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Safari West

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Safari West Animal Park: Africa in Napa Valley

If you've ever wanted to rest in the lap of luxury while surrounded by nature in Napa Valley , Safari West Animal Park may be just the right place for you. Safari West is home to more than 800 wild animals, but it's not a zoo. Instead, the 400-acre wildlife preserve in Sonoma County is part bed and breakfast and part safari adventure. It's closer to home (for most of us) than Africa, located between Santa Rosa and Calistoga, just north of Napa Valley.

You can stay overnight in their luxury tent cabins or take one of their guided tours. It's a fun experience for families and for anyone who loves to see wild animals. You even can sip champagne with giraffes and go on safari under the warm California sun.

Wildlife Tours

Safari West's jeep tours are open to the public, even if you aren't staying overnight. If you're visiting Napa Valley for a weekend, think about taking a break from the wineries to tour, as Safari West puts it, "the spirit of Africa in the heart of wine country."

You can take a three-hour Safari Adventure. You may see zebras, blue wildebeest, cape buffalo, watusi cattle, and kudu. These are only a few of the more than 800 animals that live on the Sonoma Serengeti at Safari West. In addition to their standard tours, Safari West also offers private tours and themed tours, including a Valentine's Day tour that focuses on the mating habits of the animals, as well as more traditional photo safaris and sunset safaris.

For the classic adventure tour, children must be at least 4 years old. Toddlers under the age of 4 can join their party on the walking portion of the tour only.

Staying Overnight

Safari West is open for overnight stays March through December. They offer a few styles of luxury tents and serve breakfast. A night at Safari West will cost about as much as a luxury hotel in nearby Calistoga, but on selected dates, they offer discounted rates, which are listed on their website .

The accommodations are "glamping" (glamorous camping) at its best, with plush beds, hot showers, polished wood floors, copper basins in the private bathrooms, and one-of-a kind hand hewn furniture. It's the perfect destination for families looking for a bit of adventure and luxury, and friends who want to escape into the wilderness, but want to have a porcelain throne nearby.

Children of all ages are welcome. If they're less than two years old, there's no additional charge for them to stay. Visit Safari West for a memorable birthday celebration or just to treat your family to the real inspiration behind the neighborhood jungle gym.

Necessary Information

Tours are given daily. Reservations are required for both overnight stays and safari tours. Visit the Safari West website for more information.

For both your pet's safety and that of the animals, no pets are allowed at Safari West at any time. Service animals aren't allowed on the Safari Tour and they can't stay behind in your private vehicle while you go without them, but there is a crate available to kennel your service animal while you're on tour. Contact Safari West ahead of time to make arrangements.

Travel Tips

Location: Even though Safari West's address says Santa Rosa, they're actually closer to Calistoga. You can get there from either town.

Napa With Kids: Napa Valley can be kid-friendly, especially with places like Safari West and kid-friendly wineries . Although your little ones shouldn't have any trouble staying interested while at the park, it may be fun to create a scavenger hunt for them to play with during the wildlife tours. Enjoy your trip to the park and surrounding areas with this guide to a family vacation in Napa Valley .

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Safari West: An African Safari Experience in Sonoma California

Last updated: June 11, 2019 - Written by Jessica Norah 17 Comments

I was really surprised to learn that there was an African wildlife preserve called Safari West located only 75 miles north of San Francisco. Safari West is a 400-acre wildlife preserve containing over 100 species and over 700 individual animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, flamingoes, rhinos, cape buffalo, lemurs, and wildebeest.

Opened in 1993 by Peter and Nancy Lang, Safari West strives to promote wildlife advocacy and conservation through breeding, education, research and public interaction. The preserve shares similar environmental features to an African savanna and guests can take open-air guided wildlife safari drives to see many of the animals roaming the expansive property.

The smaller animals are kept in enclosures that are reachable by a walkway and you can also visit the open-air aviary containing all sorts of exotic birds. Guests can even stay overnight here and see and hear many of the animals in the evening once the daytime crowds leave.

After hearing about Safari West, I had to visit and so I took Ethan here as a surprise birthday trip back in October. We had just recently returned from East Africa and wanted to see how it compared to our time in Tanzania and Kenya over the summer. We’ll share all the details you need to plan your own trip to Safari West as well as share our experience doing the safari drive and staying overnight!

Table of Contents:

Basic Information on Safari West

Getting there.

Safari West is located in Santa Rosa, CA within Sonoma County about 75 miles north of San Francisco.

There is a local small airport called the Sonoma County Airport, which is about a 10 minute drive from Safari West. The closest major airports are San Francisco International Airport (86 miles, approximately 1 hour and 35 minute drive) and Oakland International Airport (80 miles, approximately 1 hours, 30 minute drive).

The best way to reach Safari West is by car or taxi.

The official address is 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA 95404. However, you should note that the actual guest entrance is on Franz Valley Road.

You should be able to follow signs to the entrance once you are close. GPS systems can get confused here so ignore your GPS if it wants you to make a turn onto Loch Haven Road.

Phone Number?

You can call Safari West at +1 (707) 579-2551 -or- 1 (800) 616-2695

Safari Tour Options & Prices?

The regular safari group tours are about 3 hours in length and include both a walking portion (30 to 45 minutes) and an open-air drive portion (up to 2.5 hours long).

They range in price depending on the time of year but as of June 2019, the Adult tickets (age 18 to 61) range from $83.00 to $115.00, Seniors (age 62+) from $80 to $100, Teens (13 to 17) $80 to $100 and children (3-12 years of age) are $45 to $50. Groups of 20 persons or more can receive a discounted group rate, and children under 4 years of age CANNOT be taken on this tour.

In addition to the regular group safari tours, Safari West also offers private and custom safari tours, tours that are more scientific and focused on biology and evolution, and private animal encounters. Speciality custom private tours can also include beer or wine tasting during the tour.

The private behind the scenes encounters include things like feeding the animals, having a private animal presentation of smaller animals, getting to visit the cheetah barn, and playing zookeeper for a day.

Reservations are necessary to visit Safari West and reservations for tours, lodging, and other options can be made by phone (1-800-616-2695) or online through the Safari West website . Booking for the safari tours can also be made online via Viator here .

Food options at Safari West?

There are a couple of food options at Safari West so you won’t go hungry or thirsty during your visit. Delilah’s Snack Shop is open during the summer and on select winter days in case you need a quick pick-me-up of pre-made sandwiches, granola bars, muffins, chips, ice cream, and other snacks, as well as a variety of beverage options, including soft drinks, coffee, wine, and beer.

For those wanting a full hot meal, Safari West’s Savannah Café provides ranch style BBQ lunches and dinners that are inspired by the South African Braai. Guests can dine indoors in the café area or Elephant Room where you’ll dine surrounded by African murals and artifacts, or outdoors on tables or benches near the fire pit. There is a small bar area selling wine, beer, and port.

If you spend the night at Safari West, a complimentary breakfast is served at the Savannah Café.

NOTE: Meals at the Savannah Café are by reservation only so please be sure to reserve prior to your visit if you would like to eat lunch or dinner here during your visit.

Staying Overnight at Safari West?

You can also extend your safari experience by spending the night in one of Safari West’s 30 luxury tents. These tents were imported from Africa and sit on wooden platforms with decks and include a regular bed and private bathrooms.

T ent cabins are set up with a King bed, Double bed, or Family style with bunks and futons available for children. Rates are based on double occupancy and are seasonal and range from $300 to $400 per night, depending on season and location. Each additional guest is $25 plus tax. There is also a cottage available for up to 6 guests for $350 to $400 per night.

A continental breakfast at Savannah Café is included for those guests staying overnight.

All overnight lodging and meals must be booked in advance of your visit.

Lodging Options near Safari West?

If you are not lodging overnight at Safari West, we recommend considering spending the night in nearby Santa Rosa which is about a 20 minute drive from Safari West.

Santa Rosa offers a number of lodging options from budget motels to luxury hotels. A few options to consider in Santa Rosa:

Hotel La Rose – A 3-star hotel located in a historical building on Historic Railroad Square in downtown Santa Rosa that offers comfortable rooms, free parking, and a 24-hour front desk. Good location for those wanting to explore Santa Rosa downtown area on foot.
My Big Art Project – If you are looking for a quirky but cozy bed-and-breakfast option, you might give this one a try. It offers comfortable rooms in the house of a local artist with lots of art displayed in the rooms and includes a vegetarian continental breakfast. Within walking distance of downtown area.
Vintners Inn – A 4-star luxury hotel which offers lots of amenities, including free bottle of wine upon arrival, a private balcony or patio in every room, on-site spa, and an on-site restaurant and bar. Great spot for couples looking for a romantic stay.
America’s Best Value Inn – A basic budget option in Santa Rosa offering free parking, a 24 hour desk, and continental breakfast. Good option for those traveling on a budget.

Accessibility at Safari West?

Safari West strives to make the experience as accessible as possible. If you or a member of your travel group have special needs due to mobility or sensory issues, contact Safari West in advance to see if they can accommodate you.

The classic safari vehicles are not ADA accessible and unfortunately are not equipped to handle wheelchairs or other mobility assisting devices. However, if scooter or wheelchair users can safely transfer themselves unaided or with the assistance of a travel companion, the Classic Safari Tour is an option.

The vehicle that was previously used for wheelchair users on the safari tours was destroyed in the California wildfires in October 2017, but Safari West is looking to get a replacement. Two of the overnight tents are wheelchair accessible.

Need more Information about Safari West or Sonoma County?

If you have further questions about the Safari West Wildlife Preserve and African Tent Camp, you can visit the Safari West official website . You can also call them or email them: [email protected] (general inquiries) or [email protected] (reservation inquiries).

It should also be noted that Safari West has full accreditation in the American Zoo and Aquarium Association .

You can also find more information about planning your stay in Santa Rosa through the Santa Rosa Convention & Visitors Bureau official tourism website and the larger Sonoma area through the Sonoma County Tourism bureau website .

If you are traveling elsewhere in northern California, you might want to check out our planning guide to the Pacific Coast Highway , things to do in Napa Valley , and things to do in Redding California .

Our Visit to Safari West Wildlife Preserve and African Tent Camp

We drove up to Safari West on a weekday afternoon from our home in the San Francisco Bay area to be on time for an afternoon classic safari tour. Ethan was driving but didn’t know where we were heading as the booking was a birthday surprise. Safari West is located near a lot of vineyards and farms, so once we got near Santa Rosa, Ethan was convinced we were going wine tasting and to stay in some sort of bed-and-breakfast.

When we pulled up at Safari West, he was really surprised that it was a wildlife preserve. He was even more shocked once he learned about how large the property was and that we were actually going to go out on a drive and stay overnight as his first impression was that it was a petting zoo.

I was quite delighted to see a large cage of Traveta weavers near the entrance to the main office. These East African birds are notable for their golden color, loud noises, and intricately weaved nests and I kept missing the opportunities to see these birds and their nests while in Africa.

If you’ve been following the blog, you know that Ethan and I were in East Africa for almost a month this summer, with most of that time spent in Tanzania . It was pretty amazing to have missed these little birds in Tanzania, but we got the chance to see them up close in California! A good start to our stay.

The Safari Tour at Safari West

Most visitors take the Classic Safari group tour, which is what we took and it includes a walking portion and then a longer open-air drive part. The total time of the tour is 2.5 to 3 hours. We met our guide and were part of a group of about 10 people. The guide was very amiable and provided information on the primary animals and also about some of the staff’s caretaking duties as well as some of the conservation efforts.

Some of the highlights were the cats (cheetah, serval, and caracal), the primates (especially as there was one very rambunctious baby Patas monkey bouncing around), the lumbering porcupine, and the bird aviary. It was interesting to see black-and-white colobus monkeys here as we had seen them high up in the treetops at the very beginning of our Mt. Kilimanjaro trek in Tanzania.

You’ll see a lot of different bird species, some are just roaming freely like the guinea fowl, cranes, swans, ducks, and flamingoes and some are in the aviary and other enclosures.

Within the aviary, we were greeted by a very social demoiselle crane who apparently often acts as a guide to groups entering her aviary. While in the aviary, be sure to also look for other non-feathered critters such as the tortoises and blue duikers (cute little deer-like animals).

We did not go past the lemurs or some of the other birds closer to the entrance during the walking tour, so be sure to go check them out before or after your tour. The lemurs are very fun to watch.

After the walking tour, we took a 10-minute break and then got into a waiting safari jeep vehicle. Most of the other members of our group were older and no one else wanted to climb into the upper level seat so Ethan and I got to spend the entire ride here. Sitting on the top is obviously a better viewing spot, especially for the giraffes, but it is bumpier up here. Normally the driver will stop and have people switch spots during the tour so everyone can sit on the top if they wish.

The first stops were to see some of the antelopes and the crowd-pleasing giraffes. The giraffes tend to be very curious and you’re likely to get very close, which made Ethan happy as these are his favorite animals.

My favorite stop was to see the southern white rhinos as we had not gotten an opportunity to see a rhino up close on our trip to Africa (the black rhino found in eastern and central Africa are sadly critically endangered) and it was great to see these amazing prehistoric-animals. I was pleased the guide took a few minutes to explain the plight of all rhinos in Africa due to poaching for their horns.

We covered a lot of ground, stopping whenever we saw some new animals, with some of the remaining highlights including the zebra, cape buffalo, kudu, sables, and wildebeest.

Our guide/driver was very willing to answer questions from us and the other guests and it was interesting to see some of the same animals we had seen on safari in Africa as well as getting to see some new species. It was not exactly like our safari experience in Africa, but it was a good experience and definitely gives visitors a taste of what it would be like to be on safari in Africa.

So while you will see the smaller animals on the first part of the walking tour with the guide, the great part is that if you book a tour you can also return to see the animals after your tour at your own pace. This includes the cheetahs, monkeys, lemurs, porcupines, birds, etc.

One of my favorite animal experiences was getting a cup of tea and taking a quiet walk after dinner along the path and watching the animals. Many of the animals were busy playing, feeding, and jumping around their enclosure now that the heat and crowds had gone. We had the path mainly to ourselves and it was really magical to walk around and hear the animals at night.

One benefit of spending the night is being able to have more time with the smaller animals. We also walked around a bit in the morning after breakfast and this is also a great time to see the animals being active with few people around.

Our Dining Experience at Safari West

During our visit, we had both dinner and the complimentary breakfast at the Savannah Café. The first part of the dinner was self-service hot and cold appetizers which included chicken wings, tomatoes and cheese, fruit, and olives which was served inside the Savannah Café. This gave guests some time to mingle while the staff was setting up the dinner buffet outside and grilling the meats over the fire pit.

Several of the guests purchased local Napa or Sonoma wines that are available by the glass or bottle along with South African wines, port, and beer. So lots of folks were sharing bottles and having pre-dinner drinks together.

The main part of the meal was served buffet style outside with soup, your choice of grilled meat, grilled vegetables, beans, and mashed potatoes. All the food was good and hearty, but it is pretty casual grilled food so if you are looking for more gourmet dining, I would eat elsewhere in Sonoma.

We were also given dessert after our meals, which happened to be cake which was a perfect treat to celebrate Ethan’s birthday! But perhaps the best part was that later in the evening the staff brought out marshmallows that could be roasted over the fire pit! I love toasted marshmallows so I ate these until I started to feel a little sick.

The next morning, the breakfast was a self-service continental buffet that contained the regular staples of pastries, breads, fruit, cereals, and drinks (coffee, tea, cocoa).

Sleeping Overnight at Safari West

We stayed in a Hillside King tent overlooking the lake. The luxury tents have walls made of pale green canvas and are built on high wooden platforms with wooden decks attached. When we walked inside the tent, we could see we would not be roughing it like in regular camping but this was clearly glamping.

Our tent had a plush king-sized bed, polished wood floor, lamps, desk and chair, floor heater, and several decorations from Africa. The bathroom had a flush toilet, hot shower, toiletries, and gleaming copper sinks. The wooden deck was spacious with a table and chairs that overlooked the lake and a cooler to store drinks and snacks. We were very comfortable here and slept well; it did remind of some of the luxury tents we had stayed in while on safari in Africa.

Note that the tents do not have wireless Internet and many people do not have cellular phone service in parts of Safari West, depending on your carrier. A good reason to plan to take a technological break for a day.

Please also keep in mind that Safari West is a wildlife preserve and like in African camps, you can hear the animals at night. We barely heard the animals from our particular tent, but the tents close to the flamingos and cranes can get a lot of noise from the birds. I never knew flamingoes were so loud, but the flamingos and the cranes were pretty vocal at night during our stay so you might want to be closer or further away from these critters depending on your sleeping preferences.

If you can sleep with a bit of noise, it can be a unique experience to fall asleep to the sounds of birds, monkeys, antelopes, and other wildlife.

Our Overall Thoughts on Safari West

We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Safari West and it made for a great overnight stay from the San Francisco Bay area. I think that staying overnight made the visit particularly memorable as we got to spend a lot more time wandering around and seeing and hearing the animals. Having the opportunity to see the animals early in the morning and late at night was really great.

I think a visit to Safari West would make a nice break in a Sonoma wine tasting trip, especially for families. A safari tour here allows visitors to get a taste of what it would be like to take an African safari, or in our case it was a great way to relive some of the great memories of our trip to East Africa.

We experienced great service throughout our stay, and would definitely recommend Safari West for visitors wanting to get a little wild while visiting Sonoma Wine Country!

Safari West safari wildlife tours Sonoma

Would you visit Safari West if you were in the area? Have questions for us about our time at Safari West, or comments from your own visit? As always we welcome any comments or questions!

**Disclosure: We were offered a complimentary safari tour and stay in order to review Safari West and its services; however, this article contains only our own honest thoughts and opinions. We paid for our own food during our visit.**

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Joan Barker Post author

February 15, 2016 at 10:59 pm

I am attempting to make a wall quilt. I wanted to use one of my images from my trip to Safari West. However, I have lost all of my photos. Would you mind if I used one of your giraffe photos?

Joan Barker

travelcats Post author

February 16, 2016 at 4:03 am

Hi Joan, I am sorry to hear that you lost your photos from Safari West! Sure, I am happy to send you one of your photos for your wall quilt. Just email me at [email protected] and let me know if you have a specific giraffe photo in mind and I’ll send it via email. ~ Jessica

Kelley Post author

May 9, 2015 at 9:53 am

We are planning to book a safari and overnight in June for my son’s birthday because he is a huge animal lover. Is there a tour time you would recommend to see the most animal activity? Any recommendations of which area to stay in…we have our choice of hillside or base camp? We are looking for the area where we can see the most animals from our tent. Thanks!!

May 10, 2015 at 12:25 am

I would probably just book the regular safari group tour at Safari West as the walking part takes you along all the smaller animals in the pens/enclosures and then the drive takes you around all the main fenced areas where the larger animals roam. Then your family can stroll and see all the animals outside the enclosures at any time if you are staying overnight. If once you are there, you are still wanting more, you can inquire about booking a private animal encounter and see what is available but these are pretty expensive. I would recommend a tent near the antelope & giraffe enclosures and bird ponds (I think this is called Antelope Alley) if you want to be more likely to hear and see some of the animals. I would specifically note that you have a preference for a tent near the animals when booking. Mainly the birds are active at night, but you can see the antelopes, birds, and giraffes during the day from this area. Good luck and I am sure your son will enjoy his birthday at Safari West! ~ Jessica

AwesomelyOZ Post author

April 10, 2015 at 7:46 pm

A true Safari in Califrornia!? No way!? That’s so awesome! I want to go to California hopefully next year so this is a great thing to keep in mind. 🙂 I love how you and Ethan are wearing Independent Cat Travel shirts – that’s just precious! 🙂 Great photos, love seeing all the animals and it’s good to know they have an overnight option for the full experience. Have a great weekend Jessica and thanks for sharing!! Take Care -Iva

April 23, 2015 at 9:05 pm

I hope you make it to California next year – there are sooo many great places that you could put on your itinerary! Yes, aren’t those t-shirts cool:)

casacaudill Post author

April 9, 2015 at 9:19 pm

We spent the day at Safari West last month but because it was a last minute trip, we didn’t get a chance to stay overnight. How loud were the animals in the morning? 🙂

April 10, 2015 at 9:40 am

Hi there, we barely heard the animals from our tent (a Hillside King) up above the lake. We did hear a little noise from the ducks and geese on the lake in the morning. But the people right across from the flamingo ponds and giraffe/antelope enclosures could really hear the animals (particularly the birds) in the evening. I never knew that flamingoes and cranes could make so much noise! The sounds are muffled by the canvas but you’ll definitely hear them. So if you want to avoid much of the noise, I would specifically ask for a tent away from the birds and let them know that you are sensitive to noise. If you want to be lulled to sleep by the animal noises ask for a tent near the birds and giraffes:)

Enjoy! Jessica

April 10, 2015 at 10:05 am

Those flamingoes were surprisingly chatty when we arrived first thing in the morning!

Megan | Traveling Nine to Fiver Post author

April 8, 2015 at 6:36 pm

Thank you for sharing. I live just over in Sacramento and have been hearing a lot about Safari West and have been curious if the overnight stay is worth a trip. Sounds like you had a great time. I’m curious, have you been down to the San Diego Wild Animal park, does it compare? That is my judge for any wildlife trip.

April 10, 2015 at 9:33 am

Hi Megan, I have not been to the San Diego Safari Park but it does look similar to the African portion of that park as it specializes in African species primarily. It also does not have some of species that San Diego does, such as the lions and elephants. So I think if you have been to that park, this one would probably not be worth the trip up north unless you were in the area. It is amazing that California has more than one of these safari type parks!

Meredith Post author

April 8, 2015 at 1:03 pm

Wow what a great find! It seems especially rare to find a wildlife preserve of this size in the U.S., but especially with such variety and amenities. I think staying overnight would be particularly fun!

April 23, 2015 at 9:04 pm

Hi Meredith, yes, I think staying overnight definitely enhanced our experience here!

Seana Turner Post author

April 8, 2015 at 6:09 am

I would definitely visit this place. I need to remember this post because I’d love to do another wine country trip. I’ve never been to Africa, and since I”m not terribly adventuresome, I think this might be just the right amount of “roughing it” for me:) I had no idea this existed!!

Yes, I think a place like Safari West is great for those who would love to experience an African safari closer to home. It is amazing how many people keep saying how they never heard about this place in Sonoma County even though they’ve been or lived there!

Eden Post author

April 7, 2015 at 12:06 pm

Wow, I had no idea this existed in California, definitely need to go back and visit here someday. Your photos are beautiful by the way 🙂

April 23, 2015 at 9:00 pm

Thanks Eden! Yes, we are lucky to have so many attractions that keep up so busy exploring!

Safari West Wildlife Foundation

Beyond a zoo, far more than any drive-through park, Safari West thrives as a world-renowned preserve dedicated to conservation and home to the earth’s most graceful, majestic and exotic creatures. Here you can go on safari and see animals roaming wild and soaring free, just like they do in the wilds of Africa. Enjoy the zoological gardens and grounds complete with leaping lemurs, and other primates, birds winging in our tree top and Oasis open-air aviary and cheetahs splendid in the grass. Experience the most unique photo opportunities short of getting on a plane and flying to Africa. Reserve a guided safari through our collection and immerse yourself in the wonders of a truly wild world!

Wonderfully, the adventure doesn’t end with our safari tours -within our wild menagerie we built a safari glamping camp that is the pinnacle of luxury. Each of our richly appointed safari tent stands proudly on an oak-studded hillside overlooking a vista of browsing giraffes and prancing antelope. A night spent in the bush will change your world as you lie down to sleep serenaded by the sounds of the Sonoma Serengeti night. Safari West Wildlife Foundation (SWWF/SW) is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization created to support the objectives of Safari West. Our mission is to raise awareness about the importance of protecting wildlife and their habitats today while inspiring people to care for its future. The Foundation advances wildlife stewardship beyond borders by providing conservation education tools and programs for children, their families and educators through three youth programs: Safari West LIVE an interactive safari trek adventure broadcast live to pediatric hospitals, Discover Africa a scholarship field trip program, and Junior Keepers a youth science and mentorship program.

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Safari West Review: Glamping in a Luxury Safari Tent in Santa Rosa, California

last Updated: August 14, 2023 california Northern California sonoma

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

Looking for info on glamping at Safari West?! We spent a night here not too long ago, and I’m here to give you my honest Safari West review! Was it worth it? What’s it like?! Keep on reading for my ultimate Safari West review — full of my favorite parts, things that could have been better, and all the planning logistics you’ll need for a night of glamping amongst the animals!

Itching to go on safari but can’t fathom spending 15 hours on a plane to Africa? I feel you. You’ll absolutely love the Sonoma serengeti (and yes, that’s what Safari West is called)!

If you live in Northern California (or visiting!), I can confirm that a night at Safari West is well worth it! I mean, an authentic African adventure right in the heart of California wine country sure sounds like an epic experience, right?!

When we had to unfortunately cancel our African safari due to the pandemic, we did the next best thing — a night glamping at Safari West in Santa Rosa! Although being here made me super antsy to get started planning our real safari in Tanzania… gotta get on that soon! Glamping at Safari West was actually part of our 6-month couples challenge — which I explain in some detail over here on my 101 in 1001 days list !

And better yet — this Safari West review is in no way, shape, or form sponsored in any way, so you know for sure you’re getting an honest review and if I felt it was worth the price. Not that I ever stray from the truth when an experience/stay is sponsored, but I just felt like I needed to tell you it wasn’t. 🙂

→ Read Next: The Ultimate Northern California Road Trip Itinerary

Overview of Safari West

What exactly is Safari West you ask? Good thing you’re reading this super-comprehensive Safari West review!

Safari West calls itself a Wildlife Preserve and African tent camp, and that’s exactly what it is!

For starters, Safari West is huge — nearly 400-acres in Sonoma County (yes, wine country in California!)! They’ve got both overnight stays (in luxurious glamping tents) and safari rides in jeeps (there’s about 1,000 animals here, no joke). It’s basically the closest you can get to Africa without a passport.

The facility was founded in 1989 as a private ranch for breeding and species propagation, and it’s only grown ever since. Now they offer close-up looks of the space to the general public, and accommodations to stay over.

Where is Safari West?

Safari West is located in the bustling little city of Santa Rosa in Northern California . It’s in Sonoma County, not far from the wineries everyone knows and loves up there. The wildlife preserve is actually kinda midway between Calistoga (in Napa County ) and Santa Rosa (in Sonoma County), so it’s a super easy trip from either.

And what makes Santa Rosa a great spot for a safari?! Well, the weather’s pretty mild year round, the grassland and forest combo kinda resembles Africa, there’s lots of water (when we aren’t in a drought), and it’s wine country paradise!

I’m giving you travel time from lots of spots in NorCal below to show you just how accessible it is!

From Sonoma Town: 45 minutes (28 miles)
From Oakland : 1 hour, 15 minutes (70 miles)
From San Francisco : 1 hour, 15 minutes (66 miles)
From Sacramento: 1 ½ hours (95 miles)
From Palo Alto: 1 hour, 45 minutes (105 miles)
From San Jose : 2 hours (110 miles)
From Mendocino : 2 hours (102 miles)
From Santa Cruz : 2 ½ hours (140 miles)
From Lake Tahoe : 3 ½ hours (210 miles)
From Redding: 3 ½ hours
From Yosemite : 4 hours (200 miles)

Santa Rosa’s got a mild mediterranean climate, so it’s never a horrible time to visit! In general, the summers are long, dry, and sunny, while the winters are mild and somewhat rainy. But since I’m exceptionally wordy, here’s a proper breakdown for ya!

Spring : If I had to choose the best time to head over to Safari West and Santa Rosa in general, I’d most definitely say late winter to spring (late-March to May or so). The winter rains will most likely be over, the air will be crisp and comfortable with little humidity, and the temps won’t be scorching hot just yet.

Summer : Santa Rosa and the entire vicinity gets wildly hot in the summer months, so if sweating on safari doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, avoid the super hot temps of summer. And I don’t mean like mid-80’s or so, we’re talking easily 95 degrees, on average. It’s not on the coast like Mendocino or Santa Cruz , so unfortunately Santa Rosa doesn’t get that nice ocean breeze like other parts of Northern California .

For reference, we visited in early-August and it was BLAZING hot. My husband had planned this glamping trip as part of our 6-month couples challenge, so I didn’t have a say, haha. Although it sure felt like Africa in the baking sun!

Psst — if you do visit in the summer, I advise you to book the safari ride in the morning. We had a 2pm afternoon ride, and let’s just say thank goodness there was a shower in the tent for cooling off afterwards.

Fall : While normally fall would be a great option, the fire situation as of late has really put a damper on trips to dry, desolate areas with lots of forest. And that includes wine country up north. The entire area was absolutely devastated by wildfires a few years back, and while it’s almost fully recovered, you just honestly never know when a fire’s gonna strike again.

Before moving to San Francisco and experiencing the smoky air ourselves, we had zero clue there was actually a “fire season” here in California. If you’re traveling far to get to Santa Rosa/Safari West, avoid visiting mid-August to September/October (although fire season seems to creep up earlier and earlier every year).

Winter : I’d also avoid the winter if you don’t want chilly nights, although Safari West provides enough heat in the tent to keep warm and cozy (more on that below). Temps can drop to about 25 degrees on the coldest nights of the year (usually in December/January), so just be prepared with all your warm weather gear.

Winter (November to March) is also the rainy season here in Northern California, and who likes a soaking wet safari? But there’s far fewer crowds this time of year and rates will be lower, so that’s a plus!

How Many Nights to Stay

We thought just one night was sufficient. You’ll most likely only do one safari ride, and besides that and chilling out, there’s not a ton to do at Safari West. And plus, you may want real walls after waking up to the sounds of animals in the super early AM (expect to hear guinea fowl and flamingos chattering up a storm in the morning).

Since the glamping tent is kinda expensive (in my opinion), I wouldn’t recommend staying here extra nights solely for accommodation. If you’re spending additional time in wine country, there’s a lot of other (less expensive) hotel options out there!

Who is Safari West for?

We were traveling as a couple without any kids (as we don’t have any!), so my Safari West review is skewed towards an adults-only experience. But that isn’t to say everyone had or didn’t have kids with them!

There were quite a few kids at Safari West staying overnight, and a handful on our safari tour. Do note that children must be 4 years or older to participate in a Classic Safari, so those with littles may wanna wait until they can join in on all the fun. Although I’m pretty sure under 4’s can sit on a parents lap — the website doesn’t make it super clear. I’d double check and ask before booking.

I have a feeling my niece (5 years old) and nephew (8 years old) would have loved both the safari ride and staying in a tent, so I can 100% recommend this for a family with young kids. Teens? I’m honestly not so sure, haha — unless they’re wildly obsessed with animals.

Ethics and Conservation Efforts of Safari West

Animal tourism has gotten a bad rep lately — and I can obviously understand why. Whenever we travel, we do tons and tons (and tons, yes actually) of research… especially when it involves animals. We’re animal lovers at heart, so of course want to make sure the experiences we partake in are positive ones that don’t harm the animals in any way shape or form.

The mission of Safari West is “to actively promote conservation, environmental education, and share knowledge that will help each individual make personal choices in regards to the environment and conservation efforts.”

The one thing to note is that Safari West is a private facility, meaning they’re for-profit. BUT the larger foundation (Safari West Wildlife Foundation) is a 501(c) — a nonprofit organization created to support the objectives of Safari West. I read that Safari West is aiming to become a 501(c) in the years to come.

Safari West is fully accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), which means they meet the “national” standard. AZA accreditation holds its member zoos to the highest standards of physical and mental care for wildlife — standards that are pretty much unachievable for the vast majority of zoos and wildlife parks/sanctuaries. So the fact that Safari West meets all these wildly high standards is amazing in my book!

I asked our guide a whole bunch of questions on the safari, and since Noah planned our weekend away, I did a lot of this research after the fact. Thankfully our guide was able to answer all my questions and I learned that Safari West aims to increase the gene pool of endangered animals — it is technically a breeding facility after all.

They do swap animals with other zoos/animal rescues (which I didn’t understand why at first), but it’s to increase the gene pool even further when breeding. And if the endangered animals go extinct in the wild, at least there’s the animal’s genetics still in captivity → which can then be bred, and then *fingers crossed* one day be released into the wild.

So after going on safari and talking to our guide, I felt okay partaking in the experience at Safari West. For starters, the larger animals were free to roam in their exceptionally large habitats, and these habitats mimicked the large open or wooded habitats the species would have in their natural environment (aka the wild).

There was absolutely no petting or feeding the animals, which is obviously a big no-no and a rule Safari West is super strict on (thankfully)!

I will say I didn’t particularly love the fact that some smaller animals were in smaller habitats, and this part felt kind of like a regular zoo (the walking portion of the safari — I’ll explain in more detail soon).

The Safari West Experience

The rooms (tents).

We spent a night at Safari West in one of their luxury safari tents, and it was (way) more spacious than I had originally imagined them to be. Honestly, I really didn’t know what to expect (we had never gone glamping before!), but the space was private, luxurious, and super comfortable! And we couldn’t see anyone else from our tent — only some animals!

This was a true glamping experience, complete with linens, towels, and toiletries waiting for us in our tent, as well as running water and electricity. Glamping at it’s best! The tent was decorated with touches of animal print but it definitely didn’t seem gaudy at all — kinda what you’d expect to find in Africa on safari!

It was honestly kinda like staying in a hotel, but not! And oh that KING-SIZE bed; it was so comfy we didn’t wanna get up in the morning! We slept so incredibly well — even my husband couldn’t believe it (he’s the last person you’ll find willingly camping).

Let’s talk a bit about the canvas tents, because after doing a bit of research, I just need to share! First off; all the tents are custom-designed with private viewing decks, polished hardwood floors, and even en-suite bathrooms. So no, you don’t need to leave your tent in the middle of the night if you’ve got to pee!

The heavy-lined safari canvas is imported directly from Botswana in Africa and the furniture is crafted almost entirely on-site from local wood. Talk about craftsmanship! We were able to roll up the thick plastic windows in the morning to let in all that gorgeous natural light.

Even if you’re not a fan of camping, I promise you’ll fall in love with your tent. It really didn’t feel like a tent at all, haha. And no, you don’t need to bring a sleeping bag, nor will you be sleeping in one (we slept peacefully in a king size bed!). Just remember the tents are literally in the middle of the wildlife preserve, so you’ll definitely hear all the wildlife sounds from your tent. Just something to keep in mind in case you’re a super light sleeper (bring earplugs!).

Do note there’s no AC/heating system in the tents themselves. Our room was equipped with a portable heater and electric blanket (yes, it’s a real thing, I had no clue!) in case the temps got chilly and we got exceptionally cold at night. Remember — we visited in August so thankfully the air never got cold enough to need extra warmth! But I loved knowing it was there if we needed it!

I didn’t realize that some rooms have way better views than others — after we checked in I noticed some rooms even overlooked the giraffes! And others had views of the lake! While our room was spacious and everything I imagined an African tent to be, I kinda wish the view was better!

One of the main reasons for coming to Safari West in the first place — to go on “safari”! I admittedly thought it’d be kinda cheesy at first, but we had a great time! Definitely opt to sit on the top of the safari truck — it was so fun!

The Classic Safari, what we were on, is a 3-hour excursion to get up close and personal with nearly a thousand animals. Well, we obviously didn’t see all 1,000, but definitely a whole lot!

The safari is organized into two parts:

By foot on a safari walk (~45 minutes): see some of the smaller animals in their natural habitat, including some rare birds in the aviary, black-and-white colobus monkeys, and a parade of flamingos around the lagoon (they were so fun to watch)!
By safari truck to explore the “Sonoma Serengeti” (~2 hours) : this is where it really got fun! We spent a few hours on the custom safari vehicle pretending we were in the plains of Africa looking for animals! We saw zebras, blue wildebeest, African cape buffaloes, and so much more! Including a 5-day old buffalo hiding next to its mother, which was obviously oh so cute.

Did it feel like a real safari? Hmmm… yes and no. While we were sitting in an open-air jeep-style safari truck and looking out for animals, the guides kinda knew exactly where they’d be so there was no real shock to the animal spotting. But this just meant we were guaranteed to see so many! Our guide was super knowledgeable and we learned so much about the exotic and endangered wildlife at Safari West.

I will say the safari was kinda bumpy, so just know that in advance. Also, there’s no bathrooms on the tour, so go beforehand! If it’s hot out, definitely bring something to drink as there’s no stops for water along the way. Once you’re on the safari jeep, you’re on for the remainder of the tour (1 ½ to 2 hours) and there’s no going back!

Yes, you can actually take the safari tour without staying overnight in a tent, but you need to make an advanced reservation to tour the grounds (you can’t just pop in for a look around).

While the classic safaris are the most popular (that’s what we did), there’s also exclusive private wine and cheese safaris! Chardonnay and cheetahs? Yes please!

Animals at Safari West:

I was surprised to learn just how many animals are at Safari West in Sonoma! There’s nearly ONE THOUSAND animals living here, and about 90 different species! A lot of the animals are endangered, which makes sense because of the mission of Safari West.

Most of the mammals found here at native to Africa (think antelopes, primates, and predators), plus a whole slew of avian life from around the globe (in and out of the aviary)!

Some of our favorites were the caracal (those ears!), the masai giraffe, the vulturine guineafowl, the trumpeter hornbill (listen out for it — the sound it makes is WILD!), the red-ruffed lemur, the warthogs (reminded me so much of the Lion King!), and the crested porcupines.

While you won’t check off the “Big 5” on your safari at Safari West (there’s no elephants, lions, or tigers here), you can still see a whole lot. Expect to see zebras, blue wildebeest, giraffes (hard to miss those!), guinea fowl (walking around everywhere!), cheetahs, and lemurs to just name a few!

Food and Drinks at Safari West

All Safari West overnight reservations include a complimentary breakfast at the Savannah Cafe. Lunch and dinner are by reservation only. The food was pretty good, but it wasn’t anything to write home about. We of course took advantage of the breakfast (hey, it was free!), and had dinner here the night of our safari.

There’s a cute little snack shop, called Delilah’s with you guessed it — snacks and drinks (including wine and beer). Thankfully there were large water jugs over here that we used to fill up our water bottles before and after the safari. I told you we went on a scorching hot day, right?! Gotta stay hydrated!

S’mores by the fire after dinner are available just seasonally (I don’t know when…) and I’m so bummed we miss this. This girl loves a s’more (or two… or three). It just doesn’t feel like true camping, er glamping without roasting some marshmallows by the fire.

I recommend keeping it nice and simple and making a reservation for dinner at Savannah Cafe (and having breakfast here), but plan to eat your other meals elsewhere — you gotta check out before lunch the next day anyways. There’s lots of great food in Santa Rosa!

I won’t lie — Safari West isn’t exactly cheap. Although it’s definitely justifiable for a special occasion weekend or a one-time experience.

Overall, all things included (Classic Safari, one night of accommodation, and dinner), our 24 hours at Safari West was just over $800 for a Saturday night stay. Kinda steep, but it’s definitely not something we’ll be doing every month, haha.

The Overall Experience

Was the semi-high price tag worth it? I think so? It’s obviously way cheaper than jetting off to Tanzania, Kenya, or South Africa — that’s for sure!

While we had fun and an overall positive experience, I wouldn’t travel far to Sonoma solely for Safari West. Hey, I told you this was gonna be an honest Safari West review, didn’t I?!

Less-expensive than a safari overseas
A great weekend trip from the Bay Area
Everything’s in one place and it’s such an easy way to feel far away without going terribly far!
You get to don your safari outfit!

Cons:

Not many activities once the sun goes down (apparently they do marshmallows by the fire some nights but not the night we were there — to say I was bummed was a MASSIVE understatement)
Some of the animals are in smaller habitats than I would have liked to see
It’s expensive; there’s no way around that, especially for a larger family

What to Wear/Pack

Thankfully you don’t need to pack anything you’d need for a true camping experience — you can leave your sleeping bags and camping food at home! While Safari West basically has everything you need for the night, there’s a few things I recommend bringing for an even-more-comfortable experience.

Cards or an ipad with an animal-themed movie for once the sun goes down
Sunscreen and bug spray — 2 musts!
Water bottle ; gotta stay hydrated of course
Camera with a fully charged battery!
A fully-charged flashlight , although Safari West does have a few out for loan at the Front Office
Drinky drinks ! We brought along a few hard seltzers (and had a bottle of wine waiting for us in our room) so we were well-equipped for the night. Coolers are provided on the decks of the tent cabins and you are welcome to bring your own food to put in them for a late night snack. Although they don’t provide ice in the coolers, which I thought was a little odd, so if you wanna use them to the max, bring your own bags of ice.

PS: Your cell phone probably won’t have reception (there is wifi but it doesn’t extend to all the tents unfortunately). Kinda nice to just relax without service to truly get away from it all. But if you’ve got AT&T, you can expect to have at least some service — there’s now AT&T coverage here!

PPS: There’s no phone (or TV) in the tent. You can use the phone in the front office if you need to make a quick phone call.

What to Wear:

Safari Outfit: Your most fun safari clothes! But keep them comfy and lightweight for the jeep ride! I wore a leopard-print midi dress, a cute felt fedora, and some animal-printed sandals! The next morning I threw on some cheetah-printed bike shorts and an oversized tee! Safari chic to the max! My husband went very literal and wore a short-sleeve button down with cheetahs all over!
Shoes: Make sure you wear comfortable shoes for the walking portion of the experience! The ground wasn’t necessarily dirty but if I remember correctly there’s some dirt/gravel pathways, so while you don’t need to worry about ruining your shoes, I wouldn’t wear anything you’d be especially sad over. I wore sandals and was fine, but would recommend closed-toe shoes to keep your feet protected.
Overall, I’d definitely dress in layers . Especially at night! Keep a jacket or light sweater close by, and if you’re visiting in winter, dress appropriately. It gets quite chilly over here from November to March-ish!

With that being said, I’m off to go make some microwave s’mores (and yes — they’re absolutely delicious!). Hope this Safari West review gave you lots of info and then some! When are you thinking of going?! Drop any additional questions down below in the comments section!

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What It’s Really Like to Stay at Safari West in Santa Rosa

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: April 23, 2021

collage image glamping tent deck giraffes and landscape view of safari west

If you’re looking for a wild safari tour in California, you’ve probably heard of Safari West in Santa Rosa. You’re likely dreaming of getting up close and personal with wild animals like monkeys, zebra, and of course, giraffes!

I’ve been to Safari West twice now, so let me share what it’s like to be a guest at Safari West. From what it’s like to stay overnight, to what to expect from the safari tour, here’s my Safari West review.

safari west in santa rosa title text image

Where is Safari West?

The Safari West animal park is located near Santa Rosa, California. It’s about 20 minutes outside of the main city center. It’s easy to get to the park and there is parking on-site for guests. Santa Rosa is in Sonoma County and just over an hour north of San Francisco.

Santa Rosa, California is a fabulous family vacation spot with lots of fun things to do including the Charles M Shultz (Peanuts) museum, many family-friendly wineries, and of course, Safari West.

Taking a Safari Tour

One of the ways you can experience Safari West is by taking one of their Classic Safari tours. These tours last approximately three hours and involve a jeep tour and a walking tour. You will want to bring water on the tour, but food/snacks are not allowed.

Just before your tour time, everyone will meet together and be assigned a tour guide who will be with you for your entire tour. Some tours start with the jeep tour and end with the walking tour and others start with the walking tour first and end with the jeep tour. You will be able to use the bathroom between the two parts of the tour.

Kids must be 4 years of age or older to participate in the Classic Safari Tour. If you have younger kids you can make arrangements for a walking tour. You can also book a private tour and keep young kids on your lap.

Current safety precautions mean that they’re not filling tours. We had three groups on our tour (9 people). For the jeep portion of the tour, one group rode up top, one in the front row behind the driver, and one group in the back row. There is a plastic barrier between the rows and masks are required.

family wearing masks riding on top of jeep at safari west

The jeep tours have three rows of seats in the lower part of the vehicle and one row on the top of the jeep. Each row can fit 4 passengers so my assumption is that tours can have up to 16 people. You must be 45 inches tall to ride on the top of the Jeep, so be sure you’ve prepared your kids in advance if they aren’t tall enough.

You’ll start your jeep portion of your tour by entering the main lower animal paddock, where you’ll most notably find the giraffes. They have Reticulated and Masai giraffes at Safari West, so you’ll learn how to spot the difference. And the giraffe can actually walk quite close to the jeep vehicles.

Beyond giraffes, you’ll rumble your way around multiple paddocks where you’ll see a variety of animals. A couple of memorable animals for us were the ostriches which came right up to our jeep and were less than a foot away from my daughter. We also loved seeing the cape buffalo and southern white rhinoceros.

Note, you can’t touch or pet any of the animals, but seeing them up close is a fun experience and helps you learn more about these amazing animals that are half a world away from the US.

I also want to mention that every group is given the opportunity to ride in the top row of the jeep. The tour guide will pull over at certain points and allow a reshuffling of the groups so that each party can have the chance to ride up top.

view from riding in top row of jeep at safari west

Walking Tour

On the walking tour, you’ll walk around and see porcupines, fennec foxes, cranes, ducks, flamingos, hyenas, lemurs, and even cheetahs! The guides will give you a lot of facts about each of the animals, which is great for kids. They also encourage you to ask questions.

After you’ve done both tours, you’ll be done and free to explore on your own. Don’t forget to bring some cash to tip your tour guide!

Glamping in a Tent at Safari West

One of my favorite parts about visiting Safari West is staying in one of their luxury safari glamping tents. They have about 30 glamping tents around the property and all have different bed options. Some tents have a king bed and can have cots added for additional guests. Others have two beds and some even have bunk beds.

glamping tent in the trees at safari west

The glamping tents are truly the only type of camping I enjoy! They have full bathrooms with flushing toilets and showers. You’ll even have lights and an outlet (in the bathroom) that you can use for charging your phone. You’ll also find electric blankets and a space heater. These come in handy during the cool spring and fall nights.

You’ll leave your car in the main parking lot and a staff member will use an ATV to get you and your luggage to your tent. So pack smart and try to avoid having too many bags.

Keep in mind that the tents are made of canvas, not walls. You’ll need to keep your voices down and radios/audio are not allowed for the comfort of other guests.

Hillside King Glamping Tent Room Tour

Tips for glamping overnight at safari west.

If you would like to stay near the lower / main area where the giraffes are, you’ll want to book an Antelope Alley tent . They will cost more. The Hillside tents are located farther away from the main areas.

I’ve stayed at Antelope Alley once and in a Hillside King more recently. Both experiences were great. Sunsets across the pond from the Hillside tents are beautiful, and the Antelope Alley location is convenient and it’s fun to easily see the giraffes and antelope from your room and deck (during the day).

Look at the weather temperates for day and night . During our stay it was hot during the day but overnight it dropped into the mid 40s (F). We were thankful for the space heater and electric blankets. Note that there are not electric blankets on the cots that are added to King rooms.

Keep in mind that when you want to shower in the mornings you need to know if it will be cold overnight . You’ll keep the bathroom door closed at night so it won’t be heated like the room. If you don’t want to shower when it’s cold, I recommend packing a ball cap and some dry shampoo. :)

Safari West is a wildlife park and some animals don’t operate on the same sleeping schedules humans do. This means if you’re a light sleeper you might want to pack some earplugs or ask the office if they have any when you check-in.

When I stayed in a cabin on Antelope Alley I didn’t notice too much noise during the middle of the night. However, during my recent stay in a Hillside King (which is near a big pond) the Canadian Geese interlopers were extremely noisy during the night.

You will not need to bring anything extra for “camping” for your stay. Your tent will include basic hotel amenities including soaps, towels, and bedding. You will have one plug outlet in the bathroom.

At check-in, you’ll be given flashlights to use at night. Make sure you remember to turn on your porch light when you go to dinner so that you can find your tent in the dark.

There is free wifi near the Savannah Cafe and office. I also had cell phone reception (AT&T) during both of my stays (at Antelope Alley and Hillside). They do warn that cell reception might be spotty and the wifi doesn’t reach all the tents.

Dining at Safari West

One of the great things about glamping at Safari West is that you don’t need to worry about packing food like traditional camping. (which is why I made my printable camping meal planner ).

Safari West has an on-site restaurant called Savannah Cafe. You can eat at the Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included with your glamping stay, lunch and dinner are additional and not included. Although there is a Wild Nights in Wine Country package that includes dinner for two and a bottle of wine as part of your stay. But if you’re just there for a safari tour you can still enjoy a meal outdoors. Reservations are required .

Dinner at Safari West is relaxing. You can order from a set menu and you can also buy wine or beer to go along with your meal. The menu offers a few different options including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. I am also happy to note that they were very helpful and accommodating for Mia’s nut and egg allergy.

Our menu offered an appetizer of soup or salad, main entrees were smoked chicken, brisket, and mac n cheese with sides of saffron rice and/or seasonal vegetables. The dessert was a brownie served a la mode. Again, they were very accommodating and brought Mia a popsicle for dessert since she couldn’t have the brownie and ice cream.

dinner menu at safari west in santa rosa

Breakfast was considered continental but actually had some great offerings. We had eggs, toast, yogurt, fruit, cereal, and bagels. We placed our breakfast order in advance while at dinner.

ordering breakfast in advance at safari west

There is plenty of outdoor dining at the Cafe and across by the Flamingo Terrace, which is near the giraffes. I will note that the flamingo area does have a bit of a smell that might be unpleasant for eating near. :)

You will have servers helping you with your meal so you stay at your table. This is part of Safari West’s current safety precautions as typically the meals are served buffet style. Don’t forget to have cash on hand to tip your servers.

There is also a snack shop at Safari West in case you just want to grab a drink or snack. They had some shelf snacks as well as refrigerated snack packs. Plus they had beverages including alcohol.

Special Packages and Add-Ons

If you want a unique experience at Safari West there are a few private adventures you can book.

Ultimate Private Safari

If you have kids under four or just want a private tour, you can book a private safari. The cost is $1100 ($1300 June-August) and includes a tour guide that will shape the tour however you want. You can also book a private tour called “Talk Nerdy to Me” which will include a biologist or naturalist that can teach you about the more scientific aspect of wildlife.

Wine / Beer Tasting Tours

If you’re looking for a private tour with your friends, one of Safari West’s Sippin’ Safaris could be perfect. There are a few different options, most involve a special overlook stop during your safari tour where you’ll do some tastings and nibble on snacks.

You can also book a private dinner package that takes place either “in the bush” or “on the treetops”. These cost $2500-$2750 for up to eight guests.

Wild Walk Behind the Scenes

If you want a private guide teaching you more about Safari West, this could be the option for you. It costs $275 for two people and $50 for each additional person up to six guests. It might include special behind-the-scenes stops at the giraffe barn, warthog pen, or Amani Oasis aviary. It is a walking tour and won’t include the jeep safari tour.

Rhino Encounter

Get up close and personal with Safari West’s southern white rhinos. You’ll learn more about these amazing animals and get some up-close photos. The cost is $250 for two people plus $50 for each additional adult ($30 for kids) up to six people.

Fast Cat Alley (currently unavailable)

If you love cheetahs this added tour will give you a chance to get behind the scenes with them. The cost is $250 for two adults (only adults are allowed). There is also a cheetah barn visit tour that allows for up to four guests, including kids.

Keeper for a Day (currently unavailable)

If you have a love of zoos and wildlife, this tour could be for you (or your zoo-loving travel partner). This experience lets you work with a Safari West zookeeper to help feed and care for the animals. There are two package options, a morning experience that lasts three hours and costs $300 per adult for up to two adults. And an overnight experience that includes lodging, meals, a bottle of wine, a t-shirt for $1500 for two adults. This experience lasts six hours (from 9-3).

How Much Does Safari West in Santa Rosa Cost?

Classic safari tours.

If you’re interested in doing the classic safari tour the price will vary based on when you’re visiting seasonally and if you’re visiting on a weekday or weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and holidays). Summer and weekends are more expensive.

Adults (18 – 61), Seniors (62+), Teens (13 – 17), and Children (4 – 12)

Jan-May: Adults $93/$103, Seniors & Teens $86/$95, Children $45 Jun-Aug: Adults $108/$128, Seniors & Teens $99/$118, Children $45/$50 Sep-Dec: Adults $93/$103, Seniors & Teens $86/$95, Children $45

Glamping Overnight

If you want to stay overnight in one of the glamping tents at Safari West the prices will also vary based on the season, the tent location, and tent layout. You should expect to pay about $310-$450 per night. Tents located along Antelope Alley (across from giraffes and closest to the main area) will cost about $50 more than the tents located higher up.

Again, your stay does include breakfast, but lunch, dinner, and alcohol will cost more. It’s also good to note that in the past there has been a two-night minimum requirement for stays during high season. I don’t think that is a requirement at this time but it’s something to be aware of.

You can check pricing and availability online .

What to Bring to Safari West

You don’t need to overthink packing for Safari West. Whether you’re just doing a safari tour or glamping overnight, you only need to remember a few key things.

Water Bottle – you don’t want to get dehydrated on your tour or while staying on-site. The days can be warm and if you’re hanging out outside the sun can really do a number on you. Make sure everyone has their own water bottle and remember to drink!
Sun Protection – again, if you’re going on a safari tour you’ll want to protect yourself from the hot sun. A hat is a good idea but make sure you’re prepared with sunscreen.
Bug Spray – it doesn’t hurt to pack a bottle of bug spray for your visit to Safari West. I didn’t notice it being too much of an issue, but since mosquitoes love me, I felt better protected, especially while eating dinner at dusk.
Overnight Bag – if you’re staying overnight with multiple people, you might want to combine your necessities into a single bag or two. You won’t drive to your tent. Instead, a staff member will drive an ATV to take you and your luggage from your car to your tent. Fewer bags means an easier trip and will make your check-out easier as well.
Warm Pajamas – if you check the weather and see it’s going to be cool overnight be sure you pack some warm PJs and even cozy socks.
Socks / Slippers – the floors of your tent and bathroom will be cool in the night and early morning, so pack some warm socks or slippers.
Cash for Tipping – make sure you bring some cash for tipping during your stay. You’ll want to tip the staff that helps you with your luggage, you’ll leave a tip for housekeeping, you’ll want to tip your tour guide(s), and you’ll tip your servers at the cafe.

view of antelope alley from tent deck at safari west

Is Safari West a Zoo?

I’m happy to say that Safari West is an accredited member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) . However, it’s not a traditional zoo. Their focus is being a wildlife preserve that aids in the conservation of African animals through education and breeding partnerships with other accredited organizations (like the San Diego Zoo).

As a private organization, the money you pay for tours and overnight glamping tent stays goes directly towards running the park and caring for the animals.

I hope this has helped give you the answers you’re looking for about Safari West in Santa Rosa. If you have any further questions, drop a comment below and I’m happy to help!

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Wednesday 11th of May 2022

Very accurate review. We live about 7 miles from SW, and it's one of my favorite overnite stays. It is pricey, but worth it!

Anne Rabbitt

Friday 12th of November 2021

I will be taking my 7 year old Grandson on December 20. I booked a "Hillside" room, but am a little worried that it will be a long trek up a hill at night. I thought the Hillside would be more fun for a 7yr old. We are checking in at 3 and dinner at 5 and going on our tour at 9 AM the next day (we did the tour once before). Since I am checking in right away, I am hoping I will have a choice of rooms, but all they said to me was to book Hillside or Base Camp and you'll be assigned when you get there. My grandson likes to explore and we will have after dinner to do that. Better at Base Camp or Hillside? Thanks!

Monday 22nd of November 2021

Hi Anne, I think you'll be fine with your 7 yr old grandson on the Hillside. You can always ask for them to drive you to your tent after dinner. They have little atv carts available to assist guests. They also give you flashlights to use to help navigate at night. Most of the exploration you might do after dinner would be around the restaurant and base camp area, although most of the animals have "gone to bed" later at night and so there might not be much to see. I don't think having a room at basecamp will be much different in regard to exploration in the evenings, although if your grandson wanted to sit on the patio after dinner he might see a bit more from a basecamp tent than he will from the hillside tents. He might really like using the flashlight to hike to the hillside tent after dinner and after walking around by the restaurant. So, I'd say that if you want to save the money, stick with the hillside and I don't think you'll have any issues, although you likely won't be able to really explore outside your tent much in the evening. If you can pay a little bit extra and don't want to hike up the hill with flashlights in the dark, then move to the basecamp to be closer to the "zoo" part of the property. Hope that helps!

Sunday 11th of July 2021

Hi - Thanks for a very informative article. My husband and I will be vacationing in Sonoma in October and I'd love to visit Safari West. My only concern is that I have a (probably irrational) fear of birds. I'm wondering how close you get to various types of birds on both the jeep and walking tour. What would be your thought on this? I'd thoroughly enjoy everything else. Thanks for any light you could shed on this.

Tuesday 20th of July 2021

Hi Mary, the ostriches did come close to our jeep during the tour, however when I was on the tour on another trip they did not get that close. There is a bird aviary you walk through during the walking tour, however you can easily skip that and join back with the group when they exit on the other side which is all part of the main walking path. Other than birds that are in the wild, those are the only two instances I can think of. You can tell your Jeep guide early if you want to avoid the ostriches. If you're on the top of the jeep at the beginning of the tour then you'd be away from them as they're at the beginning of the tour. However, they do typically try to put kids up top at the beginning of the tour, FYI. I'd also say to try and stay in the Antelope Canyon as the hillside cabins are near a large pond that attracts birds and so that might make you uncomfortable for the view from your cabin. Let me know if you have another question, I'm happy to help!

Friday 21st of May 2021

Thanks for the awesome review! I am thinking of booking a trip this summer. My kids are 2 and 3, so they are too young for the safari and we won’t be booking the private tour. We were thinking of just booking the walking tour and staying overnight. My kids love animals and we go to our local zoo weekly. Do you think the walking tour would be worth it? Are you able to see a lot of animals up close? Thank you!

Sunday 23rd of May 2021

Hi Jen, the main walking path does have a great view of the giraffe and antelope. The smaller paths through the other animal areas also offer chances to see many other animals, but of course, it's a bit like a zoo where you're never sure if the animal will be hiding indoors or in a spot that makes viewing limited. However, we were able to see a few monkeys, Fenix fox, cheetahs, porcupines, and lots of birds quite easily. If you can splurge for one of the tents on Antelope Canyon that are across from the giraffe area that would probably be really special. The tents have outside decks so the kids might like to have a snack while they watch the animals. You won't be able to see some of the larger animals like the zebras and cape buffalo, but I think your kids would probably still have a lot of fun. The lemurs are also super cute and easy to view.

Safari West LIVE

What is safari west live and how does it work w atch the video below to find out.

Program Details

An interactive live-stream experience, scheduled in pediatric hospitals, Safari West LIVE engages the imagination and inspires the curiosity of young explorers as they virtually ride along with a naturalist through the rolling hills of Safari West, sighting giraffes, cheetahs, wildebeest, zebras, and many more wondrous African animals.

Inspiring Wildlife Stewards for Life and supporting children in their road to wellness recovery by offering a reprieve from the patient's long-term hospital stay. Program supports positive mental health while providing hope for wellness while reducing fear, anxiety, and pain. Young explorers are delighted by the careful planning of special events such as celebrating birthdays and milestones as they interact with the hosts and guides while on safari and enjoy learning about the wild things who live at Safari West and conservation efforts.

Programs 118 153

in 2022 in 2023

Hospital Beds 55,895 64,063

in 2022 in 2023

Testimonials from our Childlife Services Partners

“(Safari West LIVE is) exponentially helpful to patient's mental health, overall well-being, and in their overall recovery.” Abbie Kreider - Seacrest Dallas Children’s Hospital

“Our kids are looking for authenticity. They have a lot of screen time and a lot of recorded content... so they're looking to connect, and Safari West (LIVE) does that and keep it entertaining at the same time. So, the production is really outstanding.” Elyse Cann – Benioff Children’s Hospital, Oakland

"The guides have done a wonderful job of interacting with o ur hospital and our patients. They just don't hesitate to spend as much time as they need to, or we want to, on any of the questions, no matter how off the wall they may be. They're great at adjusting to the content, and age, that we are presenting to." Josh Castaneda - Seacrest Studios

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Guests take a tour aboard a vechile at the Safari West zoo on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Santa Rosa, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

Peter Lang first heard the call of the wild as a little boy, scampering around Hollywood backlots in the ‘60s as his filmmaker father, Otto, worked on TV shows such as “Flipper,” “Daktari” and “Sea Hunt.”

Beguiled by the lions and chimps he befriended on the “Daktari” set, the young Lang felt a deep connection to nature. It sparked a passion for animal conservation that led him to raise African eland, large antelopes with oxlike bodies, and eventually inspired him to found Safari West, a 400-acre nature preserve tucked amid the rolling hills of Santa Rosa, in 1993.

For Lang and his wife, Nancy, a zoologist, this is more than just a wildlife refuge. It’s their life’s work. During the devastating 2017 Tubbs Fire in Santa Rosa, Lang refused to abandon the preserve. As the flames approached, he made everyone else evacuate, grabbed a garden hose and a shovel and fought the fire. He stood guard all night , making sure that all 1,000 animals — from the giraffes and the cheetahs to rhinos and hyenas — were safe. The Langs lost their home to the inferno that night but not a single animal.

That fierce sense of devotion is what makes this more than just a zoo where most of the animals roam free. A trip to this wildlife sanctuary feels like an escape from mundane reality. Certainly, it’s the closest many of us will ever get to the magic of the Serengeti. Here are four must-dos for the next time you visit.

Go on safari

A dazzling herd of zebras bolts across the road, perhaps spooked by your off-road jeep. You never know which creatures will wander into view, as you bounce up and down the winding roads on a three-hour quest to encounter more than 90 species. But it’s common to spot leaping antelopes, fuzzy baby zebras and perhaps a rowdy cape buffalo, the most dangerous animal in the preserve, grunting in a standoff.

A giraffe is photographed at the Safari West zoo on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Santa Rosa, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group)

You can’t touch the animals, but that doesn’t mean they won’t try to touch you. Be prepared for sneaky ostriches who want to steal your sunglasses and giraffes who fancy a nuzzle. And there’s a dainty little demoiselle crane in the aviary, Kovu, who may try to sneak out with you.

Indulge that baby fever

The birth of any baby is cause for celebration but the arrival of a Southern white rhino is close to a miracle. Bouncing baby Otto, a 100-pound bundle of joy named after Lang’s father, represents a major environmental milestone. Safari West zoologists have been trying to breed rhinos for almost a decade to help save the endangered species, and this is their first victory. Decades of poaching have rendered the Northern white rhino almost extinct, which makes the arrival of Otto, a cousin of that species, all the sweeter. Best of all, he’s a real scamp, barreling around on chubby limbs until he falls over or trying to coax his mother, Eesha, into a game of tag.

Baby Rhino Otto, a 100-pound bundle of joy, marks a milestone for the threatened species and mother Eesha at Safari West in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Safari West)

Check out some of his antics here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9w9-P4ADXDI

Go behind the scenes

Specialty tours include a variety of behind-the-scenes encounters with wildlife, from cheetahs to the gregarious giraffes eager for their favorite snack. You won’t be feeding anything to the cheetahs — obviously — but the giraffes are a delightfully different story. Just hold onto those acacia leaves tightly; giraffes pull hard.

Go glamping

Make the magic last by staying overnight. Tuck into a traditional South African braai, a hearty barbeque of spice-rubbed chicken or brisket, for dinner, then sip wine by the fire as children and grandchildren cartwheel on the grass near the aviary. Once darkness falls, you can explore a bit by flashlight before bedding down in one of 30 luxury camping tents imported from Botswana and decked out with zebra-print bedding, African art and gorgeous woodwork (some made by Lang). Fall asleep to the chuckles of the kookaburra and wake up to flamingos squawking for breakfast. (Bring earplugs because the jungle can get noisy.) Once morning arrives, go watch the fluffy little fennec foxes begging for food and belly rubs.

Fall asleep to the chuckles of the kookaburra and wake up to flamingos squawking in one of 30 luxury camping tents at Safari West in Santa Rosa. (Courtesy of Safari West)

Details: Safari West offers reservation-only safari tours ($45-$148), as well as specialty tours and overnights, at 3115 Porter Creek Road in Santa Rosa; www.safariwest.com .

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MEET THE WILD FROM YOUR CAR OR WAGON.

View over 50 species of animals...all from the comfort of your own vehicle! You'll be able to see animals roam freely on our gorgeous property Drive your vehicle on our maintained gravel road and see the animals through your windows! See everything from Auodad to Zebra and lots in between!

Drive-Thru Safari Park .

Visit anytime between 9:30 AM and 4:00 PM, 7 days a week. No reservations necessary!

*Pricing above is subject to change.

*Feed IS NOT included, subject to an additional charge.

Adults - $23.00 Seniors (65+) - $20.00 Children (3-12) - $17.00 Ages 2 and under - FREE

Our Pricing .

Experience the self-guided Drive Thru Safari in your personal vehicle and see over 50 different species!

DOGS ARE NOT ALLOWED ON THE SAFARI!

OPEN AIR VEHICLES are NOT allowed. Vehicles must have tops and solid doors to participate in the safari.

Guided Wagon .

Experience the guided Drive Thru Safari on wagon and see over 50 different species! Go off the path and get up close and personal with the animals! Reservations highly suggested!

Adults - $37.00 Seniors (65+) - $34.00 Children (3-12) - $31.00 Ages 2 and under - FREE

Available seasonally from Mid-March-October 1 Hour Experience 9:30, 10:45, 12:00, 1:45, 3:00- peak season 10:00, 12:00, 2:00- non-peak season

+SAFARI FEED: INCLUDED

*Safari Feed IS included!

Also Included .

ROOS & CREW

Don't miss the variety of small animals at our Roos and Crew Barn. View our animals in an intimate setting and learn all about their personalities.

Complete with a variety of small animals, kangaroos, and our iguana it is sure to be a memorable experience!

Save Time .

Save Time by clicking the link below and completing your waiver prior to arrival!

Important Info .

ALL car occupants must purchase a full price ticket. All safari park purchases are non-refundable!

Have any Questions ?

4229 US-150 W, Paoli, IN 47454

[email protected] // 812-936-4484

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I visited 5 of the best safari parks in Africa. The trip was filled with surprises, and there are a few things I wish I'd known before leaving.

I visited five of Kenya's best safari parks to see some of Africa's most famous animals in the wild.
There were many aspects of the safari that surprised me despite the research I did before my trip.
I was surprised by many things, including how long I spent sitting in safari cars.

Seeing some of Africa's most famous animals in the wild has been on my bucket list for years. With adventure travel on the rise, I decided to take the plunge and make the 20+ hour flight to Africa to visit some of Kenya's best safari parks.

Masai Mara is arguably the most famous for big-cat sightings, but Amboseli National Park , Crescent Island Game Sanctuary, Nairobi National Park, and Hell's Gate National Park are also must-see reserves teeming with wildlife.

I did lots of research beforehand but found I was unprepared for many things I experienced while on safari — and there are things I'll definitely do differently the next time I go.

From what I should have worn to what seeing the animals was really like, here's what surprised me most about going on safari in Kenya.

I sat in the safari vehicle for about 8 hours every day

Between a morning and afternoon game drive, I spent about eight hours in the car daily. It was shocking to see the low number of daily steps on my Oura ring.

I started doing yoga at the end of the night to loosen up my hips. My airplane pillow also helped me stay comfortable, especially during the seven-hour drives to other parks.

My shoes were off for most of the drives

In hindsight, I should have worn sandals on my drives. Most safari vehicles have small windows and a top that lifts up, and you're frequently standing on the chairs to get a better view.

We took off our shoes when we got into the car so we were ready to hop up on the chairs at a moment's notice.

I had lots of early mornings and bedtimes.

The best times for safaris are in the mornings and at dusk, and sometimes, we had 4 a.m. start times. The lack of sleep , paired with the heat, made me eager to get to bed early.

I'm not a morning person, but I preferred the early drives for the animal activity (and incredible sunrises) we saw. We used the less-ideal safari hours during the day to nap, do other activities in the area, or drive to other parks.

Many animals can be difficult to spot due to distance or camouflage

We had our fair share of close-up sightings, but many of the animals we wanted to see were far away and sometimes not immediately obvious to the naked eye.

We ditched our iPhones and used binoculars and someone's camera viewfinder to get a closer look.

A pair of binoculars and a camera with a zoom lens are essential for getting the best view (and pictures) possible.

There were long periods of time with minimal animal sightings

Safari drives can be frustrating because you can't control what animals you'll see, how far away they are, and how long the sighting will last. But being patient can be rewarding.

During one dusk drive, we spent three hours searching for a pride of lions without any luck. Finally, as the sun set in the last half hour, we stumbled upon three female lions napping, a leopard, and giraffes.

Many of the animals are sleeping during the day

I expected to see animals moving around or hunting, but many were resting during the day. It was only when dusk approached that they started to slowly stake out a spot by the grazing herds.

If I go on safari again, I'll book a night drive so I can see how the lions and other animals act during their peak hours of activity.

My view was largely out of my control

Whenever a less common animal like a lion or cheetah is spotted, a traffic jam of safari vehicles speed over and line up, vying for the best view.

What you see — and sometimes, if you see anything at all — can depend on your driver and what vantage point they can get.

Your view can also depend on your position in the car. I spent a lot of time scrambling around to catch a sighting (and a photo, if I was lucky).

Prey is plentiful, but seeing any action is unlikely

Gazelles and impalas were everywhere, so it was surprising to learn that the lions might not eat for days.

Our driver told us the best thing he's seen on safari was a cheetah hunting a gazelle, and then a pride of lions swooping in to steal his meal. However, these kinds of sightings are rare.

Predators need to consider everything from the direction the wind is blowing to the length of the grass when trying to sneak up on their prey. Many hunts are unsuccessful, so seeing one in person is unlikely.

If you enjoyed this story, be sure to follow Business Insider on Microsoft Start.

I visited five safari parks in Kenya. Lara Walsh

EXPLORE OUR AMAZING ANIMALS!

Choose an attraction below to find out more about the animals in both our Safari Walk and Safari Drive.

African Elephants

African Lowlands

African Plains

African Walking Trail

Creepy Crawlies

Hippo Lakes

Lemur Woods

Lorikeet Landing

Marmoset Mischief

Meerkat Mayhem

Penguin Cove

Red Panda Retreat

Sea Lion Theatre

Reptile World

The Borderlands

The Grasslands

Tiger Tropics

Twilight Cave

Spend the Night

Extend your adventure with an overnight stay in a luxurious Safari West tent. Imported from Botswana and customized here on property, each of our thirty tents sports a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroom, polished hardwood floors, and because it’s camping, all the wildlife sounds of the Sonoma Serengeti! Get a great night’s sleep while getting closer to the wild wonders of Safari West!

*If any member of your party has mobility needs, consider requesting one of our accessible tents!

Safari West Glamping, Where Luxury Goes Wild! Seasonal rates based on tent configuration and location Advanced Reservations Required Tents and Rates

Continental breakfast included. Base pricing is based on adult double occupancy. Each additional guest is $25 plus tax. Maximum occupancy is based on tent type and configuration: Standard, four adult guests. Seasonal rates are based on tent location, configuration, and day of the week. All prices are subject to change and do not include applicable taxes and/or gratuity. No smoking is allowed in or around the tents. Lodging closed in January and February.

Cancellation Policy: We are more than happy to help you reschedule your exploration or provide you with a gift card for the amount that was charged so that you can reschedule at your leisure. Please note that your gift card is entirely transferrable, should you choose to gift it to a loved one or donate it to a charity or other organization instead.

Be sure to read our Guide to a Good Night’s Sleep

Special Packages!

Swine and Roses
Gal's or Guy's Getaway!

Wild Nights in Wine Country

Get all sloppy and sentimental with our special romance package – Swine and Roses! Wallow in the details here:

One night’s stay in a Double or Hillside King luxurious Safari tent.
A Classic Safari Tour of the Safari West collection.
Dinner for two at the Savannah Café includes a select bottle of Sonoma County wine for your enjoyment.

Pricing Details

To book, please call or email Reservations: (707) 566-3667 (800) 616-2695 [email protected]

Need to get away?

Make your escape from the 9-to-5, the daily grind, the phone calls, errands, spouses, and kids. get away from it all at safari west with our gal’s or guy’s getaway package.

This package includes:

Overnight lodging for two in a luxurious double tent.
A Classic Safari Tour of the Safari West collection.
Dinner for two at the Savannah Café .
Wine and chocolate in your tent to help you relax and recuperate.

*This getaway’s got room to grow! Make it a slumber party and add friends up to a maximum of four per tent.

Family King & Bunk

Prefer a Cozy Cottage?

We are pleased to offer a luxurious cottage experience to those seeking a more secluded stay. Located on the lower grounds, the cottage is tucked away from the crowds and near Lemur Island.

Suitable for up to six guests, the two-bedroom cottage has a king bed and a double bunk bed. Private bathroom, kitchenette (mini-fridge, sink, and microwave) and outdoor seating. There is heating for the chillier months and a ceiling fan for the warmer times (No A/C). The cottage offers a quieter, more secluded experience than the tent camp.

Cottage Lodging Rate

Our cottage is available starting at $400 per night for two people. Additional guests may be added for $25 each per night. Recommended occupancy is four to six guests, and a continental breakfast is included.

*Lodging is unavailable in January and February.

Important Details

Check-in: Starting at 3:00 PM
Check-out: By 11:00 AM
No smoking is allowed in the tents or in the tent camp. Please restrict all smoking to designated areas.
Base pricing is for 2-person occupancy. Additional guests may be included for $25 plus tax.
Maximum occupancy is based on tent type and configuration. The standard maximum capacity is four adults.
Continental breakfast at the Savannah Café included with all reservations.
No surcharge for children under the age of four not requiring additional bedding.
All pricing is subject to change. Posted prices do not include applicable taxes and/or gratuity.

COMMENTS

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Safari West is a 400-acre wildlife preserve containing over 100 species and over 700 individual animals, including giraffes, cheetahs, zebras, flamingoes, rhinos, cape buffalo, lemurs, and wildebeest. Opened in 1993 by Peter and Nancy Lang, Safari West strives to promote wildlife advocacy and conservation through breeding, education, research ...
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Safari West LIVE is one of the three programs funded by Safari West Wildlife Foundation donations, the nonprofit 501c3 at Safari West, located in the Mayacamas mountains between Sonoma and Napa Counties, "Inspiring Wildlife Conservation for Life", and providing youth education programs to children at Safari West and in hospitals across the United States.
4 amazing things to do at Safari West in Santa Rosa
A giraffe is photographed at the Safari West zoo on Monday, Oct. 1, 2018, in Santa Rosa, Calif. (Aric Crabb/Bay Area News Group) You can't touch the animals, but that doesn't mean they won't ...
Safari West: Glamping in the Sonoma Serengeti
Safari West is known as the "Sonoma Serengeti." Home to nearly 1,000 wild animals, the gorgeous 400-acre preserve is so stunning that families won't want to leave. A three-hour African-style ...
Drive-Thru Safari
View over 50 species of animals...all from the comfort of your own vehicle! ... Experience the guided Drive Thru Safari on wagon and see over 50 different species! Go off the path and get up close and personal with the animals! Reservations highly suggested! Adults - $37.00 Seniors (65+) - $34.00 Children (3-12) - $31.00
I visited 5 of the best safari parks in Africa. The trip was filled
Seeing some of Africa's most famous animals in the wild has been on my bucket list for years. With adventure travel on the rise, I decided to take the plunge and make the 20+ hour flight to Africa ...
West Midlands Safari Park
West Midlands Safari Park is home to some of the world's most beautiful & endangered animal species. Safari Drive-through, Theme Park & more ... Choose an attraction below to find out more about the animals in both our Safari Walk and Safari Drive. Area Safari Walk. Safari Drive. African Elephants. African Lowlands. African Plains. African ...
FAQs
Safari West was founded in 1989 as a private ranch for breeding and species propagation. In 1992, Safari West had gained membership in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, one of only six private facilities in North America to belong to that prestigious organization. We soon added children's tours.
A North Carolina zoo with hundreds of animals is up for sale
For anyone who loves animals — or real estate investments — a zoo in a hot North Carolina county could be yours ... if you have a few million to spend.. Aloha Safari Park in Harnett County ...
Baby Animals Archives
New Baby Giraffe Grace. New Baby Giraffe Grace. Safari West welcomes its newest herd member, a giraffe girl born on October 30th! Her name is Grace, after our owner Peter Lang's... November 11, 2022 by Mark Pressler. New babies add hope to the critically endangered addax. New babies add hope to the critically endangered addax.
Spend the Night
One night's stay in a Double or Hillside King luxurious Safari tent. A Classic Safari Tour of the Safari West collection. Dinner for two at the Savannah Café includes a select bottle of Sonoma County wine for your enjoyment. Pricing Details. To book, please call or email Reservations: (707) 566-3667 (800) 616-2695 [email protected]

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MEET THE WILD FROM YOUR CAR OR WAGON.

Available seasonally from Mid-March-October 1 Hour Experience 9:30, 10:45, 12:00, 1:45, 3:00- peak season 10:00, 12:00, 2:00- non-peak season

I visited 5 of the best safari parks in Africa. The trip was filled with surprises, and there are a few things I wish I'd known before leaving.