My family of five (four adults and one teen) recently attended the All Ages Roar & Snore at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, and the experience far exceeded our expectations.
We booked a Vista Tent, which included two bunk beds and two single beds with cushions, along with a fan, heater, camping lantern, and four electrical outlets. Everything was very clean, sturdy, and well-maintained, and it was clear that the staff takes great care of the accommodations. Our lantern wasn't working when we arrived, but we flagged down a staff member who was passing by, and she happily took it to be fixed and returned it without any issue.
From check-in all the way to retrieving our luggage the next morning before heading to our car, we were met with exceptional service. Every staff member we encountered was kind, accommodating, and genuinely friendly. Their enthusiasm and care never felt forced, it was obvious they truly enjoyed what they were doing.
For anyone considering this experience, it's important to remember that this is camping. That said, the restroom facilities were much nicer than I expected. There are no showers, but since this is only a one-night program, that wasn't an issue for us.
Dinner was buffet-style and included burgers, hot dogs, bbq chicken, salad, potato chips, mac and cheese, and corn. Upon arriving at camp, guests were also offered lemonade and water, and I have to specifically mention how good the lemonade was, it was sweet, refreshing, and not watered down at all. Complimentary soft drinks were available as well.
After dinner, we had time to unpack and settle into our tent and explore the campground. Activities included games like jenga and cornhole, as well as a visit to Elephant Valley, where staff members were available to answer questions and chat with guests. Later, we made our own s'mores around the campfire, and coffee and tea were offered as well.
We then split into smaller groups for our guided evening tours, which made the experience feel much more personal. During our tour, we visited Lion Camp, African Outpost, and African Woods. The tour lasted about an hour and a half, and it was wonderful seeing animals with fewer crowds around and, in some cases, during times when they were more active.
When we returned to camp, there were more s'mores, hot chocolate, and a few rounds of bingo before turning in for the night.
One of the highlights of the trip was waking up to the sound of the lion, Bo, roaring in the distance. That's not something you get to experience during a typical zoo visit. Watching the sunrise outside our tent while seeing the landscape and animals slowly wake up was surreal and quickly became one of my favorite memories from the trip.
Breakfast was buffet-style as well and included French toast casserole, eggs, bacon, hash browns, fruit, and orange juice. The bacon was especially delicious!
After breakfast, we enjoyed a relaxed morning tour on our way to a private tram ride. Following the tram, we continued on another short guided walk before attending a private animal encounter, where we got to see an aardvark and sugar glider up close.
Once the animal encounter ended, the park opened to the public. Our guide escorted us back to the Roar & Snore check-in area so we could collect our luggage before heading back into the park. I really appreciated that even while walking us out, he continued sharing information about the animals we passed. It felt intentional and sincere, and it was obvious he genuinely cared about providing a great experience for guests.
We ended up spending the rest of the day at the Safari Park, and having already explored a good portion of it through the Roar & Snore program made the day much more relaxed and enjoyable.
I would like to recognize all of the staff for the hard work, knowledge, and enthusiasm they brought throughout the experience. I especially want to acknowledge our guide, Eli, who was absolutely fantastic. Not only was he an excellent guide, but he also appeared to be involved in many other responsibilities throughout the event. He remained professional, approachable, and engaging the entire time. Despite the heat and the endless stream of questions from both kids and adults, he handled everything with patience and enthusiasm. What stood out most was his ability to explain things in simple, engaging ways that younger guests could understand while still keeping adults interested.
Overall, this experience exceeded every expectation I had and felt completely worth the cost. I would absolutely do it again. In fact, I think attending the All Ages program with children makes it even more enjoyable because their excitement adds so much to the atmosphere.
20/10--highly recommend! read more