Visiting the Safari Park

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an 1,800 acre zoo in San Diego, California. It is one of the largest tourist attractions in San Diego County. The park houses a large array of wild and endangered animals including species from the continents of Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, and Australia. The park is in a semi-arid environment, and one of its most notable features is the Africa Tram, which explores the expansive African exhibits. These free-range enclosures house such animals as antelopes, giraffes, buffalo, cranes, and rhinoceros. The park is also noted for its California condor breeding program, the most successful such program in the United States.


[Click on any image for a larger view]

We recently visited the Safari Park with our best friends and favorite family. Our annual pass allows us to bring in guests and our friends have a 3 year old who is the perfect age to enjoy the park. That and the expansive park allows for lots of exploration promised for a great day.


In order to enter the park during the pandemic, we had to make reservations (they're limiting the amount that can enter), we were screened and had to agree to wearing a face mask at all times unless you were actively eating or drinking. 

Disappointingly, due to the pandemic, several exhibits and attractions were unavailable. These included: the Africa Tram, Gorillas, Meerkats, Lorikeets, Lemurs, Bats, Petting Corral and others.


Checking out some Bamboo



The best ride in the park




Walkabout Australia is an exhibit where you can walk amongst Kangaroos and Wallabys. In the past, before the pandemic, you could pet them if they walked up to you.


A couple of the local animals


Eye of the Tiger



Apparently Simba had a tough day at the office. Nala surveys her domain. 



A Cheetah and her Dog



"Where does bird poop come from daddy?"




One of the most attractive and unique features of the park is the HUGE free-roam areas. Unlike other zoos that rely on cages, many animals roam massive open spaces that give the impression that the animals are not in captivity.


A Cheetah stalking a keeper ... in hopes of a snack




Yup, them are Pumbas, no butts about it


Our troupe of intrepid masked safari adventurers 

You should come visit sometime!

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