Behind-the-Scenes Safari

All Safaris

At A Glance

Age Varies

$98 & up per person

Daily. Certain tours available select days only.

1.5 hours, 2 hours, or 3.5 hours

Elite Adventure

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Ages 3 & up
$449 & up*
Offered select weekdays, Saturdays and Sundays
3.5 hours
View Age/Safety Restrictions
Ages 3 and up. Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. Limit of 2 children per adult per group. All tour participants require a ticket, regardless of age.
The check-in location for the Behind-the-Scenes Safari: Elite Adventure is 15 minutes prior to the safari at Safari Excursions, located in the Safari Base Camp territory by locator number 2.
Strollers and child car seats are not permitted on cart. Selfie Sticks are not permitted on this tour and must be stowed away.
Change/Cancellation: Reservations may be changed up to 3 days before the program. Changes made 3 days or less prior to the program are not permitted. Cancellations received more than 3 days before the scheduled program are subject to a $100 Cancellation Fee. Cancellations made 3 days or less prior to program, payment is non-refundable.
Wildlife viewing is subject to change based on availability.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party is unable to transfer or requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device during the tour, please call 619-718-3000 to book your experience. This allows us to promptly verify the availability of an accessible cart and space for the mobility device.

Come explore and enjoy the Safari Park on this 3.5-hour tour that includes some of the Safari Park’s most iconic experiences. Small groups visit staff-only areas to learn about how we care for wildlife, such as platypuses and tigers, and then hop into a semi-private Safari truck and tour the savanna, surrounded by rhinos, giraffes and so much more!

What you'll do:

See some of the Safari Park’s most notable species, and experience the iconic Wildlife Safari.
Peek into some of the wildlife care areas, and learn what it takes to look after the diverse wildlife that call the Safari Park home.
Hear stories about the Safari Park’s past, present, and future, while you travel in your tour cart with a personal guide.
Enjoy a snack, and relax with views of the savanna.
And more!

*Price is per person. Prices vary by season and days of the week. Click “Buy Now” to check prices by date. Admission is separate and required and may be added before checkout.

Note: Walkways you explore may be uneven and unpaved in behind-the-scenes areas. Not all wildlife may be in view, viewing animals in behind-the-scenes areas is not guaranteed. The tour route is subject to change based on wildlife care needs and weather conditions.

If anyone in your party is unable to transfer or requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device during the tour, please call 619-718-3000 to book your experience. This allows us to promptly verify the availability of an accessible cart and space for the mobility device.

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Deluxe Behind-the-Scenes Safari

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Age: Varies
$124 & up*
Select dates
2 hours
Visit exclusive areas
View Age/Safety Restrictions
Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. Limit of 2 children per adult per group. All tour participants require a ticket.
A valid form of admission is required to enter the Safari Park and is not included in the cost of the safari.
Strollers and child car seats are not permitted on the cart. For the health and safety of wildlife, service animals are not permitted on this tour.
Change/Cancellations: Reservations may be changed up to 3 days before the program. Changes made 3 days or less prior to the program are not permitted. Cancellations received more than 3 days before the scheduled program are subject to a $25 Cancellation Fee. Cancellations made 3 days or less prior to the program, payment is non-refundable.
Service animals are not permitted on this tour due to the sensitive nature of these animals and the restricted access of this habitat and buildings.
Wildlife viewing is subject to change based on availability.
If anyone in your party is unable to transfer or requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device during the tour, please call 619-718-3000 to book your experience. This allows us to promptly verify the availability of an accessible cart and space for the mobility device.

Embark on a two-hour journey to observe wildlife and explore exclusive behind-the-scenes areas to gain remarkable insights about different species.

Click “Buy Now” to view the calendar and see the tour themes available on the day you wish to visit!

Passport into the Wild: Ages 3 and over. Take this exciting journey through the Safari Park and discover amazing and unique wildlife from across the globe. Find out how our collaborative global conservation efforts are making a difference around the world—and what you can do to help secure the future for wildlife.

Mission: Wildlife Rescue!: Ages 8 and over. Venture behind the scenes to discover how innovative science and expert wildlife care come together to save species worldwide. Take a rare look inside the Frozen Zoo®, where pioneering conservation efforts help protect the future of wildlife. Explore the state-of-the-art Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center and witness the extraordinary care that supports species from around the globe. Then journey across the savanna on a thrilling safari adventure, circling the Safari Park’s iconic multi-species field habitats and viewing incredible wildlife—including the resilient Przewalski’s horse, a true symbol of conservation triumph.

*Price is per person. Prices vary by season and days of the week. Click “Buy Now” to check prices by date. Admission is separate and required and may be added before checkout.

This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party is unable to transfer or requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device during the tour, please call 619-718-3000 to book your experience. This allows us to promptly verify the availability of an accessible cart and space for the mobility device.

Behind-the-Scenes Safari

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Ages 3 & up
$98 & up*
Select Dates
View Age/Safety Restrictions
Children 15 years old and younger must be accompanied by a paid adult. Limit of 2 children per adult per group. All tour participants require a ticket.
A valid form of admission is required to enter the Safari Park and is not included in the cost of the safari.
Strollers and child car seats are not permitted on the cart. For the health and safety of wildlife, service animals are not permitted on this tour.
Change/Cancellations: Reservations may be changed up to 3 days before the program. Changes made 3 days or less prior to the program are not permitted. Cancellations received more than 3 days before the scheduled program are subject to a $25 Cancellation Fee. Cancellations made 3 days or less prior to the program, payment is non-refundable.
Tours board 15 minutes prior at Safari Excursions, located in the Safari Base Camp territory by locator number 2.
Service animals are not permitted on this tour due to the sensitive nature of these animals and the restricted access of this habitat and buildings.
Wildlife viewing is subject to change based on availability.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party is unable to transfer or requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device during the tour, please call 619-718-3000 to book your experience. This allows us to promptly verify the availability of an accessible cart and space for the mobility device.

During this 90-minute safari, your guide will escort your group to a variety of locations around the Safari Park to see animals up close and share stories of wildlife care and conservation.

Click “Buy Now” to view the calendar and see the tour themes available on the day you wish to visit!

Saving Giants: Ages 3 and over. This 90-minute guided safari features fascinating insights into rhino and elephant conservation. Travel on a safari cart to behind-the-scenes rhino and elephant habitats while you learn how we care for these gentle giants and support them here and around the world.

Wild Cat Adventure: On your safari visit the wild cats of the Safari Park. While learning about what it takes to look after the diverse cats that call the Safari Park home and the challenges wildlife faces, you will also hear stories of hope and the amazing conservation work done by the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and our partners.

Walkabout Australia: Go on safari behind the scenes at the Safari Park’s Walkabout Australia! On this guided tour, you will see some of Australia’s most exotic species, including platypuses and cassowaries. As you explore Walkabout Australia by foot with your personal guide, you will peek into wildlife care areas and learn what it takes to look after these unique Australian animals.

Discover Africa: Discover some of the most iconic species in the world! Your guide will share the wonder of Africa, as you visit some amazing African animals. Peek into wildlife care areas and learn what it takes to look after the diverse wildlife that call the Safari Park home and have an up-close visit with unique African animals. You will also hear stories of hope and the amazing conservation work being done by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and our partners.

Wildlife Awareness Days: Join us in appreciating different species during Wildlife Awareness Days at the Safari Park! Unique tours have been crafted to highlight each species and offer amazing one-of-a-kind experiences with Wildlife Care staff of the featured species.

May 31-Parrot; June 21 - Giraffe; July 19 - Echidna; July 29 - Tiger, August 12 - Elephant; September 22-Rhinoceros; September 24 - Gorilla; October 18 - Okapi; October 24- Kangaroo; December 4-Cheetah

If the tour you selected is sold out, please consider taking one of our other exciting Behind-the-Scenes Safaris.

*Price is per person. Prices vary by season and days of the week. Click “Buy Now” to check prices by date. Admission is separate and required and may be added before checkout.

Deluxe Behind-the-Scenes Safari: Sips on the Savanna

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Ages 21 & up
$155 & up*
Select Dates
2 hours
View Age/Safety Restrictions
Ages 21 and older. Guests will be required to show ID or proof of age at check-in to be served alcohol.
A valid form of admission is required to enter the Safari Park and is not included in the cost of the safari. Parking is not included.
Change/Cancellations: Reservations may be changed up to 3 days before the program. Changes made 3 days or less prior to the program are not permitted. Cancellations received more than 3 days before the scheduled program are subject to a $25 Cancellation Fee. Cancellations made 3 days or less prior to the program, payment is non-refundable.
Service animals are not permitted on this tour due to the sensitive nature of these animals and the restricted access to habitats and buildings.
Wildlife viewing is subject to change based on availability.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party is unable to transfer or requires the use of a wheelchair or other mobility device during the tour, please call 619-718-3000 to book your experience. This allows us to promptly verify the availability of an accessible cart and space for the mobility device.

Go beyond the habitats on this adults-only tour featuring behind-the-scenes access and wildlife viewing. Sip craft cocktails, wines, or mimosas while hearing the stories of the Safari Park from your tour guide. It’s the perfect mix of wildlife, wonder, and a little indulgence

What you'll do:

Sip a seasonal beverage and mingle with your guide before departing on tour.
Travel by tour cart with a personal guide.
Visit 2 different wildlife care areas of the Safari Park.
Relax at Amani Point, a scenic viewpoint only accessible to tour guests, while enjoying another beverage and a snack.
Animals you might visit: Platypus, Tigers, rhinos, and more!

Seasonal Beverage Offering:

Mimosas: Spring & Summer
Craft Cocktails: Fall
Wine: Winter

*Price is per person. Prices vary by season and days of the week. Click “Buy Now” to check prices by date. Admission is separate and required and may be added before checkout.