Park programs

Sleepover Programs: Enjoy camp activities, an after-hours look at the wild life of our animals, guided walks, animal encounters, a campfire program, and outdoor dining. Best of all, you get to sleep in tents safely surrounded by wild creatures. Roar & Snore runs February through November and offers dates for families, adults-only, and Girl Scout troops. Beastly Bedtime runs July and August and is for families with children ages 4–10. Ask us about our Group rates and Combo Discounts!

Youth Program: Conservation Corps is for students ages 14–17.

Wild Animal Camp: Our new summer camp program for children entering entering grades 1–9 will be the best ever, with 1, 2, 3, or 5 days of fun! More...

Programs for Adults: Choose from a variety of programs offered at various times of the year. Silver Tuesdays offers lunch with a featured speaker and animal ambassadors; Target on Training shows you how to train your pets at home; the Cats & Carnivores tour includes behind-the-scenes areas; the Grand Illusion program highlights exhibit design; A Taste of CRES offers a look at our research facility; take a tour of the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center.

Click on the program name for additional information, pricing, and reservation information.

Wild Animal Park Activities

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Activities included with general admission

Discovery Station

9 a.m.–5 p.m.
This new kid-friendly area for children and adults is filled with musical instruments, puppets, books, craft activities, and wildlife "toys" and is designed to give children and their adult companions a playful space to learn. Educators facilitate learning and activities every day during Park operating hours. You can stop by for an impromptu animal presentation, or do a stone rubbing of your favorite animal track. The Station is located next to the Park's Thorn Tree Terrace.

Savanna Cool Zone

Walk through palm trees offering a gentle mist to three slippery critters that spout water: a turtle, a lion, and a crocodilian. Located next to Lion Camp, the Savanna Cool Zone is a wild way to cool off!

Jameson Research Island

10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Stop by this island research outpost to see animals up close, hear real-life animal stories, and play with inventive water games. Located in Heart of Africa.

Fisher-Price Samburu Jungle Gym

Kids love to climb and explore in this safari-themed play area; parents love the shade-covered picnic area! Located below Benbough Amphitheater.

Keeper Talks at Lion Camp

11:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Meet our lion keepers and learn about the cats in their care.

Activities included with Best Value admission package (*may also be purchased separately)

Journey into Africa tour

Guided tour rides depart 9:15 a.m.–4 p.m. daily, including all holidays, with extended hours during summer's Park At Dark.

The Journey into Africa tour is an exciting expedition, with brightly colored tour vehicles, a new route, and our diverse animal collection creating a fresh, new adventure. The new ride path takes you into some of the field exhibits, giving you a chance to connect with the animals on a closer level. *Journey into Africa is not included with general admission, only with the Best Value admission package. Separate tour price is $10 for adults, $6 for children ages 3–11.
More...

Conservation Carousel

10 a.m.–5 p.m.

For kids and kids at heart, our colorful Conservation Carousel features 60 ride elements to choose from, many of which replicate rare and endangered animals. You can ride giraffes, rhinos, zebras, cheetahs, and more—which will be your favorite? *Conservation Carousel is not included with general admission, only with the Best Value admisison package. Separate carousel price is $2 per ride, or $4 to ride all day.

Other activities (not included with general admission or Best Value admission package)

Balloon Safari

10 a.m.–4:45 p.m.
Get a bird's-eye view of the entire Wild Animal Park on this unique airborne ride, modeled after the hot air balloon tours of the Serengeti. Located just west of Lion Camp, this quiet, tethered helium-filled balloon can carry up to 30 people and rises up to 400 feet (121 meters), giving riders a panoramic view of lions, rhinos, giraffes, wildebeest, and gazelle, as well as the beautiful San Pasqual Valley. Tickets for the Balloon Safari are available for $20 (members pay $17) at either the main entrance or at the balloon site. Balloon Safari operates daily, and each launch lasts approximately 15 minutes.

Photo Caravan Safari Tours

Experience the safari of your life on one of our Photo Caravan Safari Tours. Safari trucks take you into the heart of our large field exhibits, where you get an up-close-and-personal look at the free-roaming animals of Africa and Asia. Don't forget to bring your camera for some amazing photo opportunities. Also offered (during February and the summer) are Night Moves Caravan Tours for adults only and Family Caravan Tours (offered April–September) for families with children ages 6 and up. More...

Cheetah Run Safari

Witness the world's fastest land mammal do what it does best—run! Cheetah Run Safari takes you to beautiful, rustic Cheetah Outpost to meet some African animals up close. Then you'll feel the wind whoosh by as the sleek cheetah bolts past, mere feet away, after a mechanical rabbit lure. Offered on Saturdays only. More...

Savanna Safari

A premium version of the Journey into Africa tour, Savanna Safari is a 50-minute program that takes you to all the places on the Journey into Africa tour, as well as other areas not on the tour, such as Mountain Habitat. All you have to do is sit back in the comfort of an intimate safari cart and get ready to see incredible animals and their habitats. Tickets can be purchased at the Journey into Africa ticket booth on the day of the program. More...

Ride on the Wild Side

Tour departs daily at 12:30 p.m.

Venture deeper into the Wild Animal Park experience! A Ride on the Wild Side takes you in a safari cart to meet an animal up close, visit the back area of Lion Camp, and check out the cheetahs’ bedrooms. This two-hour tour also includes a trip on the Journey into Africa path, as well as binoculars to help you get the best view possible of our African animals. More...

ZooWerks simulator ride: SpongeBob SquarePants 4-D

11 a.m.–5 p.m.
Riders join SpongeBob SquarePants™ as he desperately pursues a runaway pickle in his heartfelt desire to serve the perfect Krabby Patty. Get ready for a hilarious and zany adventure as SpongeBob chases a robotic double of Patrick through Bikini Bottom. The ZooWerks simulator ride can be found next to the Park's Petting Kraal in Nairobi Village. Price for members is $5.50 for adults (12 and older) and $4.50 for children ages 3–11; nonmember price is $6 for adults (12 and older) and $5 for children ages 3–11. The ride is at the Park for a limited time. Prices and films subject to change.

Member Special: During the month of May, members may buy one ZooWerks ticket and receive a second one free!

Critter Connection

Enjoy an up-close animal presentation as a great addition to your birthday party, family reunion, or other special event while at the Park. For groups of up to 40 people. More...

VIP Tours

Schedule your own private tour with an experienced guide to show you the Wild Animal Park, highlighting your personal interests. For groups of up to 10 people. More...