Take a thrilling ride on the wild side at the San Diego Safari Park, where adventure and excitement await at every turn. The Safari Park is a perfect spot for field trips and tour groups to immerse themselves in the untethered beauty of nature’s wild animals. Explore the untamed, breathtaking landscapes the park has to offer up close. Whether your group wants to experience a safari tour or get hands-on with interactive exhibits, the Safari Park encourages all to join for the ultimate destination for animal enthusiasts.
To experience a thrill of nature’s natural creatures, teachers can choose to take their group on one of the park’s Safari Guides. With a variety of safari options, educators can choose from Wildlife Safari, where you explore the savanna habitats in a covered, open-air truck with an expert guide; Behind-the-Scenes Safari, offering close-up animal encounters and insights into wildlife care and conservation; and the Ultimate Safari, providing access to exclusive areas, wildlife interactions, and personalized service. There is a tour for everyone in the group and guides along the way to help pick the best one for the classroom!
For non-safari activities, the park has many options ranging from play areas, botanical tours, and a Conversation Carousel, which features 60 ride elements, many depicting rare and endangered wildlife. The Balloon Safari is another action-packed experience that is perfect for the classroom. Experience breathtaking views seen only by the birds soaring above the Safari Park! Inspired by Serengeti hot air balloon tours, the Balloon Safari lets you ascend silently 400 feet in a tethered helium balloon. Enjoy 10 to 12 minutes of soaring above the park’s stunning landscape. The Safari Park offers a comprehensive curriculum for educators looking to add an extra educational element to their field trip. Options include Safari Explorers, with lesson plans and activities covering animal adaptations, conservation efforts, and species studies. Teachers can also plan a self-guided experience with programs to enhance students’ on-site learning and hands-on activities.
The Safari Park provides grant-funded programs, allowing educators to book a free field trip. Available options include programs for second graders featuring wildlife encounters and habitat exploration, “What’s the Buzz?” for third graders at Title I schools focusing on the effects of urbanization on pollinators, and initiatives for fourth and fifth graders emphasizing scientific observation and conservation efforts. For classrooms unable to make it out to the park, the Safari offers virtual field trips. These trips are led by real-life safari guides at the park, connecting students with the science excursion right from their own learning environment! Students can explore diverse ecosystems, learn about animal behaviors, adaptations, and conservation challenges, and participate in real-time discussions with guides. These sessions will leave students wanting to explore more about the park and its offerings.
The San Diego Safari Park is an action-packed, immersive experience that offers something to everyone in the classroom. From wild and untamed Safaris to educational interactions within the park, this dynamic and exciting park is perfect for your classroom field trip.
