On Monday morning we were up bright and early to make our way to the San Diego’s Zoo Safari Park. Since we had bought a seasons pass it would be our last chance to use it before heading inland to the desert, so instead of choosing the regular zoo in the city, we tried this one for a change.
Set on hundreds of acres of land just outside Escondido it was about 30 min drive. It was super quiet so early on a Monday, which was great. First we wandered through to see the tigers, followed by the elephants, and over to the tram. This is the signature attraction, as it winds you along, through the 65 acre park, on an open air tram you get to see all the animals grazing together in their natural surroundings; minimal fences and no cages, just free to roam with other species. Don’t worry though, they keep the predators separate from the prey. There were rhino’s, many bird species, yack, antelope, giraffes, and many other cattle or deer-like creatures with or without horns I’d never heard of… was only disappointed to not see any zebras’.
We managed to catch the baby lions cubs (four of them) wrestling, watched the baby rhino cutting his new nose horn on some rocks, pet some goats, and ride the rhino on a carousel before having a quick cinnamon bun/ coconut sorbet snack and booking it home in time for nap.
All in all, it was a neat park, less animals maybe, and more walking definitely, but worth a visit for sure. There was much more to see than we had time for, so I’d go back again.
