safari park san diego butterfly exhibit

• Meeting Planners
• Meet the Team
• Services & Resources
• Service Providers
• Hotel & Venue Search
• Convention Center
• Travel Trade
• San Diego Specialist
• Trade Offers
• Request Images
• Hosting Assistance
• Press Releases

Spring Safari Featuring Butterfly Jungle

Spring brings the perfect chance to get outdoors, spend time with family, and experience the sights, sounds, and tastes of the season! From special entertainment and culinary creations to amazing wildlife encounters like Butterfly Jungle, come make spring memories to last a lifetime!

Butterfly Jungle Safari requires an additional ticket for each person age 1 and older.  All members and visitors who are planning to enjoy this experience can purchase tickets at the link. Additionally, all visitors ages 3 and up require a valid Safari Park admission ticket or membership to visit the Safari Park. Members and guests of all ages will love this immersive wildlife experience that allows them entry to the Safari Park’s Hidden Jungle aviary, filled with colorful, fluttering butterflies. This is a great opportunity to capture amazing photos—and experience wonder while discovering the important role butterflies play in nature.

This 20-minute experience includes enrichment to offer the butterflies while you explore the habitat. Guides and wildlife care staff will be available inside the Hidden Jungle aviary to enhance guests' experience throughout their visit.For more information about this year's Butterfly Jungle experience, visit our Seasonal Events FAQ page.

Don’t let this magical moment flutter by without you! 

Due to fire safety codes, we are limited to five carried infants (under the age of one) through the Butterfly Jungle experience at the same time. To ensure a spot for everyone in your party, please reserve and purchase a space for everyone, including infants under the age of one. Groups with infants under the age of one, without a purchased ticket may be rescheduled to another time slot upon arrival.

Neighborhood: North Inland

San Diego Zoo Safari Park 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92027-9614

Contact Info

619-231-1515

Date & Time

Mar 16 - May 12, 2024

$15 per person, age 1 & up plus general admission

Explore San Diego Neighborhoods

• Mission Bay & Beaches
• Point Loma Peninsula
• North County Coastal
• Downtown & Urban
• Downtown & Gaslamp Quarter
• Little Italy
• North Park & South Park
• Inland Valley, Mountain & Desert
• Mission Valley & Old Town
• North County Inland
• East County
• Baja California
• Baja Regions

More to explore

Father's day at the smoking gun.

Spend Father's Day at The Smoking Gun!

Celebrate Dad on a VIP Wine and Food Adventure

Treat Dad, he deserves it!

This year, for fathers day, we're celebrating every day on our fabulous Chauffeured Vineyard Adventure Tour! 

Dad will love this afternoon of wine tasting in San Diego's gorgeous inland valleys. 

Highlights of this VIP Tour include:

- Approx. 6 hour VIP guided adventure to two stunning and unique local wineries. - Ample tastings and pours of local wines (beer options available). - Entertaining commentary on local history, and viticulture. - Door-to-door transportation (from most San Diego locations). - Wine tasting appreciation presentation, and guided winery tour. - Delicious Winery Meal. - Complete coordination by San Diego Beer, Wine & Spirits Tours.

Perfect for mothers day; fathers day; birthdays; bachelorettes; etc.

San Diego Padres vs. Seattle Mariners

For groups of 10 or more, hospitality, or suites, please contact [email protected]

Tuesday, July 9, 6:40 PM PT Salute to First Responders: Law Enforcement

The Padres are proud to celebrate, honor and thank the first responders who serve and support the San Diego community. First Responders and their families receive 25% off tickets on dedicated First Responder Salutes and 10% off all other games, available online through verification by GovX.com.

Romantic Winery Adventure

Book your tour now or buy a gift certificate for future. It's the perfect Valentine or ANY DAY celebration. 

Treat your loved one, YEAR ROUND!

Enjoy door-to-door transportation, award-winning wines, a full meal and romantic vineyard views.

This luxurious chauffeured tour will take you through San Diego's scenic countryside, where you'll have the opportunity to taste the finest wines in the region. You'll also get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the winemaking process, as well as learn about the history and culture of San Diego.

Relax and unwind as you soak up the sun and take in the stunning views of the vineyards. Our expert guide will ensure that you have a fantastic time and that your needs are taken care of.

Celebrate love with a delightful day of wine and treats!

Book your elevated experience NOW!

Father's Day at The Smoking Gun

Sharing is caring.

Like what you see? Share with your friends, family, and the world!

Stay in touch

Sign up to receive the latest news, events, and updates about San Diego. Our monthly and weekly newsletters will keep you informed about the latest and greatest happenings in the destination.

• Things to Do
• Neighborhood Maps
• Getting Around
• Travel Guides & Apps
• Family Travel
• International Travelers
• Destination Weddings
• Visitor Information & Services
• Hotels & Resorts
• Bed & Breakfasts
• Camping & RV Parks
• Vacation Rentals
• Other Accommodations

English | Change Language

Select your country or region

Or use google translate.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomes spring with monarch butterfly exhibition

There will also be seasonal festivities, including live entertainment for the whole family

By Patricia Martínez 2024-03-13T21:58:00+00:00

Celebrate the arrival of spring at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, with the Butterfly Jungle exhibition where visitors can stroll around the Hidden Jungle aviary among hundreds of colorful butterflies, feed them, and learn about them.

It is a wonderful and perfect experience for the whole family. In addition, every visit and economic contribution helps to save wildlife both in the zoo and all over the world.

It should be noted that access to Butterfly Jungle Safari has an additional cost of $15 dollars per person , however, it is completely worth it.

Admission to the park includes live shows and entertainment such as a dance presentation by group The Bee Boyz, the musical duo Bluebirds, among others.

Keep reading: Classic car and coffee event is coming to Balboa Park in March 2024

Butterfly Jungle will be available from March 18 to May 14 from 10 AM to 4:30 PM.

To learn more about this event, visit Safari Park's official website here: https://sdzsafaripark.org/spring-safari . We remind you that the zoo is open every day from 9 AM to 6 PM .

RELATED VIDEO: Explore Balboa Park

• #SanDiegoZooSafariPark
• #ButterflyJungle
• #SafariPark
• #MariposasMonarcaSanDiego

SanDiegoRed

Volaris adds direct flight from Tijuana to Las Vegas

Discover Tijuana Jazz Club: Enjoy the best live music with some...

Unforgettable! Celebrate your father with a Luis Miguel concert in...

Alliance Air Products and Daikin Applied begin construction of...

Recent news more.

By Patricia Martínez Holguín 2024-06-12T22:53:00+00:00

By Sonia Zavala 2024-06-12T18:11:00+00:00

By Patricia Martínez 2024-06-12T00:59:00+00:00

Related Content

Destiny 2: Eclipse: unidos en la oscuridad

Critics Choice Awards 2024: Oppenheimer se convierte en la película más premiada de la ceremonia

Bruce Wayne tiene dos Pininfarinas

Ahora las computadoras hacen arte, niveles y hasta videojuegos enteros

David Chase, creador de Los Soprano, dice que la televisión se ha vuelto cada vez más tonta

Tesla Cybertruck a revisión porque acelera sola

El mayor error de God of War: Ragnarök se pudo evitar

Echo supera a Secret Invasion como la peor serie de Marvel, según la crítica

Check Out The Butterfly Jungle At San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSCpHZSAurw/?tagged=butterflyjungle

If you haven’t already heard, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has a special springtime exhibit running from March 11th through April 23rd; the Butterfly Jungle, and it’s pretty sweet!

The Butterfly Jungle isn’t a huge enclosure, but it’s filled with thousands of butterflies bound to make your heart flutter! (See what we did there?)

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSKI_5ggCyB/?taken-at=576104

Now you have been warned… if you go on the weekends, there will be a line and there will be a wait. If you’re not that patient, you can pay a $20 “cut-the-line” fee.

The park staff is also really good about letting you know when they expect slower times during the day so that you won’t have to wait so long. If you’re lucky enough to be able to go on a weekday, park staff informed us that there normally isn’t a wait at all.

The park sells pieces of watermelon for those who wish to feed the butterflies, and fun fact: they won’t be tasting it with their mouth but with their feet!

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSP199HDYor/?tagged=butterflyjungle

Once you get into the enclosure, it’s noticeably humid to keep the butterflies comfortable – like in their natural habitat.

The staff is very careful that you are thoroughly checked before you leave to make sure that you don’t have any hitchhikers.

If too many butterflies get out and start messing with the local population, the exhibit is at risk of getting shut down; which would be a major bummer for those of us to love to enjoy the annual exhibit!

The staff is also very careful to inform all guests not to touch the butterflies. If they land on you, it’s totally fine to let them hang out, but the wings are so fragile that if they are constantly getting grabbed, they basically flake apart.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BSJq2egh36Q/?tagged=butterflyjungle

So be gentle with these fragile friends, and make sure to wear bright colors and have your camera ready to get some cool snaps of the beautiful butterflies.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Cie (@barr8son)

• Museum of Contemporary Art San Diego

• Belmont Park

• Waterfront Park

• Gaslamp Quarter

San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle Opens

Annual Spring Event, Presented by Wheelhouse Credit Union,  Runs Through May 12

Thousands of butterflies floated and fluttered around the Butterfly Jungle aviary at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park this morning (March 22, 2019), as invited guests were treated to a sneak preview of the Safari Park’s annual springtime event—Butterfly Jungle presented by Wheelhouse Credit Union—which opens Saturday, March 23 and runs through Sunday, May 12. Safari Park guests can enjoy Butterfly Jungle daily. The popular event is included with Safari Park admission.

At Butterfly Jungle, the walk-through Butterfly Jungle aviary has been transformed into a temporary home for over 30 species of butterflies. As guests walk through this rain forest habitat, thousands of colorful, eye-catching creatures surround them, fluttering lightly through the warm air to find nectar-filled flowers to feed upon. The aviary is also home to lush greenery and 18 species of exotic birds.

This event not only brings delight to the guests that visit, but also brings awareness to the plight of declining butterfly populations all over the world—as well as our local butterfly populations here in San Diego. Butterflies play an important role in their environment as pollinators for native plant species. During the Butterfly Jungle event, San Diego area residents can learn how they can help local butterfly populations by including plants in their gardens that help support all stages of a butterfly’s life—from egg to caterpillar to adulthood. Selecting specific plants that attract butterflies will encourage them to hang out in a home garden throughout all of their life stages, providing hours of backyard viewing pleasure. 

            By visiting Butterfly Jungle, guests help support San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s efforts to conserve butterflies, as well as supporting sustainable butterfly farming.   If the farmers in Central, South and North America that supply the butterfly pupae weren’t raising butterflies, they might be clear-cutting their land to plant crops or raise cattle. Instead, when they raise butterflies, they leave the land in its pristine state and allow butterfly populations to thrive.

            Guests at Butterfly Jungle are encouraged to wear bright colors and move slowly, to increase the chances of butterflies landing on their clothes or hats. When the insects do land, guests should enjoy the close encounter but shouldn’t touch, because they could harm these delicate fliers.

            Guests who want a special opportunity to visit the butterfly aviary before it opens to the public can book aButterflies and Friends Behind-the-Scenes Safari.   This two-hour walking tour begins at 8 a.m. on select days; pre-purchased reservations are required and space is limited.  This tour also includes early access to baths and lorikeets, as well as a special animal presentation with flighted species.   To find out more or make a reservation, call our reservation line at 619-718-3000. Priority butterfly viewing is available for an additional fee, with tickets available daily beginning at 9:30 a.m. at the Lorikeet Landing booth.

Related Posts

DOs and DON’Ts for Monarchs

San Diego Zoo Receives Hundreds of Eggs from Critically Endangered Lord Howe Island Stick Insect

Beckoning Birds, Bees, and Other Beings: Why Flowers Are So Colorful

Recommended.

The Hatch of 2020

• Wildlife Care

Times of San Diego

Local News and Opinion for San Diego

See Butterfly Jungle As San Diego Zoo Safari Park Looks to Spring

Share this:

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)

Spring hasn’t quite sprung yet, but look to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park to enjoy one of its prettiest gifts – butterflies – beginning Saturday.

The Escondido park’s Spring Safari, featuring the Butterfly Jungle, gives visitors the opportunity to wander through the Hidden Jungle aviary. They will see hundreds of butterflies and have a chance to feed them, while learning about their critical role in the ecosystem.

The goal of the event also is to shine a spotlight on local wildlife in the Southwest. San Diego County is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a variety of native plants and animals, including two of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s focal species, the burrowing owl and the desert tortoise.

The Safari Park’s Native Nectar Garden and Baja Gardens also will offer narrated information on plant life.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park will have springtime treats and festivities as well, including live entertainment from the dance crew the Bee Boyz, the musical duo the Bluebirds and the juggler Bee Plus.

Park menus also will feature an array of strawberry-themed food and beverages for the season.

The Spring Safari and Butterfly Jungle events continue through May 14. General admission starts at $69.

Check-in for the optional 20-minute Butterfly Jungle Safari experience is available from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. daily, with tickets at $15 per person. 

The Safari Park is open daily from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

• Give Monthly
• San Diego Zoo
• Safari Park
• Special Experiences
• Plan Your Visit
• Renew/Rejoin
• Conservation
• Take Action
• Adventure Travel

Bring On the Butterflies

GILDING THE LILY

IN A FLUTTER

GETTING READY FOR GUESTS

Continue Reading

Conservation Begins At Home

Wins for Wildlife

The Female Lead

• San Diego Zoo Tickets
• Safari Park Tickets

• Animals , 
• Family , 
• Teens , 
• Kids , 
• Outdoors , 
• Music , 
• Food , 
• Festivals , 
• Photography

Spring Safari featuring Butterfly Jungle at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Celebrate the arrival of spring at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park with the return of Spring Safari featuring Butterfly Jungle . Spring is the season to get outdoors, spend time with family and experience bold, colorful new adventures.

Spring Safari will shine a spotlight on the incredible local wildlife in the Southwest region, including monarch butterflies. California is a winter refuge for western monarchs. Unique to our region, western monarchs are in danger of vanishing, and their numbers have plummeted by more than 99% in recent years. San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance scientists are leading efforts to protect and raise awareness about the plight of western monarchs and other native San Diego butterflies, and Spring Safari guests will learn about how they can help.

Throughout the event, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park will be filled with springtime treats and festivities around every corner. Guests will enjoy live entertainment from the high-energy dance crew The Bee Team, the musical duo the Bluebirds and the talented juggler Bee Plus, among others. An array of strawberry-themed food and beverages will be available for purchase to enhance the “all things spring” experience.

As part of Spring Safari, the Safari Park will feature optional premium Butterfly Jungle experiences. The Butterfly Jungle Safari experience will once again invite visitors to wander through the Hidden Jungle aviary among hundreds of butterflies, have a chance to feed them and learn about their critical role in the ecosystem.

Separately, the all-new Wildlife Photo Trek : Butterly Jungle will enable guests to spend one hour inside Butterfly Jungle photographing the birds and butterflies.

Spring Safari featuring Butterfly Jungle will take place March 16 through May 12. The Butterfly Jungle habitat is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Premium Butterfly Jungle experiences are not included with admission. For more information about Butterfly Jungle, visit sdzsafaripark.org/butterflyjungle .

To learn more about Spring Safari, visit sdzsafaripark.org/springsafari

San Diego Zoo Safari Park on Facebook / Instagram

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Use two fingers to move map

FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News

San Diego Zoo Safari Park to showcase ‘Butterfly Jungle’ this spring

by: Domenick Candelieri

Posted: Mar 12, 2024 / 10:40 PM PDT

Updated: Mar 12, 2024 / 10:40 PM PDT

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (FOX 5/KUSI) — The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is welcoming the spring season with Butterfly Jungle .

The experience allows visitors to feed, learn and be among hundreds of butterflies within the Hidden Jungle enclosure, zoo officials said in a press release on Monday.

Monarch butterflies, which are in danger of vanishing in the Southwest region as their numbers have plummeted by more than 99%, are featured in the exhibit, according to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance.

The Spring Safari includes performances from the high-energy dance crew The Bee Team, the musical duo the Bluebirds and the talented juggler Bee Plus. Strawberry-themed food and beverages will be available as well.

Guests interested in photography can participate in the all-new Wildlife Photo Trek by spending one hour inside Butterfly Jungle to photograph the birds and butterflies.

The Butterfly Jungle will not be included with admission. It is open daily from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 16 and goes through May 12.

Suggest a Correction

Thanks for signing up!

Watch for us in your inbox.

Subscribe Now

12 p.m. Noon News

Most Popular Stories

Big changes coming for texting on iphones, san diego marines save man’s life at dallas airport, san diegans call city’s approach to homeless crisis …, this sd beach named one of the most polluted in u.s., ‘dangerously hot conditions’ expected in these sd ….

BestReviews.com - Top picks to make everyone happy

Best prime day electronics deals 2024, best prime day kitchen and cookware deals 2024, last-minute father’s day gifts, tested and reviewed, cool gifts for dad he’ll love this father’s day, apple wwdc 2024: ‘apple intelligence’ and big photo …, best fitness gifts for father’s day.

Feed Butterflies as They Flutter by, at Safari Park

Spring safari featuring butterfly jungle alights at the animal park, with grace and beauty, later in march., by alysia gray painter • published march 3, 2022 • updated on march 3, 2022 at 10:14 pm, what to know.

• Spring Safari Featuring Butterfly Jungle
• March 19 through May 8, 2022
• San Diego Zoo Safari Park in Escondido; do note that Butterfly Jungle is a separately priced ticket

"AN ESCAPE INTO NATURE": The total truth? Many of us are forever seeking that brief but blissful escape into the natural world, in whatever way it arrives. We want to stand in the soft sunshine as it filters through the tree canopy above, we want to turn an ear to the thrilling trill of a nearby bird as we try to determine its avian origin, and discovering a pretty pinecone in our path? Oh, you can bet we're going to pause and study every little knob, ridge, and hollow, at lovely length. But when a world-famous animal park puts out the call, that "an escape into nature" is going to be one of the sweet themes of its spring programming, we're ready to flutter in that direction, quickly, as fast as an insect with wings.

📺 Los Angeles news 24/7: Watch NBC4 free wherever you are

SAN DIEGO ZOO SAFARI PARK... has just put out that critter-cool call, and it is all about its upcoming multi-week event, an outdoor extravaganza that has several intriguing elements. Spring Safari Featuring Butterfly Jungle boasts "springtime treats and festivities around every corner," with music, performances, and a bevy of strawberry sweets and eats for sale (Strawberry Cream Cheese Wontons are on the menu, as is a Peanut Butter and Strawberry Jam Bacon Burger, wow wow). And in the fluttery foreground of this happening, which celebrates the gifts of the gentlest season from March 19 through May 8?

BUTTERFLY JUNGLE, that well-known winged fling, a celebration that's full of stupendous soarers. This is a separate ticket, do note, and there are plentiful ways to savor your time among the marvelous Monarchs and Mourning Cloaks. Visitors will be able to "... wander through Hidden Jungle aviary among hundreds of colorful, fluttering butterflies and even have a chance to feed them." Surely that's a magical memory that the fortunate feeder will reflect upon every time they see a butterfly while on a walk for the rest of their butterfly-fancying days. For more on the park's Springtime Safari, and Butterfly Jungle, too, flap your wings by this site now.

Get Southern California news, weather forecasts and entertainment stories to your inbox. Sign up for NBC LA newsletters.

This article tagged under:

Things to do | From humble pupae to brilliant butterflies…

Share this:.

• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to print (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Things to do

Things to do | from humble pupae to brilliant butterflies comes butterfly jungle.

The butterflies have been maturing in their pupae in an incubation room at the Safari Park. When they emerge, keepers carefully transport them in wooden boxes to the specially prepared Hidden Jungle Aviary.

The pupae have been arriving at the Safari Park in recent weeks. Some come from a broker in Colorado. Many others are shipped directly from Costa Rica. Villagers there are paid to carefully collect from the approximately 30 species that will be on display in the aviary.

By establishing that the butterflies have a monetary value, the Zoo helps preserve the rain forests where the butterflies grow, said Don Sterner, an animal care manager who oversees Butterfly Jungle.

“They actually propagate the butterflies, collect the pupae, and release the butterflies back into the wild,” he said. “They then ship the pupae to zoos and various botanical centers.”

“You’ll never see butterflies in such great numbers,” Sterner said. “We also have birds here as well. You’ll also have an ambiance of tropical birds with the butterflies.”

That’s the prelude to what the public will see, starting this Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sterner suggests coming in the morning to beat the crowds. Sunny days are best, to view the butterflies in the most light.

And no, the birds in the aviary won’t eat the butterflies — only compatible species will remain in the aviary during Butterfly Jungle.

There’s no extra cost apart from Safari Park admission. But for those willing to pay more and willing to get up early, the Safari Park offers a behind-the-scenes tour, starting at 8:15 a.m. and lasting for two hours.

The tour begins with the butterflies, migrates to fruit bats and from there to see exotic birds and their trainers. Cost begins at $89 per person. For more information, go to https://www.sdzsafaripark.org/safari/behind-scenes-safari .

When a Union-Tribune reporter visited at the beginning of March, some butterflies had already matured and been released into the aviary.

Sterner showed a Union-Tribune reporter around the aviary and the incubator room, kept in sauna-like conditions for the comfort of the butterflies, if not necessarily humans.

When the pupae arrive, keepers inspect them to make sure no unwanted species are included, and that there are no parasites.

“It’s a very meticulous process,” Sterner said. “It has to be done under the regulations of the USDA” (U.S. Dept. of Agriculture).

Conditions also must be meticulously tailored to the developing butterflies’ biology.

On a recent visit, the incubator’s temperature was maintained at 79.3 degrees and 79 percent humidity — quite a contrast to the wintry morning temperature outside.

Once they’re judged fit, the pupae are fixed to vertical racks and placed into the incubators. Keepers can peer through glass panes to inspect the pupae without disturbing their development.

Various swallowtail and heliconid butterflies are some of roughly 30 species that will be on display. These include a perennial favorite, the blue morpho. When resting with wings folded up, it’s a rather drab brown that easily blends in with the surroundings. With wings spread, the electric blue coloration flashes into view.

Owl butterflies, another large species, will also be displayed.

“They turn upside down and flash the underside of their wings; it looks like an owl is staring at you,” Sterner said. “It’s a startling effect.”

Not only useful, but vitalBut more than providing beauty, butterflies play an important ecosystem role.

In central America, in California, and elsewhere, butterflies are important for the survival of plants, Sterner said.

“Butterflies are great pollinators,” he said. “We need pollinators to survive. And there’s been a decline in the amount of pollinators, bees, butterflies, a lot of insects that provide pollination.”

To help the butterflies that help us, people can grow plant species around their homes and gardens the butterflies depend on, Sterner said. Information about these plants will be available at Butterfly Jungle.

Butterfly Jungle

Days: March 10 — April 15

Hours: 9 am — 6 p.m.

Best times to go: Mornings and sunny days preferred.

How to dress: To attract butterflies, wear brightly colored clothes.

Web site: https://www.sdzsafaripark.org/butterflyjungle

Related reading

Backstage at Safari Park’s Butterfly Jungle

Butterfly Jungle lands at Safari Park

Butterfly haven at Safari Park

Flutter on over to animal park for the Butterfly Jungle next weekend

[email protected]

(619) 293-1020

More in Things to do

Entertainment | San Diego County Fair starts its 20-day run in Del Mar

Things to do | Switchfoot’s Bro-Am and two other San Diego concerts you won’t want to miss

Things to do | The best things to do this weekend in San Diego: June 14-16

Things to do | San Diego County Fair grandstand concert picks cover an array of styles

Butterfly Jungle Safari Park: In-Depth Guide

Ever wished to find yourself engulfed in a flurry of beautiful butterflies? Delight in this dreamy world at the Butterfly Jungle Safari Park!

There’s a lot more to Spring than having a picnic – we’re talking about strolling among graceful, colorful butterflies at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park ! The Butterfly Jungle San Diego is a beautiful, fluttering sight to behold.

If you’ve always had a penchant for the beauty and intricate nature of butterflies, then Butterfly Jungle Safari Park 2024 should undoubtedly be on your bucket list. Imagine a place filled with stunning, vibrant-colored butterflies that fly around unruffled, leading you to an oasis of calm amidst a concrete jungle.

Not to forget, a myriad of other winged creatures, including exotic birds, will lucratively add to your experience. Located just a few miles from the bustling city, this is your ultimate chance for a surreal escape. Additionally, take some time to learn the intriguing lifecycle and habits of these fascinating, elusive insects.

Follow along as we share everything you need to know about Butterfly Jungle San Diego Zoo.

Winged Wonders Await: Butterfly Jungle Safari Dates and Time

The Butterfly Jungle experience at San Diego Zoo Safari Park, hidden in the Jungle Aviary, awaits visitors from March 18, 2024, through May 14, 2024. The doors are open from 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Butterfly Jungle lets you enjoy these creatures for 20 minutes.

Find Your Way to Butterfly Jungle Safari Park

Embrace nature’s magic at 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027, USA , home to the enthralling Butterfly Jungle Safari nestled in the heart of San Diego Zoo Safari Park.

Related Post: Tips for San Diego Zoo: Insider’s Guide

About san diego safari park butterfly jungle 2024.

Every Spring , San Diego Zoo Safari Park becomes a home for thousands of beautiful butterflies that come in 30 different species, including Grecian Shoemaker and Blue Morpho.

Don’t miss the chance to catch these fascinating creatures and be captivated by their hues and life cycle at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Butterfly Jungle.

There will be guides to fill you in on everything you’d possibly want to know about butterflies and wildlife care, from how they eat to the important role they play in ecosystems. Want the butterflies to land on your shoulder? Wear bright colors! Butterflies land on and are attracted to vivid patterns, as well.

Note: The event is not open to the public but is a ticketed experience.

On top of seeing these stunning winged beauties at the Butterfly Exhibit San Diego, you’ll get to marvel at lush greenery and stunning flowers inside the butterfly farms. You can upgrade the experience by spending time with giraffes, rhinos, gazelles, and more.

Butterfly Jungle Safari Tickets

Safari Park Butterfly Jungle 2024 requires a separate ticket. It is not included with the general admission or membership. The entrance to the Safari Park costs $15 per person, applicable to all individuals over the age of one.

Nearby Hotels and Lodging

A day at the San Diego Zoo Butterfly Jungle can be tiring thanks to all the walking you’ll be doing. Luckily, the city is brimming with nearby hotels and lodging.

Book any of these ultra-relaxing hotels with Tripster:

• The Welk by Vacation Club Rentals
• Riviera Oaks Resort & Racquet Club
• Hampton Inn Carlsbad North San Diego County
• La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Carlsbad – Legoland Area
• Cape Rey Carlsbad Beach, A Hilton Resort & Spa

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Before you start your animal-filled adventure, you’ll need to score tickets first. Book ahead of time with Tripster:

• 2-Visit Pass

Other San Diego Attractions

San Diego is chock-full of amusements from wildlife fun to theme park excitement.

Once you’re done enjoying the Butterfly Exhibit San Diego Zoo Spring Safari, explore the rest of America’s Finest City with these other attractions :

• San Diego Zoo Safari Park Package
• Maritime Museum & San Diego Zoo Combo
• SeaWorld San Diego
• Disneyland Resort Theme Parks
• Universal Studios Hollywood
• San Diego Harbor Cruise by Hornblower

Experience Butterfly Jungle San Diego Zoo

Imagine stepping into a world teeming with vibrant colors and captivating patterns. That’s exactly what you get when you visit the San Diego Zoo Butterfly Jungle 2024.

The magnificently orchestrated exhibit provides an unparalleled opportunity for visitors to witness butterflies sipping nectar from an array of exotic buds. Not only will you see these delicate creatures in flight, but you’ll also have the exceptional chance to watch them up close in their natural environment.

The dedicated team at Wheelhouse Credit Union invites butterfly jungle guests to mingle and observe as stunning butterflies play in their vibrant pastoral settings. In this tranquil environment don’t be surprised if a delicate butterfly lands on your shoulder.

Related Post: San Diego Zoo Discount – Ultimate Guide

For those seeking a greater level of excitement and a sense of adventure, head over to the hidden jungle aviary. This secretive site is home to over 30 species of birds, offering a treat for both amateur and seasoned birdwatchers alike. With its doors soon opens to the public, the Butterfly Jungle Safari Park 2024 is undoubtedly a must-visit destination for nature enthusiasts of all ages.

But the adventure doesn’t end there. At the Hidden Jungle exhibit, you will embark on a journey that delves deeper into the magic of these incredible creatures. Learn yet unknown facets about the lifestyle and nature of butterflies amid the lush foliage, satisfying not just your sense of beauty but also your curiosity.

This experience at the Butterfly Jungle Safari Park 2024 truly makes your heart flutter, creating lasting memories filled with awe and wonder.

So, get ready to bask in the magic of butterflies taking flight. Head to San Diego Wild Animal Park Butterfly Exhibit to enjoy this springtime event. While at it, extend your trip into a wildlife expedition with a San Diego Zoo Safari vacation package !

Start Date:

March 18, 2024 @ 9:00 am CDT

May 14, 2024 @ 6:00 pm CDT

Categories:

Upcoming Events at San Diego Zoo - Tripster Travel Guide

2920 Zoo Dr San Diego , 92101 United States

Written by Anne Joyce Raymundo

Anne is a Filipino writer who formerly managed and created marketing strategies and materials for numerous websites and eCommerce platforms. Now, her voice...

Have something to add? Post it here: Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Events

May 25, 2024 - Sep 2, 2024

May 28, 2024 - Aug 14, 2024

Jun 12, 2024 - Jul 7, 2024

Are you a Tripster?

Create an account to get access to exclusive pricing and rewards.

Book Your Trip

Read more about.

• Help Center
• Plan Your Visit
• Places to Stay
• Youth Programs
• Student & Youth Groups
• Events & Catering
• Live Cameras
• Our Mission

Protecting California’s Butterflies

San Diego County is a biodiversity hotspot, home to a dazzling array of wildlife—including nearly 150 butterfly species!  Some of these winged wonders are threatened, and it’s up to us to create a world where they can thrive. The western monarch population is in an especially precarious state, having dropped by more than 95 percent since the 1980s.

San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is committed to protecting wildlife in our own backyard through our Southwest conservation hub, including monarchs and threatened Quino checkerspot butterflies. You can join us in securing their future.

Be a wildlife Ally

By supporting San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, you are our ally in saving and protecting California’s butterflies and other wildlife worldwide.

• Adopt a Butterfly

Take Action

Ask your representatives to support legislation that protects threatened monarch butterflies.

• Contact your representative

Watch and Read

Stretch your knowledge.

Learn all about these incredible insects, and what San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance is doing to protect butterflies in the Southwestern US.

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Southwest Hub
• All About Butterflies, Moths, and Skippers
• All About Monarch Butterflies
• All About Milkweed
• DOS and DON’TS for Monarchs: From planting native milkweed to writing to your government officials, here’s how you can make a difference!
• Help Monarchs Play It Safe
• Got Milkweed? A Guide to California's Native Species

Our Monarch Conservation Partners

• Association of Zoos and Aquariums SAFE: North American Monarchs
• Journey North
• Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County

For wildlife explorers

• All About Monarchs
• All About Butterflies
• Word Safari: How many monarch-related words can you find?

Roar, White, and Blue

PREFERRED HOTELS

Come Travel with Us!

Travel with us to see Monarchs

Picture Your Special Day at the Park!

Someday I'll Learn

Butterfly Jungle and the San Diego Safari Park

Chelsea Day | Travel Blog | Updated: Apr 30, 2019 Mar 30, 2019

We visited the limited-time annual Butterfly Jungle exhibit at the San Diego Safari Park! Here's what to expect, how to optimize your visit, and what else to see while you're at the park.

Butterfly Jungle is Seasonal

Every spring, starting around March, butterflies fill the San Diego area right in line with the timing of Southern California's super bloom. To capitalize on the sudden surge of interest and help educate the public, the San Diego Safari Park opens the specially-created Butterfly Jungle exhibit.

What is Butterfly Jungle?

Butterfly Jungle is a widely-anticipated greenhouse setup with thousands of butterflies of all shapes and sizes. At the Safari Park, Butterfly Jungle is setup in the area of the park usually called the Hidden Jungle. This lush, rainforest setting is the perfect backdrop for your butterfly exploration.

How do you Visit?

Butterfly Jungle is included with the price of admission to San Diego Safari Park – although you CAN pay an extra fee to skip the line.

Priority Viewing Tickets

These “Priority Viewing Tickets” are available for purchase right before the Butterly Jungle entrance at Nairobi Village. There are a ton of San Diego Safari Park staff around to help guide you. The Priority Viewing Tickets don't give you any sort of special seating within Butterfly Jungle – they merely get you in faster. Whether or not the Priority Viewing Tickets are worth purchasing will completely depend on the crowds when you visit. We went on opening day of Butterfly Jungle and it was exceptionally busy, with wait time for the exhibit topping two and a half hours.

There is also a special two hour Behind-the-Scenes Safari where guides let participants skip the line and give an up-close tour of the Butterfly Jungle and share insider knowledge about fruit bats and lorikeets. Those special tours must be booked in advance on the San Diego Safari Park website .

Also on the website, you'll find special breakfast and dinner events that allow intimate access to Butterly Jungle, up-close viewings and unique access to butterfly experts. Those are on specific dates, with reservations and sales being handled online.

Worth noting is that there are NO strollers allowed in Butterfly Jungle ( unless your stroller is used as a wheelchair ). You will be asked to park your stroller before entering the Butterfly Jungle line, so it's a good idea to bring a carrier or baby wrap if you have a squirmy little one, toddlers or preschoolers who tend to dart away.

How to Maximize your Visit

There are some tips and tricks to help you get the most out of your visit to Butterfly Jungle and San Diego Safari Park.

What to Wear

Wearing bright colors will help the butterflies notice and be drawn to you! Our son clipped a yellow emoji accessory to his shirt, and the butterflies seemed to like him a lot. Colors that they didn't seem as fond of include blue, red and green. People wearing pink or salmon-colored shirts were being swarmed the day we went!

Little cups of watermelon bits are sold right outside the Butterfly Jungle entrance. If you buy Priority Viewing Tickets, it's easy to miss the booth that sells these, so make sure to ask the park employees where to get your watermelon! Butterflies love watermelon and are more likely to land on you if you are holding a cup. If you don't want to purchase watermelon bits, a smart idea is to make a bee-line to the Butterfly Jungle exit after you get in, and see if people leaving would be willing to give you their used cups. The butterflies land on the watermelon pieces but don't actually consume them in any visibly noticeable way, so it's smart to conserve by asking for used cups. Once inside the Butterfly Jungle greenhouse, you're free to walk from the entry area to the exit area and back as long as you don't step out of the doors, so you won't be missing anything by taking this approach.

Picture Time

Be sure to take a high-quality camera with a macro-capable lens to get up-close photos of the butterflies. The “Live Focus” and “Pro” features on our phone cameras were helpful as well. You should definitely take a buddy, so they can capture pictures of you when the butterflies land! Remember: it's important to hold very, very still so that the butterflies aren't scared off.

Get Involved Beyond your Butterfly Jungle Visit

There are special search-and-find pamphlets handed out by zoo staff to help you identify different types of butterflies. This is a great way to keep kids busy in line and keep them engaged while they're in the Butterfly Jungle. You can even access the butterfly I.D. guide on the San Diego Safari Park website ahead of time to get the whole family excited.

There's also a butterfly jungle Instagram contest happening this season. Share your butterfly jungle photos on Instagram with hashtag #ButterflyJungle for your chance to win a flightline safari for four people!

San Diego Safari Park and the San Diego Zoo

One thing worth nothing is that San Diego Safari Park is run by the San Diego Zoo, but it is in a whole separate location. Technically called the “San Diego Zoo Safari Park,” the Safari Park is in north county San Diego, in a town called Escondido. This is about 40 minutes north of the San Diego Zoo's main Balboa Park location .

San Diego Safari Park Favorites

As you exit the Butterfly Jungle, you'll go through a series of several enclosed spaces just as you did when you enter. This is so no butterflies escape! Park employees will be carefully looking you over and even swabbing in and around bags with what looks like a big duster to shake out any sneaky butterflies.

Don't miss the amazing birds hanging out in the first exit space. These are one of our favorite creatures to visit at the San Diego Safari Park, and the Hidden Jungle is their usual hangout.

Also among our San Diego Safari Park favorites are the playground area ( near Nairobi Village where the food is, just a short walk from Butterfly Jungle ), the Cheetah Run, Balloon Safari ( we like to watch this giant balloon go up and down ), Savanna Cool Zone when it's hot out and the infamous must-do Africa Tram. It's a bit of a hike on the other side of the park to get to the Tiger Trail, but that's well worth the experience as well.

Have you ever been to a Butterfly Jungle?

Family Business Money Matters (How to Responsibly Quit your Day Job)

Why pet sheep make happier kids.

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar

Butterfly Jungle at San Diego Safari Park

Marvel at the stunning Butterfly Jungle exhibit at Safari Park, where you'll encounter a world of vibrant winged wonders up close. Don't miss it!

Everyone know about San Diego's World Famous Zoo, but did you know there is also a world renowned animal park in San Diego called the San Diego Zoo Safari Park ? For the first 25 years of my life it was called the Wild Animal Park, so you will still hear it called that by many folks, but regardless, it definitely awesome in its own right.

I like to think of it as the Zoo's more spread out, animals in their own habitat, more "safari" like, little brother. Its located in North San Diego, and is more than double the size (acre wise) than that of the zoo.

Each year they have for just a few weeks the most incredible exhibit, the butterfly exhibit called

Butterfly Jungle

Want to save this project?

Enter your email below, and then we'll send it straight to your inbox.  Plus get awesome new projects from us each week.

This past week it opened. Seeing as we LOVE butterflies , we were excited to get over to check it out. There were beautiful. Lots of different colors. My favorite were the big blue ones like this.

Wouldn't you know it, DNH Girl waited patiently and so wanted the butterflies to land on her. Guess who had them all over them??

Yep... Me!Oh, another one. Oh, did I mention they were all over me? Even getting a little chest action 🙂  (Look how cute DNH Girl is in the back ground looking at her butterfly chart pointing out all the different ones she was seeing.)There were a ton of butterflies flying around. It wasn't as humid as the butterflies we saw in Scottsdale , which was nice. I'm not going to lie, I was thankful that they didn't land on my face.Patience paid off, because low and behold a couple beauties landed on DNH Girl's butterly guide and she was so happy. Umm, even if she doesn't so much look like it 🙂

The exhibit is only at the park till April 27, so you will definitely want get out there and check it out if you can.

The family had a great time in all the other parts of the park including feeding the Lorikeets. So much fun feeding them nectar and getting to interact with them.Of course there are a ton of other animals to see, feed, interact with, that you could be there for a few days to see them all. Such a great time to visit the park while the weather isn't too hot or too cold. We love the Wild Animal Park!

More San Diego

Discover a world of creativity and joy with Alli Ward, the creative mind behind Made with Happy. From DIY crafts to delicious recipes, Alli brings happiness to every project!