This was our family’s first time at Safari Park. We weren’t sure what to expect but we were definitely pleasantly surprised. We used our San Diego 3-for-1 pass from Costco that will give you unlimited access to the Safari Park, San Diego Zoo, and SeaWorld for 7 consecutive days. I would say one of the main things that sets the Safari Park apart from any other zoo is the different ‘safari options‘ (a few are pictured above) they offer. They are an additional cost to your entrance ticket or pass. We opted not to do any this time, but man! They had some fun options. If the extra ‘safari’ options aren’t in your budget or plans, no worries! We had a great time without them. Here are our top 3 attractions not to miss the next time you go!
1. The CHEETAH RUN is definitely a must see! As you can see in the picture below, you are only a few feet way from this amazing animal as it runs across the field.
The Cheetah Run starts at the north end of the strip. If you blink, you just might miss the run! Cheetahs are fast (like 70 mph!) so have your camera ready if you plan to take photos.
Crowds start to line up at least 30 minutes before. With younger kids, a front row view is a must. We lucked out an snagged a small spot up front. Typically the Cheetah only runs once but sometimes they will run the Cheetah a second time. We stayed after the first run to watch the Cheetah eat (raw meat–the reward!) and they decided to do a second run. So be sure to stick around and watch. They do have a reserved seating option (pictured above) for an extra $12 per person if you are interested. They also have a ‘meet and greet’ with the Cheetah that is about 15 minutes for an additional fee.
2. The AFRICA TRAM was so fun! It was amazing to see the animals out in the open fields, mingled together.
Our kids had a lot of fun riding the bus/train too. By the time we wound our way back to tram (not far from the Cheetah Run), we sure had tired feet. This was the perfect rest from walking!
3. The LEMUR WALK was so cool! Located in the Nairobi Village, guests 5+ can walk through the lemurs habitat and watch these little creatures run and play. It was so fun!
And even though we visited the park near the end of June, there were many cooling misters and even a splash pad that kept us from getting too hot! Next time I might even bring swimsuits for the kids.
The many details, like the lily pads our kids were hopping on above, made it such a fun place! We didn’t even mention how cool the Tiger Trail was. There were several kid-friendly paths to explore in addition to the amazing tigers. The free entertainment was equally mesmerizing. We hadn’t planned to sit and watch the acrobatic chair/bottle show, but we couldn’t take our eyes off it! We definitely can’t wait to go back.
