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San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Zoo

Northeastern San Diego, Escondido

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8.9^/10

1,132

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Ranked #3 for zoos in San Diego
"The cheetah runs twice so don't leave after the first run."(13 Tips)
"The tram ride is fabulous!"(6 Tips)
"sure to come every year for the Butterfly Jungle!!!"(4 Tips)
"... paid attractions, the African tram and other walkable routes can easily last..."(3 Tips)

158 Tips and reviews

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Arnie PanameñoJune 30, 2017
It's a beautiful place with a lot to see. Just be ready to spend some cash because a lot of the more intimate safaris with the animals cost a pretty penny. Oh, and they serve beer!
Upvoted Feb 21
@socalwithkidsFebruary 1, 2013
Been here 25+ times
Wear comfortable shoes, get a map @ entry, & bring a camera. Lots of great walking paths, all which lead to different animals, so be prepared to do a lot of walking. Be sure to take the tram ride too.
Paige CAugust 17, 2015
Obsessed with this place! Take the caravan safari for your chance to feed giraffes AND rhinos! It was an amazing experience! I got to do both. I also loved Lorikeet Landing!
Nora 🐒August 28, 2017
Its a really family friendly place 👍🏻 but it needs to be visited early in the morning because of the number of activities you get to do there!
eric bornemannAugust 14, 2020
Amazing zoo that is beautifully maintained and a great place to walk around. Be sure to check out the view from Condor Ridge and the Australian Walkabout is so cool with marsupial crossing your path.
I AAugust 9, 2022
Amazing but huge.. can not definitely finish in one day if you are planing to notice all plants.. tour guides were really slow so make sure you informed them why I wanna see and walk faster.. lol
Hannah CorriveauJanuary 23, 2015
There's so much space for the animals to roam here. The views are beautiful and trekking around here is a good workout. I definitely recommend!
Nick DokosJune 4, 2014
It's a big park with lots of walking. Bring sunscreen, water, munchies, and a hat/umbrella to shield you from the sun.
Visit CaliforniaFebruary 19, 2011
Come see a different home on the range—where the zebras and antelope play. The San Diego Zoo Safari Park's Journey Into Africa tour is about as close as you can get to a real safari experience. Read more
Randy BrownApril 12, 2013
The line for the African Tram can be a long wait due to the park forcing everyone into a per family / group photo-shoot in hopes that you'll buy the pic on the way out. Still a fun experience!
Goktug AktugMarch 2, 2013
Been here 5+ times
WE r members and we bring our kids here all the time. HGreat place to spend time, relax. sit down and watch elephants in silence and peace, its beautiful, kids can play by the air balloon thing
Tony ZhangSeptember 20, 2016
Really fun safari area but bring comfortable clothes and pack light. Although there are many paid attractions, the African tram and other walkable routes can easily last for hours.
Chris OSeptember 16, 2014
The park size is enormous. Make sure you get the coconut sorbet! Nothing bad to say. It's well laid out, well marked. If you pay extra you can meet with the cheetah after it's run in the afternoon.
Holly SchneeDecember 18, 2012
Make sure to go during the winter too. The cooler temps make all the animals more active. If your going in the summer make sure to get in right when it opens before it gets to hot
Alan P-BSeptember 25, 2013
Everything is spread out, lots of walking up and down. Animals are far away, bring a telescope if you want to see anything. Tram ride would be good if they had more than antelope / tree / antelope etc
Robert A.March 31, 2017
the Africa tram is a long wait, but it's included with most tickets, and is an excellent way to view the animals
Jason WinterJune 28, 2014
Be sure to hunt down the Watering Hole! A great place to relax, get a break from the heat with a cool breeze and enjoy a great view of the Rhinos and other animals.
Edward ForteJuly 24, 2023
Really fun park and they sell tasty drinks and ice cream around the park
Jenna Rose RobbinsJanuary 18, 2023
This is one of the few animal-related attractions I can get behind, both for its conservation efforts and the habitats, which are designed with the animals in mind, not visitors.
Mildred HarrisJuly 11, 2013
Get there early and ride tram first; go by way of gorillas, makes the rest of the park easier to see.
Tammy EbertMarch 26, 2022
You need at least 2 full days to get through the park to see everything. Like most parks any food/drinks are ridiculous.
Jessi RedfieldJuly 12, 2013
So nice to see animals happy and near-free, intermingling with other species in open spaces. Perfect combo with SD Zoo - skip Seaworld.
Kent GeorgiApril 12, 2014
Best time to see the butterflies is first thing in the morning when they open at 8am
Maina KhojaJuly 8, 2015
The key difference vs SD zoo is the safari & balloon rides, which cost ridiculous additional fees (up to 100$ pp) and yet it was sold out by 2 PM! It was a waist of time!
Girls On The GoMarch 6, 2012
The tram ride is fabulous! You get to see all the animals living together in a very large habitat. Things to bring: hat, sunglasses, sunscreen, and water.
Penina MezeiJune 27, 2014
Bring sunscreen and water if you plan to stay all day. You are also allowed to bring food into the safari park. - Penina Mezei
Monalesa SmithApril 6, 2015
Feeding the Animals was so Awesome " knowledgable guides were so helpful " worth the money . Going again soon.
Meredith mAugust 5, 2012
umm, if it's summer, don't go. it's 20 degrees hotter inland so all the animals are asleep. and it's so spread out. this is definitely a better spring or fall activity.
Ken BruckerJuly 12, 2016
Been here 10+ times
They continue to great work protecting species from extinction and reintroducing them to the wild. Check out the cheetah run at 3:30!
Jennifer TaylorOctober 23, 2011
If you're going on the African Tram, get a seat on the left hand side (driver side). You'll see heaps more!
Ravenale DragonheartOctober 27, 2013
Kids free at the Zoo for month of October. When you go through the entrance, you are greeted with a "Roar" of 'Welcome'!!!
Melanie UlrichAugust 19, 2015
So fun to walk around and see the animals in more natural habitats. Get the soft serve ice cream.
RobsoloApril 27, 2014
Been here 5+ times
The Butterfly Jungle requires timed tickets (similar to Fast Passes at Disneyland). Pickup your free timed tickets early.
Claire MazzeoMay 23, 2015
The cheetah run was very enjoyable and informative. Long wait though, so might not be best for the little ones.
Poole BuoyApril 30, 2023
Fantastic Park and very forward in their breeding and preservation of endangered species
Andrew ValdezAugust 8, 2014
It's all good! It is never really crowded no lines no waiting lots of hills but always lots f fun!
Jackie MicheleJuly 11, 2012
If you want to go to the zoo just go to the san diego zoo. For us this was not worth it. Everything is extra and the park is very spread out. The S.D.Z. at least has express bus so you can see it all.
Hollie SickJanuary 26, 2016
Great attraction for anyone of any age. Military always get in for free
Dave PereiraMarch 13, 2010
Summer hours in the evening are the best time to go to catch animals running around. If you're into plants, they have a great native garden at the very north end of the park.
Drew KaplanJuly 21, 2013
Don't want to wait in a long line for the Africa Tram? Go during or before the Cheetah Run.
Tina GillmorJuly 31, 2013
The cheetah Run happens at 3:30. Don't be on the other side of the park then or you'll miss it!
Sean MillerJanuary 28, 2023
An annual pass is a must
Omar TorresJune 24, 2013
Make sure to get tickets for one of the safaris. 👍Totally worth it. ⚠But beware of long lines to board the vehicle.⚠
Sandra VisgerDecember 7, 2014
Arrive in the morning and take the tram safari at sunset. It was Sooo beautiful!!!
Heather @NonprofitOrgsAugust 29, 2011
As a society, if we are going to keep animals in captivity for education and entertainment, no doubt the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has the best and most humane model. Read more
Laura DNovember 30, 2009
If you're in San Diego, you MUST visit the wild animal park. Animals are in huge open-range exhibits, which you can visit via 'safari.' Amazing animals, fantastic design & much more fun that a zoo! Read more
Nonprofit OrganizationsAugust 29, 2011
As a society, if we are going to keep animals in captivity for education and entertainment, no doubt the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has the best and most humane model. Read more
Lisa QuispeJanuary 29, 2013
Visit way off season: winter or just after schools go back in session. It's calm and tranquil and really gets you in the "we're far away in a jungle place" spirit!
Brande HuffMay 25, 2013
Tram at sunset is awesome since it is cooler and the animals are a little more active.
Denise D.December 14, 2019
My fave zoo. You get a more up close experience with the animals

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