Behind-the-Scenes Safari
At A Glance
Ever wonder what goes on behind the scenes at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park? Get a special sneak peek into the secret lives of your favorite wildlife and meet the wildlife care specialists who care for them, while exploring otherwise off-limits areas with a knowledgeable guide. Choose from a variety of experiences below!
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.
Some walking required during tour. Selfie Sticks are not permitted on this tour and must be stowed away.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
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.
Elite Adventure
- Ages 3 & up
- $435 & up, per person
- 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.
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!
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
Passport into the Wild
- Ages 3 and up
- $120 & up, per person
- Offered on Selected Dates
- 2 hours
- View Age/Safety Restrictions
Ages 3 and older. 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.
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.
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.Please call 619-718-3000 prior to your visit to inquire about accommodations, including wheelchair access.
Take this exciting two-hour journey through the Safari Park and discover amazing and unique wildlife from across the globe—no plane tickets required! You’ll journey across the Park to observe wildlife and explore exclusive behind-the-scenes areas to gain remarkable insights about different species. 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.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
Mission Wildlife Rescue!
- Ages 8 & up
- $120 & up, per person
- Selected dates
- 2 hours
- Visit exclusive areas
- View Age/Safety Restrictions
Ages 8 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.
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.
Selfie Sticks are not permitted on this tour and must be stowed away. 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.
If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour, after booking, please call 619-718-3000 so we can notate your order prior to your visit.
Go behind the scenes to learn how cutting-edge science and wildlife care come together in order to save species worldwide.
What you’ll do:
- Take a rare tour of the Frozen Zoo®, a critical component of San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s Wildlife Biodiversity Banking efforts.
- Visit the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center.
- Go on safari around the perimeter of the Safari Park’s iconic multi-species field habitat to view species such as Southern White Rhinos, Przewalski’s horse, and more. Offered select days.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
Wild Cat Adventure
- Ages 3 & up
- $95 & up, per person
- Offered Saturdays and Sundays, subject to availability
- 90 minutes
- View Safety/Age 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.
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.
Some walking required during tour. Tours board 15 minutes prior at Safari Excursions, located in the Safari Base Camp territory by locator number 2.
Selfie Sticks are not permitted on this tour and must be stowed away.
If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour, after booking, please call 619-718-3000 so we can notate your order prior to your visit.
On your Safari visit the wild cats of the Safari Park. While learning about 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.
What you'll do:
- See the Safari Park’s wild cats.
- Peek into some of the wildlife care areas and learn what it takes to look after the diverse cats that call the Safari Park home.
- Hear stories about the Safari Park’s current conservation projects while you travel in your tour cart with a personal guide.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
Walkabout Australia
- Ages 3 & up
- $95 & up, per person
- Select days
- 90 minutes
- View Safety/Age 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.
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.
Some walking required during tour. Tours board 15 minutes prior at Safari Excursions, located in the Safari Base Camp territory by locator number 2.
Selfie Sticks are not permitted on this tour and must be stowed away.
If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour, after booking, please call 619-718-3000 so we can notate your order prior to your visit.
Go on safari behind the scenes at the Safari Park’s Walkabout Australia! On this guided tour, you will see a variety of unique Australian wildlife! As you explore Walkabout Australia by foot, listen to the many stories your guide will share about Australian wildlife and what it takes to care for them.
What you'll do:
• See some of Australia’s most exotic species, including platypuses and cassowaries.
• Peek into some wildlife care areas, and learn what it takes to look after these unique Australian animals.
• Enjoy a stroll through Walkabout Australia with your personal guide.
• And more!
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
Discover Africa
- Ages 3 & up
- $95 & up, per person
- Offered daily
- 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.
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.
Some walking required during tour. Tours board 15 minutes prior at Safari Excursions, located in the Safari Base Camp territory by locator number 2.
Selfie Sticks are not permitted on this tour and must be stowed away. 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.
If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour, after booking, please call 619-718-3000 so we can notate your order prior to your visit.
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. While learning about the challenges facing wildlife, you will also hear stories of hope and the amazing conservation work being done by San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance and our partners.
What you'll do:
• See some of the Safari Park’s most iconic African species.
• Peek into 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 current conservation projects in Africa, while you travel in your tour cart with a personal guide.
• Have an up-close visit with unique African animals.
This tour requires walking over uneven terrain. If anyone in your party requires the use of a wheelchair during the tour and is unable to transfer, after booking please call 619-718-3000 so we can request a wheelchair accessible cart.
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