Classic Safari Adventure at Safari West
Overview
3 hours
Mobile ticket
Discover the wild side of Sonoma County on an exhilarating 3-hour safari at Safari West. Climb aboard a custom safari vehicle and embark on a journey through 400-acre preserve, where you'll encounter giraffes, rhinos, zebras, and more. Explore lush aviaries and meet playful lemurs while your expert guide shares conservation stories that inspire action. Ideal for families with children aged 4 and up, this classic safari offers an unforgettable experience while supporting wildlife preservation efforts.
- 3-hour guided safari adventure through Safari West
- Encounter over 800 animals across 90 species
- Perfect for families; children must be 4+ years old
- Reservations required; arrive 15 minutes early for your tour
Additional Info
Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
Not recommended for pregnant travelers
Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Minimum age is 4 years; all children must be accompanied by an adult
Please provide your contact information (i.e. 'on the road' contact number) at time booking
Guests are not permitted to take food out on the tour, but water bottles are welcome; during the summer months, the snack bar is open and guests may purchase sandwiches, chips, fruit, drinks and other items to eat during the tour break or afterward; you may also dine in the Savannah Cafe at your own expense (reservations can be made after booking)
Not recommended for pregnant women, as the tour includes a 2.5-hour drive over rugged terrain that may be uncomfortable
Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time
Service Animals In accordance with ADA guidelines, Safari West permits service animals that are individually trained to do work or perform tasks for a person with a disability. However, due to the nature of the experience—close proximity to free-roaming wildlife and sensitive species—there may be areas where service animals cannot go for safety reasons. If you plan to visit with a service animal, please contact us in advance so we can discuss accommodations and restrictions to help ensure the best possible experience.
Rain or Shine Safari West tours operate rain or shine, so please come prepared for the weather. We recommend dressing in layers and wearing comfortable, weather-appropriate clothing and closed-toe shoes. The experience is primarily outdoors, and weather can vary throughout the day.
Stroller and Age Accessibility Strollers are welcome on Safari West’s lower walking grounds, including the aviary, gift shop, café, and guest areas. However, strollers cannot be accommodated on the safari vehicles. To ensure guest safety and comfort, children must be at least 4 years old to participate in the classic safari vehicle tour. This policy is strictly enforced.
Photography Bring your camera or phone — Safari West offers incredible photo opportunities around every corner. From giraffes striding across golden hills to zebras grazing in the grasslands, you’ll capture unforgettable moments without needing a passport to Africa.
Wild Manners At Safari West, we share our preserve with hundreds of incredible animals—and their safety and well-being is our top priority. All guests are expected to respect our wildlife and follow the safety guidelines provided by our guides and animal care team. Please help us protect this unique environment by practicing thoughtful, responsible behavior during your visit.
Our Mission Your visit supports Safari West’s mission—advancing wildlife conservation, education, and the care of over 900 animals. Every tour helps protect species and inspire future stewards of the natural world.
ADA Accessibility Safari West offers limited accessibility accommodations, including one paratransit safari vehicle. This specialized vehicle is available by advance reservation only and must be booked directly through Safari West by phone. Please note: Much of our walking grounds—including the aviary, gift shop, café, and restrooms—are wheelchair accessible. However, the standard safari vehicle tour is not wheelchair accessible by default. We encourage guests with mobility needs to contact us in advance so we can help determine the best possible experience.
Safari West is for Everyone Just like the wildlife we care for, our guests reflect the rich diversity of the world around us—no matter your background, ability, or who you love. At Safari West, we strive to be a truly welcoming space for all. All families are welcome. Come as you are and experience the wild, together.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What‘s Included
Guided Safari
What To Expect
Safari West
Discover the Sonoma Serengeti—an immersive safari adventure for the whole family. At Safari West, you’ll climb aboard an open-air safari vehicle and explore a 400-acre wildlife preserve where giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and cape buffalo roam across wide open spaces. Led by experienced safari guides, your journey brings you up close to incredible animals and offers fascinating insight into their behaviors and conservation stories. You’ll also get a glimpse of our southern white rhinos, relaxing in their own dedicated habitat. After the safari drive, continue your adventure on foot. Visit our open-air aviary filled with vibrant birds, stop by the primate enclosures to meet curious lemurs, and don’t miss the cheetahs resting under the trees. Whether you’re a lifelong animal lover or exploring wildlife with your kids for the first time, Safari West is a one-of-a-kind outdoor experience—wild, unforgettable, and rooted in a deep love for conservation.
Options
Classic Safari Adventure at Safari West
Reviews
7 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Don't miss Safari West
299charleneg,
Oct 10, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00A great place to visit with family or friends. The staff is amazing and the tour is one of the best that I have been on. I've been to zoo's but this experience far exceeds visiting a zoo. It's privately owned and operated and is an amazing place in how their employees play such an important role in the preservation and care of these animal. Many packages to pick from as well as the overnight package in one of the tent homes. The perfect place for kids to learn about endangered species and the work that goes into preserving these amazing animals.
Exceeded Expectations
Trek48245,
Sep 21, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were impressed with our guide Denise’s knowledge of the animals, was able to answer all questions. This was like a real mini African Safari (which I have actually experienced)…a nice variety of animals. The organization is so mindful of environmental impact, the health of the animals and future of the species. The three hour tour went by in a flash. Loved seeing the baby rhino.
What an incredible safari experience right now n Northern California!
Dansy325,
Aug 29, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wow! Who would have ever known we could have such a safari experience in California! We totally enjoyed our ride through the terrain as well as all we learned from Kimberly, our drive/guide! Lots to learn about the animals and they even have lodging options. We didn’t stay there but those we met who did loved it! It seems they take good care of the animals and put a lot of thought into the habitats for each species!
A Wonderful Safari
jenniferlM1916SX,
Aug 13, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Safari West was a wonderful adventure. The guide was extremely knowledgeable and made the experience elevated! Thank you
Great safari with Dano!
703andreasp,
Aug 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was an excellent safari with Dano, explaining really a lot interesting things about all the animals and nature in the park. And most surprisingly, Dano obviously knows each animal by forename!! Thanks for this amazing experience.
Disappointing Experience at Safari West
743rimab,
Aug 2, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
2.00We were truly underwhelmed by our visit to Safari West. The experience fell short of expectations in several ways. The walking tour, which was the more engaging part, included only a handful of species—some monkeys, birds, a fox, and a couple of others. The much-hyped safari drive lasted nearly two hours but consisted mostly of driving through areas with trees and very few animals in sight. During the drive, we saw a few antelope, zebras, Lammas, rhinos, buffalos, and giraffes—but all from a significant distance. There was no meaningful interaction or immersive animal experience. It felt more like driving past a farm than being on a real safari. Compared to a typical zoo, Safari West offered far fewer animal species at nearly five times the price. Overall, the visit was a disappointment. It didn’t justify the cost or the time spent, and unfortunately, I would not recommend it. It’s certainly not comparable to an African safari, nor even to a well-organized local zoo.
Great trip—Tips for people staying there
np111,
Jul 27, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00This was a great grandmother/grandson trip! Agree with all the reviews about how much fun it is and that the behind the scenes tour really enhances the enjoyment. We stayed two nights because we are from Texas and it is hard to get it done in one night coming from that far. But if you are local, one night is perfect. The tents are very large and very comfortable with a large deck. In July, the weather was perfect during the day and the tents were very cold at night. This was not a concern because they provide far more blankets than you need. There is also a space heater which you don’t need (because of the blankets) but we used the second night simply to make it more comfortable to get out of bed in the morning. Do take heed of their suggestion to keep the bathroom door closed to keep it warmer. Beds are comfortable, perhaps on the soft side but we had no problems sleeping in them. Bathroom floor is tile and cold; tent floor is wood and comfortable. It is very dusty outside, stated only for people sensitive to dust. Otherwise this is not bothersome, except perhaps bringing more clothes than you might usually for an overnight trip. Take your shower before the sun goes down! Please note there is no cell service, at least not with verizon. The wifi is spotty and not usable in our tent on the hill. In the restaurant, wifi was available. What made this so great for traveling with my 8 yr old grandson was how uncrowded and safe it felt. I could leave him a few hundred yards away with his buddy and walk back to the tent to grab something and feel he was perfectly safe. The place was booked to capacity and it did not feel crowded. The patios at the tent were perfect for sitting and having a drink and relaxing (do bring your own wine, although the safari west wine they sold was decent for a camp-branded bottle). It would be fun for couples too, is not overrun with kids. I didn’t see many teenagers and I suspect it would not entertain them quite as well as kid under 10.
From $110.00
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