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    Elephant Valley

    4.4 (15 reviews)
    Closed • 9:00 am - 5:00 pm

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    Kandy F.

    We were so excited to come check out the new renovation of the Elephant Valley at the SD Zoo Safari Park! It was still closed in January when we came last. The elephants are fun to watch. The early morning was watching them eat. It's crazy to say I enjoy watching them eat. Sometimes you'll see them all together. Sometimes you'll see them all spread out in different areas. They are massive beautiful creatures. We came around a couple of hours later. It was getting hot out already. We watched them put dirt on themselves. That must have been their way of putting on sunscreen! ;) It's fun to watch the elephants interact with each other. A very relaxing time!

    Minna N.

    What a beautiful new exhibit at San Diego Safari Park Escondido California. We've been a countless number of times and love how you really feel like you're fully immersed into the elephant habitat and walking among the gentle Giants. Because of the new opening, attendance on the weekends is extremely high, so be patient when walking through. On the plus side, avoid and go to the other exhibits for a more quiet experience.

    Jenna S.

    All the elephants were happy and the valley was great and there were misters to cool you down .

    Beef kabobs and fries from Mkutano food place in Elephant valley
    Kira C.

    Opening day of Elephant Valley was crowded, but they had excellent crowd control and performances all around the park! The Elephant valley is vast with plenty of room for the elephants on both sides with an under pathway through where people could walk, the elephants are so close and they had toys all over! They looked incredible happy and comfortable! Their is also a restaurant right there overlooking the elephants right by their watering hole that serves amazing food! A restraint with a 45 day reservation period, plus special sky lounge access for $10 per person! Definitely will be going their in the near future!! It was a beautiful, well thought out Elephant habitat with plenty of native trees and foliage and great design!!

    I was very excited to "walk with the elephants," by the way it looked online, and the price I paid. But I was disappointed. It ended up being a group of use walking along the same path as others not part of the group, with the tour guide stopping at different intervals giving facts about the elephants. The guide was nice and the information was interesting, but it wasn't much more than others who were walking the same way as us (except for one angle). Others who didn't pay an extra $50 could also hear the guide, for the most part. It was a bit disorganized. Families had children running around while we walked. This was not worth another $100 (tickets for 2), on top of the park admission. I'm sorry but we expected something a little more personal and up close. I recommend lowering the price or stepping up the experience. There was a video on social media of people walking along a path next to the elephants, it was misleading. And I understand that we can't be right there with them, but again, nothing much more than if we had just walked ourselves. Maybe also add a takeaway gift.

    Marcus F.

    This was my first visit to Elephant Valley even though I've been to the Wild Animal Park for decades. Perhaps the reason that I keep missing it is because this attraction's location is off the beaten path and away from the highly trafficked trails that most tourists take. There are two main elephant viewing areas. One is from the Elephant patio and the other is along service road outside Tembo Stadium. Both offer unique perspectives and if you like elephants you need to look at both locations. Back in the day you would be able to see the Elephants from the park's old WGASA (who gives a shit anyway) electric monorail.

    An elephant posing for us.

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    Ask the Community - Elephant Valley

    Review Highlights - Elephant Valley

    “Highly recommend visiting at the San Diego safari park.”

    Mentioned in 2 reviews

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    San Diego Zoo Safari Park - I love her

    San Diego Zoo Safari Park

    4.2(3k reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Parking 5/5 -Plenty of spots available, parking fee does…read moreapply. Ambiance 5/5 -I visited on a super hot day but it was still a very pleasant experience. Attractions are a lot more spaced out than the main San Diego Zoo, it's much more catered to additional experiences you pay for to interact more with animals in the safari section. However, the Africa Tram is free with entrance and is a decent option for exploring the free range animals. I also saw the new restaurant they have next to the elephants valley, it looks cool and you can dine almost right next to elephants.

    How has it been over 15 years since I've reviewed this place?!?…read moreI've been on and off again passholder for nearly 30 years. Currently need to renew that I'm waiting for my next trip to do that I'm also a teacher and we do about four field trips a year here. It honestly is super exciting to be able to take a group of ninth graders from National city to the wild animal park. The majority of these students have never been there and seeing their enjoyment is almost as amazing as taking your own child as a toddler. I currently am obsessed with the platypus and the kangaroo here. There's so many amazing animals and the Safari Park does a fabulous job of caring for them and breeding them and educating the public about endangered species This is my absolute favorite day, except in the deadly heat of summer I'm going to plan a trip this winter when my kids are home from college. That's when I'll renew. We already have a school trip planned this fall so see you soon San Diego Zoo Safari Park

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    Nom nom. Adorable Giraffe getting his munch on. | IG @moniquedao

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    Wild Wonders - Great learning experience

    Wild Wonders

    4.7(123 reviews)
    18.6 mi

    Went here for a birthday celebration, and opted for the BearCat feeding experience and was…read morepleasantly surprised to get SO much more!! They gave us a full tour of the facility, and took time to educate and let us interact with each animal. Our tour guide was kind, knowledgeable and so entertaining! All the employees look like they really care about the facility and know what they are talking about. A portion of the money you pay towards the ticket for the experience goes towards a nonprofit of your choosing, to support various animals and their causes. Overall it was so worth the money, and such a unique experience. Compared to the zoo's in San Diego, this was a top niche experience and would 10/10 reccamend

    Please do not give your money to Wild Wonders. It may seem like a friendly "sanctuary," but they…read moregenuinely do not treat the animals right. I interned there for 3 months during the summer and felt gutted by the conditions these animals live in. They'll leave their reptiles in tubs and only drag them outside for sunlight. Their opossums only see sunlight when taken to a show at a library. Their animals are constantly harboring illnesses and injuries. This is no place to go if you want to contribute to something good. Do not take this internship if given the chance. It's a bunch of slave work. Yes, the animals make it worth it, and it looks nice on a resume, but cmon just go volunteer at a shelter. This place makes me sick. I feel sad for the underpaid and overqualified staff. Never going back

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    Wild Wonders - Sabi, the Serval cat.

    Sabi, the Serval cat.

    Wild Wonders - This one was a total ham.

    This one was a total ham.

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    EcoVivarium - Small turtle

    EcoVivarium

    4.7(152 reviews)
    4.8 mi

    What an incredible experience! It was so amazing to see so many reptiles and be able to actually…read morehold them and interact with them in their habitats. We wouldn't have had such an amazing time without our amazing tour guide. Rachel did such a great job teaching our kids the right ways to interact with the animals and you can tell that she really loves what she does. She was really patient with our kids and made this an unforgettable experience. Highly recommend! *full warning, the outside of the building looks a little sketchy at first because it's an old building, but don't let that deter you*

    Some heros and heroines wear capes and possess superpowers...and some are simply kind hearted…read morevolunteer regular people trying to make a difference. I recently donated my 50 gallon fish tank and stand to this nonprofit. They care for abandoned and injured reptiles such as snakes, lizards, dragons, turtles, tortoises, and more. I got to meet some friendly reptilian creatures, and even hold and pet them. With very limited resources and small army of volunteers, EcoVivarium does it's best to make it difference in this cruel world. Rachel and Donald were both very friendly and knowledgeable. Make a donation, take a $25 tour, hire them for a birthday party or educational school visit, and perhaps see if there are any friendly reptiles available for adoption before you buy from Petco or Petsmart.

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    EcoVivarium - Bearded Dragon

    Bearded Dragon

    EcoVivarium
    EcoVivarium - Python wrangling!

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    Butterfly Jungle

    Butterfly Jungle

    3.5(6 reviews)
    0.2 mi

    Annual spring exhibit that's known for butterfly interactions and long-ass lines…read more Is it worth it? If you've seen it once you can probably skip it. The problem isn't butterfly jungle, it's the poor timing of butterfly season which is during spring break for SoCal schools. Even during midweek it was 20 minutes waiting. During a Saturday you're looking at an hour. There is one large viewing aviary loaded with butterflies. There are plenty of opportunities to have butterflies land on you if you're patient. I would say that adults were having more fun with this experience than the kids. - There are two mandatory butterfly checking stations before you can leave Butterfly Jungle. If you think TSA searches are embarrassing just wait for the security checks here.

    I come every year to this exhibit, and whether I pay for priority viewing or not, the wait time is…read moresoooo long for maybe ten minutes of wandering the enclosure. It's basically a 2-hour wait if you don't pay, and upwards of an hour if you do. Overall, I don't recommend this exhibit. It's too crowded as it is. Joking, not joking! Well, my best tip is to wear bright colors. Butterflies always land on me when I wear red or hot pink. P.S.- Fun fact: It sounds cruel, but the birds they keep there are to eat the butterflies when the exhibit ends. Enjoy~ Pros: - great photo ops Cons: - humid inside - long lines - priority viewing oversold

    Photos
    Butterfly Jungle - Apparently this guy wasn't supposed to be here...

    Apparently this guy wasn't supposed to be here...

    Butterfly Jungle
    Butterfly Jungle - Completely packed with people

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    Completely packed with people

    Elephant Valley - zoos - Updated September 2026

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