SPRING SAFARI
March 18–May 14, 2023

SPRING SAFARI

Featuring Butterfly Jungle

At A Glance

Spring is the season to get outdoors, spend time with family, experience bold, colorful new adventures, discovering amazing wildlife and make memories to last a lifetime!

 

SAFARI BASE CAMP

safari park radio 197.2FM

Safari Park Radio 197.2

  • Daily
  • March 18–May 14: 9 a.m. to close (continuous)
  • Safari Base Camp, near Barking Deer Pizza

The popular radio broadcast returns with great pop/rock hits from yesterday and today that keep everyone’s toes tapping at Safari Base Camp.

juggling performance

Bee Plus

  • Daily
  • March 18–May 10, May 12-14: 1:30, 2:30, 3:30, and 4:30 p.m.; May 11: 11 a.m., noon, 1, and 2 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Various locations throughout Safari Base Camp and Nairobi Village

Everyone will want to swarm around our talented bee juggler as he shows off his amazing skills that are smooth as honey.

dancing perfomers

The Bee Boyz

  • Daily, March 18–May 10; May 12–14
  • 1:45, 2:45, 3:45, and 4:45 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Roaming, Safari Base Camp to Flightline Plaza

This high-energy dance crew is sure to create a buzz as they showcase their amazing talents, and you might just get in on the act when they teach some of their incredible dance moves. 

Ladybug dancers

The Ladybugs

  • Daily
  • March 18–May 1, May 4–10, May 12–14: 2:15, 3:15, 4:15, and 5:15 p.m.; May 2 and 3: 2:15, 3:15, and 4:15 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Roaming, Safari Base Camp to Flightline Plaza

The Ladybugs celebrate the spring season with their fun, high-energy, and unique dance moves.

NAIROBI VILLAGE

robert the zebra

Robert the Zebra

  • Daily, except May 15–17
  • 10:15, and 11:15 a.m.; 12:15, 1:15, and 2:15 p.m. (30 minutes). Closed May 15–17.
  • Sanford Kids Theater, Nairobi Village

The Safari Park’s virtual, fun, and silly animal ambassador interacts with guests of all ages and offers tips on how everyone can help in protecting the environment—including helping monarch butterflies.

safari parker

Safari Parker's "Spring Has Sprung"

  • Daily
  • March 18–May 10, May 12–14: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.; 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. ; May 11: 10 and 11 a.m.; noon and 1 p.m. (20 minutes)
  • Village Playground, Nairobi Village

Join Safari Parker for story time as he reads an interactive, springtime tale that's full of surprises about a group of wildlife friends and their love of the season. 

Performer singing

Spring into Action

  • Daily
  • March 18–May 10, May 12–14: 11 a.m., noon, 1, 2, and 3 p.m.; May 11: 10:30 and 11:30 a.m.; 12:30, 1:30, and 2:30 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Village Playground, Nairobi Village

It’s fun in the sun, as children of all ages get up and start moving while taking part in interactive dances and other activities, hosted by our high-energy performer.

african beats

African Spring

  • Daily, March 18–May 10 and May 12–14
  • 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. at Mawazo Kitchen, Africa Walk (20 minutes)
  • 2:30 and 3:30 p.m. at Village Playground, Nairobi Village (20 minutes)

Our talented African entertainers will perform interactive songs and tell stories of what the spring season is like in their homeland during these musical sets created for the whole family.

Walkabout Australia and World Gardens

 

 

guitar duo

The Bluebirds

  • Daily
  • 11:15 a.m., 12:15, 1:15, and 2:15 p.m. (30 minutes)
  • Roaming, Walkabout Australia and Condor Trail

Our acoustic guitar duo will entertain guests with upbeat songs of sunshine, happy days, and spring fun that may just have you singing along.

gardens

Gardens Galore

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is famous for its amazing botanical collection. During Spring Safari, visit the Native Nectar Garden (Arbor Walk) and Baja Gardens (World Gardens) for narrated information on their amazing plant life and the unique way it helps our ecosystem. 

Upgraded Experiences

girl with butterfly

Butterfly Jungle Safari

  • $15 per person, age 1 & up
  • March 18–May 14
  • 30 minutes from check-in to exit; 20 minutes inside Butterfly Jungle
  • Hidden Jungle
  • Butterflies

Butterfly Jungle Safari requires an additional ticket for each person age 1 and older.  All members and visitors who are planning to enjoy this experience can purchase tickets here Additionally, all visitors ages 3 and up require a valid Safari Park admission ticket or membership to visit the Safari Park. Members and guests of all ages will love this immersive wildlife experience that allows them entry to the Safari Park’s Hidden Jungle aviary, filled with colorful, fluttering butterflies. This is a great opportunity to capture amazing photos—and experience wonder while discovering the important role butterflies play in nature.

This 20-minute experience includes enrichment to offer the butterflies while you explore the habitat. Guides and wildlife care staff will be available inside the Hidden Jungle aviary to enhance guests' experience throughout their visit.For more information about this year's Butterfly Jungle experience, visit our Seasonal Events FAQ page.

Don’t let this magical moment flutter by without you! 

Due to fire safety codes, we are limited to five carried infants (under the age of one) through the Butterfly Jungle experience at the same time. To ensure a spot for everyone in your party, please reserve and purchase a space for everyone, including infants under the age of one. Groups with infants under the age of one, without a purchased ticket may be rescheduled to another time slot upon arrival.

Culinary Offerings

Spring is the season for strawberries! And during Spring Safari, the strawberry is the star of many delicious dishes available at the Park’s culinary outlets. From salads to desserts and beverages, our chef has created the best that spring has to offer featuring this popular fruit that is cultivated worldwide. Menu subject to change.

 

burger and fries
  • Daily
  • Times vary by location
  • Throughout the Park

Barking Deer Pizza and Beer: Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad

Barking Deer Bar: Strawberry Margarita

Kibo Cones: Strawberry Soft-serve

Mawazo Kitchen: Strawberry Shortcake; Strawberry Fruit Cup; 

Mombasa Cooker: Strawberry Chipotle Tenders—with strawberry pico de gallo; Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad; Strawberry Shortcake; Strawberry Fruit Cup

Thorntree Terrace: Cream Cheese Wontons—served with strawberry jam; Strawberry Shortcake; Strawberry Fruit Cup

Oasis Deli: Strawberry Skewer; Strawberries and Cream Fudge; Spiked Strawberry Lemonade; Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Okavango Outpost: Strawberry Balsamic Pasta Salad; Strawberry Shortcake; Strawberry Fruit Cup

Rift Sand Bar: Strawberry Tequila Sunrise; Strawberry Mojito

Sheared Sheep: Strawberry Shortcake; Strawberry Fruit Cup; Strawberry Mule; Spiked Strawberry Lemonade

Watering Hole: Strawberry Mojito; Strawberry Tequila Sunrise

Chubby Unicorn collection jacket, sweater, water bottle, mug, and tank top
Shop the Collection

Save the Chubby Unicorns

Gorilla Shadow ShopZoo collection
San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Gorilla Shadow Collection

Hotel with pool
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SDZWA adventures monarch butterfly
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Groom and bride embracing as a giraffe looks on in the distance.
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