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San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Jambo a safari adventure in san diego.

 Welcome to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where life-changing moments happen daily. Set out on safari and discover 1,800 acres of sprawling savannas teeming with wildlife as well as world-class botanical gardens—there’s no place like it on Earth. Encounter rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and large herds of wildlife roaming together. Journey through bamboo forests and come face-to-face with Sumatran tigers. Hop alongside kangaroos and dive underwater to meet the only two platypuses outside of Australia. And experience the awe-inspiring giants of Elephant valley. When you’re here, you’ll discover adventure is in every moment. And a moment can change a lifetime. 

Neighborhood: North Inland

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92027-9614

Contact Info

(619) 718-3000 Toll-Free: (800) 407-9534

Please check our website for current hours.

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...

More To Know:

• Located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego - and well worth the trip!
• The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is open 365 days a year
• Plan a full day & bring walking shoes, sunscreen and water for your adventures
• Safaris do fill up; book online ahead of time to ensure your spot
• Lovely facilities for catered weddings, parties and other group events!

Special Events:

• Marvel at eagles, owls and an Andean condor at Frequent Flyers
• Visit the World Gardens to see amazing and rare plants
• Autumn Festival On The Weekends From 10/7 -10/29
• Kids Free month with free admission for kids 11 and younger during October

More Information

• Destination Weddings
• Historic Landmark
• General Admission - Adult
• General Admission - Child
• Parking (RV)

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Texas's Best Outdoor Activity

W e're so excited that Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch was named Texas's Best Outdoor Activity in the 2024 Texas Travel Awards!

Come see why! 

CHOOSE YOUR SAFARI

Self-Guided Tour

Take your own vehicle on a driving safari through our 500-acre wildlife park. See and feed over 500 animals from 40 different species at your own pace. 

Guided Tour

Join one of our Safari Animal Rangers and meet animals from around the world. Learn unique facts and hear personal stories from your Ranger Tour Guide.

Giraffe VIP Experience

Start your tour with an intimate encounter with giraffes led by one of our Safari Animal Rangers! Then, enjoy a guided tour of our 500-acre park. 

Group Adventures

In the comfort of your own caravan or bus, witness animals from around the world, visit giraffes, meet a troop of ring-tailed lemurs, enjoy lunch, and shop.

Educational Adventures

Take your class on a real safari where there's a learning adventure around every corner. Students will love being close to animals wilder than they are!

ADD AN EXCURSION

Prehistoric Experience

Walk amongst dozens of dinosaurs that move, breathe, and can't wait for you to maybe get a little too close. This excursion is sure to be memorable!

Aviary Experience

The only thing better than seeing our birds is feeding them! Come inside with food on popsicle sticks that dozens of budgies look forward to enjoying.

Conservation

The conservation of animals and ranchland is of utmost importance to us at Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch. We actively collaborate with organizations worldwide to promote a sustainable future for both animals and the land they inhabit.

Wild About Education

Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch is the perfect place to go on safari. But it's also a place to learn about the wonderful, wild world of animals.  Click on the articles below or on "Read More" to learn something you didn't already know! 

Wild Nature Institute for Education

Teacher's Prompt: Conservation

Horns & Antlers

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Safari News

Keep up to date with the most recent safari happenings here, our current hours are 9:00am – 6:00pm for the drive thru and safari village.

Upcoming Events

Day of Discovery - May 6th

Sippin' Safari - July 19th

DreamNight - August 3rd

Learn more about these events here

Bring the Safari Home with You!

Looking for the perfect gift for the animal enthusiast in your life or want to treat yourself? We have some options we think are perfect! Check our our gift shop during your visit and make sure to stop by the animal artwork section!  

Amazon for the Animals

Check out our   Amazon Wishlist   and get a present for your favorite animal.

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Flightline Safari

$81 & up*

At a glance.

• $81 & up per person
• Offered daily

Age Range : Adults and children ages 8 and older only. Children ages 8 to 15 must be accompanied by a paid parent or guardian 18 years or older during the entire Flightline experience. Guests ages 16 to 17 may participate alone, but must have a parent or guardian 18 years or older present at the check-in to sign the liability waiver. All Flightline participants must complete a liability waiver, and understand and follow instructions in English, to participate in Flightline Safari.

Adult/Child Ratio:  Maximum of 3 children ages 8 to 15 per adult. 

Weight : Participants must weigh between 60 and 300 pounds and fit comfortably in the harness.

Height:   All participants must meet the minimum height requirement of 48” tall.

Footwear : Secure, closed-toed shoes are required.

Other Considerations : No alcohol may be consumed by a participant prior to taking a Flightline Safari.

Additional Considerations: Guests must be able to climb and descend stairs without assistance. Accommodations can be made with 24 hour notice minimum. Please contact Reservations Sales at 619-718-3000 for options. 

Change/Cancellation : Reservations may be changed up to 5 days before the program and will be subject to a $15 Administrative Change Fee. Less than 5 days, changes not permitted. Cancellations received 5 days before scheduled program are subject to a $25 Cancellation Fee. Less than 5 days, payment is non-refundable. 



Deluxe Flightline Safari

• $106 & up per person

Weight : Participants must weigh between 60 and 300 pounds, and fit comfortably in the harness.

The Deluxe Flightline Safari experience includes all the excitement of the original Flightline Safari, plus an extended tour through the Safari Park to view additional wildlife by Safari truck. After the tour, you'll arrive at the take-off deck, where you will “fly” approximately two-thirds of a mile over savanna habitats before landing safely near our Roar & Snore campground.

Are you ready to soar?

• 1 hour, including training session and test flight. Times vary.

Adult/Child Ratio:  Maximum of 3 children ages 8 to 15 per adult.

Soar Above It All!

Flightline Safari is the ultimate recreational experience for those looking for excitement. Secure and comfortable in your harness, you will 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.

The Flightline experience includes the use of safety equipment, an orientation, a brief interpretive tour, and a flight on our two zip lines. First, the Fledgling run prepares you for your ultimate Flightline experience. Once “fledged,” you will be taken by Safari truck to the final launch platform. You will experience breathtaking views of the San Diego Zoo Safari Park and its expansive savanna habitats below as you “fly” approximately two-thirds of a mile, landing safely near our Roar & Snore campground.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Sun Up Cheetah Safari

Come join us at the Safari Park to see what happens before we open our gates to visitors, including watching a cheetah run at top speed!  

Reservations

We'll answer your questions and help create your day at the Safari Park!

Save the Chubby Unicorns

Gorilla Shadow

PREFERRED HOTELS

Come Travel with Us!

Travel with us to see Monarchs

Picture Your Special Day at the Park!

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Animal Encounters

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• Wild Animal Safari – Pine Mountain, Georgia
• Wild Animal Safari – Strafford/Springfield, Missouri
• Aggieland Safari, Bryan-College Station, Texas
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Family-Friendly Animal Park in Pine Mountain, GA

Experience the thrill of meeting nature’s animal friends. Wild Animal Safari ® is your destination for breathtaking adventures. Bring the family to our drive-thru animal park in Pine Mountain, GA. You’ve never been this up close and personal to nature.

• Plan Your Visit

Ticket and Passes

Zootube/conservation, many ways to explore.

Drive-thru tours let you meet some of the world’s wildlife. Join the fun and see some of your favorite animals as you’ve never seen them before. Our park offers many ways to discover the beauty of nature. There are three ways to explore Wild Animal Safari ® :

Drive-Thru Safari

Travel down our 3.5-mile trail and see many different animals along the way. Some of them may even get close to meet you and your family! Choose from the comfort of your vehicle, our safari rental vehicles, or a bus with a guide for you and your group to experience the thrill of the safari.

Walkabout Adventure Zoo™

The Walkabout Adventure Zoo™ allows you to meet the animals in a zoo-like setting. Stretch your legs and make friends with our resident Bengal tigers, African lions, peacocks, exotic birds, lemurs, monkeys, and much more.

Visit our ticketing page to reserve your spot for one of our animal safari tours . We are open throughout the year and are located in Pine Mountain, GA.

Wild Animal Safari Newsletter

Have you herd? Don't miss out on any Wild Animal Safari news. Join our pack by signing up for our newsletter and get tips on the latest promotions, animal news and more!

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Aggieland Safari

GA (706) 663-8744 1300 Oak Grove Rd Pine Mountain, GA 31822 [email protected]

MO (417) 859-5300 124 Jungle Rd Strafford, MO 65757 [email protected]

TX (979) 599-5440 18075 FM 974 Bryan, TX 77808 [email protected]

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Lee g. simmons wildlife safari park to welcome new exhibit in may.

'Ice Age Adventure' will feature 38 prehistoric animals from the Ice Age

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GET LOCAL BREAKING NEWS ALERTS

The latest breaking updates, delivered straight to your email inbox.

The Lee G. Simmons Wildlife Safari Park will open a new exhibit showcasing prehistoric animals this May.

The 'Ice Age Adventure' is a drive-thru, interactive experience featuring 38 different animals.

READ MORE : Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo voted best in nation for second straight year in USA Today poll

The park will have educational activities as part of the exhibit, including a fossil dig, cave painting and animal artifact investigations.

The Safari Park will open for the season on March 29.

Click here for the latest headlines from KETV NewsWatch 7

Passing Thru Travel

A Guide to the 10 Best Safari Experiences in Africa

Posted: February 20, 2024 | Last updated: February 20, 2024

Embarking on an African safari is an experience like no other. The continent’s vast and diverse landscapes, rich wildlife, and unique cultural heritage make it a dream destination for nature and adventure enthusiasts. From the savannas of the Serengeti to the deltas of Botswana, each safari destination offers a unique glimpse into the wild heart of Africa. This guide will take you through ten of the best safari experiences in Africa, providing insider tips to help you make the most of your adventure.

Serengeti National Park, Tanzania

In the Serengeti National Park, you’ll witness the quintessence of the African savanna. The vast open plains are home to the Great Migration, an awe-inspiring natural spectacle where millions of wildebeest and zebras journey in search of greener pastures. The park’s diverse habitats, including riverine forests and swamps, are teeming with wildlife, from lions and leopards to giraffes and elephants. For a unique experience, plan an early morning hot air balloon ride, providing a stunning aerial view of the plains at sunrise.

Insider’s Tip: Book a hot air balloon safari for an unforgettable aerial view of the migration.

When To Travel: June to October for the migration; January and February for the calving season.

How To Get There: Fly to Kilimanjaro International Airport, then a local flight to the Serengeti.

Maasai Mara National Reserve, Kenya

In the Maasai Mara, you’ll experience one of Africa’s most abundant wildlife reserves. It is best known for the migration period when massive herds cross the Mara River. However, it’s also home to the Big Five and an excellent location for spotting predators in action. The Mara’s landscape of rolling grasslands and acacia woodlands adds to its charm. Consider visiting a local Maasai village for a cultural insight into the lives of the indigenous community.

Insider’s Tip: Visit a Maasai village for a cultural experience.

When To Travel: July to October for the migration.

How To Get There: Fly to Nairobi, followed by a local flight or drive to the reserve.

Kruger National Park, South Africa

Kruger National Park offers a more accessible safari experience without skimping on wildlife diversity. It’s one of the best places to self-drive, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. The park is home to a vast array of animals, including the Big Five, and has a well-developed infrastructure, making it ideal for first-time safari-goers. Stay in one of the park’s private lodges for a more secluded experience and expert-led game drives.

Insider’s Tip: Stay in one of the park’s private lodges for exclusive game drives.

When To Travel: May to September for dry season game viewing.

How To Get There: Fly to Johannesburg, drive to Kruger, or take a local flight to nearby airports.

Chobe National Park, Botswana

Chobe National Park is renowned for its large elephant population and river safaris on the Chobe River. These unique water-based safaris offer a different perspective and the opportunity to see a variety of aquatic wildlife and birds. The park’s proximity to Victoria Falls makes it easy to combine your safari with one of the world’s most spectacular natural wonders. The dry season brings large concentrations of wildlife to the riverbanks, making for exceptional game viewing.

Insider’s Tip: Combine your visit with a trip to Victoria Falls.

When To Travel: May to October for the dry season.

How To Get There: Fly to Kasane Airport or drive from Victoria Falls or Livingstone.

Okavango Delta, Botswana

The Okavango Delta is a unique wetland within a desert, offering an unparalleled safari experience. The annual flooding of the delta creates a lush habitat for a diverse array of wildlife. Exploring the delta by mokoro, a traditional dugout canoe, is a serene and intimate way to experience this unique ecosystem. Staying in a bush camp on one of the delta’s islands provides an immersive wilderness experience.

Insider’s Tip: Book a bush camp on one of the delta’s islands.

When To Travel: July to October for the flood season.

How To Get There: Fly to Maun Airport, then take a charter flight to the delta.

Etosha National Park, Namibia

Etosha National Park is centered around the vast Etosha Salt Pan, providing a unique backdrop for wildlife viewing. The park’s numerous waterholes attract a variety of animals, particularly during the dry season, making it an excellent location for photographers. Night-time game viewing at the waterholes offers a chance to see nocturnal species and unique animal behaviors not typically observed during the day.

Insider’s Tip: Stay inside the park for night-time waterhole viewing.

How To Get There: Fly to Windhoek, then drive or take a local flight to Etosha.

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania

The Ngorongoro Crater offers a once-in-a-lifetime safari experience. As you descend into the world’s largest inactive, intact, and unfilled volcanic caldera, you’ll find an abundance of wildlife in this natural amphitheater. The crater floor is home to over 25,000 animals, including the endangered black rhino. Early morning visits allow for fewer crowds and more active wildlife.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the crater early in the morning to avoid crowds.

When To Travel: June to September for cooler weather and optimal wildlife viewing.

How To Get There: Fly to Kilimanjaro Airport, then drive or take a local flight.

South Luangwa National Park, Zambia

South Luangwa National Park is a haven for those seeking a more adventurous safari. Known as the birthplace of the walking safari, it offers an intimate and immersive experience. The park is renowned for its high-quality guides and exceptional leopard sightings. Night drives here are especially rewarding, with chances to see nocturnal animals like genets, civets, and bush babies.

Insider’s Tip: Try a night drive for a chance to see nocturnal animals.

When To Travel: July to October for the dry season.

How To Get There: Fly to Lusaka, then take a local flight to Mfuwe Airport.

Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe

Hwange National Park, the largest in Zimbabwe, is known for its vast elephant herds and diverse landscapes ranging from desert sands to forests. It’s also one of the best places to see African wild dogs. The park’s numerous waterholes are magnets for wildlife, especially during the dry season, offering superb game viewing opportunities.

Insider’s Tip: Visit the park’s waterholes for excellent game viewing.

How To Get There: Fly to Victoria Falls, then drive to Hwange.

Queen Elizabeth National Park, Uganda

Queen Elizabeth National Park offers a diverse safari experience, with landscapes including savannas, wetlands, and forests. It’s an excellent location for seeing tree-climbing lions and various primates, including chimpanzees. A boat trip on the Kazinga Channel is a must, providing close encounters with hippos, crocodiles, and a variety of water birds.

Insider’s Tip: Take a boat trip on the Kazinga Channel to see hippos and crocodiles.

When To Travel: January to February and June to July for dry weather.

How To Get There: Fly to Entebbe, then drive to the park or take a local flight.

The Bottom Line

Your African safari adventure awaits, with each destination offering a unique window into the continent’s incredible wildlife and landscapes. Whether you’re floating down the Okavango Delta, witnessing the Great Migration in the Serengeti, or walking among the wildlife in South Luangwa, these experiences will leave you with memories to last a lifetime. Choose your destination based on the wildlife you want to see and the type of safari experience you’re after. Get ready for an adventure that will bring you face-to-face with the wonders of the African wild.

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The post A Guide to the 10 Best Safari Experiences in Africa republished on Passing Thru with permission from The Green Voyage .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / Thomas Retterath.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Video: Tiger Attacks Cow During Wildlife Safari In Ranthambore National Park

Many people in the jeep were shocked to witness such an incident..

The incident was captured on camera by visitors sitting in the vehicle.

Tigers are rare, elusive animals, which is why the thrill of spotting one in its natural habitat is unmatched. It's always a fascinating and once-in-a-lifetime experience to see a tiger in the wild. Recently, a thrilling wildlife spectacle unfolded before a group of tourists at Rajasthan's Ranthambore National Park. A tiger's unexpected encounter with a cow sent shivers down the spines of tourists enjoying a jungle safari at the national park in Rajasthan over the weekend. The incident was captured on camera by visitors sitting in the vehicle.

The video of the same was recently released by the national park officials on Instagram. In the video, the visitors are seen enjoying themselves during the jungle safari. They are seen clicking pictures and recording videos from the jeep. At one point in the video, a tiger hiding in the bushes suddenly attacks a cow that was observed walking on the path. The cow tries to flee from the scene. However, it is not known what happened next in the short clip. Many people in the jeep were shocked to witness such an incident.

"Ranthambore Wildlife : Tiger's Unexpected Encounter with Cow Caught on Camera!" reads the caption of the video.

Watch the video below:

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Ranthambore National Park (@ranthambhorepark)

Since being shared, the clip has amassed 37,000 views and a thousand likes.

"Wild animals habitat is overcrowded with humans! They even can't hunt properly," said a user.

"This is not good . For fun you are making their life vulnerable. Tomorrow you will see them in videos only let them live," said another person.

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A user wrote, "There was no space for the tiger to hunt. Tourist should have been given space."

"This was sudden incident cow came suddenly from the front and all vehicles engine were off hence there was no time to start the vehicles. Also there was enough space to hunt. We were there at that time have clear video from opposite angle," commented a person.  

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MEASURES TAKEN

Safari rally will not pollute hellsgate park, says kws, spectators urged to avoid dumping waste in the park during closing ceremony on sunday..

• Dadacha said that they had put in place measures to address the issues of pollution.
• Environmental groups have in the past raised concern over the move to host the rally in the world renowned park.

The Kenya Wildlife Service has dismissed fears that the World Rally Championship will have negative environmental effects on Hellsgate National Park in Naivasha.

The wildlife agency said mitigation measures had been put in place to protect the wild animals including some endangered species of vultures during the weekend event.

Environmental groups have in the past raised concern over the move to host the rally in the world renowned park, warning that it would have adverse effects on the animals.

But KWS assistant director Joseph Dadacha said robust measures had been put in place in the national park, where the final ceremony will be held on Sunday.

Dadacha downplayed fears that dumping of solid waste would affect the park, adding that this had been addressed.

“We have enough portable toilets and garbage bins placed strategically along the spectators’ zone, with enough staff manning them and collecting any waste,” he said.

Dadacha said that they had put in place measures to address the issues of pollution and littering in a bid to protect the habitat of the park that is home to a variety of wild animals.

“We have designated parking points for those coming to watch the rally and we are calling on the spectators to avoid dumping waste in the park,” he said.

Dadacha called on revellers to keep within the designated spectators’ zone and not to stray to other parts of the park as part of the set safety measures.

“We have enough security officers for this event and we are asking the spectators to stay within the marked zones as some areas in the park have wild animals like buffaloes,” he said.

However, the chairman Friends of Lake Naivasha, Francis Muthui, noted that the event would have a negative effect on the wildlife within the park and the conservancies.

“The noise pollution from the cars will definitely impact negatively on the animals and birds in the park, which is home to some rare species of vultures,” he said.

Muthui termed the event as "financially sound" for the country but "environmentally wrong" for wildlife and birds in the world-renowned park.

 “We are asking the organisers to make sure that all waste in the park is collected after the rally as this could have effects on tens of animals in future,” he said.

Ruto: We expect WRC to attract at least 100 million viewership

[photos] thrilling day 3 of wrc safari rally packed with non-stop action, tundo leads kenyan charge as wrc safari enters homestretch, most popular, how frequent gel polish application weakens your nails, parents, guardians urged not to hide children with ..., why we need to rethink what we know about dust, why twaha mbarak wants committee to run kenyan football, fkf boss refutes claims women's football faces uncertain ..., latest videos, governor mwangaza officially joins ruto's uda, kajiado women invade and slash up acres of miraa in enkorika, sign up for the free star email newsletter and receive the latest kenya news daily..

Videos show terrifying moment bull elephant lifts safari truck

The safari guide who warded off the elephant was praised by wildlife experts.

Frightened tourists can be seen ducking between seats during a tense standoff between a bull elephant and a safari truck in Pilanesberg National Park, South Africa.

Videos of Monday’s incident show a bull elephant lifting the 22-seat truck up several times with his trunk before letting it drop. The driver can be heard calling for the elephant to "go away" and slapping his hand against the side of the truck to scare away the animal.

Hendry Blom, a bystander who caught the incident on camera, told ABC News: "We were definitely scared, especially for the people in the truck because we thought they might die."

Another video from inside the truck shows frightened tourists cowering on the floor of the vehicle. One woman can be heard praying as the elephant approaches.

MORE: Global warming could increase risk of human-elephant conflict, researchers say

Poncho Mogodiri, field operations manager of Mankwe Game Trackers, the tour company involved in the incident, told ABC News the guide and guests were in animal hide when the bull elephant approached. "Hides provide you with the rare opportunity to unobtrusively view the wildlife and birds at close quarters," according to Pilanesberg National Park.

Mogodiri said some of the tourists "came too close to the elephant to take pictures and he started getting aggressive."

The guide's actions -- revving the engine, slamming car doors and shouting to ward the elephant away -- have been widely praised by wildlife experts. Mogodiri said the guide reacted "by the book."

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"Anyone that’s worked with elephants will tell you when a bull like that charges, you don’t turn and run, you need to make as much noise and stand your ground," said Ron Magill, communications director at Zoo Miami.

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Mogodiri confirmed the bull was in musth, or when an elephant "experiences an increase in reproductive hormones and becomes highly aggressive," according to the Pilanesberg National Park website.

No one was injured in the incident, though Mankwe Game Trackers told ABC News one family had been offered counseling after being left "extremely rattled." The Pilanesberg National Park said it will be conducting an internal investigation of the incident.

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