San Diego Zoo Safari Park

I love this place so much! It's like Disneyland for me. Today, one of the Tigers were out & singing the songs of his people which I enjoyed. I got a really good recording! As usual, the African tram was great and the conductor was great. The kangaroos are adorable. I love it here and can't wait for the new construction to be done so I can go back to seeing the Elephants.

A fun place if you like animals. We went on Halloween at 9 AM and the weather was wonderful! The crowd was less with only few schools coming for their Field trip. During our visit, we could see lion pacing in his area, tiger walking to drink water and lot of Giraffes. We had a good time.

I’ve been coming to the Safari park since the 90s. Boy have they really expanded it. Now they have the tiger exhibit and all the habitats for all the different animals are much more complex and accommodating to the animals. For example, the tiger exhibit has a waterfall and an intertwining atmosphere with the spectators. One that you must traverse through a bamboo forest to get to. The atmosphere is that of total immersion. They also have a entire section devoted to Animals that could be found in Australia as well as animals native to California. I enjoyed the bonsai area and had a good time on the tram ride. They have a hot air balloon that you could ride and a cheetah run where you could see a cheetah run at full speed right in front of you. The Safari Tram shows you animals roaming about among their wide acreage open space park. Although the predators can’t be mixed in with the prey, it is still enjoyable to see the elephants, rhinos, giraffes, antelope, and other animals all mixed together. A truly spectacular park. One that offers something other zoos around the world do not offer, and that is a wide open space for many of the animals to roam. Bravo Safari Park! Your sister organization, the San Diego zoo in downtown San Diego, is certainly famous for many reasons. However, the Safari Park is worth visiting just as much in my opinion. For its acreage is unrivaled worldwide. Thank you Safari Park and San Diego Zoo for all the conservation efforts you do.

Chocolate banana was exquisite, the animals were great and the bus tour for free is definitely worth it. Giraffes are very cool. Parking can sometimes be a bit full. Zipline is expensive (very). There were also zebras. 🦓 yep. Cheetahs and tigers ! Tigers might be the coolest animals there. Tigers can be hard to find sometimes, however. Many cool fauna as well. Tour guide for the bus tour was very knowledgeable and was very helpful.

The very best of the best park among the US, and also San Diego Zoo is worth a visit too. There are so many kind of places to explore in the park and you need to visit it before 1 hour close time in case some areas are closed. Suggesting coming over in the morning and get a paper map, there is APP available to download and active events will be available for checking, but paper map is more helpful. Ask the front office before visit.

Great visit! Plan to spend the full day, 6+ hours. Pros: lots of animals, great habitats, shade coverage, water bottle refill stations and docents everywhere to help Cons: the app is great but the real time directions lag so you're never really sure if you're on the right trail. Also hard to find a nutritional sit down meal. Lots of grab and go snacks but lacks restaurants open after 3pm.

This venue is what we should be doing to preserve and continue species survival, not in the wild. The animals appear to be able to interact in a more "natural" environment. They are clearly well cared for and valued by the staff, from a layman's perspective. The grounds are well-maintained and the personnel both helpful and friendly. The experience, though, is quite pricey! I believe that cost prevents many from being able to enjoy this place. Example, for our family of 6 to just walk in the gate was $420 and to go on the extended (and wonderful!) tour inside the grounds was an additional $600.

Great extension of the San Diego zoo. Great open spaces for most of the wildlife in the park. Nice amenities, stores, booths, food, and an absolutely wonderful restaurant, with great service, drinks, and food. The Tram was a nice ride and very informative about the wildlife that was passed by in the tram. A lot of the exhibits you will need to walk to, but it is all worth it

I love this place so much! It's like Disneyland for me. Today, one of the Tigers were out & singing the songs of his people which I enjoyed. I got a really good recording! As usual, the African tram was great and the conductor was great. The kangaroos are adorable. I love it here and can't wait for the new construction to be done so I can go back to seeing the Elephants.

A fun place if you like animals. We went on Halloween at 9 AM and the weather was wonderful! The crowd was less with only few schools coming for their Field trip. During our visit, we could see lion pacing in his area, tiger walking to drink water and lot of Giraffes. We had a good time.

I’ve been coming to the Safari park since the 90s. Boy have they really expanded it. Now they have the tiger exhibit and all the habitats for all the different animals are much more complex and accommodating to the animals. For example, the tiger exhibit has a waterfall and an intertwining atmosphere with the spectators. One that you must traverse through a bamboo forest to get to. The atmosphere is that of total immersion. They also have a entire section devoted to Animals that could be found in Australia as well as animals native to California. I enjoyed the bonsai area and had a good time on the tram ride. They have a hot air balloon that you could ride and a cheetah run where you could see a cheetah run at full speed right in front of you. The Safari Tram shows you animals roaming about among their wide acreage open space park. Although the predators can’t be mixed in with the prey, it is still enjoyable to see the elephants, rhinos, giraffes, antelope, and other animals all mixed together. A truly spectacular park. One that offers something other zoos around the world do not offer, and that is a wide open space for many of the animals to roam. Bravo Safari Park! Your sister organization, the San Diego zoo in downtown San Diego, is certainly famous for many reasons. However, the Safari Park is worth visiting just as much in my opinion. For its acreage is unrivaled worldwide. Thank you Safari Park and San Diego Zoo for all the conservation efforts you do.

Chocolate banana was exquisite, the animals were great and the bus tour for free is definitely worth it. Giraffes are very cool. Parking can sometimes be a bit full. Zipline is expensive (very). There were also zebras. 🦓 yep. Cheetahs and tigers ! Tigers might be the coolest animals there. Tigers can be hard to find sometimes, however. Many cool fauna as well. Tour guide for the bus tour was very knowledgeable and was very helpful.

The very best of the best park among the US, and also San Diego Zoo is worth a visit too. There are so many kind of places to explore in the park and you need to visit it before 1 hour close time in case some areas are closed. Suggesting coming over in the morning and get a paper map, there is APP available to download and active events will be available for checking, but paper map is more helpful. Ask the front office before visit.

Great visit! Plan to spend the full day, 6+ hours. Pros: lots of animals, great habitats, shade coverage, water bottle refill stations and docents everywhere to help Cons: the app is great but the real time directions lag so you're never really sure if you're on the right trail. Also hard to find a nutritional sit down meal. Lots of grab and go snacks but lacks restaurants open after 3pm.

This venue is what we should be doing to preserve and continue species survival, not in the wild. The animals appear to be able to interact in a more "natural" environment. They are clearly well cared for and valued by the staff, from a layman's perspective. The grounds are well-maintained and the personnel both helpful and friendly. The experience, though, is quite pricey! I believe that cost prevents many from being able to enjoy this place. Example, for our family of 6 to just walk in the gate was $420 and to go on the extended (and wonderful!) tour inside the grounds was an additional $600.

Great extension of the San Diego zoo. Great open spaces for most of the wildlife in the park. Nice amenities, stores, booths, food, and an absolutely wonderful restaurant, with great service, drinks, and food. The Tram was a nice ride and very informative about the wildlife that was passed by in the tram. A lot of the exhibits you will need to walk to, but it is all worth it

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.

This was our first time going to the Safari Park and we really enjoyed our time there. It's not too different from the San Diego Zoo and for some reason, I thought it would be a lot different in many respects, but it's very comparable in that many of the animals are in some type of enclosed habitat. One of the main differences is the Africa Tram where you get to see animals in a more natural environment. This was cool, but not much different than if you went to Animal Kingdom in Orlando. You get to see a lot of animals, but most are pretty far away. They also have a lot of animals on display, but I think less than the San Diego Zoo. Also, there is only one show at this park, which was the Journey Into the Wild, which was the typical bird show. It was interesting, but if you've ever seen other bird shows, this one wasn't too different. Nonetheless, the park overall is beautiful and just walking the area is nice to see. I don't think it's better than the San Diego Zoo, but it's worth going here at least once. Also, I guess if you're willing to pay for some of the add-on adventures, it might be more interesting, but we weren't willing to pay for these.

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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.

I love this place so much! It's like Disneyland for me. Today, one of the Tigers were out & singing the songs of his people which I enjoyed. I got a really good recording! As usual, the African tram was great and the conductor was great. The kangaroos are adorable. I love it here and can't wait for the new construction to be done so I can go back to seeing the Elephants.

I will update this review the next time I go back, but this place is wonderful. There's just three downsides: parking is paid, the wait times are long to do anything, and it's expensive. There are also concessions all over the park, making this much more like an amusement park rather than a wildlife refuge. All that being said, I was able to go for a short time and see many of the animals, and they seemed relaxed, which is good. I would recommend trying to go earlier in the day to see more animals during their waking hours.

We went to celebrate our TWELFTH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!!! It was a great, but short FOUR HOUR VISIT. Fortunately, they opened one hour early. Moreover, they gave us an extra 10%, OFF EVERYTHING!!! Including the Electric EV Scooter, which was only $43.00!!! We didn't see GORILLAS, or CONDORS. Unfortunately, they were behind the scenes, but everything was out. We throughly enjoyed the GUIDED TRAM. We had a great guide, VERY INFORMATIVE. On our way to the CONDORS, we enjoyed a PRETZEL with MELTED CHEESE!!! Although the Condors were not out, THE BILLY GOATS WERE. We ended the day with some VANILLA ICE CREAM, by the Congo River Valley.

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.

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.

Oh San Diego Zoo Safari Park where do I even begin? First of all, don't confuse the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (opened in 1972) in Escondido with the San Diego Zoo (opened in 1916) in Downtown San Diego. While both zoos are operated by the same parent organization, they offer entirely different experiences. [Parking]: $20 parking fee, $38+ for RVs, $42 for preferred parking. Don't bother looking for street parking - it is nonexistent. [Admission Ticket]: $74 for 1-day pass on any day. Additional discounts available via (1) visit on 'Value Days' (online offer only; advance purchase required), (2) Multi-Day / Multi-Park Tickets, (3) Go San Diego Pass or San Diego CityPASS, and (4) 10% AAA discount for AAA member ($66.60 for 1-day pass). [Private Tours -Price per Person]: Want to maximize your experience in Safari Park? You will NOT want to miss their most popular daily tour Wildlife Safari (60 minutes; $92+) OR Deluxe Wildlife Safari (90 minutes; $117+; sell out early). Too expensive? They also offer a downgraded version of the Wildlife Safari called Cart Safari (60 minutes; $60+; must pick Africa OR Asia) OR Deluxe Cart Safari (90 minutes; $90 - both Africa and Asia included). Looking for a unique experience? How about a camp sleepover inside the Safari Park (Roar & Snore Safari - $160+ per person for a classic tent)? Crazy about animals? Maybe a tour like Behind-the-Scenes Safari: Elite Adventure will satisfy your craving (3.5 hours; $425+) or Craft Beer Safari (2 hours; $140+)? There's even a personalized tour called Ultimate Safari (5-hour or 7-hour; $710+; requires 72-hour advance reservations). Check the website for more miscellaneous private tours. Please note that many of these daily tours are 10%+ more expensive on weekends compared to weekday rates. [Pro tip #1 - Journey into the Wild]: Try to avoid booking any private tours at 10:30 AM as there's a free daily presentation called 'Journey into the Wild' at the Benbough Amphitheater that lasts 15-20 minutes. [Pro tip #2 - Africa Tram Tour]: Each admission ticket includes a free 25-minute Africa Tram Tour. The daily tour begins 30 minutes after park opening & busiest from 11 AM to 3 PM. [Pro tip #3 - Balloon Safari - $20 per person]: The Balloon Safari is a tethered helium balloon that rises 400 feet into the air and allows guests to spend 10 to 12 minutes enjoying breathtaking views of the Safari Park. Since the Balloon Safari may close during inclement weather, a tour guide recommended flying in the morning (9 AM to noon) as winds typically pick up in the afternoon. [Pro tips #4 - Miscellaneous]: The entire park is stroller-friendly EXCEPT for the World of Gardens. Not recommending the garden unless you love plants. Be aware that there's often a waiting line for the elevators at locator #10. The Rainforest Aviary (locator #6) is great with close-up views of birds & definitely worth checking out. The Wings of the World Aviary (locator #1) is decent, but not as good because most birds are hidden behind bushes and plants. For Tiger Trail, take the path to the Sambutan Longhouse and you'll see tigers there. *** Sunday Park Visit - $66.60 for 1-day pass + $69.00 Cart Safari at 10:45 AM (Asia) + $105.00 Wildlife Safari at 1:30 PM *** [10:45 AM - Cart Safari - 60-min tour - near locator #13]: The staff said expect a 20-minute walk from the entrance to locator #13. It took me 35 minutes because I walked slowly and took photos along the way. Technically it doesn't matter whether you choose the driver or passenger side since the tram loops around the same route. However, I preferred the driver's side because the second half of the tour was just the return trip with a similar view. Visitors will get a fairly close view to rhinos and giraffes, but not as close as the view on the Wildlife Safari tour. [11:50 AM - Africa Tram Tour - 25-min tour - near locator #13]: I started waiting at 11:50 AM and was seated by 12:10 PM. Try to avoid the front of the tram on the driver's side because of the heat from the exhaust fumes. It's basically a shorter version of the Cart Safari with no chance to ask questions during the ride & can only ask after getting off the tram. It was hard to get good photo angles since the tram was crowded and it only slowed down a few times + stopped maybe twice. Most sightings were zebras and rhinos, but they were hard to see. Fun fact - tigers' prey are colorblind to red & can't tell red-orange and green tones. [1:30 PM - Wildlife Safari - 60-min tour - near locator #2]: A must do tour. [3:30 PM - Balloon Safari]: Must sign a waiver. Not for the faint of heart & 15 minutes felt like forever. A unique experience if you're not afraid of heights. Fairly wobbly worse than a boat ride. Left at 4 PM & saw 90% of the park in 6 hours including two paid tours, one free tour, and the balloon ride. I did not stop for lunch & a bit of poor planning on my part. Overall, visitors need to pay extra to fully enjoy everything the zoo has to offer.

I came here on a day with an excessive heat warning so it was super hot, majority outdoors and tons of walking. In terms of things to do, I thought it lacked a lot of excitement in comparison to many other zoo's I've been to. I got the tickets at a corporate discount ($66 each) and I feel like that price wasn't justified by what you can actually do here. I did enjoy many of the different animals that the Safari Park had as well as enjoyed the information that the tram trip provided. Also the staff was so welcoming and helpful. Restaurants refilled my HydroFlask with fresh water and ice which was a game changer as well. Some notable animals that I saw that I didn't see at other zoo consisted of platypus' (who knew they were venomous!?), bats, desert kitties, and these Rhinoceros beaked birds. Sadly didn't get to see any tigers or cheetahs, I believed they were sleeping or hiding from the heat. In terms of length, we did the whole park in about 3 hours. Many exhibits were closed for the season as well as many of the restaurants were also closed, I assumed because it was empty the Saturday that I arrived. The amount you need to walk here is much more than other zoos, I believe I walked a total of 4-5 miles around the whole park so definitely wear good walking shoes. All in all my suggestion would be to come on a day that is not too hot, bring tons of water (or refillable bottles), and don't set your expectations too high for all the animals you can see. Parking - It's $20 to park your car in their lot it's pretty expensive to come here.

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!

I've been a SD resident for four years now and finally got to visit the Safari park! Definitely a fun experience. This park seems bigger than the balboa sd zoo, so be prepared to walk a lot. It's tough when the sun is out, bring fans with misters if you can. You're also allowed to bring your own food. Pack snacks, save money :) parking is $20. Hills are steep, wear your most comfortable walking shoes. I loved seeing the elephants, antelope and rhinos roam. We did not do the tour, but as season pass holders, I think we definitely will next time. They also have an overnight experience in tents which I heard is worth the money.

Such a fun filled day for the family... the volunteers are super helpful and friendly. We stayed for about 5 hours. It is a bit more inland so gets a little warmer there compared to beach area. Some tips for first timers: *Parking is $20, but go on a weekday and you can park pretty close * Lots of walking so bring comfy shoes! * They do not give straws with any drinks or slushies so be prepared to bring a Reusable straw or to just sip regularly without sloshing yourself in the face with ice or slushy (they do have plastic spoons though) * There is a basic tram ride that takes you around included in park entry fee...you can pay extra for upgraded more intimate safari rides, but really not needed * The platypi are nocturnal so best to get there right when park opens and go straight to that exhibit in hopes of catching a glimpse of them. We got super lucky and were able to spot one! *They let us know there was a Journey into the wild show pretty soon when we got there but we missed it hoping there would be more shows throughout the day but that was the only one- ask about shows specifically when entering the park and try to catch one - I hear they are great!

I 10/10 recommend going to the SD Safari!!! I've been to the zoo a handful of times but always wanted to go to the safari. Something about the animals roaming free vs caged just feels better to me. Well, I finally went and it hit everything I wanted it to and some! There is so much to see and do. You can go in the air balloon, zip line or safaris for an extra fee. They do have an "included with admission" safari that was perfect. However, if you want to be up close and personal with some animals, pay for those safaris. Everyone is soooo helpful and they really want you to learn about the animals and how to keep them safe and thriving. I LOVED the show too! I also learned about their Roar & Snore overnight camping with the animals. We will be coming back for that. Particularly the 21+ one! They have designated dates for these, so check their site. I loved it so much, I became a member. Haha

Absolutely loved my time at the safari park it's huge and would bring my best walking shoes. You're able to be close with the animals it's so cool! My daughter had the best time running and walking around. I would a hundred percent recommend and can not wait to return!

$20 for parking is insane for solo travelers, even as a premium resident member they'll charge you. Once inside the park, theres alot of walking with not much to look at in between animals. Just birds & more birds. I'd definitely skip this place & visit the SD Zoo instead as they offer more to look at & free parking.

A different kind of experience than the Zoo but equally rewarding. The expanse of this place can be overwhelming but if you get there early when they open you won't have any trouble seeing everything. Just be aware it can get very hot between June and October. Be sure to take the tram. Quite a sight. Enjoy!

Bring your walking shoes and be prepared to get those steps in! The park is HUGE so if you want to see everything/all the animals, you have to do a lot of walking. I would suggest going in the cooler months if you can. We didn't do any of the paid tours/activities. There is a FREE tram tour that they don't really mention/advertise, so just be aware of that. You can see plenty of animals on the free one which lasts about 30 minutes. Rhinos, Zebras, Giraffes, Buffalo, etc. We enjoyed it. We went towards the end of the day and must have lucked out because there was no line! If I had to choose between the SD Zoo and the Safari Park, I'd probably choose the zoo because I feel like there's more to see at the zoo. The safari park is beautiful though so I'd recommend it if you've never been before. I have a video of my SD trip if you'd like to check it out: https://youtu.be/SNibclkIjQs?si=rEMl1-Z1r3hRwb86 The link to my channel is also in my Yelp profile.

Went here for the first time today and wow it was an experience. Prices are definitely not bad considering how big this place is. I will also say the souvenirs are reasonably priced as well. Animals looked well cared for and have huge exhibits. One thing you need to know and keep in mind is you are in for a WALK. It's so much walking just be prepared. I lucked out and came on a cold day. But if it's hot WATER and SUNSCREEN! EDIT: ONE THING I FORGOT TO MENTION! If you get there right at opening head straight for the African Tram! It gets very packed and the wait gets so long. I got there at opening and headed straight there and only waited 5 minutes for them to open it. When I got off tram it was already at 20 minute wait

Had a wonderful trip to The Safari Park today to see the Butterflies! It's a very magical experience. It's $15 a person which Isnt too bad since they let you stay inside the enclosure to enjoy hundreds of butterflies for 30 minutes. Butterfly Jungle Experience lasts March 16th - May 12th 2024

I'm not a big fan of zoos but I love the big open areas that the giraffes, rhinos etc get. All zoos should be like this. That being said I don't like the small cement area for the gorillas and lions. I look forward to seeing the new elephant enclosure. It's always an enjoyable day walking around the park, watching tigers, cheetahs, condors, flamingos, platypus, elephants they have it all. Several years ago I went to the butterfly exhibit and it was by far my favorite experience. So many colors flitting around and landing on me. The prices are pretty high but luckily I haven't had to pay, since my friends are members. I would consider it knowing how much conservation work they are doing though.

Celebrated my wife's birthday at the Safari Park. This place did not disappoint. All staff was friendly and outgoing. They really know how treat customers inside the park. Always smiling and asking if we need help. Ordered our morning beverages. Started off with a Cheer. Visited all locations that pertains with the park. Lion, Gorilla, Cheetah, Condors, Tiger, and all other living beautiful creatures. Went on the Safari Tram to view the African Giraffes. The tour lasted 40 mins, which was cool. I haven't been here in over a decade. The place is kept up nicely. Large and Spacious. It was raining about 50% through out the day on and off. The ambiance of The wildlife came to life. That feeling of getting wet and walking through the trees made it surreal. Overall, had such a good time! I recommend this place as equally to the San Diego Zoo. The difference between the Safari and the Zoo is similar. In the Safari, you Can ride on a tram to witness wildlife . Pay more $$$, you can be on a Jeep closer to wildlife. Awesome place to check out!

Come early as it can get pretty humid in summer and parking can be expensive. We headed straight to the Africa Tram to get an overview of the park. It is a long walk to the tram and not bad walking down to it. We didn't wait long for a tram and there were 7 of us so we easily took two rows in the front of a car and had a great view. The tram ride lasted about 30 minutes and walking to other exhibits was exhausting due to walking uphill in the humidity and we didn't get to see the elephants as their enclosure was being cleaned and there was just so much walking that most animals were hiding or sleeping in the shade. We did manage to see 3 tigers though. But the time we walked to see the tigers we were ready to leave after 3 hours. Expect alot of walking uphill. Bathrooms are not readily accessible. We did stop for refreshment and had some frozen iced treats to cool off

Awesome not so hot day in the weekends. Got there on time when they barely opened the park. Paying lots were filling up quick though so you might want to get there before they open to get a good parking. No waiting as for when I was there.

Spouse and I usually go to the safari park about 3 to 4 times a year. We are annual pass holders and love it here! We enjoy walking around the park and seeing the animals. We always take advantage of the tram. Personally- the giraffes are my favorite! They offer safari type rides to get up close and personal. The staff all seem very educated on the animals and their habitats. My favorite addition has been the kangaroos! I saw a lot of comments about the food... I tend to try not to eat at any type of park because the food is not meant to be a 5 star restaurant. With that said, you can find me here!

The San Diego Safari Park was a great visit. The staff and volunteers were kind, welcoming, and clearly passionate about the animals. We went at 10, found easy parking, and enjoyed exploring before it got busier--just be prepared for lots of walking!

There are so many animal attractions and activities here that you and your family can spend a whole weekend at the Safari Park! First off, get here early for parking because you don't want to find yourself parking at the extreme ends of the lot and having to walk in the sweltering heat to the entrance. They provide cart pick-up to the entrance if you parked far, but then you have to wait for them in the sun so it's the same. My wife and I brought our two year old along to show her animals and she was very excited to see them. She got to see a kangaroo, giraffes, african rhinos, gorillas, antelopes, and much more. She loved riding the safari tour and seeing all the animals in their enclosed habitat while the tour guide was educating us about them. There's also a carousel that you get unlimited rides for just $8, which I highly recommend. You only have to pay for your child since they're the rider while you stand next to them make sure they're safe. Overall, it was a great day at the Safari Park and my little 2-year old is so interested in seeing more zoos in the future. Money well spent.

Definitely plan ahead before buying a ticket. Look at the forecast to see if it's gonna be hot because it can get exhausting. Wear comfy walking shoes not flip flops. I highly recommend taking the Africa tram! It's free no extra charge. That was my favorite part. Also, if you get thirsty their alcoholic strawberry lemonade was refreshing!

Great park with awesome exhibits, but $32.00 for two hot chocolates??!! Is this a joke??

My wife and I arrived after 1pm and were able to park close to the entrance, which was a relief after hours of walking. Pros: 1. The setting for the animals was beautiful and wide open for them to roam around. Zoos do not have that luxury. 2. Knowledgeable staff 3. The driver of the free tram ride gave a lot of good information about the animals and their plight. 4. Really good ice cream sandwich!! Cons: 1. Because of the wide open spaces for the animals to roam, it was not possible to get close to animals. Animals were not always in their enclosures. 2. There is a need for a few more refreshment stands with some variety. 3. We got lost at one spot because of the construction 4. Some of the stands closed at 4 or before, when the park closed at 5. 5. High price tickets for each safari. I do realize it is very expensive to care and feed the animals.

I cannot begin to put, into words, all the wonderful offerings of the San Diego zoo, and safari park: exotic animals; endangered species; animal shows; animal safaris; animal encounters, and so much more. These animals, and their keepers, truly feel like a real family. When you join them, on an intimate Park tour, it makes you feel like a visiting relative. THE DEAL: I highly recommend the $99 open air safari tour, which takes you through several "continents" of the park. The animals know the trainers so well that they come right up to the bus to greet them... making for fabulous photo ops. TRY TO TAKE THE LAST TOUR of the day. We had only one other couple, and felt very VIP!

Not worth the money. For a family of 5 it's over 300$ just for admission and it's boring. Everything inside is an add-on. Avoid. Go to the San Diego Zoo instead.

Please enjoy this video of a toucan bird wearing a cap. Just kidding, it's actually a Rhinoceros Hornbill! The "hat" you're seeing on top of their head is the Hornbill's second beak, or horn, growing out of their forehead. This horn (official term is casque) is a hollow structure made of keratin. It acts like a megaphone and amplifies the male hornbill's mating call. Personally, I think their call sounds closer to a loud bark. There's lots to learn on the safari tour! Safari tour is more interesting than the main zoo. I'd say it's worth trying at least once. I would not recommend visiting during peak summer, as many animals seek shelter in the shade, and it can be physically taxing to walk around in the humid heat.

We were debating between the zoo and the safari park and are super happy we decided on the safari park. It was a short drive since we stayed in Oceanside. The volunteers throughout the zoo made our experience, not only were they friendly but incredibly knowledgeable! We did the basic admission, which includes a tram ride but I would recommend the safari truck if you can afford the extra $117 because it's a more immersive, informative encounter with the animal! It you can, find out when the cheetah run is and go in time we had just missed it

Had so much fun here! This is a must-do if you're a San Diego local. It's about 40 minutes-1 hour away from San Diego, but so worth the drive. Lots of walking and there's a limited amount if shady areas; wear comfy shoes, breathable clothing, sun protection (sunglasses/hat), and bring a water bottle! Or, go on an overcast day. So much to see and do here. Lots of cool play structures and areas for kiddos. Amazing views. Good food. You can tell this is a very well thought out establishment. My favorite area was the Australian Outback exhibit. I went there at the end of the day, so I didn't go too far in, but luckily we didn't need to.. There were wallabies right at the entrance, right up against the walkway! I would have loved to experience the petting zoo/goat area and everything similar to that, but a kind volunteer in the aviary section explained to me that they are slowly phasing out the more "interactive" parts of the park. Very respectable of the zoo to do that for the welfare of the animals, but I will admit that it is also kind of a bummer. Can't recommend it enough!

Loved the layout, the animals, and offerings. Be sure to stop by the Henna station and meet Victoria. She is super sweet and did a great job on my 30th birthday henna present for myself.

Loved the Safari Park. A little removed from the city, but worth every mile. Included in admission is a lot of enclosures/exhibits you get to on foot. It's pretty extensive and includes views of giraffes, rhinos, various birds, primates, reptiles, lions, and more. The animals all looked healthy and relaxed. Part of admission includes a tram ride around the park. They give a nice guided tour of the animals free-roaming. If you want more, you can book other types of tours throughout the park. If I lived in the area, I would definitely get a yearly membership. The park was clean, restrooms were easy to find, and there were plenty of food vendors. Overpriced of course but nothing more than any other zoo food. You can drink alcohol in the zoo too and they seemed to have multiple craft beer options.

Strap on your comfy shoes and get ready for an adventure! I was so pleasantly surprised by my experience at the safari park! We went on a Sunday afternoon and it wasn't terribly crowded (granted it's also not tourist season). I honestly wish we went earlier in the day since our 3-4 hours spent there was not quite enough time. I love that they had a tram tour (included in the base ticket price) around their expansive safari area and were cognizant of certain animals that were more sensitive with some quiet zones. The guide was very informational and it was so lovely seeing such an open space for so many of the animals to coexist. I honestly might splurge and pay for the extra tours with more close ups with some of the animals after reading some of the other reviews. Another favorite aspect of the zoo is how immersive some of the exhibits are. The bird zones were so fun to walk through and try to spot as many as you can. We also loved the concept of being able to walk through the kangaroo exhibit! Hopefully we can go again and catch the kangaroos at a more active time of day. The platypus exhibit was also so wonderful, dimmed to ensure the platypus weren't affected by light. Side note: San Diego zoo has the only platypus outside of Australia! The safari park is structured so beautifully where it was even a pleasure walking from area to area through the trees, bamboo, and cute stores. We had such a good time and would highly highly recommend! We'll definitely be back!

Visited the Safari Park today and arrived around 10:30AM and left at 2:30PM. Parking is $20 and FREE for Annual Pass Members. When we arrived, it was extremely busy so we got lucky and found a parking spot right near the entrance. Walking inside was a breeze, they had multiple workers scanning tickets. Once inside, they had heaters and maps at the entrance. We were able to visit all of the habitats that we wanted to see. I believe they're doing construction for the elephants so we sadly couldn't see them. We had a 10 min wait for the tram and it was a spectacular experience. Emily, our tour guide for the day, was knowledgeable and hilarious with her puns! We also went into Zuest Woolshed in WalkAbout Australia - Inside had a little cafe called Sheered Sheep and served a holiday special of a Gingerbread Hot Chocolate with a souvenir cup for $18. It was really good and the cup is cute so I have nothing to complain about. Overall, a great experience! I just wish they had more methods of pedestrian transportation besides walking!

First time at the San Diego Safari Park!! I really enjoyed the different animals they had to offer that the zoo doesn't have. I'll be going over food, cleanliness, family accommodation, safari tram and animals to see. Food: it's averagely priced just like any other zoo, seaworld or amusement park. The cool thing is you are allowed to bring in snacks and they really didn't check my bag at all to see the snacks. The Baja burger was good in my opinion! Fries were bomb. You can find the Baja burger in the safari tram area next to the kids playground and bathrooms. The birria tacos were meh.. not really birria. I also love their kids menu! We got our 1 year old the kids chicken tender, it came with one chicken tender, a bag of animal crackers and apple sauce. They have another option of a cheese quesadilla. It came in a cute bag, and souvenir cup. The cream sundae and churro sundae was also worth the price, also comes in souvenir cup. Cleanliness: super clean in my opinion. Bathrooms and changing tables taken care of. Not a bunch of trash laying around. Plenty of trash cans. Family accommodation: they have nursing rooms with changing tables, and changing tables in the bathrooms. They have play areas for kids of all ages, and there was so many kids at the park that it feels really family friendly! No one minded our 1 year old walking around with us and exploring. Safari tram: it was cool, can be hard to see all the animals, but it's very educational!!! So I love that about it. It's about a 20-30 min ride around the park. If you wanna do it.. get there first thing when you walk into the park. Line gets long. Animals/plants to see: Cheetah (safari tram) giraffes (safari tram) lion, tiger momma and baby cubs, kangaroos, platypus, Bosnia garden, elephant, tree kangaroo and flamingos

My brother-in-law recommended my partner and I check out the safari park rather than hitting the zoo. What a blast!!! The weather was in the low 60's which was perfect for walking the park. Grab a map and plan out your day or just wander around the different exhibits. There is a free train ride which is included in the price of admission. It's definitely worth waiting in line for a spot which only took a few minutes. The park wasn't overly crowded when we arrived at opening but was definitely busier as the day went on. Great way to spend the day as a family, couple or solo.

Had a blast with the kids visiting the animals. The park was pretty empty which was nice. We were able to move through the exhibits quickly. The tram was great and gave us an even more personal viewing of many animals which we all loved. The kids also enjoyed the unlimited rides on the carousel. We can't wait to return! There iParking fee

Between the SD Zoo & the SD Safari Park, I think Safari Park is the better of the two. The main attraction is obviously the large open area inclosure that you can take a tram around. I love that since it's so large & open, you are guaranteed to see something different on every trip. Outside of the safari area, the park has a lot of fun large scale exhibits you can walk through. This whole park feels so un-zoo like which I just love. It almost feels like a city park that happens to have lots of exotic animals. It never really feels like you're looking at animals in a cage/enclosure. It's just such a unique experience. My biggest complaints are that unlike the SD Zoo (& LA Zoo where I live), parking isn't free. Also, because they need a massive amount of land for these experiences, it is located way inland basically in the middle of nowhere so it's definitely a destination and not something just just go to on a whim.

In Summer 2021, I Got A Chance To Go To The San Diego Zoo Safari Park And See A Bunch Of Animals. There Is One Rare Animal Called The Platypus That Could Be Seen Here, And I Got A Chance To See It. Another Thing That Is Provided At The San Diego Zoo Is A Tram Ride Because There Are A Lot Of Animals On The Tram Route. Here Are Some Photos Of When I Went In Summer 2021