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San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Jambo a safari adventure in san diego.

 Welcome to the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, where life-changing moments happen daily. Set out on safari and discover 1,800 acres of sprawling savannas teeming with wildlife as well as world-class botanical gardens—there’s no place like it on Earth. Encounter rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and large herds of wildlife roaming together. Journey through bamboo forests and come face-to-face with Sumatran tigers. Hop alongside kangaroos and dive underwater to meet the only two platypuses outside of Australia. And experience the awe-inspiring giants of Elephant valley. When you’re here, you’ll discover adventure is in every moment. And a moment can change a lifetime. 

Neighborhood: North Inland

15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd Escondido, CA 92027-9614

Contact Info

(619) 718-3000 Toll-Free: (800) 407-9534

Please check our website for current hours.

More To Know:

• Located 30 miles north of downtown San Diego - and well worth the trip!
• The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is open 365 days a year
• Plan a full day & bring walking shoes, sunscreen and water for your adventures
• Safaris do fill up; book online ahead of time to ensure your spot
• Lovely facilities for catered weddings, parties and other group events!

Special Events:

• Marvel at eagles, owls and an Andean condor at Frequent Flyers
• Visit the World Gardens to see amazing and rare plants
• Autumn Festival On The Weekends From 10/7 -10/29
• Kids Free month with free admission for kids 11 and younger during October

More Information

• Destination Weddings
• Historic Landmark
• General Admission - Adult
• General Admission - Child
• Parking (RV)

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San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Top ways to experience San Diego Zoo Safari Park and nearby attractions

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Everything about tourist attractions

San Diego Safari Park – tickets, prices, timings, what to expect, kids activities

San Diego Safari Park is a wildlife paradise in Southern California. 

The 1,800-acre Safari Park houses more than 2,500 animals of 300 species in open field enclosures. 

The park is divided into habitats such as African Plains, Asian Savanna, and Australian Outback, each housing animals native to those regions.

In addition to the animals, the park has a variety of botanical gardens featuring over 1.5 million plants representing more than 4,500 species. The gardens are designed to showcase different types of plants worldwide, including succulents, bamboo, and orchids.

It is San Diego Zoo’s sister and often gets referred to as San Diego Zoo Safari Park. 

This article shares everything you must know before purchasing your San Diego Safari Park tickets. 

Top San Diego Safari Park Tickets

# 1-day San Diego Safari Park ticket # Safari Park + San Diego Zoo: 2-Day Ticket

Table of contents

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The San Diego Zoo Safari Park provides a unique and immersive safari experience.

The Safari Park is home to a diverse range of animals worldwide. You can expect species like elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos, cheetahs, etc. The park aims to create naturalistic environments for the animals to thrive.

One of the main attractions is the safari tours that allow you to get up close to the animals. There are various safari options, such as wildlife, behind-the-scenes, cart safaris, and more, where you can observe animals in settings that mimic their natural habitats.

You might also find educational exhibits and programs highlighting the work of preserving endangered species and ecosystems.

The park features beautiful botanical gardens with a variety of plant species.

The park hosts animal shows and presentations, where trainers showcase certain species’ natural behaviors and abilities. These can be both entertaining and educational.

Back to Top

Tickets for San Diego Safari Park are available online and at the attraction box office window.

Online ticket prices tend to be cheaper than tickets at the venue.

When you buy online, you can avoid the long queues at the attraction’s ticket counters.

Because the attraction sells limited tickets, they may sell out during peak days. Booking early helps avoid last-minute disappointments.

Once you purchase San Diego Safari Park tickets , they get delivered to your email address.

There is no need to get printouts of the ticket.

You can show the e-ticket on your smartphone when you visit the attraction. Proceed directly to the turnstiles; you do not have to stand in line at the ticket booth.

The Safari Park San Diego ticket is priced at US$69 for all visitors aged 12 years and above.

Children between three and 11 years pay a discounted price of US$59 for entry.

Infants aged two years and below can enter for free.

San Diego Safari Park tickets

This popular skip-the-line San Diego Safari Park ticket gets you access to almost all exhibits to see and experience. 

The Safari Park ticket gets you access to the following:

• Africa Tram Safari (subject to availability)
• Cheetah Run

Frequent Flyers Bird Show

Animal Ambassador Stage

• Hidden Jungle
• Kangaroo Walk

Tiger Keeper Talk

Training Talk

Lorikeet Landing

Nairobi Station

• Jameson Research Island
• All kids play areas

This ticket doesn’t get you access to any of the paid safaris. 

Paid safaris at San Diego Safari Park are nice but unnecessary because the 30-minute Africa Tram Safari is already included with this ticket. 

Ticket Prices

Adult Ticket (12+ years): US$69 Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): US$59

Infants up to two years can enter the park for free.

San Diego Zoo is San Diego Safari Park’s sister, located 56 km (35 miles) away.

The travel time between the two wildlife destinations is approximately 45 minutes. 

This combo ticket is popular amongst tourists who love wildlife and are in the region for at least two days. 

This ticket helps you save 20% on the ticket costs and gets you one entry into the San Diego Zoo’s Safari Park and San Diego Zoo.

You can visit the same attraction twice if you don’t want to try the second location.

Adult Ticket (12+ years): US$118 Child Ticket (3 to 11 years): US$108

If you prefer to view animals in a not-so-open environment (which is far more convenient for visitors), opt for the 1-day San Diego Zoo ticket .

Active military professionals can enter the zoo for free by showing their ID. Their dependents qualify for a 10% price reduction. 

San Diego Zoo offers a 15% discount on the ticket price to seniors (65+ years) and students (12+ years) with valid photo ID cards. 

However, the Military, Seniors, and Student discounts can only be availed at the ticket window.

The best way to save money on your San Diego holiday is by opting for the  Go San Diego Pass . With this one pass, you get to visit  San Diego Zoo , San Diego Safari Park,  SeaWorld San Diego , and 30+ other city attractions for free.  Find out more

The San Diego Safari Park in the San Pasqual Valley area of San Diego, California, near Escondido.

Address: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027, United States. Get Directions .

It is 56 km (35 miles) northeast of the San Diego Zoo near Balboa Park in San Diego.

Depending on the time of the day, it takes 45 to 60 minutes to travel from the Zoo to Safari Park.

You can reach the park by car or public transportation.

The nearest bus stop Highway 78 & Safari Park Outside Gat e is 1.2 km (0.8 miles) from the park. Board the bus 371 to reach the nearest bus stop and take a cab to get to the Safari Park.

Amtrack Railway Service is a better option if you plan to visit a wildlife attraction from another city, such as Los Angeles.

At 43 km (27 miles), Oceanside Amtrak Station is the closest station to San Diego Safari Park. 

From Oceanside, you must board the light rail service called Sprinter to get to Escondido. 

After 53 minutes and 14 stops, you must get down at Escondido Transit Center .

From Escondido Transit Center, you can take a taxi.

If you wish to travel by car, turn on Google Maps and get started.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s general parking costs US$20 per day. 

Preferred parking (a spot closer to the Safari entrance) is US$18 extra, which means you pay US$38 for parking your vehicle. 

Credit cards, debit cards, or cash are accepted. 

There are numerous parking garages around the safari park.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park, including holidays, opens at 9 am throughout the year. 

During the summer months of April to August, when the park gets lots of visitors, it closes at 7 pm, and the rest of the year, at 5 pm. 

Visitors need at least four to five hours to explore San Diego Zoo Safari Park to satisfaction. 

If you plan to explore the bare minimum – walk in, go on the Africa Tram at the Safari Park, and step out – you need around 90 minutes.

Some visitors wonder if they can shorten their visit by driving through the safari park. 

Unfortunately, that’s impossible because San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a walk-through sanctuary.

Note: During peak summer months, the queue for the Tram ride can be long, leading to longer waits. 

It is best to visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park when it opens at 9 am because the animals are most active during the first half of the day. 

As the day gets hotter, animals tend to look for shade.

Heat can also affect your experience at the Safari Park, so a fair-weather day is recommended.

On Weekdays, expect the longest lines at San Diego Safari Park between 11 am and 1 pm; on weekends, it is between 11 am and 3 pm. 

However, the crowd doesn’t affect your experience if you purchase your tickets in advance. 

San Diego Safari Park is most crowded from June to August and during school vacations. 

Best time of the year

The best time of the year to visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park is spring – from mid-March to mid-June. This is also known as the birthing season. 

The park sets up nursery exhibits where you can see baby animals take their first steps into the wild. 

Tourists on a budget holiday tend to compare San Diego Zoo and Safari Park and then decide where to go.

With four fantastic zoos, California State is a wildlife lover’s destination. Read about all the  Zoos in California .

All through the year, infants up to two years and active military professionals can enter the zoo for free.

Besides this, everybody must purchase a ticket. 

Seniors free days

Adults 65 and older can visit San Diego Zoo Safari Park for free throughout February. 

Kids free days

In October, every child aged three to 11 years gets free admission to San Diego Safari Park as long as a paying adult accompanies them. 

Only kids aged 12 and above need to purchase tickets this month. 

The animals at San Diego Safari Park are divided into 11 primary areas, which you can walk around and explore.

You can interact with the wildlife at the Park in many exciting ways.

Africa Tram

The Africa Safari is a 30-minute guided tour on an open-air tram.

The tram takes a 4 km (2.5 miles) long route through San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s field habitats, and visitors get to wild animals such as giraffes, rhinos, elephants, antelopes, etc.

African Tram Safaris start from the African Outpost, a 20-minute walk from the attraction entrance. 

The Tram trips start at 10 am and continue till 45 minutes before the park closes. 

The African Tram Safari is free with the regular San Diego Safari Park ticket .

To avoid waiting in queue to board the safari tram, be at the African Outpost in San Diego Safari Park before 11 or after 3 pm. 

At 11.45 am, the Tiger Keepers at San Diego Safari Park conduct a training session with the animals at the Sambutan Longhouse. 

This keeper talk is a fantastic opportunity to meet the San Diego Safari Park’s tigers up close. 

Since the talk is popular, plan to arrive at least 20 minutes early for the 15 minutes long Tiger Keeper Talk. 

The majestic animal gets a brief physical visual examination by their caretakers and lots of treats. 

The San Diego Safari Park Animal Ambassador Stage is an open platform for showcasing different animals. 

Visitors get a chance to get within a couple of feet of animals that aren’t available in an exhibit. 

The stage is at Safari Base Camp close to the park entrance, and there are two shows daily – first at noon and the last at 4 pm. 

If you are lucky, you may interact with the massive python ‘Julius Squeezer,’ cheetah, Kestrel hawks, or the high-jumping servals and caracals.

At the Nairobi Station, visitors get close-up views of some of the smaller animals at San Diego Safari Park.

Don’t miss out on Robert, the safari’s interactive digital zebra.

The Animal Care Center houses the baby animals and is also at Nairobi Station.

Expect some waiting time when baby lions or cheetahs are cared for at the center. 

Petting Kraal

Open from 10 am to 4.45 pm, the Petting Kraal is an excellent opportunity for your kids to interact with the Safari Park’s friendly goats.

Kids can feed the Pygmy, Nubian, and Boer goats and have fun. 

At Lorikeet Landing, visitors can engage with a colorful rainbow of parrots from 10 am to 3.45 pm.

The entrance to the exhibition is free, but the nectar you feed the parrots is for sale. 

A small bowl of nectar can get these parrots to land on you and make for beautiful, funny photographs. 

At Lemur Walk, open from 9 am to the Safari Park’s closing time, visitors get to spend time with the Lemurs. 

You walk along a path inside the habitat as ring-tailed lemurs hang around in the trees or walk with you. 

Only visitors over five years of age are allowed. 

The 20-minute Frequent Flyers Bird Show at San Diego Safari Park is scheduled twice daily – at 12 noon and 2 pm. 

The exciting show is perfect for a quick break mid-way through exploring the park. 

Visitors see exotic birds like owls, parrots, and large vultures flying just inches above your head. 

The Training Talk happens in the amphitheater between Gorilla Forest and African Woods.

It is an opportunity to get a closer look at free-flight bird training as the birds prepare for the famous Frequent Flyers show. 

Most people ignore this show, which means you can get the front seat row. 

Shiley’s Cheetah Run

San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s Cheetah Run is held once a day, at 3.30 pm.

You see an agile Cheetah run down a 100-meter (330-foot) long track and reach its top speed of nearly 112 km (70 miles) per hour.

It is better to be at the spot 15 minutes earlier because it is a massive hit with visitors. 

Cheetah Run is different from Cheetah Safari. Read up on the other safaris at San Diego Safari Park .

Safari Park Gardens

If you love greenery, check out Safari Park’s World Gardens, which has thousands of plants representing geographical areas worldwide. 

Our favorite gardens are Baja Garden, Old World Succulent Garden, Epiphyllum Trail, Bonsai Pavilion, and California Nativescapes Garden.

Conservation Carousel

The Conservation Carousel is at the Safari Base Camp and costs US$6 per person for an all-day bracelet.

It is a good entertainment option for kids, with 60 reproductions of rare or endangered animals that rotate around an axis. 

Kids can choose their favorite animals, such as giraffes, rhinos, zebras, cheetahs, etc., to ride on. 

It is open from 10 am until the Safari Park closes. 

San Diego Zoo Safari Park is very kid-friendly, and more than half of the visitors on any given day are children.

Besides the animal exhibits, which are always a hit, many activities and experiences are designed for children. 

Village Playground

The Village Playground is designed like an African village, next to the Petting Kraal in Nairobi Village.

The interactive play area is open from 9 am onwards. 

Savanna Cool Zone

Located in the Lion Camp, this is an excellent way for your family to beat the heat. 

The kids can have a wet and wild time even as you relax in the shade with snacks.

Kids love the play statues shaped like lions and tortoises with water squirting from their heads. 

Samburu Jungle Gym

This is a hit for kids and adults, located below the Benbough Amphitheater in the African Woods. 

Children love climbing up and exploring in this safari-themed play area, even as the parents put their feet up in the shade at Samburu Terrace and keep an eye on them. 

Tiger Trail Play Area

Also known as the Camp Play area, this spot is part of the lush wooded landscape of Tiger Trail. 

Children love climbing, sliding, and running on tree trunks in a simulated logging camp. 

Besides this, kids also love Petting Kraal and Conservation Carousel, which are paid activities. 

All play area images from Sdzsafaripark.org

Stroller Rentals for kids: San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers strollers for rent on a first-come, first-serve basis. The daily charge for a single stroller is US$16, and a double stroller is US$20. 

Because of some odd zoning rules, the Safari Park is in San Diego, referred to as the San Diego Safari Park.

However, Safari Park’s geographical location is Escondido.

Escondido is around 32 km (20 miles) inland and usually 5 to 7 degrees Celcius (10 to 14 Fahrenheit) warmer than oceanfront San Diego.

Since the Safari Park is an outdoor attraction, it makes sense to dress up in layers during your visit. 

The weather gets warmer as the day progresses. 

With more than 2500 animals to see, a San Diego Safari Park map is helpful.

Besides the animal enclosures, a map helps you identify visitor services such as viewing points, petting areas, restaurants, restrooms, etc.

Keeping the San Diego Zoo Safari Park’s layout handy is highly recommended if you are visiting with kids because you won’t waste time looking for the exhibits and, in the process, get exhausted.

You can also download the GPS-enabled San Diego Zoo app from the Android or iOS store .

Here are some frequently asked questions about the San Diego Safari Park:

While the San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park, the Safari Park is in Escondido. The Safari Park offers a more expansive and natural setting, allowing animals to roam in larger habitats that resemble their native environments.

Tickets for the safari park can be purchased online or at the park ticket window. We recommend buying your tickets online in advance to avoid last-minute disappointment.

The Safari Park is home to diverse wildlife, including elephants, giraffes, rhinos, lions, cheetahs, and many more. Visitors can experience up-close encounters with various species through safari tours and walking trails.

Yes! Visitors can bring their single-person food supply in small containers into the parks. No facilities are available for food storage other than lockers. For the safety of the guests and the wildlife in care, no large coolers, glass items, alcohol, party trays, candles, balloons, or decorations are allowed on the grounds.

Yes! There are a variety of options to assist you and your family. In addition, complimentary shuttles assist you and your party access the lower canyon areas. Please stop at Guest Services to request the ADA Packet, which includes information on the services, habitat descriptions, and show access. You can check the full details on the services for guests with disabilities .

Pets, comfort animals, and emotional support animals are prohibited at the Safari Park. The park houses significant populations of rare and endangered species; the Safari Park is a quarantined facility. State and federal regulations for such facilities do not allow access to pets, comfort animals, or emotional support animals accompanying guests to these facilities.

Sources # Sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org # Wikipedia.org # Tripadvisor.com # gocity.com The travel specialists at TheBetterVacation.com use only high-quality sources while researching & writing their articles. We make every attempt to keep our content current, reliable and trustworthy .

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This article was researched & written by

She has a passion for both traveling and photography, which help her document her memories forever. She loves to explore city streets taking in the people, the colors, and the culture surrounding her. Occasionally she loves to step away from the hustle-bustle of urban lifestyle, and chill-out either alone or with friends. Favorite Cities: Istanbul, London, Marrakech, Venice

Edited by Rekha Rajan & fact checked by Jamshed V Rajan

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Early Hours

This extra hour gives you the opportunity to visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park an hour before we open to the general public on select days of the year.

Early hours   are an exclusive benefit for our San Diego Resident Premium members, Wildlife Protector Premium members, Wildlife Guardians, Wildlife Champions, Wildlife Associates, President's Clubs, and Circle of Friends.

DOWNLOAD 2024 EARLY HOURS CALENDAR (PDF) ▸

Enjoy the early morning sights and sounds of the Zoo an hour before it opens to the general public. This exclusive opportunity takes place on one day each month (see dates below) between 8 and 8:45 a.m. To join us, simply present your qualifying membership card at the San Diego Zoo's main entrance beginning at 8 a.m.

2024 Early Hours:

• Sunday, January 7, 2024
• Sunday, February 4, 2024
• Sunday, March 3, 2024
• Sunday, April 21, 2024
• Sunday, May 12, 2024 
• Sunday, June 9, 2024
• Sunday, July 28, 2024
• Sunday, August 11, 2024
• Sunday, September 8, 2024
• Sunday, October 6, 2024
• Sunday, November 3, 2024
• Sunday, December 8, 2024

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Enjoy sunrise over the savanna with herds of giraffes, rhinos, Cape buffalo, and countless others from Kilima Point and our African Plains Trail during this exclusive early morning access. To join us for Early Hours before we open to the general public, simply present your qualifying membership card at the Safari Park entrance beginning at 8 a.m.

Admission Requirements

Admission is limited to:

President's Clubs and Circle of Friends 

• Member plus associated, permitted guests. Please refer to the back of your membership card for accompanying guest benefits.

Wildlife Champions and Wildlife Associates

• Member plus 1 accompanying guest.

San Diego Resident Premium, Wildlife Protector Premium, and Wildlife Guardian

• The member listed on the membership account.

Wildlife Supporters

• Dual Memberships: the 2 adults listed on the membership account.
• Single Memberships: member plus 1 accompanying guest.

Wildlife Explorers

• San Diego Zoo Wildlife Explorers members within the immediate family of the attending qualified member. 

Please review our  Frequently Asked Questions .

Use our  online form .

Call  619-231-0251 or 1-877-3MEMBER.

Write to:  San Diego Zoo Attn. Membership P.O. Box 120551 San Diego, CA 92112-0551

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You can see our calendar of opening times below.

Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve

Book Now Tickets + Safaris

Explore 600 acres of Kentish Savannah

A truly incredible safari experience.

Visit Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve for an unforgettable safari experience set against hundreds of acres of stunning Kentish savannah. 

There's never been a better time to visit Port Lympne. Bring your family to meet our family!

Book Day Tickets

Book a visit to Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve and come face-to-face with hundreds of rare and endangered animals in the Kent countryside

Spring Safari Staycations

Join us on our stunning Kentish savannah this spring and enjoy a magical getaway with award-winning accommodation, exotic wildlife, good food and spectacular views, right on your doorstep!

Sunday Roast at The Garden Room

One of the finest English traditions, a leisurely Sunday roast can be enjoyed in the Garden Room.

Bear Lodge Restaurant

Informal family dining overlooking the spectacled bear habitat, with a spectacular view across the reserve and to the Kent coastline.

How Your Visit Helps

Dinosaur forest, eat and drink.

Don't forget to book your seats aboard a safari truck and see how many magnificent animals you can spot on your way!

We’re home to over 900 animals across 75 species, including Kent's only spectacled bears as well as giraffes, zebras, lions, tigers, gorillas, monkeys and more! Find out more about our incredible animals here .

Your ticket will help to fund not only the care of the animals here at Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve but will also support our overseas projects. Thanks to the generosity of visitors like you, we - in conjunction with The Aspinall Foundation (charity number 326567) - have released more than 75 gorillas back to the wild and our released gorillas have had over 35 wild births! In Indonesia, we have released 41 Javan gibbons, 14 Javan grizzled langurs and 125 Javan ebony langurs. The Indonesian primates have over 35 wild births. We have also transferred 8 black rhino from our Kent parks to Africa, who have produced 25 offspring between them. Find out more about our conservation work around the world.

Steel your nerves and discover the forest that time forgot as you explore the UK’s largest outdoor dinosaur exhibition, Dinosaur Forest , featuring all your favourite beasts.

We serve home cooked food made with fresh, locally sourced produce at our restaurants and cafes . You'll find family favourites at Basecamp Cafe, Italian inspired dishes at Babydoll's Wood Fired Pizza or dine in style at The Garden Room Restaurant & Bar.

Relax, unwind, and recharge with an overnight stay in one of our unique accommodations .

The BIG day out

Annual pass.

Go wild and enjoy the best value days out to two of Kent's most popular animal parks with our new Annual Pass.  Visit Howletts Wild Animal Park and Port Lympne Reserve as many times as you like in a year! 

Your next adventure awaits

Enjoy unforgettable short breaks with friends, family and loved ones. Stay as long as you like and even pick a different accommodation for each night! Choose additional experiences or just soak up the peace and quiet, recharge and reconnect.

Stay in our multi award-winning accommodation

There are so many amazing ways to stay at Port Lympne. Our award winning short breaks range from glamping to a luxurious 4* hotel , or a unique Treehouse stay . Set in this unique coastal location, with amazing views, surrounded by wildlife, it’s a short break you’ll never forget.

What’s more, all profits from the parks and short breaks go back into the conservation work of our partner charity, The Aspinall Foundation. So you can enjoy your stay, knowing that you are directly helping our conservation work.

Luxury Stays

Immerse yourself in the lives of the lion pride at Lion Lodge and explore the rest of the Reserve on your private golf buggy.

Tiger Lodge

Wake up in a tiger’s world, then head out in your own personal golf buggy to meet the rest of the animals in the 600 acre reserve.

Be part of the pack and watch our wolves from your private viewing window. Then discover over 700 animals as you explore the reserve on your golf buggy.

Rhino Lodge

Make friends with your wild neighbours and explore the reserve in your own personal golf buggy.

Enjoy stunning views from your award winning self-catering treehouse suite and explore the 600 acre reserve on your own personal golf buggy.

Mansion Hotel

Get away from it all with a stay at our 4* boutique hotel.

Giraffe Cottage

A classic country retreat with a guided safari and a private chef!

The Treetop Bubble

Immerse yourself in a luxury romantic retreat amongst the treetops, with 180 degree panoramic views. Includes your own personal golf buggy.

Forest Hideaway

Exclusive hidden forest dens, for the ultimate romantic retreat. Includes a golf buggy to explore the reserve at your leisure.

Hog Deer Creek

Stay in the wilds of Kent in your cosy shepherd’s hut. Explore the 600 acre reserve on your own private golf buggy.

Glamping Stays

Unforgettable glamping getaway overlooking the spectacled bear habitat. Camp out under the stars and immerse yourself in an exciting safari experience.

Giraffe Lodge

Camp out under the stars and immerse yourself in an exciting safari experience - right here in Kent!

Put the fun back into camping without the need to pitch a tent at Pinewood, where you can sleep within roaring distance of lions!

Pinewood - Shepherds Hut

Camp in style and comfort at Pinewood's Shepherd's Hut and fall asleep to the sound of the roaring lions!

There's so much more to Port Lympne...

We’re not just an award-winning wild day out and we’re not just a charity with conservation at our heart. We take good care of our animals and good care of our guests, too! There’s nowhere in the world quite like Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve.

• Book activities including animal encounters, keeper days and safari park tours
• Have a party or host your next conference or event 
• Book your next getaway
• Get married at our award-winning wedding venue
• Eat and drink

What's on

Experiences

Explore: dinosaur forest.

Steel your nerves as you journey through Dinosaur Forest !  Marvel at the tremendous T-Rex, stare at the Stegosaurus, feel the terror of the Pterodactyl, and delight at the sheer size of the diplodocus! Come face to face with prehistoric life-sized creatures in the UK’s largest dinosaur forest!

We’re not a zoo

• Port Lympne Reserve is a breeding sanctuary for rare and endangered animals and wherever possible we aim to send animals born here to protected areas of their natural habitat where they can live free – just as they should be.
• We always make sure that the animals come first, from enclosure design to diet, no expense is spared. We grow our own herbs and vegetables and source our meat from trustworthy suppliers.
• We design our enclosures with the animals in mind, so there’s lots of natural foliage and furniture to provide shelter and camouflage.
• We never lock our animals into viewing areas, so, just like in the wild, it may take some time to spot certain animals.
• We do our best to provide a fantastic visitor experience, whilst not forgetting the primary reason we’re here – to ensure the survival of endangered animals.

TRIPADVISOR Wonderful Day Out An excellent place to visit - see the animals close up and enjoy excellent food at Baby Dolls restaurant. Friendly helpful staff everywhere around the huge park. The Safari ride is a must do. A great day out at a great price. Ken S. Written August 26, 2021

TRIPADVISOR Super Safari The reserve is large and offers a lovely day out. I highly recommend booking the safari as this was the best part of our visit. Amy Rogers. Written August 6, 2021

TRIPADVISOR An unbelievable experience We were all amazed at just how good this place is. We stayed in the hotel for two nights so got two full days in the park. Everything is so well organised and the safari drives are brilliant. You get to see so many animals close up. We have been to a South African safari and we saw more animals here than we did there. We were very luck with the weather which added to the experience. You have to give this place a try, you will love it and the kids will too. Gary F. Written October 6, 2020

How to get here

Port Lympne Reserve, Lympne (Nr Hythe), Kent, United Kingdom, CT21 4PD

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‘Successful’ year for Longleat Safari Park and Cheddar Gorge despite ‘inopportune’ bad weather

T he owner of Longleat Safari and Adventure Park and Cheddar Gorge has hailed a “very successful” 2023 despite being hit by bad weather at “the most inopportune times”.

The group, which is owned by the eighth Marquess of Bath, achieved a turnover of £32.8m for 2023, up from £30.2m, while its pre-tax profits increased from £2m to £2.8m over the same period.

It added that Cheddar Gorge”performed strongly” throughout the year while Longleat’s year-round business model “proved that a difficult August can be offset by a good December”.

During the year the average number of people employed by the group increased from 447 to 536, according to newly-filed accounts with Companies House .

Longleat and Cheddar Gorge owner eyes further investment

Executive chairman Ceawlin Thynn, the eighth Marquess of Bath, said: “2023 proved to be another successful year at both Longleat and Cheddar, demonstrating the ongoing appeal of our attractions.

“We remain committed to long-term investment at both attractions and have invested substantially in our African Painted Dogs enclosure at Longleat and Yeo’s Journey at Cheddar, which is an immersive augmented reality experience in Cox’s save; both exhibits opened during Easter 2024.

“We intend to announce further investment in due course.”

Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in Wiltshire was opened in 1966 and is located in the grounds of a stately home which is the seat of the Marquess of Bath.

The attraction was the world’s first drive-through safari park outside of Africa and has been the focus of BBC documentary series Animal Park since 2000.

Cheddar Gorge is located in Somerset and is the location of where Britain’s oldest complete human skeleton,  Cheddar Man , estimated to be 9,000 years old, was found in 1903.

The current Marquess of Bath took over the running of Longleat Enterprises in 2009 and succeeded his father to the title in 2020.

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Baby shot multiple times at Arizona home; fire breaks out during standoff

SURPRISE, Ariz. ( KPHO /Gray News) - A 6-month-old child is in the hospital after being shot multiple times Friday at an Arizona home where fire crews also battled a fire at that home just hours later.

Family members said the baby is doing OK and police said the child was still undergoing surgery for injuries to the “lower extremities,” as of 4:30 p.m. local time

Officers responded around noon to a report that a woman was held hostage by her baby’s father at a home in the area of Cotton Lane and Cactus Road in Surprise. The woman, who escaped, reportedly told officers that she believed her child was in danger after the man broke into the home in the early morning hours and was holding her against her will.

Officers forced their way into the home, and police heard gunshots.

They found the baby, who had been shot multiple times.

Police said they didn’t see or talk to the suspect but rescued the child from inside the house.

However, an officer did fire one round during that initial call.

The child was flown to a nearby hospital with serious injuries, officers confirmed.

The woman suffered only minor injuries, but police did not specify what those injuries were.

Authorities believe the suspect was inside when the fire occurred. They don’t have an update on his condition.

A crew in Arizona’s Family’s news chopper spotted armored SWAT trucks at a home in the area. The home’s garage and windows were destroyed as officers with armed police surrounded the home.

Around 3 p.m., the house caught fire. Video from the scene showed the fire erupting and fully engulfing the home.

“Next thing you know, there was smoke. And after the smoke, there’s a huge ball of fire coming from the back of the house and it just spread from the back all the way to the front,” said Hector Holguin, an Arizona’s Family drone operator, who was on the scene when the fire started. “It just progressed. It collapsed the roof.”

Because the suspect might have still been in the home, firefighters couldn’t get too close to the flames. It also caused a delayed response from fire crews.

“Firefighters don’t wear bulletproof vests. Firefighters don’t have weapons so they are vulnerable in these kinds of situations so it’s imperative that law enforcement stabilize that scene in such a way that it’s safe to address the fire,” said Andy Anderson, a former assistant Phoenix police chief.

Firefighters used two ladder trucks to spray the house with water and water down the house next door to keep the flames from spreading.

By 4:30 p.m., the fire appeared to have been put out, but firefighters were still mopping up hot spots.

The department is asking nearby residents to avoid the area while it was an active scene.

Copyright 2024 Arizona's Family via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.

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What happens at Disney World when a park closes? We stayed to find out.

There’s a special kind of magic at Walt Disney World at the end of a park day.

“As the number of guests dwindles down in each of these operations, there is a sense of quiet and focus on the guests who are there,” Jackie Swisher, Vice President of Disney’s Hollywood Studios told USA TODAY. “There's also a little bit of a sense of awe from the guests being able to get a glimpse into what things might look like when there aren't any guests there.”

At Disney’s Hollywood Studios, which is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year, the last guests on Slinky Dog Dash or in Oga’s Cantina may feel like they have Toy Story Land or Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge all to themselves as they leave, but the parks are never truly empty. 

“We're a 24/7 operation here at Walt Disney World, and so we have cast members working all the time to make sure that everything runs as smoothly as possible,” Swisher said. 

USA TODAY got a peek behind the scenes at what it takes to close one of Disney’s most popular parks and what goes on after guests leave. Here's what happens.

Going with the flow

Tens of thousands of guests visit Disney’s Hollywood Studios on any given day, but they don’t all leave at once. Some rope droppers who line up before park opening may tucker out early. Others may park hop. Many stay to watch the park’s popular nighttime spectacular show, Fantasmic. Still others wait to be among the last to leave the park.

“Our guests have patterns that they fall into and there’s things that we prepare for all along the way,” Swisher said, comparing each day to a symphony. “More like a jazz band maybe, with a little bit of the ad hoc play that goes in there,” she added with a chuckle. 

When hiccups arise, the park’s duty manager conducts that symphony to pivot. The night of USA TODAY’s visit, Fantasmic was cut short by a technical issue. To make up for the missed experience, guests were given a little extra time in the park, enough to squeeze in one more ride.

Using a variety of communication s tools and staying in constant contact across teams, Swisher said. “We really are able to adjust as guests move around the park.”

On the way out

A number of guests chose to spend their extra time shopping. 

“Merchandise is actually very busy at the very end of the night, so we staff that operation accordingly.” Swisher said. 

Mickey’s of Hollywood was packed with guests perusing plushies, t-shirts and other themed souvenirs. The shop on Hollywood Boulevard is one of the last stops many guests make in the park, and it stays open late for that very reason.

“They may have been browsing all day looking for that one thing that's going to help them remember their experience and they may not want to carry it with them throughout the day,” Swisher said. “So when they leave, we want to make sure that those shopping opportunities that are on the way to the exit are available for our guests. That's kind of part of our design and part of the way we make sure our cast members are available.”

What happens if you are in line for a ride when Disney closes?

Even on typical nights, guests can enter an attraction queue until just before the park's closing time . If they’re already in line when the park closes, they may stay in line to ride the ride.

“We want to make sure that all those guests in queue get a chance to experience that attraction,” Swisher said. “We're not shuttling guests out, but we're allowing them to finish out that day and making sure that there's magic in every moment.”

The same is true for guests with late dining reservations.

“Sometimes the reason why someone in a restaurant might be out as the very last guest for the evening is because they were celebrating something really amazing, and you get a chance to get engaged in that moment with those guests,” Swisher said.

Can you stay overnight in Disney?

From the Campsites at Fort Wilderness to the Villas at Disney's Grand Floridian, there's a wide range of Disney resorts and hotels for guests who want to stay in the Disney bubble.

They just can’t stay inside the parks.

“We have very highly trained cast members to do very specialized things at night, and we want to make sure that we keep our guests and our cast members safe,” Swisher said. “So there absolutely are processes to make sure that before any of those activities start, that guests are safely on their way home or back to their resort.”

Story continues below.

How does Disney make sure everyone leaves the park?

Disney has a process called clearing the park. “We do that in each of our operations, whether it's a restaurant or an attraction or show like Fantasmic,” Swisher said. 

The way it’s handled varies by venue, but at Slinky Dog Dash on the night of USA TODAY’s visit, cast members ensured no one else was in the queue behind the last guests at park closing. Then they made sure those guests exited the ride and headed toward the park exit when they were done.

There wasn’t actually anywhere else to go because cast members had already begun clearing the rest of the land. Starting from the back by Galaxy’s Edge, several cast members effectively blocked off access to areas that had been cleared. As section by section was swept, they moved forward toward the front of the park, ensuring guests didn’t turn back unnecessarily.

But no one was rushed out. When one of the last guests asked a cast member to take one last photo of their group in the nearly empty land, the cast member was happy to help. Additional cast members were stationed along the way to the exit to direct guests with lighted wands and to wave goodbye.

What time do the parks close at Disney?

Park hours vary widely by date and park. Times are posted way in advance on Disney World’s website, so guests can plan ahead. 

With the Halloween and holiday seasons coming up, travelers should keep an eye out for dates when parks may close earlier for after-hours events.

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 What happens at Disney World when the park closes?

“There's a lot of different activities that we do that are easier for us to do at night when there aren't guests there because of either the equipment or just the nature of what we're doing to be able to support our guests and make sure that everything is as ready and as magical as possible,” Swisher said. 

That includes deep cleaning, maintenance, painting, restocking merchandise, changing visual displays and more. Because some of those things can’t start until guests are gone, the last ones to leave get an extra treat.

“You do get a goodbye from a lot more people at the very end of the night, and it's really fun to be able to have those moments,” Swisher said. ”It really can fill you with a lot of pixie dust to be a part of that last goodbye.”