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Safaripark Beekse Bergen

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SAFARIPARK BEEKSE BERGEN: All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (with Photos)

Beekse Bergen | Safari in the Netherlands

Safari in the Netherlands, is that even possible? Well, the answer is yes! In the South of the Netherlands, in Tilburg, Safari Park Beekse Bergen opened its doors back in 1968 and for over 50 years it attracts visitors who are after a safari experience close to home.

In 2018 it opened the Safari Resort, adding a new and unique dimension to the Safari Park. It makes it possible to stay overnight, right in the heart of the savannah. You are surrounded by wild animals and amazing nature.

Traveltomtom was invited to experience this Safari Resort and experience these safari vibes in the Netherlands. Traveltomtom team member and travel writer Ashley traveled to Tilburg with four nieces and nephews to fully experience the Beekse Bergen.

About Safari Resort Beekse Bergen

Looking for a unique safari experience, but Africa is still a step too far? Safari Resort Beekse Bergen in the Netherlands got you covered. You will spend the night in the heart of the savannah, literally surrounded by wild animals. You fall asleep and wake up among the animals and with the most beautiful views over the savannah.

The resort is very easily accessible as it is located close to the A58 highway and right next to the N269 provincial road. The resort is signposted very well as soon as you get off the highway, so you can’t miss it!

Checking in was really easy as all lodges have a combination lock at the front door. You get the code to this lock one day before your arrival, so you can go straight to your lodge without having to stop at the guest service. No keys or cards to open your lodge, so no keys or cards can be lost! Really clever.

On arrival the gates to the park open automatically based on license plate. However, Beekse Bergen is a car-free park, which means you can park your car near your lodge for loading and unloading, but you’re asked to park your car at one of the bigger car parks located throughout the park.

Beekse Bergen is a large resort with 239 lodges that differ in type, size, facilities and theme. The lodges are located around the Masai Mara and Serengeti savannahs, Simbara West and Simbara East, where the lions can be found and Bahari Beach, home of the seals.

No matter which lodge or accommodation you have, you are always surrounded by wildlife with loads of animals on your doorstep.

Visiting Safari Park Beekse Bergen definitely is among the best things to do in The Netherlands. Check out Traveltomtom's hand-picked list of the best places to visit in The Netherlands with some unique travel experiences.

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Savannah Lodge 410

We were given Savannah Lodge 410, located at the Masai Mara Savannah. We arrived quite late at night, so we had to wait to the next morning to see what our views would be like and what animals we would see.

Checking in to our lodge was like checking in to a five star hotel room, but then lodge style. We had a huge lodge with absolutely everything we needed. It has three bedrooms for a total of 6 people. One of the bedrooms has an ensuite bathroom with (rain) shower and sink.

Then there’s also a large bathroom with double sink, toilet, bathtub, (rain) shower and sauna. Yes, the lodge just has a sauna, how cool is that!

There is also a separate second toilet. Then there is the living room and kitchen area, with a television and large and comfy sofa and chairs and a large dining table with 6 chairs.

The kitchen has all equipment needed, fridge, oven, microwave and dishwasher.

And by far the best thing, windows over the full width of the living room and kitchen, with savannah views!

Nothing can beat a breakfast with your family overlooking the savannah and seeing zebras, giraffes and rhinos walking around.

Karibu Town

Karibu Town is the lively and vibrant heart of the Safari Resort. Here you will find here everything you need for a perfect stay. It’s never boring in Karibu Town! Let me list all the available facilities.

Ranger Basecamp

Ranger Basecamp is located within Karibu Town. Throughout the day they offer a range of activities and entertainment. Our niece really enjoyed the mini disco and puppet theatre. They will keep the kids busy all day! The kids can even earn a real Ranger Badge at the end of their stay. You can find the full entertainment program on the Beekse Bergen App.

Restaurant Moto

An open kitchen and a fire place in the middle of the restaurant, no surprise because Moto means ‘fire’ in Swahili. Restaurant Moto is a very atmospheric restaurant with a large terrace also overlooking the Serengeti Savannah. It’s the perfect place for a nice and delicious dinner after a day full of activities and adventures. They’re open from 12.00 – 8.00 pm for lunch and dinner.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday they also do pizza delivery to your lodge. You can just give them a ring, place your order and request your delivery time. Your pizza’s will be delivered right to your doorstep, hot and ready to eat! You can also order pizza or make a reservation for Restaurant Moto through the Beekse Bergen App.

Maji Springs

Kids and adults, everyone will have a great time at Maji Springs. A heated indoor swimming pool, an adventurous water playground with various play elements, fun for the whole family.

Unfortunately Maji Springs was closed during our stay at the Safari Resort, so we haven’t been able to experience this pool. The pool was closed because they are constructing a new toddler pool and family slide. During the renovation you can use the Etsi Pool swimming pool located at the Lake Resort.

Guest Service & Market

Just in case you have any questions or have forgotten something, feel free to make a stop at the Guest Service & Market, also located in Karibu Town. The Guest Service Centre is open all day to answer all of your questions. The market is your place for souvenirs, groceries and fresh sandwiches.

Pamoja Lounge & Bowling

Pamoja Lounge and the bowling alley are located between Restaurant Moto and the Guest Service & Market. Be sure to make a reservation if you want to have some bowling fun. Without a reservation you risk missing out on all the fun.

Breakfast Delivery

The lodges at the resort all have a fully equipped kitchen, so you can take everything for dinner and breakfast with you and cook it there. But, if you want you can go all luxury with the breakfast delivery service. Before you even wake up, your breakfast has been delivered to your lodge, just take it inside from your terrace.

Just take it in, put it on the table and enjoy your breakfast, pure luxury for sure. We used the breakfast service and it was simply outstanding! We had the breakfast family box and it came with so much! Croissants, currant buns, oven baked white and brown buns, butter, fresh fruits, jam, chocolate paste, cheese, 3 different cold cuts, gingerbread, apple juice, fresh orange juice, so much and so delicious!

You can order this breakfast service through the Guest Service & Market or through the Beekse Bergen App.

Outdoor Terrace

Just outside of Karibu Town there is a lovely outdoor terrace with Serengeti views. I can imagine this is the place to be in Summer, with a cold drink and views for hours. There is a fireplace and swing benches, where they roast marshmallows in the winter. In winter you can also find a skating rink there where you can ice skate for free. Just request your size skates and have a good time on the ice, while enjoying the views of giraffes and rhinos.

Add-on packages

The breakfast delivery is one of the many add on packages you can order and use while staying at the Safari Resort, but there is more. What about a bicycle package, a cart package, or maybe you have something to celebrate and want a safari cake or sparkling wine to be delivered. It’s all possible, just check the website or the app.

Beekse Bergen App

I have already mentioned it before in this blog a few times, but the Beekse Bergen has their own app and it is very useful! I mainly used it for entertainment times, to see when the mini disco was about to start. But also to check the lion’s feeding times to make sure we wouldn’t miss out as you can see this only 3 times per week.

The app has all maps of the Safari Park, Safari Resort and also the Lake Resort and Speelland, so there is really no reason to get lost. It has all timings listed per park, feeding times, entertainment times but opening times of pools and restaurants as well. It offers important and helpful information for you throughout your stay, manuals for equipment in your lodge, information on the resort and accommodation and where to go for medical help.

Attractions Pass

When you stay in a lodge or safari tent at the Safari Resort or the Lake Resort you receive a complimentary Attractions Pass. The Attractions Pass gives you plenty of benefits during your stay.

What about 25% discount at Safari Park Beekse Bergen, Speelland, Dierenrijk, Zooparc Overloon, Aviodrome Aviation Theme Park, AquaZoo Leeuwarden and Klimrijk Brabant for a whole year after your stay!?

With the attractions pass you get free and unlimited access to the Safari Park and all the parks mentioned above during your entire stay. We could have visited the park if we wanted to, but there was so much to do in the resort that we didn’t visit the park. We will definitely use the attractions pass on some of the other parks this year!

We also visited the park back in 2020 and had equally amazing experiences at the Beekse Bergen.

This time it was just magical to experience the wildlife from our doorstep. When you can see the wild animals from your living room, it’s the best thing there is!

Lake Resort

Next to the Safari Resort there is also the Lake Resort where you can enjoy the ultimate outdoor life, literally located next to Lake Victoria.

New Safari Hotel at Beekse Bergen

They are actually currently building the Safari Hotel at the Beekse Bergen, we could see a glimpse of what is coming and that looked very promising! The hotel will open its doors in March 2023.

Safari Park Beekse Bergen review

It all started with Safari Park Beekse Bergen where you can take a safari through nature and come face-to-face with wild animals on an educational and unique trip through the world of Beekse Bergen. They are open all year round, including public holidays. What makes the Beekse Bergen different from other zoo’s in the Netherlands? Well, it isn’t the standard zoo, it’s all about safari experiences here.

You can go on a boat safari, car safari, bus safari and a walking safari. You can also do game drives here. The experience with the animals on the car safari or game drive is really next level.

We did the car safari and the game drive with the kids back in 2020 and were both times surrounded by giraffes, when that happened, the kids were screaming of enthusiasm and had the time of their life.

We had visited the Safari Park before in 2020 and noticed those amazing lodges when we did the car safari. Little did we know that there was such a cool and amazing park there. Three years later we got an invite to come and experience it on behalf of Traveltomtom.

The resort really offers something special. Visiting the Beekse Bergen is cool, but once the park closes you have to leave and go home. If you are staying at the resort you are surrounded by wild animals all day. No matter where you walk at the resort, you always see the animals.

The lodges are large and equipped with all comforts and luxury. Spoil yourself with a week or weekend among the wild animals at the Safari Resort. If it were up to us and our nephews and nieces we would have never checked out from the Safari Resort!

A massive thank you is in order here for Safari Resort Beekse Bergen for inviting us to and organizing our visit down to the last detail.

This blog was written by travel writer and Traveltomtom team member Ashley . She was invited to visit and explore Safari Resort Beekse Bergen on behalf of Traveltomtom, and wrote this blog about her experiences. This is her Instagram Page .

Enjoy your trip to the Beekse Bergen!

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• beekse bergen

face to face with our nature

Experience an unforgettable safari together.

Stimulate all your senses during the impressive safaris at Beekse Bergen. Admire the expansive plains on foot, opt for adventure and take your own car, get on board the safari bus for an educational tour, or relax during a stunning boat trip. Each safari is unique and you can decide on the order you take them!

On safari in your own car

Discover car safari

Meet exceptional animals during a unique boat safari

Discover boat safari

Discover fun and exciting facts during the bus safari

Discover bus safari

Experience an active and adventurous safari on foot

Discover walking safari

Looking for extra adventure?

Make your visit to the Safaripark even more unique and expand your visit with adventurous activities such as a Gamedrive among the wild animals!

Discover all activities

Birds of prey safari

During the birds of prey safari, you will be introduced to the commanding world of birds of prey. Lean back and become inspired by the survival techniques of these strong and very useful creatures!

Discover birds of prey safari

A GREAT  DAY OUT  FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY!

Get ready for an unforgettable day out that’ll have the whole family roaring with excitement!

Drive through four miles of awe-inspiring habitats, spotting majestic lions, giraffes, rhinos, tigers, and more. Explore walk-through areas featuring penguins, hippos, lemurs, sea lions, lorikeets, and meerkats. Don't miss the African Walking Trail for a close encounter with elephants, giraffes, and rhinos! Step into Tiger Tropics and Lion Ridge to meet nature's magnificent big cats. Explore the Land of the Living Dinosaurs exhibit and enjoy daily feeds and talks. 

It’s a day packed with fun, learning, and unforgettable memories for the whole family!

Day Tickets

• Safari Drive

Safari Walk

• Save over 35% in advance
• Free Return included*

Pre-book - from £19.90

On the day - £32.00

Under 3s - Free

Ride Wristbands

• A variety of rides in our Adventure Theme Park
• Height restrictions apply

Pre-book – £10.00

On the day- £14.90

Little Penguin Wristband on the day – £7.00 (child between 0.8m-1.0m in height)

Annual Passes

Valid for up to 12 months

Exclusive discounts in shops and restaurants

Unlimited trips around the Safari on the day you visit

From £99.00

Free return offer...

This fantastic offer entitles the vehicle and online pre-paying occupants to an admission-only return visit to West Midlands Safari Park, within six months. Date restrictions apply. Find out more on our Free Return Ticket  page.

* Free Return Codes are ONLY sent to guests booking online in advance and are not included in the discounted group and school prices, Combi Tickets or special evening event tickets.

ESSENTIAL  COMPANIONS

West Midlands Safari Park has teamed up with Nimbus Disability, the administrators of the Access Card scheme, to oversee essential companion tickets and easy access eligibility.

To benefit, you must apply online through Nimbus Disability at least 7 days before your planned visit.

Successful applicants with a +1 qualify for a free Essential Companion Ticket, which can be booked online.

Tesco Vouchers

Tesco vouchers can be used to purchase Admission tickets, at the Ticket Office on the day only. Please exchange your points for a voucher for West Midlands Safari Park and arrive with this voucher code to purchase tickets on the day.

Tesco Vouchers are not valid against any extras: animal food, guidebooks, ride wristbands, minibus tours, annual passes, or anywhere else in the Park. Tesco Vouchers are not valid against special events such as Santa Safari; upgrade fees apply to see Santa, subject to availability.

Tesco vouchers do not qualify for our free return offer.

There are plenty of activities in and around Tilburg! The largest amusement park in the Netherlands is right around the corner. In the winter you can skate at the Ireen Wüst ice rink or take an exciting safari into the Beekse Bergen safari park. Grab life by the horns and get involved!

Do what you want to do

Sit still? Not in Tilburg!

Safaripark Beekse Bergen

Hall of Fame

Eat, Drink, Go out

Spoorlaan 21 5038 CB Tilburg

Loc Brewery

Loc Brewery Burgemeester Brokxlaan 18 5041 SB Tilburg

Broodje Aap & Linke Soep

Broodje Aap & Linke Soep Reinevaerstraat 55 5044 HD Tilburg

Proeflokaal La Trappe Trappist

Eindhovenseweg 3 5056 RP Berkel-Enschot

Groenstraat 1 39391 5021 LL tilburg

Oude Warande 3 5036 NE Tilburg

De Tongerlose Hoef

Reitse Hoevenstraat 129 Tilburg

Café Bakker

Heuvel 44 5038 CS Tilburg

Polly Maggoo

Polly Maggoo Heuvel 10 5038 CN Tilburg

Burgemeester Brokxlaan 1041 5041CT Tilburg

Het Ketelhuis

Aabe-straat 45 5021 AV Tilburg

Hotel de Druiventros

Hotel de Druiventros Bosscheweg 11 5056 PP Berkel-Enschot

• Meer eten, drinken, uitgaan

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Friendships beyond seasons

Discover exclusive off-season wildlife experiences with your animal friends., summer tour, up to 6 guests.

Experience Dubai Safari Park with our summer exclusive two-hour tour.

Enjoy the comfort of a private vehicle and get up close with your animal friends in a unique group adventure for up to 6 guests.

The group pass includes:

• 2-hours exclusive access to Dubai Safari Park during the off-season period.
• 2-hours private air-conditioned vehicle and tour guide.
• Access to selected animal encounters & feeding sessions.
• 15 min Safari tour at Arabian Desert Safari zone.
• Breakfast or light dinner meal.
• Complimentary VIP parking.

Morning tour: 8 am – 10 am

• Kids farm animals encounter and feeding sessions.
• Reptile encounter.
• Grand aviary bird encounter.
• Hyena viewing from an air-conditioned private platform.
• White lion viewing.
• Elephant feeding.
• Arabian Desert Safari.

Evening tour: 5 pm – 7 pm

• Crocodile viewing.
• Rhino encounter and feeding.
• Owl encounter.
• Giraffe encounter & feeding.

Upgrade your experience!

Take your summer tour to the next level! Upgrade to a thrilling 35-minute safari experience and have the unique opportunity to meet over 35 animal species from the comfort of a private air-conditioned safari bus.

Summer safari journey

Up to 10 guests.

Get a unique group pass with an all-inclusive Safari tour. During the one-hour tour, travel to Africa, Arabia, and Asia from the comfort of a private, air-conditioned vehicle. Dive into a safari adventure and uncover the secrets of fascinating animals from around the globe!

• 1-hour access to Dubai Safari Park during the off-season period.
• 1-hour private air-conditioned vehicle and tour guide.
• 15 min Safari Tour at Arabian Desert Safari zone; a drive-through to explore animal species roaming in their natural habitat.
• 35 min guided Safari tour at Arabia, Africa and Asia zones; a drive-through to explore animal species roaming in their natural habitat.
• Complimentary Parking.
• Opening Hours
• Tickets and Packages
• Know Before Your Visit
• Food and Beverage
• Live Presentation
• Souvenir Shop

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

Let us answer your questions and help create your day at the Safari Park!  Search our extensive FAQ, or chat with our 24-hour virtual assistant.  

Safari Park Hours

Directions & Parking

15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California 92027-7017

From Interstate 5 (Orange County, Los Angeles), take the State Route 78 East exit at Oceanside, proceed east to Interstate 15 South, exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27) and follow the signs to the Park. From Interstate 15 (Riverside), exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27) and follow the signs east to the Park.

From State Route 163 (downtown San Diego, Mission Valley) proceed to Interstate 15 North to the Via Rancho Parkway exit (Exit 27). Go east and follow signs to the Park. From Interstate 5 or 805 (Mexico), proceed to State Route 163, then to Interstate 15 North, and then exit at Via Rancho Parkway (Exit 27). Follow signs east.

From Interstate 8 (Imperial County, Arizona) take Interstate 15 North to the Via Rancho Parkway exit (Exit 27). Follow the signs east to the Park.

General parking (automobiles and motorcycles): $20 per vehicle. RV parking: starting at $38. Preferred parking: starting at $38. First come, first served; there are no in and out privileges.

For more information about bus and train schedules, please call 511 (San Diego's traffic and transit information service) or visit gonctd.com.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park App

Apple iOS download here. Android download here.

Visiting the Park has never been easier, with the San Diego Zoo Safari Park app! Discover dining, activities, and more with the GPS-enabled map. Get ready for your visit by importing tickets and memberships to the digital wallet, adding your must-see wildlife to the day planner, viewing today's schedule, and much more.

Safari Park Map

View the San Diego Zoo Safari Park's classic illustrated map on your mobile or desktop browser. Find your favorite wildlife, plan your visit, and check out all the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has to offer.

Download the PDF here

Guest Services

Our Guest Services office is located at Park Base.

Open daily to closing.

For information on the services and assistance we provide our guests on Safari Park grounds, click here.

Guests with Disabilities

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park welcomes all guests. We have several services to help guests with disabilities enjoy their visit. The Safari Park provides special parking, restrooms, and access to shows, tour buses, and exhibits for guests with disabilities. Please note there are steep grades in parts of the Safari Park. A complimentary ADA shuttle service operates inside the Safari Park for guests with mobility-related disabilities. Guests who use mobility assistive devices may also refer to the  map for ADA pathways and elevators. 

For full guest disability services and policies,  click here.

Click here to download our Accessibility Map (PDF)

San Diego Zoo

2920 Zoo Drive, San Diego, CA 92101

The San Diego Zoo is the Safari Park's sister park to the southwest in San Diego. Distance between the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is 35 miles. Please allow 45 minutes to 1 hour travel time.

Purchase a two-park pass here

Roar, White, and Blue

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Travel with us to see Monarchs

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Picture Your Special Day at the Park!

San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Insider Tips from a Local

M y husband and I absolutely love the San Diego Zoo and its sister property, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (previously known as the San Diego Wild Animal Park). So much so, that we’ve been members for years.

We appreciate the impressive number and species of animals housed here, the lush gardens, and the picturesque settings of these two parks. But more importantly, the Zoo and Safari Park are a renowned conservation organization. They have several programs committed to preserving endangered wildlife species worldwide.

The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park while the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is situated 35 miles northwest of San Diego in the rolling hills of the San Pasqual Valley near Escondido. 

With a massive 1,800 acres of land, 300 species and more than 3,600 animals on site, the Safari Park can feel overwhelming for a first-time visitor. However, with some advanced planning and tips we’re providing, you’ve got the tools to ensure your remarkable experience.

Timing Your Visit

Of no surprise, weekends and holidays are always the busiest times to be at the Safari Park, as are the summer months when many families vacation in San Diego. Getting to the park as early as possible to park opening is wise for many reasons.

The animals are more active in the morning, you’ll navigate fewer crowds, it’s the ideal time to watch shows and keeper talks, and if you’re visiting in the summer, this park can get quite warm as it’s more inland. Temperatures can easily reach the high 80s and, on some days, well into the 90s.

Other months of the year tend to be much more comfortable and here’s an insider tip you’ll appreciate: more animals give birth in the spring, so if you’re visiting at this time, you’re likely to see more of these adorable babies.

Pre-Planning Your Visit- Pre-Purchase Tickets and Download the App

Plan to spend no less than a full day here if you want to get the most out of your Safari Park experience. I highly recommend downloading the San Diego Zoo Safari Park app. This GPS-enabled map will allow visitors to view the daily schedule, discover dining and activities, import their tickets or memberships to the digital wallet and add their must-see wildlife to the day planner. Though paper maps are available after passing through the Safari Park entrance, guests can download a PDF map to familiarize themselves with the layout of the Park. Download it here for Android or Apple devices.

In addition, if you want to avoid the lines at the ticket booths at the Park entrance, you can purchase your tickets and tours in advance (more about tours a bit later).

Tickets can be purchased online here or used in combination with a San Diego Go Explorer Pass , or San Diego CityPASS . If, however, you are using the veterans’ or AAA membership discounts on admission, these tickets must be purchased at the park entrance.

Money Saving Tip: If you plan to visit the San Diego Zoo and the San Diego Safari Park, you can also by a combo-ticket that saves you a little bit of money.

What to Wear for the Safari Park

Depending upon the time of year, it’s always good to check the weather forecast. Just be sure to check the weather conditions in Escondido versus San Diego as these areas can vary quite a bit. My best advice is to layer your clothing. You may want that jacket or sweater for your early morning arrival and then not need it once the sun comes out. Or need it again, once the sun goes down. Also, I’m a big fan of wearing cotton clothing that’s cool and comfortable. And if you want to dress in safari-type attire, go for it. It’s all part of the experience, and you won’t be alone.

Since you’ll be doing a lot of walking in the Park, be sure to wear good tennis shoes or hiking shoes. DO NOT wear flip-flops. You are not at the beach and you’ll regret this decision by the end of the day.

What to Pack for Your Visit

Make sure to come prepared for your Safari Park visit, especially if you’re bringing little ones with you. Even if you don’t, you’ll be glad to have these items during your exploration time. To ensure we don’t forget the necessities, we make a list and then check those items off as they’re packed to go.

Use a Light Backpack

Don’t forget your backpack! This is the best way to carry your most-needed items, but do keep your backpack a lightweight type so it doesn’t become too heavy as the day unfolds. 

Take a Re-useable Water Bottle

We make sure to include a re-usable water bottle for each family member and we keep it in the freezer overnight, then fill it with ice water in the morning before leaving for the Park. There are places to get refills throughout the Park including complimentary ice water from vendors you can use to refill your bottle.

Bring Your Own Snacks and Meals

I do not pack meals when visiting the Safari Park, but you certainly can. Because the non-profit organization consisting of the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Safari Park are unable to customize food items to meet all dietary restrictions, they allow outside food to be brought into the park. This can be a big cost-saver for families and I’ve seen many of them take advantage of this option.

When our family visits, however, we do bring snacks. You’d be surprised at how hungry you will be with all the walking you’ll be doing. Our favorites? Granola bars, fruit snacks, and trail mix.

Be aware that you can’t bring glass bottles, straws, and large coolers. 

Don’t Forget Your Hat, Sunglasses, Sunscreen, Wipes and Hand Sanitizer

This might seem like an unnecessary reminder, but when you’re getting ready to head to the Park in the morning, these are items that can be easily missed. Again, the park can get quite warm, especially during the summer and early fall months, so you’ll want to make sure to protect your skin with a good hat, sunglasses and sunscreen. 

And speaking of protection, I always keep a small pack of hand wipes and hand sanitizer with me, especially when I’m sharing public spaces (and germs) with others (and animals!). 

Take Binoculars

If you have binoculars, make sure to bring them along. You’ll be glad you did when they provide some unbelievable close-ups of the animals. The lighter the better so they’re not too heavy to lug or carry. If you don’t, here are some lightweight ones that even connect to your phone for some cool photos!

Now that we’ve established your planning and packing strategies, let’s talk about the tips you’ll need once you’re in the Safari Park to make your visit even better.

Start Your Visit with the Africa Tram

The difference between the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park is the number of animals that run practically free-range in the Safari Park. This is mainly due to the park’s initial designation as a breeding facility for rare and endangered species. Hence, animals here have a lot more space to roam.

We always begin our Safari Park experience with an expedition on the Africa Tram. Not only is this a relaxing adventure on a path that takes visitors around some of the savanna habitats, but the 25-minute guided tram tour offers a myriad of information about the Park and the opportunity to see more wildlife in what’s designed to be close to their original habitat.

Tour tip: The Africa Tram is located in the African Outpost. You don’t need reservations, so it’s a first-come, first-serve experience. Try to get seats on the left side of the tram as this will give you the best opportunity for sightings and photos.

Must-See Animals and Exhibits

While there’s so much to see and explore animal-wise at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we have our favorite areas and exhibits that shouldn’t be overlooked as these stand out as absolute winners in our book.

Walkabout Australia

When the Safari Park opened Walkabout Australia, we were so excited! Imagine walking a picturesque path without barriers between you and the Australian wildlife, where wallabies and kangaroos cross your paths and meander the grounds at leisure. Walkabout also includes a platypus exhibit, the only facility with these beautiful creatures seen outside of Australia.

Tiger Trail

Sumatran tigers call Tull Tiger Trail their home, representing one of the best-designed tiger enclosures in the world. Guests will find great photo spots and amazing viewing windows as these beautiful cats pace back and forth in front of the viewing windows, lounge by the water, cool off in the stream and stretch out on rock outcroppings overlooking the waterfalls.

Sadly, fewer than 400 Sumatran tigers exist in the wild and thanks to dedicated conservation efforts, over 25 tiger cubs have been born at the Safari Park. This is also one of the exhibits that you can visit on one of your last stops in the Park since tigers are mostly nocturnal and are more active at twilight.

World Gardens and Condor Ridge

Just a short distance stroll from Walkabout Australia and Tiger Trail leads to the highest vistas in the Safari Park featuring desert cacti and Native American fauna frequently seen in the Southwest. Here you’ll find the black-footed ferret, desert big-horned sheep, bald eagles, and the endangered California condor among others. And the area provides an expansive and impressive view of the Park and the surrounding San Pasqual Valley.

African Outpost

This meandering loop takes guests past a variety of African birds and mammals including waterfowl and includes the Lion Camp and Cheetah Run. You’ll find okapi, rhinos, nyalas, red river hogs, vultures and more.

Dining at the Safari Park

Visitors have 17 different dining experiences to select from in the Park with a variety of menus ranging from burgers and hot dogs to Mexican-inspired entrees, soups, salads, pizza and paninis. 

Our favorite place to dine, however, is the open-air Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook offering incredible views of the African Plains as you enjoy tasty sandwiches, fresh salads and an alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverage of choice. You’ll get a much-needed break, will love the surroundings and savor the moment. Reservations are highly suggested.

Take a Safari Tour- Add-On Experiences

This will take some advance planning and reservations, but these up-close-and-personal add-on experiences are so worth it, even if you just choose one.

The San Diego Safari Park offers nine different safari experiences with 27 variations. They range from open-air caravan safaris, behind-the-scenes safaris, the fascinating cheetah run, and more to roar and snore safaris, which are overnight sleepover adventures in nature.

Our favorites and ones we recommend to locals and visitors are the Caravan Safari (the most popular tour at the Park) and the Roar and Snore, where you don’t have to get an expensive ticket to South Africa to hear the sounds of the elephants, lions and more nearby.

This is an ideal park to venture into these unique experiences and one of the main reasons visitors come to the Safari Park or return for a future visit.

There are a host of other activities in the Safari Park that can more than help fill in your entire day’s visit which include animal encounters, a Lorikeet Feeding Experience, a petting zoo, and so many charming shops in each of the areas of the Park. 

Whenever you choose to visit and whatever activities or tours you decide to schedule in the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we hope your experience becomes a magnificent experience you’ll long remember.

Last Updated on May 30, 2024 by Maria Haase

The post San Diego Zoo Safari Park: Insider Tips from a Local appeared first on San Diego Explorer .

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