San Diego Zoo Safari Park Paid Safaris: Are They Value The Improve?

One of the vital widespread questions I get in regards to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is whether or not the paid safari excursions are price the additional price. Choices embrace brief cart excursions to multi-hour VIP experiences, making it arduous to inform what units them aside or which one, if any, is correct for your loved ones.

As a longtime park member and journey advisor, I’ve been on most of those excursions and have detailed suggestions from purchasers and readers. When you completely don’t have to ebook one to have a improbable day—particularly with the wonderful Africa Tram already included—paid safaris supply an enhanced stage of immersion.

My information breaks down which excursions actually stand out, who will get probably the most out of them, and when the improve is smart—whether or not you’re visiting for the primary time or rediscovering the park as an area.

First, Let’s Speak In regards to the FREE Safari: The Africa Tram

Each Safari Park admission ticket contains the Africa Tram, and you must completely reap the benefits of it. This 25-minute guided tour loops across the expansive African Plains habitat, providing neat views of giraffes, rhinos, antelope, and different animals roaming freely in huge, mixed-species herds. The experience is shaded, snug, and narrated by a educated information.

It’s additionally the most effective methods to get the lay of the land. The Safari Park is greater and extra unfold out than the San Diego Zoo. The tram offers you a useful overview of the park’s scale, particularly if it’s your first go to. For households with younger youngsters or anybody hoping to preserve power, it’s a sensible approach to start your day.

Frequent guests (myself included) will inform you to not skip it. The expertise affords the wide-open safari really feel that the majority friends are hoping for with out paying something past the price of admission. You’ll see animals from angles you may’t all the time entry on foot, and the commentary provides context that deepens your appreciation of the reveals.

So, Why Pay Extra? The Distinction Between a Go to and an Expertise

Paying for a safari improve isn’t about changing the Africa Tram. It’s about taking your go to to the following stage. It’s the distinction between observing animals from a distance and feeling the rumble of an open-air truck as a rhino passes simply ft away.

Our purchasers who ebook these excursions are likely to enthuse about them after we ask for journey recaps. As an alternative of sharing a big tram with dozens of others, you’re in a small group, guided by an knowledgeable who brings you deeper into the park’s expansive habitats, with nearer entry, extra context, and fewer crowds.

I’ve grouped the safaris by the expertise they provide that will help you resolve which, if any, is the proper match for your loved ones. Keep in mind, all costs talked about are along with your park admission. (I’ve many ideas for getting discounted San Diego Zoo Safari Park tickets.)

Wildlife Safari: The Icon for a Basic, Up-Shut Expertise

That is by far the preferred paid tour on the Safari Park and with good purpose. You’ll board a coated, open-air truck and drive into one of many savanna habitats for a more in-depth view of animals like giraffes, rhinos, and antelope. The expertise is guided, interactive, and way more intimate than the included Africa Tram. There are a number of variations of this tour:  

• The usual Wildlife Safari (ages 3+, 1 hour) is probably the most extensively booked and normally what I like to recommend for first-timers. It delivers that core, up-close expertise and is constantly referred to as “100% price it” by guests. For a lot of, the spotlight is an unforgettable animal encounter, like petting a rhino as she opens her mouth “like a child chicken” for apple slices.  
• The Deluxe Wildlife Safari (ages 6+, 90 minutes) offers you extra time within the discipline and infrequently covers extra habitat zones, like each the East Africa and Asian savanna areas. I just lately went on a Deluxe Safari and the time flew by. In case your finances permits, the additional half-hour offers you extra time, extra info, and a greater probability of seeing extra animals.
• Wildlife Safari: Southwest to Savanna (ages 6+, 2 hours) is a more moderen tour that focuses on the park’s conservation mission.You’ll begin within the Biodiversity Reserve, the place park scientists work to review and shield native species. From there, you’ll head into one of many African savanna habitats for a extra conventional safari-style expertise—getting near giraffes, rhinos, and extra.
• There’s even a 21+ “Sips on Savanna” Safari, which blends animal encounters with seasonal cocktails, wine, or mimosas and small bites. It’s a improbable choice for an adults-only journey or a particular date.  
• Value: Begins at $95 per particular person. We now have a typical Wildlife Safari cheaper price on peak days.

Flightline Safari: The Journey for Thrills and Unbeatable Views

This isn’t a tour… it’s an journey! You’ll zipline 130 ft above the African Savanna, gliding over giraffes, rhinos, and different wildlife for a very one-of-a-kind aerial view.

• The Verdict: Flightline Safari is enjoyable for adrenaline lovers or repeat guests seeking to expertise the park in a brand new manner. It’s much less about velocity and extra about perspective or actually the possibility to drift quietly above the park and take within the habitats from above.
• Good to Know: The zipline has particular security necessities. Contributors should be no less than 8 years outdated, be no less than 48 inches (4 ft) tall, and weigh between 60 and 275 kilos.  
• Value: Begins at $120 per particular person. We now have a cheaper price on peak days.

Behind-the-Scenes Safaris: The Insider’s Peek Behind the Curtain

These excursions take you to the staff-only areas of the park to see how the keepers take care of the animals. The themes differ, so it’s all the time a good suggestion to test the park’s calendar to see what’s obtainable in your go to date.  

• What You Would possibly Expertise: Themes are sometimes centered on particular animals or conservation tales. In style choices have included “Saving Giants” (elephants and rhinos), “Wild Cat Journey,” “Walkabout Australia,” and “Passport Into the Wild,” which supplies a world overview of conservation efforts. You’ll normally see off-exhibit areas and be taught immediately from wildlife care specialists about what it takes to take care of animals.
• The Verdict: For the actually curious, this can be a improbable alternative. We hear readers and purchasers say they take pleasure in this greater than the standard safari due to the unimaginable entry. I’ve been behind the scenes over time and it’s attention-grabbing to see even probably the most minute particulars. I undoubtedly assume it’s a match for households with youngsters who’re occupied with veterinary medication or associated fields.
• Value: Begins at $95 per particular person. We now have a cheaper price on peak days.

Nice Worth Safaris: Two Pockets-Pleasant Guided Excursions

Cart Safari

The Cart Safari affords a 60-minute guided tour in a small automobile, excellent for many who need a extra private expertise than the tram with out the upper worth of the Wildlife Safari.  

• The Verdict: A wonderful worth choice, the Cart Safari is steadily really useful for friends with mobility considerations who nonetheless need a guided tour with out the upper price of the Wildlife Safari. I additionally like this tour for households touring with toddlers and infants. It’s fast and also you see fairly a bit.
• Value: Begins at $62 per particular person.

Wildlife Trek

The Wildlife Trek is a guided strolling tour, providing knowledgeable insights for a really small add-on price.  

• The Verdict: This can be a improbable, budget-friendly approach to get extra out of your go to by having an knowledgeable information convey the park to life with tales and details you’d in any other case miss.
• Value: Begins at $30 per particular person.

The Final Reminiscence: For a As soon as-in-a-Lifetime Expertise

Roar & Snore Safari

That is the legendary in a single day sleepover on the park. You’ll keep in a tent overlooking the savanna, full with after-hours excursions and campfire actions.  

• What It’s Like: The expertise is a packed night and morning of unique actions. After checking in and settling into your tent, the itinerary typically contains dinner, guided night time hikes to see nocturnal animals, and a campfire with s’mores. You’ll get up early to the sounds of lions roaring—a spotlight for almost everybody—adopted by breakfast and morning animal encounters earlier than the park opens to the general public. There are completely different themes obtainable, together with “All Ages” nights, “Adults Solely” (21+) occasions, and particular packages for teams like Woman Scouts.  
• The Verdict: This can be a true bucket-list merchandise. The Roar & Snore is an establishment, with guests calling it “considered one of my life’s greatest experiences.” Waking up in your tent to the sound of lions roaring because the solar rises over the savanna is a fully unforgettable reminiscence.  
• Value: Begins at $165 per particular person .

The Final Safari

That is the park’s premier VIP expertise: a non-public, absolutely personalized tour on your group that may last as long as 5 hours.  

• The Verdict: For a milestone celebration the place the finances is versatile, that is the head of exclusivity. The workers is understood for creating magic, going to extraordinary lengths to cater the towards towards your pursuits. This isn’t only a tour; it’s a meticulously crafted, once-in-a-lifetime day.  
• Value: Begins at $730 per particular person .

Know Earlier than You E book: Vital Safari Particulars

Earlier than you buy a safari, it’s necessary to pay attention to the park’s guidelines and restrictions to make sure a easy and satisfying expertise.

• Separate Admission Required: That is a very powerful factor to know. All paid safari excursions require a separate park admission ticket for each particular person in your group. Use my promo code lajollamom in case you want a 1-Day ticket.
• Age and Accompaniment Guidelines: Most excursions have age minimums (e.g., 3+ for the usual Wildlife Safari, 6+ for the deluxe model, and 21+ for “Sips” excursions). Youngsters ages 15 and youthful should be accompanied by a paying grownup, with a most of three kids per grownup.  
• Mobility and Accessibility: The park can accommodate friends with mobility wants. Wheelchair-accessible safari automobiles can be found, however it’s essential to notify the park prematurely that you just want one.
• Climate and Wildlife: Excursions run rain or shine. Nonetheless, the park reserves the proper to vary routes or cancel excursions for the well being and security of the animals or friends.  
• Cancellation Coverage: Cancellations made fewer than three days prematurely are usually non-refundable.

The Remaining Verdict: Ought to You Pay for a Safari?

Right here’s a easy information that will help you make the ultimate name.

Stick to the included Africa Tram if:

• You might be on a good finances.
• That is your first go to and also you merely need to get an excellent overview of the park.
• You might be completely happy seeing animals from a distance in a good looking setting.
• You’re completely happy winging your go to.

It’s best to contemplate paying for a safari if:

• Your aim is an unforgettable, up-close animal encounter.  
• You might be celebrating a special day and need to create a core reminiscence.  
• You’re a repeat customer on the lookout for a brand new approach to expertise the park.
• You have got mobility considerations.
• You might be brief on time (our purchasers ebook Cart Safari in these instances) or you have got younger youngsters that you just don’t assume will final a full day within the park.

It doesn’t matter what you select, I prefer to remind folks that each greenback spent helps the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s international conservation efforts. On a safari, you’ll find out about and be impressed by what they do.