San Diego Zoo Safari Park

This was our first experience visiting San Diego Zoo Safari Park and we had been looking forward to this for many years. We only had less than 3 hours for this visit due to this being a work trip to San Diego. Tickets were full price at $69 each adult. It would be nice if they offered a half day ticket at a reduced rate but more entities like this do not. Since we were in a time crunch, the ticket agent suggested that we see the Platypus as this is one of the only or the only places in the country to see this animal. He also suggested that we take the Safari Tram tour. These were on complete opposites sides of the park. He also suggested that if we need to refill our thermal water bottles that any restaurant would refill them for us at no charge. This was great except since we entered the park after 2 pm, most of the restaurants were closed so we only found one open. All of the staff and volunteers we encountered were friendly and helpful. Our ticket agent was particularly helpful and the two staff members we met at the kangaroo encounter were wonderful. The kangaroo experience is a walk through where the kangaroos and various waterfowl walked freely among park visitors. Of course this day was so extremely hot that they were resting in the shade. I love this type of encounter where you share space with animals….you cannot touch them but you are in the same space. The Platypus exhibit is under cover and is a large aquarium and we saw one platypus swimming in circles. It was kind of dark inside so it took a few minutes to see this little platypus but it was really cool. We walked through the Tiger exhibit and saw one tiger resting in the shade. Big cats sleep or rest most of the day so we expected that if we got to see any tigers that most likely they would be in this position and especially because it was sooooo hot. On our journey over to the Safari Tram Tour, we saw bald eagles, Toucan, California Condor and parrots and even saw a wild hummingbird feeding in flowers. The Safari Tram Tour was a walk on fir us as we made it onto one of the last tours of the day. On Safari we saw many hoofed animals including different antelope, Masai Giraffe, Eland and Orynx. Our Driver/Tour Guide seemed knowledgeable and did a great job talking about the animals and the conservation work that the zoo Safari park is doing there and around the world. After the Safari we walked around a construction area to see the African Elephant exhibit. We saw two elephants a short distance away and two others further back in the exhibit. My only critiques of the park are that the restaurants closed way too early and the water faucets in the restrooms are mounted too far back where in order to rinse your hand there was no way to avoid touching the back of the sink. This is counter productive to cleaning your hands. My last critique is that on the way out we wanted to walk through the gift shops. There was only one open. The one at the entrance had something that I wanted to buy (plush lion with rainbow mane) but it was not available in the only store open. We will return to the park in a future visit to San Diego when we have more time to spend and on a cooler day. I guess we will have to bring more water with us and shop first to make sure we have the opportunity to purchase what we want. This is a bit of a drive outside the big city and it’s a beautiful drive.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$31+

I now understand why they sell the multi-day tickets! It's a lot of walking, especially on a hot day, it was 95+ F during our visit. Wear comfortable shoes, cool clothes, ones that can get wet for kids, plus of course sunscreen and a hat. I recommend downloading the Safari Park app so you can pre-plan your day/s and purchase tickets, book safaris etc in advance. There is the option of combination tickets with the main San Diego Zoo. Splitting the Safari park in two to view it especially with kids is a good idea if you can. There are a couple of splash pads for the kids to cool down and some seated areas with misters above them where you can enjoy a snack and beverage. During this trip we focused on the right side of the park. We did the Asian Cart Safari for an extra cost. We were the only ones on the tour and our guide Leah was able to share a lot of information with us and answer our questions in detail making it well worthwhile. Following that we enjoyed the African tram ride which is included in the entry fee. Kiosks through out the park provided ample opportunities for meals, snacks, beverages and even a beer sampler that includes a souvenir cup to take home. All kiosks have seating nearby plus random benches throughout the park. The hot air balloon ride looked fun and many children were happily running around with their faces painted from the various kiosk face paint stands. One of the experiences that I'd love to try next time is the Roar'n'Snore Safari where you camp out within the park, "All sleepovers include camp activities, an after-hours look at the wild lives of wildlife, guided walks, s'mores around the campfire, dinner, an evening snack, and breakfast the following morning". The education and conservation aspects of the Safari park add another dimension to the experience and we were very interested in the Przewalski's horses from Mongolia. There is one very special and unique male you can learn about during your visit! I hope you enjoy your visit as much as we did! Plan ahead to make the most of your time and money. It won't be a cheap day out but it will be memorable. Use the app and maps to visit your favorite animals and experiences.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Safari Park pre-pandemic: 5 stars. Safari Park 2023: 3.5 stars. To be clear, it’s still an awesome experience for any animal lover, but if you’re picking between going to the SD Zoo or the Safari Park, I’d recommend the zoo. More animals and more bang for your buck at the zoo—to really experience the highlights of the Safari Park you have to pay up for one of the safari tours. The cost of admission is $70 alone and adding a safari will cost another $60-150+. While safaris are optional, it’s really the only good way to get close to some of the animals (giraffes, rhinos, etc.) given the enormity of the space. Animals have so much acreage to roam, which is wonderful, but it does mean they may not be in viewing distance from the sidewalk. If you take a safari, the guides will drive you out directly to where the animals are. Pre-pandemic, the safaris offered incredible experiences like feeding giraffes and rhinos, and petting rhinos on their horns. It made the experience worth every penny, however, you no longer get to feed or touch any of the animals. I read that these experiences are no longer offered because while the park was closed during the pandemic the animals got used to not being fed/touched by tourists, so when they reopened the park they did not resume these activities. Not sure if that’s the reason, but either way, it’s a shame because at least for me, the contact with the animals was the best part. It was disappointing not to have that opportunity. The safari was still cool, and our guide Kelly was incredibly knowledgeable. It just quickly turns into a very expensive day. For two admissions tickets and two safari tickets, we spent $400. We could have easily spent a lot more had we wanted to ride the carousel, take the balloon ride, etc. The San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is a wonderful cause, so to me it was also worth it to support their efforts, but would just advise others go into it aware of the costs.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
$31+

A must-visit in your bucket list. This Park truly feels like a safari. Wildlife are not "caged." They are enclosed in a pretty wide space to comfortably roam around. There is a stall at the front where you can rent strollers, wheelchairs, and/or battery-operated scooters for whole-day use. There's also plenty of park benches and shaded tables with chairs for you and your family to rest. We did not visit the whole park, but we already walked 2 miles. We crossed several refreshment areas at the Tiger trail and on our way to the Australian outback(?) Where we sat down to rest, grab a glass of lemonade, and hear fascinating stories about the animals inside the safari from wonderfully passionate volunteers. We saw the very interesting personalities of every animal we visited. Please pray for the two Bald Eagles' healing. One of them was rescued with injuries to its eyes. The paired partner seems to be okay and comfortably moving around looking for its "prey" (food). Have the volunteers tell you their story, and your heart will go out to them. We watched in overwhelming awe and fascination... the demanding Harris HAWK juvenile fighting with the adult, the talkative female tiger looking and waiting for her dinner, the large-billed bird who loves to be photographed, the kangaroos who are nosy about other kangaroos' business, etc. We will definitely come back, to complete the visit, to see the Golden Eagles, revisit the Bald Eagles and the Tigers. Prepare your pockets: Parking Fee of $20, Park Entrance Fee for each person, Mobility Equipment rental for the kids or disabled, refreshments, and memorabilias. They prefer CARD, not cash payment.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Hello everyone let's see my adventure over at the San Diego Safari it was okay. Nice scenery nice little brisk walk before you get to the entrance. Hope you have your comfortable and I mean comfortable walking shoes. I first ordered my tickets through AAA. But there's some things the AAA don't know. So I will tell you right now if you have the chance to call the safari park itself and ask for the pricing and I mean the pricing on everything from the tours to the petting zoos. I understand that all this money goes to the animals but the pricing was ridiculous. I only went here because one I have never gone and number two a friend of mine is diabetic and has bad feet. So I thought right in the rides would be the way to go well the vehicles doing the tours. Now the African tram is free that's the only one that is free. From the balloon ride and three other vehicle rides that get you a little bit closer but those package deals are different ones too the cheapest was $67 per person and went up to 100 and something dollars for other rides. To get in some of the petting zoos you're looking at 12-14 per person the food of course will we didn't stay after that. But like I said the most exciting part was seeing the animals. As for the kid toys and stuff they had certain things but I thought that could have been better. But if you want to go and just see the safari zoo itself because you've never done it it's something to do for the first time. Although I won't be doing it again
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

San Diego Zoo Safari Park - an amazing experience and one the whole family will love. Parking Fee is $20 on our visit or $48 for proffered parking. We parked in section 4 and waddled over to the entrance. Entrance You chose the location and then you get provided with all the options available. We did the AFRICA TRAM You walk past the main enclosures and a short stair trip or elevator ride towards the tram car and off you go on a 30 minute ride. We loved the Rhinos and the Giraffes good to see them in such a grand setting and they look at home, if that sounds right…. The commentary on what is seen on the journey is 1st class. Informative and Allows information not known on these majestic animals. Thank you for allowing such an experience. After we took our tram ride. We followed it up with a visit to the Lions Gorillas Elephants The highlight for me was Mary and Peggy the San Diego Zoo - Safari Park Volunteers. The stories they told us and the information on the residents was so detailed and you could feel the genuine enthusiasm for the role they play. Overall we had an amazing day and one I wish we had done sooner. Thank you. For having us.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

My husband got us the 5-hour Ultimate Safari for my birthday. It was pricy, but completely worth the money for a truly unique experience. When he booked the experience, we were able to list some of the animals we really wanted to see, though they said they couldn’t guarantee any animals, as they allow the animals to choose to participate. We had a personal tour guide (Joseph) who took us around the park, where we were able to see elephants pretty closely and watch a bit of a checkup/training session, then off to rhinos for a tour of the Nikita Khan Rescue Center and a private safari truck tour through the open habitat area. Those were my top big animals I wanted to see, but we were able to see a few more in the behind the scenes animal experience and throughout the park (kangaroo, gorillas, lioness, macaw, porcupine, etc.). I have to say my favorite part of the experience was seeing Stewie, the elderly warthog. I got to feed him some carrots and brush him with a broom - he was so happy and sweet! I highly recommend the Ultimate Safari - we will definitely do it again, especially our visit to Stewie!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Nice zoo and excellent ambassadors for conservation. Lots of walking! I saw many people with small children who had to be carried or were too young to appreciate the animals so would not recommend it for kids under 5. Lots of options for food in the zoo and interesting shopping with unique offerings from around the world. Plan on at least 4 hours. We got lucky and saw the mountain gorillas at feeding time. We took the tram in the Africa exhibit but wish we had known we could pay to take a cart which gets you closer to the animals and has a private guide to answer questions. These book way ahead so plan accordingly. We went on a Saturday so lots of kids. The lines were long for the tram but moved well and there were misters to keep us cool. Highly recommend if you like seeing animals in a natural environment.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

What an awesome experience the tram ride was really cool being able to see all those animals out like that next time we go I want to take the Safari trip where you're in the truck out with the animals we saw lions and cheetahs so many different animals unfortunately the gorillas were already in by the time we got there next time we'll start with them tremendous numbers of birds of all types through service was spot on the employees were all very helpful and very friendly we had a great time and we would highly recommend visiting this park. We have memberships we bought the one that includes a little more than some of the others it was $425 it gave us the ability to bring others into the park and to have larger discounts. really being able to park up by the door and cut the lines makes it definitely worth it!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

My two girls and I went on July 3, 2023 because my older daughter got free tickets from her job, for both the zoo and safari zoo. I do recommend you get the cart package ($62 a person) it was so worth it being able to enter their enclosure on the outskirts with a tour guide. If you really want to get close to the animals and personal, there’s another package deal for $99 a person. (I forgot the name of that tour). So it depends on what you want to see and learn about these animals with a tour guide. It was an awesome experience for my 7 year old. Don’t waste your time in line for the tram ride as the lines and wait times are long. Yes it’s free and it comes with your ticket entrance, but you don’t get to see much of the enclosure part of the Safari. I hope this helps.
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I remember this place being so much more magical as a child. This time, it felt stale. I realize zoos and animal parks have moved on from being entertainment but when you can tell that most of the animal trainers and staff seem to tolerate you rather than welcome you because they love animals more than people and every word out their mouth is about how "you" are responsible for "their" animals dying or being almost extinct, I don't feel welcome anymore and frankly it just is a flat out turn-off. But.. I guess that's the new day and age we live in... disappointed. Kids were bored, as well and I didnt say anything to them about my feelings on the park. There were also too many birds in the park. I almost thought I was at a bird sanctuary.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

A great place to visit! Lots of jungle animals in their comfortable "habitat". And for every kind of animal they have multiple! I've visited zoos with only one animal of some species. But not here, you see at least 5 of each! And 2 for some birds. The free African Tram is a must. It takes you on a 20 min drive while the driver will also be your tour guide and explain things to you while you see the animals in their land. I'm especially excited about the Autralia part of the zoo because they have really cool animals to see. They also have a little petting zoo area for kids or adults to brush their goats. And they have a giant cactus garden/mountain that's really fun for photos. Overall, a great experience that I would highly recommend!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$31+

This place is a must for family trips, gotta love real animals and all the hardwork organizations like this do to make a difference, also many great lessons to teach our little ones about wild life, I recommend showing up early and make sure to stay hydrated there is a lot to walk and there is a lot to see, the staff standing around is so helpful at helping you make the most out of your day, Ask questions don't be afraid ! Tips Feel free to ask any food establishment inside the park for free ice and water just make sure to provide your own flask or reusable cup, the park has a spanish version african tram at 1 pm you can get free reservation tickets from the guest services, if you have little ones bring a towel and some extra socks in case they wanna splash with other kids, (sunblock) They also got some cool 2x1 specials on some plush animals ! Enjoy !

My favorite part was the gift shops and the wildlife safari. I wanted to right a comment letter but forgot where to get one. I enjoyed my ride and especially loved my tour guides. I told my sister and my mom that every June 21st I will return and request to see Rebecca and Doug. They made the experience wonderful for me The only down side was when we were at the hot air balloon, my mom bought herself a ticket but when it was her turn the employee skipped her number. The employees shift ended and another employee came that did also skip her number. We spent a good 40 minutes and more waiting. She did get a refund though. I honestly don’t like zoos that much due to the fact that most are poorly taken care of or not spacious for the animals. But these animals appear to be healthy and thriving.

Tourist attraction? Yes.... But a place where animals live and are treated better than I get treated in life? YES! A place where animals have a chance of not going instinct? 100% A place to have an up close and personal view and education of some of the most beautiful animals in the world? 1,000% Every visit to this wonderful place provides you with chances of seeing animals in their natural habit living environments. Your contributions to this park help save these precious lives. Great for the whole family. One of my favorite experiences here is the tram ride. Take a tram around the expansive Serengeti environment with very happy and well cared for animals. A must see experience and photo opportunity.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

We had a great time! It was my first ever visit to the park, and I was really impressed. We were there on a school field trip, but there were so many people going in the gates that I feared it would be super crowded inside...however, the park is so big and spread out, that we never felt or saw a big crowd of people at any point. The longest we had to wait was maybe 15-20 min for the tram. My five year old granddaughter loved getting her face painted, and loved the play areas. We absolutely loved the beautiful scenery and all of the gorgeous animals. Seeing the only two Platypus outside of Australia was definitely the biggest highlight!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
10–30 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

The best time to see them is when they’re called out for snacks .. So be there on time and prepare your phones/cameras for their amazing interactions. And buy tickets ahead. Also, you can get good price if you get a combo/package of “San Diego Zoo” and “San Diego Zoo Safari”. Yes those 2places are different from each other so please don’t get confused … In this videos, you can find these gorillas at San Diego Zoo Safari.. my suggestion was, be ready for a long hiking . You can bring your own snacks too but please don’t feed the animals nor leave your garbage everywhere. So bare in mind to be packed all the time.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

This really is a full day experience if you have kids and include a tour. We arrived around 930 and, with a 7 y/o and 9 y/o, left around 430 finally finishing every exhibit. Lisa was our tour guide for the Africa Safari cart and she was absolutely amazing. She made the kids laugh, answered all their questions (of which there were many) and treated us to a view of the elephants too! We kicked out and got to see great views of the big cats walking around in the lion and tiger pens as well. I definitely recommend getting the City Pass if you are just visiting and combining it with a visit to Legoland to save some money.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Had the best weekend outing with my family a couple weeks ago. This Safari park was super clean and had lots of volunteers around to help with directions and questions. I also noticed they had a good amount of security and police officers walking around the entire day! Really enjoyed the Safari tour where we got to see giraffes and rhinos pretty close up. Be prepared to walk a good distance, and make sure not to wear sandels unless they are extremely comfortable. The younger kids loved how they had little water features to play in around the park to stay cool. Perfect first experience and will be back this summer.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$16–20

We had an amazing time at the safari park. Didn’t get to do any specific safari. You get map when you enter and can explore whole park on foot by yourself. African safari is free and it’s included with day pass. Line for that is usually long so make sure you do that in the beginning. Certain areas close early such as Kangaroo section. So make sure you cover those early. Pro Tip : Sit on the left side on the safari ride. You will get good photos/videos. Make sure to download its app on your phone. It will help with navigating around the park. Parking is $20 One day pass for adult is around $65
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$31+

I have been on many, many tours of various wildlife conservations across the globe, and to this date, I have yet to experience a tour guide as knowledgeable, well spoken, and professional as our guide, Allan. The tour given by Allan was the paramount of environmental advocacy, wildlife biology, and cultural relevance in a multifaceted presentation that was simultaneously approachable and intriguing for both doctoral researchers and children alike. I cannot stress how exceptional that tour was, and how it has secured my future financial support for the San Diego Safari Park.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

What a beautiful zoo dedicated to keeping animals in a more natural habitat type setting. All of the volunteers are knowledgeable and readily available to answer questions. Recommend that you take the Africa Tram early morning upon arrival as the wait is shorter. Easy to get your 10k steps while enjoying the grounds. There was amazing singing by the San Pasqual Band of Mission Indians in the Amphitheater. There are numerous educational kiosks throughout the park. Don't bypass the Bonsai Gardens as they are amazing!
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

Great place, but it's a confusing layout, in my opinion. We couldn't figure out how to leave when the park closed. We ate at a restaurant that overlooked the fields. It was amazing to see giraffes and other animals running by while you're eating! We ordered tuna sandwiches, a beef and cheese sandwich, and mac and cheese. All the food was delicious too, so that was a double win! I LOVED the safari experience that we paid extra for! Hands down, my favorite part of the entire day. The guide was AMAZING and so funny! Will visit again when in California!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Too much walking to just to see a few animals. It seems like we are passing through the paths to more shops than seeing animals, like tiger and kangaroo. Walked a very long distance up and down the hill for the tram. Wait time was very long and animals were far away, some description of the animals were skipped. We did the balloon ride it was $20 with 8 person at a time about 40 minutes wait to get on. It was fun for the experience. There’s no animal you can really see except for elephants, the fields, and the people walking under us. This is the most expensive zoo I have ever been to that seems to have less animal you get to see.

What an awesome experience. Parking is $20 and a little trek but worth it. Be prepared to be a part of the action. Walking through the park seeing everything up close and personal. The Safari trips are worth the extra cost. The guides are knowledgeable and you'll see the animals as if you were in the Serengeti itself. Greatest advice: buy the 2 or 3 day pass. It will take you that long to fully get it while enjoying everything there is to take in. You will not regret it.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$31+

This place is awesome! A free tram ride that lasts for over half an hour transports you to the African Savannah where you see zebras, giraffes, rhinoceros, elephants, and more! The gardens here are incredible, and the view of the mountains breathtaking. Walk amongst the kangaroos with no cage in the outback. Hang out with gorillas. Entry is included in San Diego Zoo memberships, and the parking pass is a good deal. Highly recommend this place for full family outings!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

A zoo, Safari Park, and botanical garden all in one. Wear good walking shoes. I really put in 10K steps in the few hours I was there. I arrived at opening, and I recommend you do as well, so you can go straight on the free safari tram ride. By the time I got off the tram, there was a line building up. Bring layers as it may be a little cooler in the morning. There are lots of families with young children, but it never felt overwhelmingly crowded.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Had an amazing time! Used my military ID, which allowed fee entry but I brought items as a way to show support. Make sure you bring your walking shoes, walking sticks and whatever else to help you conquer this park. I took the free tram throughout "Africa" which was very informative and less intrusive then the private vehicle tour. I went on one of the hottest days, so bring wipes, extra deodorant and a cooling fan or towel to help.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Beyond the Scenes African Safari tour is extra and needs a reservation. A guided tour beyond the scene with the most informative guide driven around and beyond in a passenger cart for 90 minutes. These tours are the best way to navigate throughout the park. We had a private bird show too. My family made the comment we learned so much more about wildlife than if we were just on our own through the park. I highly suggest it. Our guide was excellent and very knowledgeable.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The safari park was a lot of fun to visit. The exhibits for the animals are spacious and nice. There are a large variety of animals from different locations and ecosystems to see. Tickets are expensive and if you want to do any of the safaris past the basic tram that doesn’t get you very close you have to pay some steep additional prices. But the park itself is very nice and worth a visit. We enjoyed our day there.
Visited on
Public holiday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Another great product by the San Diego Zoo. Easy to see the animals and you're up close with so many of them. Take the Africa Tram for a unique look at the animals in large natural plains. It gets hot in the mountains, very hot. Be prepared. My only criticism is the price for parking. Maybe it necessary to charge on a busy day or weekend. But for an already expensive admission fee, parking should be included in the price.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

My 1st time to California and I'm not disappointed! The Safari is pretty cool, and the animals have a lot of area to be free. I would say there is a lot of walking for sure, ups and downs inclines that are pretty formidable. If you are staying at a resort I would do the 90 min sales pitch to get the free tickets if you can or if the resort offers that. @65-71 per ticket plus 20 to park or 38 for up front Parking ,it would be well worth it.
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

We did the ultimate safari and had a great time. Our guide was super knowledgeable with vast experience at the wild animal park. We saw many behind the scene places, encounter with two animal ambassadors along with a wonderful lunch overlooking the African Plains at Kijammi Overlook. I visited here over 20 years ago and made a special stop in Escondido just to visit one more time. Loved it!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I was fortunately gifted a pass so I didn’t pay the entrance fee of $70. I’m glad I didn’t. Arrived at 9, was done by 12:30. The tram around the African area was good, our driver, Ebony, was funny and likable. I loved the open space and the animals I was able to see but the other experiences were just too costly. Zip line, wagon ride to get closer to the animals. I get it, I just don’t think it’s worth it. I believe the regular zoo is more my cup of tea. I am happy I got to experience the Safari.

Safari is not exactly a safari. This is almost an ordinary zoo with the ability to drive where the animals are. Be prepared to pay an extra $100 per person to ride near the animals. The ticket price includes a tour, but you will not go close to the animals. The animals are mostly cattle. It was boring and not interesting. But as a zoo, we liked it more than a regular zoo.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
$31+

A days worth of fun with the animals. The tram tour (free) was educational and amazing. I would say that I mostly enjoyed watching the tiger cubs play. For those that tend to go to parks in uncomfortable shoes, please wear comfortable shoes because there are lots of hills and if you happen to go on a very crowded day, your constant seating options would also be limited.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I mean, nothing really special, just like your regular zoo with a few extra features. Definitely not what it is advertised to be, so it didn't meet my expectations. Food is overpriced and bland, not many drink options aside from the typical fountain drinks. Probably the best thing about the whole place is the number of exhibits and amount of animals.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

Had a great field trip with our school. There are so many wonderful animals to visit. Park is clean, and so are the restrooms. Most employees are friendly and welcoming. The food area is equipped with a variety of quick snacks. We enjoyed our day at the Safari park. There is a small playground area with plenty of shade that became our spot for about 20 minutes. Kids had a blast.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

This was a great stop on our trip to San Diego. Plenty to see and beautiful walk through as we made our way to the safari trolly towards the back. I wish the markings were a little better to make sure we got to see everything in the most efficient way possible but we managed to make it through the entire thing including the safari in about 4 hours and that's considering we stopped for lunch. Great food options, super friendly staff and beautiful day all around.

Stunningly beautiful place and huge!!! There are so many amazing things you can do whether you just want to walk around d and see the animals and gardens, take a safari, go up in a hot air balloon, or see one of the shows that they have going on different times of day. If you are only in San Diego to visit, don't miss out spending an entire day here!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The safari has a entrance cost and we get African team safari for free There are other safaris like Baloon safari and others which are offered at a price otherwise you can walk around and enjoy the nature and see the wild animals around Overall it was a nice experience and the first Zoo experience for my kid
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

What an amazing place! Take the team ride! The park was so well maintained, the habitats were great sized for the animals. The volunteers were very useful and knowledgeable. We had an amazing day there. Be ready for lots of walking and hills. Next time we'll take the paid ride to get closer to the animals.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$21–30

Simply the best! I was very impressed with this animal park. Loved the tram I recommend spending an extra $90 for a safari, plenty of photo ops, great for kids, lots of bathrooms. Well worth the money especially for this non-profit. Very educational and I learned a few things . Parking is $20 extra.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

The park is great! It's over 400 acres of park so there's a lot to see. I was surprised it was mostly a walking affair as it is a safari style park. There are trams and carts that take you through the park. Only 1 tram however is free with your ticket. The others are extra, some are $100 per person so just be prepared. They have a few animals you won't see anywhere else like Duckbill Platypus and Przewalski's horse.

Our absolute favorite place to visit. Doesn’t feel as crowded as San Diego Zoo since it’s much bigger. Many animals to see and explore. Great trails for walks with amazing views. If you are local, membership purchase is definitely worth it. Plus, with every visit you are helping animals! Have fun!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Too much walking to see not so many animals. The zoo is better. We took the tram ride, and the animals are far away from you. Lots of exhibits are getting remodeled, it seems.
Price for entry
$30.00
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Ticket type
Qe got tickets on Groupon, buy one get one half price ir something. Otherwise, it is about $75 a person!

I thought the San Diego zoo in downtown was the best zoo in the country. I was wrong. Its sister location is even BETTER! The gardens were beautiful, and the animals was amazing! The tour was great, and there is TONS of trails to walk around on. Honestly the best zoo experience I’ve ever had.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

The safari zoo is well worth the drive! The safari excursions cost extra, except for the team, and they're expensive ($75+), but the team was a fun 25 minute ride through the animal sanctuary. It's a huge park with loads of fun activity. We spent a few hours there, and we could have spent even more time with the animals.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was a long day but to see the animals so close was amazing. The drinks were good. The app helped, but i preferred the paper map at times. The staff were very attentive and extremely helpful. The petting zoo was closed so we were a little disappointed about that. We will be back again soon!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

If you don't mind a lot of walking, this is an amazing place to visit. Such a great variety of animals and habitats. It was quite warm the day we went, mid 80's. But plenty of shade to be found. Loved the Kangaroo walk about. Kangaroos right in front of you, with no fence between! Also loved the peaceful Bonsai garden.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

What can I say about the Safari, just amazing. We did 2 safaris. The deluxe cart tour which was brilliant to see more parts of the park and with a tour guide providing so much information. The highlight was the zip line! Over the park and we’ll worth the money. Incredible views
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

While getting into the parking lot is a frustrating and time consuming process, after you get in to the park it is wonderful. We went on the behind the scenes Elite Adventure and really enjoyed it. It is clear the animals are well cared for and conservation is a priority.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
30–60 min
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

It was a wonderful experience. We began by parking in the disabled parking area and renting an electric scooter. It cost $53.00. We then went to the gorillas and then down a back route to the Africa Tram, which was really enjoyable. We were boarded first due to my disability. We then saw the lions, tigers, condors and kangaroos. We ended the day with an ice cream, which cost $7.50 each.

This place is amazing! If you are in the area, stop by and see how well this zoo is run! The landscaping is beautiful. The animals all seem very well cared for with large habitats. We enjoyed the cooler, June weather in San Diego and the animals were very active. The Wildlife Safari was an unforgettable experience! The Giraffes are amazing and our tour guide knew them all by name!

Nice facility. Awkward path and requires going through multiple areas more than once to see everything. Design could be better to not require as much back tracking and repeated extra walking to see all areas. Easy entry. Be sure to talk to the volunteers to learn more about the animals!!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was a "June gloom" day at the park, and it worked out great, as the animals were much more active. We saw many more active animals on this day than I had seen in previous visits. We have a family pass and used a guest pass for this visit.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure
Price for adult entry
Free

Great zoo. Some areas are under construction. Bring plenty of water and wear comfortable clothes. All around informative visit. The volunteers and staff seem to genuinely care about the animals and are knowledgeable about them. Will be back for sure.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

I visited on a weekday and it wasn't crowded. The Africa Tram is a must to see giraffes, zebras, etc. Didn't see a cheetah and wanted to as it's my favorite wild animal. I liked the gorilla exhibit and the Journey into the Wild show (mostly birds).
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Staff were super nice and helpful. Spent the whole day there, scenery was beautiful, took the African safari cart ride, our guide, Lori, was amazing. Lots of places to take pictures. Saw the 2 baby tiger cubs. All in all definitely worth it, also worth buying the Safari ride too!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

Really enjoyed our experience here! We spent 6 hours here and enjoyed every second! All the animals were so cool, and I gotta learn about new ones as well. Seeing the platypus was definitely one of the highlights! The most exciting thing we did was the zip lining over the safari park, and I highly recommend! It was such a unique experience with incredible views.

This was a nice park BUT it feels like a LOT of walking for seeing very few animals. A good one time experience, I wouldn't recommend a membership. The staff was very nice and informative. Favorite part was watching the baby tigers play.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
$31+

We did the Roar and Snore. After a night tram ride to see animals, we had a great dinner, smores, private walking tour, and a family Bingo game. Camping in a comfortable tent (bring your own sleeping bag!) In the morning, private lion and elephant viewing, breakfast, and a show of animal ambassadors. Overall, we had a wonderful time! More

An amazing place to spend the day. World class exhibits containing an amazing variety of animals and wildlife to see. We took the wildlife tram that takes people around a large free-roam area with Rhinos, Giraffes, Gazelle, and many more and it was incredible. Plenty of parking too!
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait

Tarm ride was awesome and was able to see all animals in the park. All the animals are very nicely protected and kept. You will have to ealk alot so be prepared for it. Foods and drinks inside park was great too.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

They should have areas where you can fill up your water bottles. For as much as they host school or kid events. I'm sure they will still make their money in people buying water, but sucks for the kids who visit for school and they don't have money. Not sure what's going on but the bees are insane. Is this a year round thing?

This was great to see after experiencing the zoo. Some different animals and the Safari Tour was the best part. Getting to see the animals up close was a dream. I recommend the tour when visiting the park.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Wife and I enjoyed the park but our son was too young to do most of the fun activities (Jungle Ropes or Flightline Safari). Kids need to be at least 8 years old. The Cheetah run wasn't until 3:30pm so we missed this too. We did enjoy seeing the animals and taking the Africa tram. Son enjoyed the slushy room as well.

Great place to visit. Lots of wonderful animals to see & food & drinks are decent. Come early because it can get hot & busy with people. U can camp over night here if U want. Also this venue will host wedding’s & receptions.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Yes

It was really hot like 95 all day. Most of the animals had been tucked away in the shade but I still really enjoyed the atmosphere. On a much cooler day I can definitely say we will be back.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

My children love animals, we always have a great time at the zoo. The food is great, they have a variety inside, plenty of open space to hang out and just enjoy the whole park. I love it
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

A really great day at the zoo. We saw a lot of animals we didn't see before, like the duckbill platypus! A mix of great walking exhibits, a free tram and paid safaris to choose from.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

We saw most of the animals viewed during our visit while on the "free" tram. The line to board the "free" tram was 90 minutes long. We decided to take the option of preferred seating by paying $25 a person to skip the line. Not a free tram for us. It made an expensive trip even more expensive. More

It’s really a cool zoo. You can easily spend an entire day here. I really like the diversity here and many enclosures are actually quite well designed. You well definitely need a map of you’re unfamiliar with this zoo as the paths can get quite confusing. Overall one of my favorite zoos

Absolutely awesome!!! We always heard of how great the Zoo is, but it definitely exceeded our expectations. Way too much to see, couldn’t cover it all in one day.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

A beautiful and large zoo that suggests that you are in the middle of the jungle, but where are the crocodile and hippopotamus? All the animals are there except for what I mentioned previously.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

I was a great trip to come several states away to visit. Was under dressed for the cool weather, but gift shops had that covered. But I wasn't really ready for all the waking up and down all the terrain. They rent scooters for 60$ if you need it. To many pictures to post More

What a great experience! Definitely worth a few hours to see these amazing animals. The staff was the best and really made the overall experience great.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Beautiful place, costs way too much. Prices listed for food aren't accurate unless you're a member. Pay full admission, and when u order food they'll still ask u if you're a member or not and upcharge u if u aren't. Unreal lmao. Also a day pass is upwards of $70 More

Celebrated my sisters birthday in the Safari Park first time going and we love the place and I have to say there staff was just wonderful people made the experience even better.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes

The Safari tram was the best part of the park. I remember the park being much better years ago when I visited. There were quite a few exhibits that no animals were present at.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No

Love! Love! Love! Everything about this place is incredible. Beautifully kept grounds, the great breeding programs, the volunteers and staff are all top notch. You know that your dollars are being used toward good. Good for the whole family and all abilities.

Took the cart Safari tour, lucked out and was only one of two people on the cart, the guide was awesome and provided a great experience.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Absolutely stunning property. I'm a plant lover so it was very special for me. My son loved the animals. It was a great day!
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

Well worth the visit for all. Only bummer was the surprise $20 parking fee. Even after dropping $450 on gate tickets and safari pass. We also ate at one of the cafes and the meal was better than we thought they would be for a park meal. More

A must go. So many wonderful animals that are very well taken care of. The place is well organized and beautiful. The trolley tour was fun and informative.
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
No wait
Price for adult entry
$31+

Not safe for anyone with a bee allergy. They are EVERYWHERE. There are swarms at every garbage can and if you are drinking or eating anything sweet they will come at you. 3 stars just for the Platypus. Everything else was not very worth it.

Active duty military get in free. The zipline is awesome. There is a free tram safari, as well as other paid safari options. The food is very good. They will refill your water bottle with water all day long for free at any restaurant/kiosk

We visited several times this place and we always enjoyed it. It is so nice to see all the animals in almost their natural habitat and not in tight spaces or cages. We always learn something new about the animals. We really like the Tram

What's not to like with nature, especially at the San Diego's Zoo, Safari Park. Great place to enjoy a nice walk and so many things to see. It just depends on what time of day you get there. Whether you go early or go late, stop and enjoy

Well its a new experience, if you used to go to Zoo always, thats another option, you have to walk a lot, Up & Down, and the tram you which available with your ticket 69$ you can see the animals from a distance, if you need to be close

Really nice safari. Lots of walking needed to see most of the park. All the volunteers were super nice and helpful.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
Yes
Price for adult entry
$31+

One of the cleanest zoos with the most professional staff I’ve been too ever, the experience was first class. I recommend spending the extra money to take the safari tour you get better pictures and the tour guilds are fantastic.

Great to go by yourself or your family. Lots of walking, so get your walking shoes ready. Beautiful surroundings with different animals, love seeing the giraffes cheetahs and rhinos.
Visited on
Weekend

It was a warm visit to be sure! My phone weather app indicated 101 at one point! A bit confusing to get around but a great experience! The California Condors exhibit was great! More

An Awsome day, we saw the Tiger up close thru the glass. We were told that the slab of rock is heated so that is why they like to lay there. Many other animals were out as well.

Visited the San Diego Zoo Safari Park in February. The weather was great during this time of the year, we opted for the one hour Wildlife Safari tour.