san diego safari park balloon ride

The Last Adventurer

Review: Safari Balloon Experience, San Diego Safari Park

Looking down at the San Diego Safari Park from the Safari Balloon

Although San Diego has a number of amazing tourist destinations near the city center, one of its oldest and most spectacular destinations, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park), is located outside of Escondido, California in the San Pasqual Valley. Established in 1972, the principal purpose of the park was to promote conservation, mainly by the breeding of rare animals for the world. From that point on, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park has made an impact in the lives of a number of species, including the California Condor. 

San Pasqual Valley, San Diego Safari Park

While the conservation goals of the Safari Park are and have been notable, what is also interesting about the facility is the enclosures it has had for the animals since 1972. Since its inception, the Safari Park has comprised some 1,800 acres of land, and unlike other facilities, the animals in Safari Park are allowed to roam across the land in a semi-free state.  While the park has always offered visitors the opportunity to enter the enclosures in first a monorail, and now in a Jurassic-park style tram, the park has not always provided an overarching view of the scope of its facility.

Over the last ten years, in conjunction with the re-brand from Wild Animal Park to San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the park has developed a number of more interactive activities for visitors. One of these activities, the Safari Balloon ride fills the gap of allowing visitors to view the entire facility, while providing a unique hot air balloon ride experience. The Safari Balloon is a tethered hot air balloon that rises four hundred feet above the San Pasqual Valley. Modeled after the hot air balloon tours of the Serengeti, the balloon features a large, circular basket that visitors can walk around in during the duration of the tour.

Recently, I found myself at the Safari Park, and as the balloon looked empty, decided to give it a try with my family to see what the bird’s eye view of the park was like. Although the balloon holds thirty people (no seats), my group was fortunate enough to have most of the compartment to ourselves. As the balloon slowly ascended the four hundred feet, we were treated to amazing three hundred and sixty degree views of the park, and of the neighboring San Pasqual valley. To me, it was fascinating to see how the animals moved from a distance, and it gave me greater insight into how the herd mentality in the wild kingdom works. In addition to the great views of the animals and the surrounding area, I also found the engineering feat of keeping a large balloon tethered to the ground with minimal movement interesting. At the high point of the tour, we were able to walk around the balloon platform unobstructed, imagining we were birds. Below, we were able to see circling turkey vultures, falcons, and ravens also watching the animals at the park. After fifteen minutes, we descended smoothly to the ground chattering happily about the experience, before heading whether the elephants looked as big at ground level as they did from the air.

Tips / Fees . The tour lasts between ten and fifteen minutes, and is a great break from walking around the park. The balloon entrance is located near the lions, and is also near the entrance to the tram. Sadly, the balloon ride is not included with park admission, and is an additional $18.00 for adults and $12.00 for children. On the positive side, as of 2016, if you visit the balloon before noon, it is a flat rate of $12.00 per person.  The ride is suitable and safe for all ages, and the only people I would not recommend the ride for are people with a fear of heights, or high places. Even then, it’s a great place to attempt to get over such fears, as it is a very safe and low stress experience with great views. Overall, I would definitely recommend the experience for either long term, or first time visitors looking for a unique experience within the park.

Balloon Safari Takes Flight at San Diego Zoo Safari Park

A yellow tethered helium balloon ascended into the air this morning at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park as staff prepared for the re-opening of the Balloon Safari experience. A newly designed balloon will be lifting guests 400 feet in the air starting this Saturday, Feb. 7, as guests observe clear and unobstructed views of giraffe, rhinos, impala and other exotic and endangered animals at the Safari Park.

The Balloon Safari offers sweeping views of the Safari Park, its animals, and the surrounding  beautiful San Pasqual Valley.

Modeled after the hot air balloon tours of the Serengeti, the Balloon Safari can hold up to 30 passengers in an open-air gondola as the tethered balloon rises silently into the sky. The Balloon Safari allows guests to hover in place over the Safari Park, experiencing the view that the hawks, eagles, and other birds in the San Pasqual Valley see. Designed by the company Aerophile, the system consumes no more energy than an elevator and is completely noiseless.”Now that we have the new balloon, we will be able to take more passengers on more flights daily,” Dami An Jones, operations manager of admissions and guest services said.  “We have a better capacity for the different weather conditions that we have here in the valley, so we will be able to offer more flights for our guests to enjoy a wonderful scenic view.”

The Balloon Safari takes 8-10 minutes and costs $20 for guests. Children 11 and younger must be accompanied by an adult, and the safari availability is subject to weather conditions.  For more information visit sdzsafaripark.org.

Bringing species back from the brink of extinction is the goal of San Diego Zoo Global. As a leader in conservation, the work of San Diego Zoo Global includes onsite wildlife conservation efforts (representing both plants and animals) at the San Diego Zoo, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and San Diego Zoo Institute for Conservation Research, as well as international field programs on six continents.  The work of these entities is inspiring children through the San Diego Zoo Kids network, reaching out through the Internet and in children’s hospitals nationwide.  The work of San Diego Zoo Global is made possible by the San Diego Zoo Global Wildlife Conservancy and is supported in part by the Foundation of San Diego Zoo Global.

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Want to get up close and personal with your favorite wildlife, sit back and relax, or tackle a challenging adventure? Choose your safari!

Wildlife Safari

• Ages 3 & up
• $92 & up per person

Travel in the back of a covered, open-air safari truck into our expansive savanna habitats, with an expert guide.  

Behind-the-Scenes Safari

These Safaris are guaranteed to thrill and amaze! Your guide will escort you to a variety of locations around the Park to see animals up close and share stories of wildlife care and conservation.  

Cart Safaris

• $60 & up per person

Sit back in the comfort of a Safari cart, as you enjoy a 60-minute guided tour of the Park’s spacious African or Asian savanna habitats, led by one of our knowledgeable guides. 

Ultimate Safari

• $710 & up per person

Enjoy a custom safari experience of a lifetime! The Ultimate Safari is your key to exclusive areas, wildlife interactions, and the very best in personalized service.

Roar & Snore Safaris

• $160 & up per person

Pack up your “trunk” for a sleepover adventure at the Safari Park! Choose from several age-appropriate sleepover categories with their own themes.  

Flightline Safari

• Ages 8 & up
• $81 & up per person

Soar as high as 130 feet above the ground, with a spectacular bird’s-eye view of rhinos, giraffes, and other wildlife in the savanna habitats below you.

Wildlife Trek

• $29 & up per person

Walk through the Safari Park to see a variety of wildlife in this exciting walking tour!

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Location & Hours

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1550 San Pasqual Valley Rd

Escondido, CA 92027

Landavo Dr & Idaho Ave

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Worth the price of admission. Social distancing in full affect even while being over 400 feet above the crowd. A quick ten minute ride provides one of a kind views of the park and surrounding towns. You can see for miles. Be sure to bring a camera and a little bit of liquid courage in case you're afraid of heights. My son who is a toddler seemed to enjoy it. Same for my wife. We'll be back again when San Diego has another beautiful day.

See all photos from Arnel D. for Balloon Safari

one cannot just visit wild safari without trying this one. it was all worth it, especially for a person who is deathly afraid of heights and the unknown. the ascension is a little rough, but once we were up, it was good-the view is breathtaking. this whole experience should be a good idea for those with a little older children, it's an experience worth remembering.

Breathtaking views! Absolutely amazing.. Waiting times can be long but worth it. Smooth ride, good service.

It is hard not to notice the big yellow balloon flying high above the African plains at the Wild Animal Park. I brought my family here during Spring Break and we hopped onto the balloon ride and soared 400 in the air with a small group of people. It all started with a smooth takeoff and the views just kept getting better. We selected a vantage point atop the Lion Camp and the kings and queens of the jungle put on a little show for us while we roared to new heights. At our peak altitude our trusted pilot encouraged everyone to move about to see everything. If you are a Harry Potter fan please imagine a map coming to life right before your eyes. We made jokes about forgetting to get a map, this giant real life view gave gave me a new perspective on the park. We were able to see elephants, giraffes, all kinds of gazelles and antelopes, big cats, birds and so many awesome creatures. We got there well before prime time and there was no line, this is the way to go for a couple of reasons. First of all, nobody was waiting, everyone was laid back without a rushed pace. If you get in before noon the adventure costs a little less too. I highly recommend the Balloon Ride on your visit to the wild animal park!

See all photos from Vicki C. for Balloon Safari

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13 San Diego Zoo vs Safari Park Differences-Which is Best?

Which is better to visit, San Diego Zoo or Safari Park? I’ve compared more than a dozen factors for you including park size, ticket price, what’s included, animals, tours, and more to help you make up your mind.

Visit San Diego Zoo instead of Safari Park if you can’t see both. They’re each worth it. But the Zoo’s a better deal because parking’s free. You’ll see more animals in less time. It’s closer to downtown, has better food & weather. However, go to Safari Park if you want different, unique experiences.

If you make purchases through the links in this post, I may be compensated. Read my Advertising Disclosure for more info. Thanks! ~ Nancy

* Save with a secret promo code on each San Diego Zoo or Safari Park 1-Day Pass. Go any day. Go directly to the gate. Click  HERE  to get your code, instructions & discounted tickets by email. By clicking the link above you agree to receive an automated email message. Valid only at aRes Travel , San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller. Read my full privacy policy .

Table of Contents

• Which Is Bigger, San Diego Zoo or Safari Park?

Ticket Prices Are Equal…Almost

• Which One’s Worth It?
• Better Tours?
• Least Time to Visit?
• Closer to Downtown?
• More Animals?
• Easier Walking?
• Better Food?
• Best Weather?
• Better for Toddlers?
• Best for Babies & Infants?
• Where Will You Have the Most Unique Experience?

As a long-time member of San Diego Zoo Global (I remember when Safari Park was Wild Animal Park), and a certified animal nut I know that a quick summary is not going to convince you one way or the other. So I’ve gone into detail in this article about the major differences between both zoological parks. Because your time is precious and you deserve to have a wonderful time in San Diego.

Get $20 off! Buy 2-Visit Passes for San Diego Zoo & Safari Park. (Save $10 per park visit)

Safari Park’s Bigger

Safari Park is much larger than the San Diego Zoo. The raw land area figures are:

• Safari Park is 1800 acres
• Zoo size – approximately 100 acres

But don’t let the HUGE size of Safari Park make you think that it’s too much to see in one day.

You’d think that if it takes 3 to 4 hours to see the 100-acre Zoo, it should take a LOT longer to see the 1,800 acre Safari Park. Right? But the San Diego Zoo Global FAQ” says, “we recommend a minimum of three to four hours to see some of the Zoo and a minimum of four to six hours to experience a portion of the Safari Park.”

Why recommend such a short period of time to see Safari Park?

Because the area accessible to the walking public in Safari Park is only about 20% larger than the Zoo . I outlined the perimeter of the public areas for both the Zoo and the Safari Park on Google Maps. And then I let the Google Maps tool calculate the two areas.

• San Diego Zoo Walking Areas = 65.44 acres (2850575.23 ft²)
• Safari Park Walking Areas = 79.2 acres (3,451,313.63 ft²)

Safari Park is very large. Half of the land is set aside in perpetuity for habitat conservation for local wildlife and plants of the highly endangered Southern California Coastal Sage Scrub .  

And of the remaining 900 acres, only about 80 are open for the public to walk in. The other 780 acres are their famous large field exhibits that are only accessible via guided truck tours or the Africa Tram. Or they are closed to the public entirely.  Safari Park (San Diego Wild Animal Park) was established as a breeding and conservation facility and the land use reflects this. 

Ticket prices at the gate for both San Diego Zoo and Safari Park are equal. The major difference between the two is that parking is free at the Zoo. At Safari Park there’s a parking fee.

If you’re interested in finding authentic discounted tickets, passes, and coupons to either attraction, I’ve written two pages for you:

• 30 Best Ways to Save on San Diego Zoo Discount Tickets – with chart
• Top 30 San Diego Safari Park Discount Ticket Deals | 2023 – with chart

Here are the most recent ticket prices that you’ll pay at the gate:

• $71 for adults (age 12 or older)
• $61 Children (aged 3 to 11)
• Children under 3 are free

But you don’t have to pay the full gate price. Ares Travel , my favorite local San Diego authorized ticket seller sent me a discount coupon code to share with you.

Click HERE and I’ll immediately email the code and the links where to use it. This is a one-time-only email. You are NOT signing up for a million emails, or ransoming a Nigerian prince.

They’ve also got discounted package offers. One of them is the San Diego Zoo, San Diego Zoo Safari Park & SeaWorld San Diego Ticket Combo Deal . Buying this bundle gets you into all 3 of the major San Diego animal attractions and saves $35 per adult off the price if you’d booked them all separately.

San Diego Zoo’s More Worth Visiting

San Diego Zoo tickets are a better deal. There are a greater number of exhibits featuring animals and plants from all over the globe and there are more “rides” free with your admission. But Safari Park is well worth a visit also because it’s not the usual zoo experience. It feels more spacious. You wander through the animals’ habitats rather than observing them in cages. For more on why I feel that way visit my “ Is San Diego Safari Park Worth It? ” page.

What Do You Get With Your San Diego Zoo Ticket?

FREE PARKING . Parking is free at the San Diego Zoo. I suggest you get there early in the morning because otherwise, you might be parking rather far out in the free parking area. If for some reason you are arriving later (maybe the Summer Nighttime Zoo?), there’s overflow parking by the Navy hospital. A free shuttle will take you from that location to the Zoo and back to your car.

There is also valet parking available. On a busy day, it might be worth it.

GUIDED BUS TOUR

I highly recommend the guided zoo bus tour. It takes 25 to 35 minutes. It will give you a quick overview of the zoo. 

There are two situations where I wouldn’t recommend it. The first is if you have a very active toddler. They probably won’t want to sit still that long. 

The second is if you have a favorite animal that you want to photograph first thing in the morning. In that case, run over to the animal that you want to take pictures of and then return for the bus tour.

KANGAROO EXPRESS BUS

The Kangaroo Bus is a time and energy saver. It starts running at 10:30 AM. It goes in a loop through the middle and along the outer edge of the park closest to Hwy 163. The route goes from Urban Jungle down the steep Center Street hill where the bears are. Then from stop #2 by the snow leopards, it will take you up the steepest section of Park Way to stop #3. That’s at the edge of the Northern Frontier. Between stops  #3 and #4 by the meerkats, the terrain is flat. 

SKYFARI AERIAL TRAMWAY

This gondola ride takes you from nearby the Children’s Zoo across the canyon to Elephant Odyssey. It’s got great views of the Zoo, Balboa Park, and the Downtown San Diego skyline. It’s also a great way to rest and cool off.

KEEPER TALKS

These free-with-entry talks are given by the keepers and cover many species from polar bears and lemurs to giraffes. Unfortunately, their scheduling has been disrupted by the Zoo’s efforts to prevent COVID-spreading crowds. Check for the schedule at the Guest Services/Ticket & Tours booth near the Zoo entrance just across Front Street.

ANIMAL ENCOUNTERS

These presentations are an opportunity for you to see some of the Zoo’s animal ambassadors. You never know what type of animal will appear. I’ve seen huge Eurasian owls, cheetahs with their dog companions, chatty parrots, and many others. 

These presentations take place in two spots. One location’s at the Front Street Stage which is on your left as you enter. The other is at the Rocks Box stage within the Africa Rocks exhibit which takes about 25-30 minutes to walk to from the entrance.

The San Diego Zoo is divided into eight “Zoo Zones.” They are designed to bring together both animal and plant species that live in specific types of climates and habitats throughout the world.

Outback – the stars of this zone are cute koalas. But there are also kookaburras, Tasmanian devils, wallabies, and other exotics from the land down under.

Asian Passage –  Don’t skip this just because the giant pandas went home to China in 2019. Go there to see the red pandas which are like upscale, fashionista raccoons. They were always a lot more active than the giant pandas and I never really understood why they didn’t get more attention. And then spend some quality time admiring the beauty of the Amur and snow leopards. They nap a lot as all cats do. But they’re so elegant, even when they’re asleep. 

Africa Rocks This exhibit really does. There’s so much to see here. I love the lemurs and their fossa predators. Plan to spend lots of time watching the penguins zoom around the local leopard sharks in the underwater viewing area of the aquarium in their Penguin Habitat at Cape Fynbos. The space is cool and shaded with plenty of benches. It’s very popular on hot days. And sometimes the penguins are curious enough to stop and watch the children. 

Lost Forest This area’s biggest stars are the troop of western lowland gorillas. But my favorites are the orangutans. When they’re relaxing and having a snack they look like orange-haired gurus contemplating the secrets of the universe. But there’s much more to see here; Malayan tigers, exotic okapi, the occasional spot-necked otter, and Allen’s swamp monkey playing tag.

Urban Jungle There seems to be very little rhyme or reason to the types of animals that you’ll find here. It’s home to a grab-bag of animals including the cheetah animal ambassadors and the endangered one-horned rhino. It’s also the location of the interactive “Animals in Action” paid experience where you’ll get a chance to interact with different types of critters, sometimes even rhinos. Click HERE for daily discounts on “Animals in Action”.

My favorite in this section is the Masai giraffe herd exhibit. This is one of the only giraffe exhibits that I’ve seen where you are standing very close to them — on the same level. As you tilt your head back, and back, you realize just how TALL these gentle giants are. You can also feed them for a very reasonable cost.

Northern Frontier The west Skyfari boarding point is here. It’s also home to the rulers of the tundra, polar bears. But they aren’t very regal, they’re clowns. They enjoy diving off rocks and surprising each other, batting around enrichment items, and eating junk food. Ok. Their “junk food” is carrots. But since the polar bears can’t digest them, it’s like us chewing sugar-free gum. The arctic foxes are adorable too.

Elephant Odyssey Take a trip back in time to California’s Pleistocene epoch 12,000 years ago through animals that exist today. Some died out here but thrived elsewhere. See how elephants, lions, jaguars, condors, secretary birds, condors, camels, and capybara are all connected by their ancestral roots here in San Diego. There are great opportunities for unique photos of your kids (or you) riding a 10-foot long ancient lion or about to be eaten by a huge predatory bird. 

Discovery Outpost – This is the most varied section of the zoo. Skyfari’s east boarding point is here. View entertaining and informative animal shows at the Wegeforth Bowl. You’ll find tiny jewel-like hummingbirds next door to 8-foot-long Komodo dragons. Many more reptiles can also be found here.

Until the Children’s Zoo and Wegeforth Bowl renovations are complete there are only limited presentations outside of the Bowl. 

The 4D Theater is a paid experience that many think is not worth the price. The presentation is SHORT, less than 15 minutes. The 3D screen’s small, so you’re likely to be way off to one side or the other. The 4th dimension is smell, temperature changes, and getting water squirted on you (worth it on hot days?). The seats don’t move, they vibrate. And the wait can be up to an hour on peak days. 

What’s Included With Safari Park Tickets?

To sum it up, your Safari Park admission ticket includes anything that doesn’t have “Safari” in its title. Any activity or experience that does is something that you will need to pay extra for (the exception is riding the Conservation Carousel which requires an additional $6 fee). That’s the short explanation. I’ve written EVERYTHING you need to know about it here at, “ What’s Included In San Diego Safari Park Admission Tickets? ”

Parking Costs Extra – Unlike at the Zoo, parking is $20 per vehicle; $30 for RV parking. Preferred parking is available on weekends and holidays for $48).

Save with a secret San Diego Safari Park promo code on each 1-Day Pass. Go any day. Go directly to the gate. Click HERE to buy. Enter the code at checkout. You will get your tickets by email .

*By clicking the link above you agree to receive an automated email message. Valid only at aRes Travel , San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller. Read my full privacy policy .

Here’s a list of exhibits and activities that are included with your Safari Park Admission ticket:

Animal exhibits.

One of the great things about San Diego Safari Park is the way that they’ve gone to great lengths to blur the boundaries between you, their animals, and the landscape beyond. Here are some of my favorites:

Lion Camp – I love watching the lions watching the antelope watching them from the large field enclosure next door. These lions aren’t the usually bored cats you see at most zoos. They’re either fully engaged in observing the potential ‘meals’ in the fields or they’re napping. And when they’re snoozing they are sometimes right up against the glass where you can take great selfies or compare the sizes of their paws to yours. 

Tiger Trai l – It’s lush and beautiful. It’s more like you’re in the cage rather than the kitties. If you’re lucky the tigers will be stalking YOU. I spend way too much time here. If you want to know why you should spend time there read my page on the “ 11 Coolest Reasons to See San Diego Safari Park Tiger Trail ”

Walkabout Australia – The platypuses are a San Diego Safari Park must-see! They’re the only ones on exhibit outside of Australia in the entire world. This exhibit requires a bit of patience and careful observation. They’re quick. And almost everyone is surprised by how they look and move.

They also have tree kangaroos. Heck, I didn’t even know that kangaroos lived in trees.

Bob and I were lucky enough to be there the day that the 2nd Matschie’s tree kangaroo born at Safari Park ventured out of Mom’s pouch.

Arona, her mother, welcomed her offspring Kidori into the world after a gestation period of 44 days. At birth, the joey was just about 1 inch (2.5 centimeters) in size, fitting snugly in Mom’s pouch. It took nine months for Kikori to venture out of her mother’s pouch.

These long-clawed, mahogany and cream-colored tree kangaroos weigh 25 pounds at the most. Their whorly, dense fur sheds water easily. And their superpower is that they can jump an amazing 60 feet to the ground without injury.

But wait, there’s more to Walkabout Australia. Wander into the Kangaroo Walk and you’ll be surrounded by a mob of ‘roos, wallabies, and cute baby joeys. There’s nothing that brings smiles to faces faster than a young bounder with a case of the “zoomies”. They’re ricocheting furry ping-pong balls. 

It may be possible to pet the wallabies and kangaroos . It depends upon whether the COVID restrictions have been lifted. Ask if it’s ok. And if it is don’t wander off the paths chasing them. You’ll never catch them anyway.  Be patient and let them come to you. And yes, they’re as soft and woolly as they look. For more information, check out my page on touching or holding the animals at San Diego Zoo and Safari Park . 

San Diego Safari Park Activities and Rides

AFRICA SAFARI TRAM

I love the Africa tram. I could ride it all day.  It takes you on a 25-30 minute ride through several of the large open area enclosures. These enclosures have multiple different species in them and they interact as they would in the wild. One of the things you will see is how all the animals look to the giraffes to be their lookout. Once the giraffes start running, everybody runs. And you then see this wave of animals flying over the hills and then they all just stop for no apparent reason. 

There are no predators in the large enclosed exhibit fields. But the herbivores can see, hear and smell the nearby lions and cheetahs. It keeps them on alert and surprisingly appears to help to increase the number of babies.

CHEETAH RUN

This used to be an event that was free with admission. But during COVID they switched the format to a paid tour. However, I highly recommend it as an add-on to your visit. Seeing these cool cats go from zero to almost 60 mph in three strides never gets old.

FREQUENT FLYERS BIRD SHOW

This free-flying bird show never fails to amaze me because the birds can fly away any time they choose. And they don’t. 

I like it because you get to see large birds in flight close enough overhead that if you stretched up your hands you’d touch them (specifically NOT ALLOWED by the way…) You’ll enjoy it. And the birds seem to be having as good a time as the audience. Spoiler Alert: The star of the show is not a bird. But you’ll love him anyway. 

TIGER KEEPER TALK

The Sumatran tigers get pampered with treats while showing off their impressive teeth, claws, size, and other adaptations. Keepers that know them best will clue you in on how they safely work with these big cats. If you’re lucky you’ll see a tiger standing at a full vertical stretch just a few feet away from you. Even though the Sumatran subspecies is one of the smallest of tigers, they’re unexpectedly intimidating when they’re on their hind legs going for a treat.

TRAINING TALK

This short training session for the longer Frequent Flyers Bird Show is well worth your time. It’s always a smaller, more intimate group than the bird show. You never know which birds will be brought out for training, so it’s never the same. I’ve seen everything from silently flying owls to scurrying guinea hens. Sit down and put your feet up. It’s a good break from walking. 

Safari Park Has Better Tours?

San Diego Safari Park has a larger variety and number of tours than the Zoo . They range from traditional relaxed guided walks to the adrenaline-pumping Flightline Safari zipline.  This makes it a better destination for those who may be bored with traditional zoos, like teenagers.

San Diego Zoo Tours – How Many, Prices, Descriptions

Guided zoo tours that require a fee in addition to the admission price are called “Upgraded Experiences” by San Diego Global.

San Diego Zoo Tours Price Range

• $55 and up per person.
• Prices are variable by season and days of the week. Zoo admission fee is separate and required for all tours.

How Many San Diego Zoo Tours Are There?

There are 6 different types of tours available at the Zoo. To find the best tour for you, check out my article HERE it has more in-depth descriptions and comparisons

San Diego Zoo Tour Descriptions

Inside Look Tour – ($89+) 90 minutes. There are 6 different Inside Look Tours focusing on different Zoo Zones and animals. Check HERE for daily discount deals for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel — San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller.

• Surprise Tour
• Polar Bears and Friends
• Giraffes and Friends
• Baboons and Friends
• Wild Canines and Friends
• Penguins and Friends

Animals In Action Experience – ($89+ per person) 1 HOUR. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at some animals that are not on exhibit to the general public. You’ll also have some feeding and training opportunities. Unfortunately, you’ll probably not be able to touch the animals .

Click HERE for daily tour discounts for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel.

Crazy About Cats – ($92+ per person) 90 minutes. See the zoo’s most amazing felines before they start their cat naps! You start this morning tour at 8:30 AM before the official Zoo opening. You may see a jaguar, lion, tiger, mountain lion, fishing cat, leopard, ocelot, or serval. No guarantees about which particular species you’ll see. Hey, they’re cats after all. But you will be able to meet one special wild cat up close!

Early Morning Cheetah Experience ($92+ per person) 90 minutes. See one of the cheetah animal ambassadors up close while they run and play with their trainers. This cart tour will also visit other African animal exhibits at the zoo as well as some off-exhibit areas. 

Discovery Cart Tour ($55+ per person) 1 HOUR. If you don’t have much time, but want to see the plants and animals at San Diego Zoo through the eyes of an insider, this is the tour for you. This 60-minute tour takes you through 70% of the park in a small covered cart. Ask as many questions as you’d like and stop for better views and photographs of your favorite animals.

Exclusive VIP Experience – Spend up to 5 hours ($675+ per person) in a customized tour that is built around your interests by zoo professionals. Explore off-exhibit areas. And if you wish you can have many animal interactions. Just tell them what you want.  And yes, a sit-down lunch is included. 

Safari Park Tours – How Many, Prices, Descriptions

Guided tours within San Diego Safari Park that are offered for extra payment in addition to your admission fee are called ‘Safaris’. 

How Many Types Of San Diego Safari Park Tours Are There?

There are 7 types of paid tours, called Safaris, available at San Diego Safari Park. Some have different options that allow you to concentrate on your favorite animals or habitats. Altogether there are more than 15 different tour variants. 

Price Range

• $55+ per person. Some Safaris are priced by the group.
• Prices vary by day of the week and season. Safari Park admission fee is separate and required for all tours.

SAN DIEGO SAFARI TOUR DESCRIPTIONS

I’m going to write a short description of each tour type here. But for more information on which of the many different options is best for you please read my article titled,  “ What’s the Best San Diego Safari Park Tour ?” It includes reviews of each tour plus a chart that compares them all by price, duration, and age limits.

Wildlife Safari Tours – (1 HOUR for $89+ or 90 minutes for $109+ per person). There are 3 different types of tours that take you into large African and Asian multi-species animal enclosures in an open-air covered truck.. There’s always a shade cover, plenty of seating, and almost too many great photo opportunities. You also may get a chance to feed giraffes. The different options are: Wildlife Safari (1 hour), Twilight Wildlife Safari (90 minutes), and Deluxe Wildlife Safari (90 minutes).

Click HERE for discounted tour deals for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel, San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller.

Sun-Up Cheetah Safari Tour – (2 HOURS for $99 per person). Get early entry into Safari Park to meet your experienced guide. See a cheetah run at top speed from a prime viewing location. Then go for brunch at the Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook .

Cart Safari Tours – (1 HOUR for $55+ per person) Asian or African Cart Safari with guide to carry you around the field enclosures. Animal feeding & photo opportunities. Carts carry only 9 people, good for special family outings and small groups that want to stay together. 

Behind The Scenes Safari – (90 minutes for $89+ per person) Get an insider’s view of Safari Park via cart and walking. Three different options: Elephants & Friends, Rhinos & Friends, and Canines and Conservation. 

Click HERE for daily tour deals for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel, San Diego’s local authorized ticket seller.

Roar & Snore Safari – ($149+ per person) Sleepover at Safari Park in a tent. Animal presentations, behind-the-scenes access, meals, campfire (s’mores!) & cash bar. I’d do this every weekend if I could.

Ultimate Safari – (5-HOURS tour is $675+ per person) Create a Safari Park tour customized to your interests and desired activities. You must book at least 3 days in advance. 

Flightline Safari (1 HOUR for $77+ per person) 2/3rds mile zipline ride includes orientation session and “fledgling” flight . 

Check HERE for daily tour discounts for SanDiegoing readers from aRes Travel.

Balloon Safari ($18+) Helium balloon ride rises 400 feet above the Park for wonderful views of the animal herds and the San Pasqual Valley.

If you love wolves you may want to take an hour detour to the California Wolf Center. There you can take tours that will give you close-up views of gray wolves and even the very endangered Mexican gray wolf. Check out my article HERE .

San Diego Zoo Takes Less Time to Visit

Exploring San Diego Zoo is quicker than Safari Park. But both could be all-day attractions. Here’s the minimum time you should allocate for each according to the San Diego Zoo Global FAQ page : 

• Zoo 3-4 hours
• Safari Park 4-6 hours

San Diego Zoo’s Closer to Downtown

The San Diego Zoo is much closer to downtown than Safari Park. It’s only 3 miles from the center of downtown San Diego.  

It will take you about 6 minutes by car from downtown to the zoo. It’s also public transit accessible. To ride the bus from downtown to the Zoo take the # 7 University & College line and get off at Park Blvd. & Zoo Place. Then walk about 4 minutes (0.2 miles) west to the Zoo entrance.

Safari Park is 35 miles north of downtown in Escondido. Travel time by car to San Diego Safari Park is 45 minutes each way. Public transportation takes almost 2 hours…one way. Taking a bus to Safari Park is just not practical for most people.

Unfortunately, I’ve seen the results of mistaking the two animal attractions. On several occasions, I’ve had to tell people trying to meet friends at the “zoo” that they’re more than 35 miles away from the San Diego Zoo because they’re at San Diego Zoo Safari Park. Oops! 

San Diego Zoo Has More Animals

The San Diego Zoo in Balboa Park has more individual animals, and more species and covers more earth habitats than the Safari Park . 

San Diego Zoo – The zoo has approximately 3,700 animals in its collection. They represent more than 660 different species & subspecies. It also has almost 700,000 specimens of rare and endangered plant species. Their collection comes from all over the globe

Safari Park – The northern San Diego county branch of the San Diego Zoo has about 2,600 individual animals and 300 species & subspecies. The plants number about 1.3 million. Both the animal and plant collections are focused on Asia and Africa at Safari Park. 

Source : San Diego Zoo Global FAQ : “ Tell me a bit about the San Diego Zoo ”,  “ Tell me a bit about the Safari Park ” and “ Plants of San Diego Zoo Global ”.

Safari Park Has Easier Walking

The Safari Park is less demanding physically . It has fewer steep hills for you to navigate than the San Diego Zoo does. The biggest elevation change at Safari Park is between the Lemur Walk and the Balloon Safari and Lion Camp. But don’t worry. There’s an elevator there to take you up and down if you don’t feel like getting your cardio by taking the stairs. 

San Diego Zoo has more hills. It’s built around a steep canyon. There are mechanical alternatives to trekking the elevation changes, they just take a bit more time. There’s an elevator, the Kangaroo Bus (and the Skyfari aerial gondola ride when renovations are complete) to help you get around. I usually don’t take them because I like the workout.

San Diego Zoo Has Better Food

San Diego Zoo has better food because of Albert’s Restaurant . You’ll enjoy a fine dining experience with daily chef’s specials, vegan & gluten-free choices & a full bar. This hidden gem has a lushly planted outdoor patio and a waterfall that makes it great for a special occasion. I wrote more on this page, “Where to find the best food at San Diego Zoo?” . 

The best food at Safari Park is at the Watering Hole at Kijamii Overlook . It’s a sit-down full-service dining experience that’s a couple of giant steps above usual theme park fare. But the food’s still pre-prepared, so Albert’s at the Zoo comes out as a better restaurant. 

On the plus side, Watering Hole entrees are big enough for two to share. It’s got a full bar and an AMAZING view of one of the large field enclosures. You’ll feel like you’re sharing your table with rhinos, giraffes, and antelope. I’ve reviewed all of the eateries at Safari Park on this page titled, “ Where’s the Best Place to Eat at San Diego Safari Park? ”

San Diego Zoo Has Better Weather

The San Diego Zoo has milder weather year around. Safari Park has greater temperature extremes because it’s located almost 20 miles from the ocean’s temperature moderating influence. That location is more likely to be hotter in the summertime. You can see it in the monthly temperature comparison graph below that I created using data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

San Diego Zoo’s Better For Toddlers

San Diego Zoo’s better if you’ve got toddlers. Don’t get me wrong, you can have a great time at Safari Park with your little tyke. But the Zoo’s MUCH better because: 

• Wildlife Explorer’s Basecamp is a kid’s paradise. I wrote an article at the link.
• It’s smaller, there’s less ground to cover with tiny tot strides
• The exhibits are closer together
• Animals are a bit easier to see because the enclosures are smaller
• The Zoo’s within Balboa Park. If your tot gets tired of all the animals, you can distract them with a train ride or a splash in a fountain. 

For more details, I’ve covered all the pros & cons thoroughly on this page about “ San Diego Zoo vs Safari Park for Happier Toddlers (& You!) ”.

Safari Park’s Better for Babies & Infants

The Safari Park’s just a cheetah’s whisker better than the San Diego Zoo if you’re with a baby in a stroller . There are fewer steep hills to push a pram up. It’s more friendly for nursing moms because It’s a bit less crowded and there are many secluded benches where you can give your young one a quick snack. There is also a nursing station at Nairobi Village. 

Safari Park Is A More Unique Experience

Safari Park is “different”. It’s not the usual zoo . You hear that time and again on forums and review sites. And I agree. Granted, the San Diego Zoo is a great zoo and I love spending time there. But at Safari Park the animals are in more natural, expansive settings. And because of that, you feel freer also. It’s weird but true. 

Safari Park’s less a destination and more of a journey. You are more active and engaged at Safari Park than at the Zoo. You can wander through kangaroo enclosures and a petting zoo to have closer animal encounters. You can sit and have lunch while you watch tigers.

Check out my page on what’s best to see and do at San Diego Zoo Safari Park for more information on activities, like riding a zipline, getting high in a balloon, or feeding giraffes and rhinos on a Caravan Safari. Some of the things you can experience at San Diego Safari Park cannot be duplicated except by hopping a plane to Africa.

San Diego Safari Park is definitely a more unique experience.

Closing Thoughts

San Diego Zoo is better for many people than Safari Park . This was a hard post for me to write because I very much prefer the Escondido preserve. I’ve done my best to present this listing of the major differences fairly. I hope that this article helps you make up your mind about whether San Diego Zoo or Safari Park is better for you to visit.

Nancy Ulrich

I'm nuts...about animals, polymer clay, mixed media art & husband Bob. Happily planted in San Diego among good friends, family that I would have chosen if given the choice and optimism for a bountiful future for us all.

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San Diego › Attraction

San diego zoo safari park.

Thirty-four miles north of San Diego, outside of Escondido, this "zoo of the future" will transport you to the African plains and other faraway landscapes. Originally a breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo, the 1,800-acre Zoo Safari Park (formerly known as the Wild Animal Park) now holds 3,500 animals representing more than 400 different species. What makes the park unique is that many of the animals roam freely in vast enclosures, allowing giraffes to interact with antelopes, much as they would in Africa. You'll find the largest crash of rhinos at any zoological facility in the world, an exhibit for the endangered California condor, and a mature landscape of exotic vegetation from around the globe. Although the San Diego Zoo may be "world famous," it's the Zoo Safari Park that many visitors celebrate as their favorite.

The park's "Journey into Africa" tour aboard the African Express (included with admission) replaces the old monorail ride as the easiest way to see critters. The African Express is an open-air, soft-wheeled tram that runs on biodiesel. Although it visits less park space than the previous tour, the 2 1/2-mile circuit (which takes about 30 min.) brings guests much nearer to the animals, in some places up to 300 feet closer. Depending on crowd size, trams leave about every 10 minutes. Lines build up by late morning, so make this your first or last attraction of the day (the animals are more active then, anyway).

There are also several self-guided walking tours that visit various habitats, including Elephant Overlook and Lion Camp, but why walk when you can tool around the park on Segway personal transporters ($80, minimum age 13)? The commercial hub of the park is Nairobi Village, but even here animal exhibits are interesting -- check out the nursery area, where irresistible young'uns can be seen frolicking, bottle-feeding, and sleeping; a petting station; the lowland gorillas; and the African Aviary. There's also an amphitheater where bird shows and other animal encounters are scheduled two or three times daily. Visitors should be prepared for sunny, often downright hot weather; it's not unusual for temperatures to be 5° to 10°F warmer here than in San Diego.

If you want to get up-close-and-personal with the animals, take one of the park's Photo Caravans, which shuttle groups in flatbed trucks out into the open areas that are inaccessible to the general public. There are a variety of itineraries (some are seasonal and have varying age requirements); prices start at $90 for a 2-hour caravan, and you'll need to make reservations ahead of your visit (tel. 800/407-9534 or 619/718-3000). The Savanna Safari is a deluxe, 50-minute tour for up to 10 people; you can choose to visit either the Asian or African exhibits on this personalized, intimate tour. Tickets are $35 (not including admission), and no reservations are necessary. You can also get unique aerial perspectives of the park from the Balloon Safari ($20), a tethered hot-air balloon that soars to 400 feet, and Flightline ($70, minimum age 10), a zip-line ride that scoots above the African and Asian enclosures.

Things That Go Bump in the Night! -- The Park's  Roar & Snore sleepover programs, which are held year-round on most Fridays and Saturdays -- except in December and January, and with extended dates in summer -- let you camp out next to the animal compound and observe the nocturnal movements of rhinos, lions, and other creatures. There are family and adults-only dates available; prices range from $29-$219 per person. To request information by mail or to make reservations, call tel. 800/407-9534 or 619/718-3000.

Note : This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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Strong Winds Whip San Diego Safari Park Balloon Ride, Terrifying Guests

Witnesses said a mother and child were on board at the time, by danielle radin • published february 19, 2019 • updated on february 20, 2019 at 2:28 pm.

The San Diego winter storm caused panic at the San Diego Safari Park in Escondido Monday. 

Strong winds whipped the popular Balloon Safari ride as women and children were tossed around inside, according to a witness. 

In the video, children watching it happen can be heard crying and screaming, "What is happening to the balloon?" 

Jordan Lapidot of Escondido captured the scary ordeal on her cell phone and posted it to Facebook. 

"There were some points when the basket was completely sideways," said Lapidot. "I have this image in my mind of this guy just grabbing the outside of the cage as they get thrown."

According to Lapidot, it happened around 3:50 p.m. Monday. She said it was a sunny day when suddenly strong, freezing winds and rain came in unexpectedly. 

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"It was a crazy storm," said Lapidot. "We were not expecting that. The cables were groaning. It was scary." 

Lapidot said she visits the park frequently with her children, 5-year-old Keegan, and baby Gigi. She added the balloon ride is usually shut down when the winds are strong, but on this day there was no warning. 

"People were screaming and children were crying," Lapidot said on Tuesday. 

She estimated there were about eight to 10 people, including children, on the ride during the incident. 

"I was really scary," added Keegan. 

Despite the ride operators doing all they could, Lapidot said it took over 10 minutes to safely get the people down on the ground. 

"I'm sure the children on the ride are going to be traumatized for life," she added. 

Ride operators pulled the giant cable the balloon is attached to until the passengers were safe. Lapidot said she did not believe anyone was injured in the incident. 

NBC 7 reached out to the San Diego Safari Park for comment:

Yesterday afternoon, weather at the Safari Park was clear until late afternoon when a localized storm moved in.  As the sudden storm arrived and winds picked up, some operations at the Park, like Balloon Safari and Flightline were closed to public use.

That same night, more than a dozen guests were stuck on a gondola lift ride at  SeaWorld  San Diego for nearly five hours before rescue crews were able to lower all of them to safety.

This article tagged under:

FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News

Riders survive terrifying wind-whipped balloon ride at Safari Park, witness says

by: Sandra Phillips

Posted: Feb 19, 2019 / 08:27 AM PST

Updated: Feb 19, 2019 / 12:25 PM PST

SAN DIEGO – Wind gusts violently whipped a balloon ride with women and children aboard it at San Diego Zoo Safari Park Monday, according to a witness.

Women and children were thrown around during a terrifying helium balloon ride at the zoo in Escondido just before 4 p.m. Monday, according to Jordan Lapidot. She captured video of the scary moments after the balloon operator appeared to lose control due to strong winds.

“These adults and children were getting thrown all over and holding onto the sides of the cage like their life depended on it,” Lapidot said. “I kept thinking, ‘Oh my gosh, someone is going to fly out of this thing.’”

The balloon ride was carrying several people, including children, when it was getting whipped around, even dipping into the trees, she said.

“I saw adults literally getting fully tipped sideways and hanging onto the fence like it was the Titanic. Can you imagine the children?” Lapidot told FOX 5. “I really wish I would have caught of the first part when the storm blew in. It was truly terrifying.”

According to Lapidot, zoo workers frantically gained control of the ride and lowered it to safety. None of the passengers appeared to be seriously injured.

“Thank goodness it appeared as though everyone was ok, but they all came RUNNING off of that balloon. It was a disaster. We were just watching, totally helpless. People were screaming and in total shock watching this,” she said.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park spokeswoman Christina Simmons responded to FOX 5’s inquiry about the incident:

“Unfortunately the quality of the Youtube video (and the backlit trees between the balloon landing pad and the person videotaping) give an odd impression.  We do have a balloon safari at the Safari Park.  The balloon goes up and down and as it is pulled back down to the landing pad it often goes to one side while the cord is pulling it in.

You can see from the cleared video of the balloon that there is a cable in the center that slowly pulls it into the landing pad.  The landing pad has a great deal of cleared space around it and the balloon was never out of this cleared space as it was slowly pulled into dock.”

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park also has a description of the balloon ride on its website .

“Modeled after the hot air balloon tours of the Serengeti, the Balloon Safari tethered helium balloon rises silently 400 feet. Spend 10 to 12 minutes in the sky over the Safari Park. The best time to fly is 9 a.m. to noon. Prices are subject to change; please inquire when at the Park.”

The Safari Park wasn’t the only San Diego-area theme park to experience a rescue situation caused by strong wind gusts Monday.

Sixteen people were rescued from the SeaWorld San Diego Bayside Skyride after a big gust of wind tripped a circuit breaker halting the ride Monday night.

The riders were stuck in five gondolas, some of which were suspended above Mission Bay. Of the riders, seven were children, including one baby.

Jonathan Sherr, who is partially paralyzed, was on the skyride at 7:22 p.m. when the wind gusts caused it to come to a halt.

“We got on the ride and there were some wind gusts. By the time we were in the middle of the ride a wind gust of about 40 miles per hour came up. It was crazy. It started rocking our car,” Sherr said. “I looked up at the cable and we were shaking violently. Then, it just stopped. There’s apparently a sensor that stopped the ride.”

By 11 p.m., all of the trapped riders had been rescued, according to San Diego Fire-Rescue Department. The riders were lowered by harnesses and rescued by lifeguard boats before they were evaluated by medical crews.

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