Better than the zoo, don't leave San Diego without taking yoru kids here! Ages 15 and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. We did enjoy feeding the lorikeets ($3). Please call 619-718-3000 as soon as possible, to request and confirm availability. We continue to monitor the ongoing changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are following the recommendations provided by our state and local health authorities. The Safari Park used to be known as the Wild Animal Park. Look for the red Behind-the-Scenes (jeep) icon on the lower right of your Safari Park map. The new cheetah run exhibit is also very cool, but they only do it once a day at 5pm, so you should make sure to get there about 45 minutes early if you want the best spot to watch the cheetah running at top speed. The Exclusive VIP Experience is your key to habitat areas, animal interactions, and the very best in personalized service. There was a nice break area near the elephants and we ate there. Other tours offering closer views are priced around $80 to $120 per person, which wasn't affordable for our family. We did much walking along jungle pathways with beautiful scenery, but felt we could see the animals closer in any good zoo. Also, we packed our lunches and brought them with. Accessibility Help. It changed names when it changed directions to allow more intimate animal encounters and adventure experiences that are kind of like going on a mini safari. You will enjoy viewing Elephant Valley from a private viewing area while discovering what it takes to care for our one-of-a-kind African elephant herd. The San Diego Safari Park is much more interesting than the zoo. Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Behind The Scenes Tour - See 4,001 traveler reviews, 3,904 candid photos, and great deals for Escondido, CA, at Tripadvisor. This is the version of our website addressed to speakers of English in Malaysia. We've been going to the san diego safari park at least once a year for quite a few years now. It is just that, a behind the scenes look at what employees of the park see and do. Spend up to five hours exploring the Zoo with your own personal tour guide. Meet frequent flyers up close & test your falconry skills in the new Behind-the-Scenes Birds of Prey Safari. San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy, San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research. Over half of the Park's 1,800 acres (730 hectares) have been set aside as protected native species habitat. You can get much closer to the animals than you can at the zoo and the tram ride provides a great overview of the animals. In addition, you’ll journey around the Safari Park’s unique multispecies field enclosures. Admission is separate and required, and may be added at checkout. Admission may be added before checkout. We still paid an extra $40 in order to go on the safari tour of "Asia" but that was sort of a waste. Let us answer your questions and create your day at the Safari Park! They were both fun, but the Safari Park offered much more to do. more, This review is the subjective opinion of a TripAdvisor member and not of TripAdvisor LLC, Ways to Experience San Diego Zoo Safari Park. You can pay a fee to watch a cheetah run by you so fast that your money is gone before you know it! We continue to monitor the ongoing changes due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are following the recommendations provided by our state and local health authorities. Our team of professionals will customize your visit to suit your needs and interests. This is a great place to bring your little kids, as they will have the chance to see animals in a more natural setting. We basically saw the same animals plus some gazelles- nothing all that interesting. This tour is perfect for a family outing—pricing is for the entire cart, up to six household members allowed. To support the wildlife in our care, make a gift today. This Safari includes special experiences at two different animal habitats, and can include areas not accessible to the public. All Exclusive VIP Experiences are customized to your specifications. WELCOME BACK! https://www.youtube.com/embed/JmcI8fCDGmc, https://tickets.sandiegozoo.org/webstore/shop/viewItems.aspx, Preschoolers, Kids, Tweens, Teens, Adults, Seniors. Health screen required for all guests prior to Zoo entry. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age. While the emphasis at this park is animal conservation, the second emphasis is to part you from a large sum of your wallet. I would recommend as a different experience from a traditional zoo. All Behind-the-Scenes tours board in African Outpost beyond Signpost #13, between the Cheetah habitat and Okavango Outpost. My suggestion would be to plan your visit ahead of time, deciding if you want to spend extra money on the various tours, etc. Money to feed the animals; money for pictures. Food and drinks are very expensive. The San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park are outdoor destinations and remain open. Tickets/info:... Jump to. Certain tours available select days only. Otherwise, it was great to walk around the park on our own and look at the animal exhibits at our leisure. Prices vary by season and days of the week. Also offered for additional hefty sums are Segway tours, a zipline, a tethered balloon ride. Please click here for important information before you visit. Your private guide will escort you around the Park in a deluxe cart that has been outfitted with special screens, to socially distance your family from the guide. If you have your choice, I would highly recommend skipping the zoo and going to this place. If you have been to this place before, the Behind the Scenes Tour, while a bit pricey was a different experience but worth it for what we saw. Press alt + / to open this menu. If you are a resident of another country or region, please select the appropriate version of Tripadvisor for your country or region in the drop-down menu. Facebook. This tram ride doesn't give you a very close view of the animals in their natural habitat, which is a scenic huge valley. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an expansive, non-profit wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 300 species. I have been to the San Diego Zoo in previous trips to CA, but this time went to the Safari Park with friends. The tram ride is a must -- the last time we were on it, the baby zebras were running around like crazy. She was able to see so many large animals close up (giraffes, rhinos, lions). Special arrangements for children younger than 3 years of age can be made; please inquire when making reservations. Daily. Your continued support is critical to the wildlife in our care and vital to endangered species worldwide. Each Exclusive VIP Experience is tailored to your interests, and includes a sit-down lunch. *Price is per cart/up to 6 household members. Private buyout tours available. DONATE ▸. We bought a family membership to the zoo earlier that week, so we had free admission to the Safari Park. There are a lot of uphill trails, though, so it could be tiring for older people or people with injuries, etc. Go on safari behind the scenes at Elephant Valley! Driving Directions from North County, Orange County or LA - From Interstate 5 in Oceanside Cal, go east on highway 78 , south on Interstate 15, exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27) and follow the signs to the Wild Animal Park. We paid the regular admission price of about $40.00, which included unlimited rides on the safari tram. Best to bring in your own food. Please read this important information before you visit ▸. Limit of 2 children per adult per group. *Plus admission. Address - San Diego Wild Animal Park is located east of San Diego at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027.. San Diego Wild Animal Park Directions. But it is definitely a fun treat. Due to current social distancing procedures, expect a wait time of up to 3.5 hours to enter the Zoo on Saturdays and Sundays during October. During your Safari, your guide will escort your group to a variety of locations around the Safari Park to see animals up close and share stories of wildlife care and conservation. Book a Behind-the-Scenes Safari, and you’ll get a guided adventure to off-exhibit areas to discover how we care for wildlife at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park! Go behind the scenes at the Nikita Kahn Rhino Rescue Center—a 3.5-acre state-of-the-art facility dedicated to the conservation of white rhinos, with a focus on assisted reproductive techniques highlighting our fight to end extinction.