San Diego Wild Animal Park

Frommer's Review

Thirty-four miles north of San Diego, outside of Escondido, this "zoo of the future" will transport you to the African plains and other faraway landscapes. Originally a breeding facility for the San Diego Zoo, the 1,800-acre Wild Animal Park now holds 3,500 animals representing some 430 different species. What makes the park unique is that many of the animals roam freely in vast enclosures, allowing giraffes to interact with antelopes, much as they would in Africa. You'll find the largest crash of rhinos at any zoological facility in the world, an exhibit for the endangered California condor, and a mature landscape of exotic vegetation from many corners of the globe. Although the San Diego Zoo may be "world famous," it's the Wild Animal Park that many visitors celebrate as their favorite.

The park's new "Journey into Africa" tour aboard The African Express replaces the nearly 35-year-old monorail ride as the easiest way to see critters. The African Express is an open-air, soft-wheeled tram that runs on biodiesel. Although it visits less park space than the previous tour, the 2.5-mile circuit (which takes about 30 min.) brings guests much nearer to the animals, in some places up to 300 feet closer. Depending on crowd size, trams leave about every 10 minutes. Lines build up by late morning, so make this your first or last attraction of the day (the animals are more active then, anyway).

There are also three self-guided walking tours that visit various habitats, including the most recent, Lion Camp. The commercial hub of the park is Nairobi Village, but even here animal exhibits are interesting. Check out the nursery area, where irresistible young'uns can be seen frolicking, bottle-feeding, and sleeping; a petting station; the lowland gorillas; and the African Aviary. There are amphitheaters for shows scheduled two or three times daily. Visitors should be prepared for sunny, often downright hot weather; it's not unusual for temperatures to be 5° to 10° warmer here than in San Diego.

If you want to get up-close-and-personal with the animals, take one of the park's Photo Caravans, which shuttle groups in flatbed trucks out into the open areas that are inaccessible to the general public. There are a variety of itineraries (some are seasonal and have varying age requirements), and each is a minimum of 2 hours long. Prices start at $90, and you'll want to make reservations ahead of your visit (tel. 619/718-3000). The Savanna Safari is a deluxe, 50-minute tour for up to 10 people. It visits the same places as the "Journey into Africa," but also includes places not on the regular tour; tickets are $35 (not including admission) and no reservations are necessary. The Cheetah Run Safari allows a limited number of guests (reservations required; tel. 619/718-3000) to watch the world's fastest land mammal in action, sprinting after a mechanical lure. Cost is $69 per person, excluding park admission.

Things That Go Bump in the Night -- The Wild Animal Park's Roar & Snore and Beastly Bedtime programs, which are held year-round on most Fridays and Saturdays -- except in December and January, and with extended dates in summer -- let you camp out next to the animal compound and observe the nocturnal movements of rhinos, lions, and other creatures. There are family and adults-only dates available. To request information by mail or to make reservations, call tel. 619/718-3000.

Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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