selling entrance tickets & each person selling is so different: i.e., one young man did four sales, while we waited in line in comparison to the others still dealing with the same customer in about a 15 minute time period. ‍ We'll be back, want to ride the truck & see the rhinos up close. Oh & want to see the cheetahs too.

Over priced for not being able to see a lot of animals. Prices for tram rides is crazy expensive. I would spend my $$$ on Disneyland instead

I love the wild animal park, and yes I'll still call it that!!! My membership has more longevity than both of my marriages (so far). I have been a member for 25 years, wait doing the math 29 years!!!! I love the work that is done here, from education to conservation. However it seems there is always ever construction too. My current favorites are the lions and the gorillas. I just enjoy sitting with them and spending time. As a person who travels with a service dog. This place is the it! They check each SD in, make sure security knows and give out maps of where you can go and where you should just walk thru quickly. Also there is an ADA shuttle, to help get down (or up) the hill. I had no idea that existed for well over 2.5 decades!!! It makes a huge difference. And please, get the soda or snack while you're here. Every little bit goes to supporting the super amazing animals.

I have been visiting since 1995 and every visit brings a different experience! I enjoy the military friendly atmosphere with the free annual visit and the discounted admission tickets. I don't enjoy the cost of parking but understand the why. I truly value their hospitality and costumer service from all their departments. Again throughout the many years I visited I have no issues and truly appreciate their mission in both educating the public and their animal research and out reach programs throughout the world.

Such a cool park and I had a great time!! Definitely feeds my photography interests. Huge park so you do need to walk a lot. The African tram was the best part because I got to sit on the tram and enjoy the picturesque views of giraffes, buffalo, and other animals out in the open field. There were tiger, gorilla, hog, cassowary, American eagle, platypus, kangaroo lots of animals! All the staff were very helpful and friendly. I liked the bamboo tree decorations. Harder to spot animals than a typical zoo because there are less animals in each enclosure and they are more spread out. Closes at 5pm so I recommend getting there at latest 12 to get to see everything.

Pretty underwhelming experience, low variety of animals, some not available to see like Lions. Felt like a very long walk seeing mainly trees and rocks.

The over all experience was good. I would say you should definitely ride the safari tram because other than that there isn't a whole lot of different things. But the tram is worth the wait. Other than the tram some good things to see are the platypus, tigers (which there is way more of than the zoo plus better views), and kangaroos. But genuinely other than that everything feels like a repeat of the zoo and to be honest there was a lot less things than I thought and it was like every other cage/exhibit was closed. There were lots of kind workers everywhere who were willing to help. And the vibe was pretty fun because everything was well decorated and stuff. I would recommend this place but if you were deciding between this and the zoo, take the zoo.

We loved this place. I want to return with my babies. We came on a Friday and thankfully not many people were there. We didn't get to see the gorillas because there was a death but I loved seeing the other animals. It was a great day well spent on my birthday weekend. Also we drove a big van and definitely had enough parking for it. The Helium Air Balloon was sooooo cool! Loved the tram too!

We had such an amazing time! February is free for 65 year olds and older so since we splurged on a behind the scenes deluxe tour. It was well worth it and it helps maintain the animal programs. Our tour guide Sammy was very informative. We learned about the Rhino breeding program to try and bring the Northern White Rhino back from extinction. We saw the Sumatra tigers up close and personal. We got to take pictures with the kangaroos in their enclosure! There were other highlights on the 2 hour tour but I just listed a few. Make sure to make a reservation at the Watering Hole for a nice meal and cocktail over looking the Savanna! Great day!

We came here on a Monday around 9:30am. It wasn't too busy. There was plenty of parking, I believe parking was about $20. We parked as close as we could without going into the preferred parking. It's an uphill walk from wherever you park so we tried to park close. It was a pretty hot day so the animals were all hiding in the shade. The animals are also pretty spaced out so we did a ton of walking. Bring some water and some good walking shoes because you'll definitely get your steps in. We also brought some food and water inside too which wasn't an issue. I had little ones with me and they rode in the stroller most of the time. I felt like we were walking more than seeing the animals. We enjoyed our time there and may come back at a cooler time. We didn't see any lions or cheetahs but we saw elephants, gorillas, kangaroos, a few monkeys, lots of birds a tiger. It was a great trip.

Escondido, Ca. It is a bit expensive to visit here but well worth it in my opinion. Make sure you are familiar with all the pricing before you decide to drive here. The highlights are the amazing grounds and the work always being done to keep it nice. Also: California Condors. Wow, up close too. Pretty good food can be found but pricey. An iced latte is $8.50, and no lids are allowed. It gets hot here be prepared. The gardens are also wonderful, especially if you are a cactus and succulent collector. All in all, it was a great day here.

The last time I visited a zoo was when I was 4 years old. I've always felt uncomfortable visiting a zoo but the Safari Park was amazing in which it was very educational, magical to see the animals, and also honored the animals in the best way possible. There was lots and lots of walking involved and it was very hot during July so remember to bring sunscreen and water! The walking was nice as it provided spacious areas for each species you come across and it was nice to see them in a natural environment. I booked a Wildlife Deluxe Safari tour and it was well worth it! Our tour guide Olivia was lovely and she shared many interesting facts and details about the animals and the history of the park. She answered our questions enthusiastically and it was very obvious she's super passionate about what she does. We got to see the animals up close in our safari tram and it was 1 hour and 30 minutes long. A truly amazing experience that you have to do at least once in your life. We did not eat at the park but spent about 6 hours there. There were free hydration stations and plenty of bathrooms everywhere. We paid for parking upon entering. We had arrived about 10 minutes prior to opening time and got a close parking spot to the entrance.

Loved the Safari Park! Was my first time here and enjoyed walking around and taking the safari ride! Parking is normally $20, but free with certain levels of membership, so definitely encourage you to support your local zoo! Enjoyed seeing the giraffes, hippos, zebras, and more. Didn't get a chance to check out the elephant exhibit as there was a 50-minute line and it was under construction, but had a pleasant family day walking around and seeing the sights. Can't wait to come back and explore more!

I had been wanting to visit this park since I can remember. It was established in the 70's and has been assisting in the preservation of many species since then. The African Tram was an awesome experience. There's also a new elephant exhibit under construction. Looking forward to that!

What a day! It was my second time here, but first time with my young children. We have AAA, so we got 10% off at the gate for tickets. Parking was $20 for general parking. We brought our strollers today and definitely had quite a workout on the uphill pushing. Luckily the roads were paved and smooth, but it was still pretty tiring going uphills towards the end of our day. We got here around 12:30 and spent about 4 hours, but only saw about 2/3 to 1/2 of the park. The tram ride was probably our favorite today. The rest of the park was nice too, but there was some areas where there was just one animal exhibit and a good amount of walking to get to the next, so I think my kids enjoyed the sd zoo more than the safari park because their attention span is short and they are impatient and wanted to see more animals without walking too far. Otherwise, it was still a great spot to spend a day with the family!

A quick Sunday visit to the safari park makes getting the membership pass well worth it. This parking lot was a lot quieter and easier to navigate than the zoo. I forgot my license unfortunately so they made us go back to the kiosk and answer a bunch of questions for a temporary pass, come to find they got alot wrong on our account but we were still able to get in. We walked a good distance across the park to get to the tram ride as our one goal for the day. The conductor was knowledgeable about the animals at the park and even educated us that they were planning to bring back an extinct species! Which I thought was very cool. Lots of cute souvenirs here as well and friendly volunteers to help you get around. The elephant habitat is currently under construction so the wait to see the elephants was a little too long for us with a one year old. Would be cool to do a ticketing system. Lots of birds here as well. Can't wait to visit the rest of the park on our membership.

It was a beautiful day to visit the park not too hot, around 80 degrees. February was free entrance to seniors. Once in the park rides like the tram were all free. Parking 20 dollars. Delux parking 28 gets you closer to the entrance with out the trek uphill. We unfortunately bought a safari experience package which was a waste of money a couple of hundred dollars and we only got to experience one African enclosure. Dont do it folks. There is a Deluxe package which you can purchase and view more than one area of the park animal enclosures. Oh well, I took one for the team. Now you guys know. Enjoy.

We went on Christmas day 2024. I can really tell the animals are well cared for and appreciated. They seem content. The park resembles Disney's Animal Kingdom in Florida. We were impressed that the crafted Christmas holiday drinks were actually made in front of us and not with a remix artificial powder. The only negative was the food and snack shack, the employees lacked any understanding of how to interact with customers. They needed social skills. I will be back, we were so impressed, we bought season passes.

Once upon a time about 15 years ago (back when it was called the Wild Animal Park) I used to work here and I pretty much haven't visited the park as a guest since that time until recently. Back then it was $30 to enter the park and you didn't have to pay for parking. Now it's $76 per adult ticket and $20 for parking. Just for 2 people to enter the park you're looking at about $170. For a park that closes at 4 pm now! (Still can't believe this is true), It used to be 9pm when I worked there and they wouldn't even ask people to leave at 11 PM. One of the things I found most disappointing on a recent visit was that despite the high entry fees a lot of the attractions were closed including but not limited to: the cheetah run, a couple bird aviaries, not a single food/beverage cart was open as well. The first thing me and my girlfriend did on a recent visit was eat right when we got there and it was perhaps the most disappointing lunch I've had anywhere. I got the plant based burger at one of the first restaurants you see (I forget the name) but all the burger came with was lettuce and tomato, that was literally it along with a few fries. No sauce of any sort, not even an onion or cheese on it and the tomato was underneath the patty at the bottom, very strange and it was $15. Not a Beyond Burger or Impossible patty either, some generic thing. Easily the saddest burger I've ever seen in my life. In over 12 years you'd think the park would have massively improved and expanded by now, but no, it's literally just about the same. The only thing sort of noticeably different was the kangaroo exhibit which I will admit is pretty cool because it's an open kind of exhibit where you can get up close and there is no glass or cage between you and the kangaroos. The tram ride is perhaps the best feature in the whole park and is free unless you want to pay $20 to cut the line and get closer to animals. A lot of the exhibits here are underwhelming like the newer platypus exhibit because we could only find 1 single platypus. Another thing is I never see the lions, they are always hiding somewhere not to be seen, but the tigers always seem to be right by the glass. Overall my biggest gripe with this park is the high prices on everything. Beer is over $10 like you're at a concert festival or something. Now I'll admit you can bring your own food in, they are actually OK with that but that's kind of limiting too and you shouldn't feel like you have to do that. Water should not cost $5 for a small Dasani (owned by Coke) bottle, I believe that should be a crime. Overall I simply cannot recommend this park due to the high prices. If you're willing to bring your own food and not buy anything it's still $96 to get one person in the park, between the ticket and parking which is just insane. Cannot recommend this park to my worst enemy at this point.

I give this place 4 dye to high prices in drinks. The beer was over 12$ soft drinks were around 7. We took cans of soda and asked for cups with ice. We bought meals which were okay. We paid $96 for family 6 NO drinks. My family and I came to Safari park San Diego and we are so happy we did! We were debating about Zoo or Safari we decided on Safari and it was a blast! We booked a tour that took us behind the scenes, we got up close and personal. It was scary seeing the huge rhinos so close, gorgeous giraffes, so many animals. We seen the two platypus and ONLY 2 platypus outside their native Land. They were small I thought platypus were big. The line for platypus was long but we made it. We walked inside the kangaroo yard, i thought - i do not want to see a buff a** kangarooo trying to beat me up - lol. So happy we chose Safari Park. My children enjoyed it and so did we. The walk from parkinglot was tiring hahaha more then inside the safarai park. You can take food and drinks i love that. Food is expensive, drinks even more so. I seen ppl with lunchables, Sandwiches. Fruit, drinks, alll kinds of snacks. We packed sandwiches and i took hot cheetos with lemon lol. It wasxperfect because we ate at the restaurant rigjt as you exit the safarai trip. I highly suggest calling for parties of 6. I kept getting an error and i called in and was able to get behind the scene tour morning time. They say best time to get interaction is mid morning. We knew we wanted to eat at Black Angus before our long drive home. See my review in that place. I recommend, bring g your own drinks, you can ice from restaurants you will purchase things like popcorn gotta have popcorn. We stopped at the gift store and got cool sweaters. I'll post a pictures.

Park is good but Lion and elephant viewing was either closed or long wait. The tram tour guide spoke endlessly about condors when we were going by rhinos and other animals not even touching on the animals by the tour . No place for your own agenda

First Took Deluxe South African & Asian tour, Great ride in open space to see the animals . Then took free tram to view animals ... Highly recommend a visit . Wear comfortable cloths & shoes, Enjoy

I've been to the Safari twice. Both time the parking was horrendous. Unlike the zoo, they charge for parking here. Because the Safari is privately owned and the zoo is not. It took me 20 minutes, circling to find a parking spot and you have to park like a half a mile away. The park itself is nice and have a pretty cool tour where you can see the animals. The prices are just as high as the zoo. Just the parking situation ruins it.