A Family Guide to San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Located in the San Pasqual Valley, about 35 miles northeast of downtown San Diego, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers an immersive experience that is different, yet complementary, to a visit to the San Diego Zoo itself.

Spanning 1,800 acres, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a world leader in wildlife conservation and home to an extraordinary collection of animals and ecosystems. From exciting safari adventures to impactful conservation initiatives, here are some reasons why the park should be on every family’s must-visit list.

A True Safari Experience

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers visitors something few destinations outside of Africa can — a chance to experience a safari without leaving the United States. With its large, open habitats, the park mimics natural environments where animals roam freely, offering an authentic taste of the wild.

The signature experience, the Africa Tram Safari, transports visitors through vast savannah landscapes dotted with African wildlife. Visitors can expect to see giraffes striding across the plains, rhinos grazing in the distance and herds of zebras mingling with antelope — all without barriers or cages. The unique design of the park’s enclosures allows the animals to thrive in spacious, naturalistic settings, giving visitors a sense of immersion that’s rare in most zoos.

The park has a range of different ways to experience the animals, including a Behind-the-Scenes Safari; a Cart Safari or Wildlife Safari using more intimate vehicles; a Flightline Safari with a zipline; and a Balloon Safari featuring an enormous, tethered helium balloon that ascends more than 400 feet in the air.

One of the unique options at the Safari Park is the Roar and Snore Safari, an overnight camping experience. Guests get to choose between a Classic or Vista tent, or a Premium tent for a more luxurious option. Campers enjoy walking tours, meals and up-close wildlife encounters.

The park also features Nighttime Safaris, allowing guests to see nocturnal animals in action, from lions to leopards, or visitors can arrange customized VIP safari experiences.

Home to Endangered Species

At the core of the Safari Park’s mission is a commitment to conservation, and it serves as a sanctuary for many endangered species. As a visitor, you are not only enjoying a day of wildlife exploration but are also supporting global efforts to protect some of the world’s most vulnerable animals.

The park is home to more than 3,000 animals representing 300 species, many of which are critically endangered. Notably, the park has one of the most successful breeding programs for rhinos in the world. It also has a vibrant California Condor rescue program, which has played a pivotal role in saving this species from extinction. The park’s breeding programs and release efforts have helped increase the population of this majestic bird from just 22 individuals in the 1980s to more than 500 today, a conservation success story that visitors can witness firsthand.

Inclusive and Interactive Educational Experiences

One of the defining features of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is the level of engagement it offers guests of all ages, abilities and interests. On a recent family visit with a group that included a 3-year-old, a 6-year-old and a neurodivergent 9-year-old, there was plenty to interest all the kids.

In addition to the wide range of safari options, there are play areas — including a water-play area — and a carousel; an extensive calendar of special events and exhibits; and more. Our group loved getting close to the tigers at the park’s Tiger Trail. (Note: there are signs saying the tigers could even “spray” visitors.) They also enjoyed checking out the kangaroos at the Walkabout Australia and the primates in the Gorilla Forest.

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The Safari Park provides special parking, restrooms and access to shows, tour buses and exhibits for guests with disabilities. While the park has a number of steep hills, a complimentary shuttle service is available for guests with mobility-related disabilities.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has several upcoming events clients should be aware of. Throughout October, the park is hosting an Autumn Festival, which takes place on weekends and is included with regular admission. The festival offers family-friendly activities, live entertainment and seasonal food options.

Ticket prices for the San Diego Zoo Safari Park vary based on the type of experience you want. However, kids under 11 get free entry during the month of October, as part of the park’s annual Kids Free in October promotion.