safari jeep animals

Why Don’t Animals Attack Safari Jeeps? (3 Reasons)

Let’s face it. Only the most adventurous thrill-seekers would go on a safari if they believed there was a possibility of being taken down by a lion or hippopotamus on their travels. Even though lions are portrayed as great predators, however, there are only rare occasions that an animal might act aggressively toward a safari jeep.

The truth is, it’s really hard to answer why an animal might not do something . Since we don’t really have all that much insight into what animals are thinking, all we can do is make inferences and hypotheses about animal behavior and why they do what they do.

So, why don’t animals attack safari jeeps or other safari vehicles?

Animals may not attack safari jeeps because they do not look like typical prey and because vehicles are bigger than any prey they might take down. Additionally, they become accustomed to safari vehicles over time and likely won’t see them as a threat, just something foreign that sometimes travels through the wild. 

Below, we’ll take a closer look at some reasons as to why animals don’t attack safari jeeps, including the predator-prey relationship, being familiar with the vehicle , and not feeling threatened. Let’s jump in.

The Predator-Prey Relationship

While you won’t see a lion meal prepping or writing down a meal plan, research shows that predators are intelligent enough to select prey that provides them with the most balanced nutrition. This all comes back to their instinct for survival, as eating nutritionally better foods increases the chance of raising healthy offspring.

Safari vehicles aren’t really in the average animal’s diet. That means that when a safari jeep comes across a lion’s pride, it’s unlikely that the lions are going to try and take it down.

Being inside or nearby the safari vehicle helps visitors stay safe. While we cannot say for sure, predators likely see humans on safari as appendages of the big vehicle they are in, particularly since safari typically follows areas not frequented by cars and other humans. They avoid this large vehicle for the same reason they don’t try to take down full size rhinos or elephants; in most cases, it isn’t worth the effort.

Familiarity With the Vehicle

In most cases, safari vehicles travel through national parks or other areas that are specifically designated for preserving wildlife. The area would have been traveled by members of the safari company long before it was opened to the public as well. For example, in Tanzania, an estimated 150,000 to 200,000 people visit the safari every year.

Even though safari jeeps are big and might be intimidating at first, the animals likely get used to them pretty quickly. That’s the only reason that visitors are able to see so many animals in their natural habitat . If they were scared of the safari vehicle, they’d likely run off somewhere and hide (or they would attack).

They Don’t Feel Threatened

There are two basic reasons that a wild animal might attack you . First, they see you as prey. This may happen if you come across a big cat or crocodile while you’re out on your own, but it’s a much lower risk when you’re on safari.

The second reason that a predator might attack you is because they feel threatened. This triggers a flight-or-fight reaction in the animal. Basically, it’s you or them and they’re always going to choose to protect themselves.

Why Do Lions Ignore Safari Vehicles?

Lions do not always ignore safari vehicles, but they do sometimes get curious. Like any animal, they will not attack if they do not view the vehicle as prey and they do not feel threatened. This is the reason people are often instructed to stay seated and quiet when there are animals nearby.

Here is a video of an extra-friendly lion that got up close and personal with some visitors on safari.

In addition to the reasons above, lions ignore safari vehicles because they are familiar with them rolling through the area. If they’ve never had a negative experience with safari vehicles, they have no reason to be afraid or attack it.

Why Do Tigers Ignore Safari Vehicles?

While you won’t see the mighty, sharp-toothed tiger on an African safari, there are safaris and expeditions that view tigers in other parts of the world. Tigers, like lions, are unlikely to attack safari vehicles.

Safari vehicles are not a tiger’s typical prey. So, it’s unlikely that it’s going to move away from instinct and everything it knows to attack a big jeep or anything like that, even if the windows are open. Plus, tigers living in areas where safari vehicles frequent are likely used to them, so it won’t disturb them because it doesn’t feel threatened.

In addition to all the reasons mentioned above, tigers are also solitary hunters, unlike lions. Even as the biggest cat, tigers are unlikely to try and bring down something as big as a safari vehicle.

Why Do Animals Approach Safari Vehicles?

Sometimes, predators like lions and cheetahs do approach safari vehicles. You can see countless videos of this happening on Youtube- here’s a quick look at one.

Animals like this might approach safari vehicles out of curiosity. After all, safari jeeps smell and look much different than anything that occurs in the natural world. Once these animals do not feel they are in danger, it’s not uncommon for them to get closer and try to understand what it is they are seeing.

Why Don’t Animals Attack Safari Jeeps When They Approach Them?

Even when animals approach a safari vehicle, they are not likely to attack as long as they don’t view the vehicle (or the people on it) as prey or a threat. This is one of the reasons that it is so important for visitors to listen to their tour guide and follow all rules, like staying seated when animals are nearby and avoiding loud noises or sudden movements.

For example, if a person gets scared and separates from the group, they are no longer part of the whole and it’s likely a predator will try to take them down. Tour guides often carry weapons for this reason, to use as a last resort should an animal become more than just curious.

Are Open Top Safari Vehicles Safe?

Many people are surprised to learn that most safari vehicles are open on top . While this isn’t going to protect you from the weather, it also won’t protect you from the animals on safari should something go wrong.

That being said, most companies do use open-top vehicles and they are generally safe. It gives everyone the best chance at seeing the natural wilderness around them. Plus, as we’ve already talked about, there are several reasons that animals don’t usually attack safari vehicles, not even predators like lions and tigers.

So, why don’t animals attack safari jeeps and other safari vehicles?

First, they don’t see them as prey. Unless a human separates from the vehicle, they are seen as a large beast that predators aren’t going to try and take down.

Second, animals that live in these areas are used to seeing jeeps on safari. Many have also had pleasant or non-threatening experiences with these safari vehicles in the past, so they also are not threatened.

Hopefully, this has given you more reason to feel safe if you ever go on a safari.

About The Author

Related Posts

Animals That Can See With Their Eyes Closed (And How)

23 Animals That Float on Water (With Videos)

14 Endangered Species That Live in Trees (With Videos)

• Images home
• Editorial home
• Editorial video
• Premium collections
• Entertainment
• Premium images

AI image generator

• Curated collections
• Animals/Wildlife
• Backgrounds/Textures
• Beauty/Fashion
• Buildings/Landmarks
• Business/Finance
• Celebrities
• Food and Drink
• Healthcare/Medical
• Illustrations/Clip-Art
• Miscellaneous
• Parks/Outdoor
• Signs/Symbols
• Sports/Recreation
• Transportation
• All categories
• Shutterstock Select
• Shutterstock Elements
• Health Care
• Sound effects

PremiumBeat

• PixelSquid 3D objects
• Templates Home
• Instagram all
• Highlight covers
• Facebook all
• Carousel ads
• Cover photos
• Event covers
• Youtube all
• Channel Art
• Etsy big banner
• Etsy mini banner
• Etsy shop icon
• Pinterest all
• Pinterest pins
• Twitter All
• Twitter Banner
• Infographics
• Zoom backgrounds
• Announcements
• Certificates
• Gift Certificates
• Real Estate Flyer
• Travel Brochures
• Anniversary
• Baby Shower
• Mother's Day
• Thanksgiving
• All Invitations
• Party invitations
• Wedding invitations
• Book Covers
• About Creative Flow
• Start a design
• Photo editor
• Background remover
• Collage maker
• Resize image
• Color palettes

Color palette generator

• Image converter
• Creative AI
• Design tips

AI generator

• Custom plans
• Request quote
• Shutterstock Studios
• Data licensing

You currently have 0 credits

See all plans

Image plans

With access to 400M+ photos, vectors, illustrations, and more. Includes AI generated images!

Video plans

A library of 28 million high quality video clips. Choose between packs and subscription.

Music plans

Download tracks one at a time, or get a subscription with unlimited downloads.

Generative AI plans

Generate unique images with the AI generator and get access to over 3 million AI generated images.

Editorial plans

Instant access to over 50 million images and videos for news, sports, and entertainment.

Includes templates, design tools, AI-powered recommendations, and much more.

Safari Jeep Animal royalty-free images

7,051 safari jeep animal stock photos, vectors, and illustrations are available royalty-free for download., safari game drive with the wildebeest, masai mara reserve in kenya, africa.

Baby safari white background with lion,zebra,giraffe,monkey in safari jeep. Editable vector illustration for birthday invitation,postcard ,greeting cards and sticker.

Elephant Encounter on Safari Road, A close encounter with an elephant on a safari at dusk, as viewed from inside a jeep

Safari tourists on game drive in Ngorongoro

Watercolor Baby safari animals in jeep

Safari animals riding a car vector illustration. Happy baby lion, zebra,giraffe, elephant. Perfect illustration for t-shirt wear fashion print design, greeting card, baby shower, party invitation

Maasai Mara, Mara / Kenya - August 28 2012: Cheetah interacts with a Safari Vehicle

Tourists in safari jeeps watching and taking photos of big wild elephant crossing dirt roadi in Amboseli national park, Kenya. Panorama.

Watercolor Illustration cute baby animals riding brown safari jeep

Cartoon wild animal riding a red car in the jungle

illustration of jungle animals on the safari jeep

Passengers in a safari jeep watching a small group of zebra grazing

Lions on Safari Pathway, Two lions stroll down a dusty trail with a safari jeep observing nearby, kenya safari

Young blond lady on safari standing in open roof jeep observing wild animals through binoculars.

Africa, Tanzania - February 2016: Zebras on the road in Serengeti national park in front of the jeep with tourists.

Portrait of beautiful big lion at safari park

People on safari. Man and woman in car and jeep drive through African savannah and look at tropical and exotic animals. Tourists watching elephants. Cartoon flat vector illustration

On a safari in Africa: unrecognisible tourists in open roof safari car watching elephant in foreground. ManaPools, Zimbabwe.

People traveling by jeep in the desert. Vector illustration.

Africa, Tanzania, Serengeti National Park - March 2016: Jeep tourists photograph the pride of the lions.

A teenage girl and senior man seated in a safari jeep observing a pack of wild dogs.

Safari game drive on Kilimanjaro moun background. Kenya, Africa

Rear view of a Teenage girl photographing elephants under trees, from a safari jeep

Kids transport collection with cute animals. Part 3. Vector illustration on a white background. Car, taxi, cabriolet

Elepahants safari in Minneriya, Sri Lanka - Mother asian elephant protects here baby elephants from tourist safari jeep in Minneriya National park near Kaudulla park and Dambulla. Safari in Sri Lanka.

Yawning lioness with cubs lying in savanna grass in front of a safari jeep in the magical Okavango Delta in Botswana. Seen on a wilderness safari in July 2022.

A baby zebra too tired to move blocks the path of my land rover

Jeep with cute jungle animals and palm trees and a parrot for a boy baby shower

Woman on african wildlife safari. Lady taking a photo of herd of wild african elephants with her smartphone. Open roof safari jeep. Focus on elephants.

African safari animal. Hand drawn set.

African safari flat vector banner concept. Tourists in jeep taking photos cartoon characters. Tropical tourism, exotic recreation poster. Wilderness, savannah exploration illustration with lettering

A tigress named Baras walking on a forest track with tourist vehicles behind it inside Pench National Park during a wildlife safari

Cartoon man woman characters traveling on jeep, travelers taking photos of African wild animals background. Safari travel adventure, tour in Africa savanna wildlife landscape vector illustration

Vector hand drawn sketched animal set. Zoo safari: elephant, zebra, lion, rhino, giraffe and safari bus, safari jeep.

Safari Adventure Poster

pilibhit tiger reserve, pilibhit, Uttar pradesh, India - May 22, 2022 - wildlife safari or game drive on scenic road by gypsy or scorpio jeep inside forest

Blog illustration vector-style image of giraffe and zebra and sloth with sunglasses on driving a safari jeep

Watching an elephant really close out of a jeep at a safari in Tanzania

African bush elephant baby walks past jeep

Big lion crossing the road at African savannah

Woman on african wildlife safari observing animals and nature from open roof safari jeep. Rear view.

Big male Leopard with safari cars in the background in Masai Mara, Kenya

South Africa Limpopo - March 10, 2024: Mabula safari jeep in the bush.

Asian women and European men on safari game drive in South Africa Kruger national park. a couple of men and women on safari. Tourists in a jeep looking sunset with drinks on safari

Jeep safari with gigantic african elephant in wild savanna(National park Chobe, Botswana)

Side view of tourists in jeep looking at cheetah lying on log

A safari guide in a bush hat at the wheel of a jeep watching a small group of impala close by

Vector illustration of Africa landscape with wildlife and sunset background. Safari theme

Rear view of a girl looking at elephants under trees, from a safari jeep

A jeep stops while a Giraffe crosses the road during a Safari in Kenya, with the sunset lights creating a breathtaking atmosphere

Safari in Africa, tourists in jeeps watching buffalos crossing road in savannah of Kruger national park, wildlife of South Africa

Watercolor Illustration cute baby animals riding green safari jeep

African lion couple and safari jeep in Kenya

Safari travel adventure in Africa savanna wildlife landscape, people traveling on jeep

Africa Safari Map Wildlife

Male lion resting with safari jeep in background

Young woman in a safari jeep in Sri Lanka met a group of elephants

Safari truck in African savannah

A huge giraffe before a tiny safari jeep in Masai Mara National Reserve

AMBOSELI, KENYA - January 2021: Herd of African zebras and safari jeep in Amboseli National Park, Kenya

ranthambore national park, rajasthan, India - August 10, 2018 - wild royal bengal tiger in open during monsoon season and wildlife lovers or tourist or traveler are click images on safari vehicle

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 07: Tourist on Safari jeeps watching a tiger at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 07, 2024

MASAI MARA, KENYA, MAY 19: Tourists in all-terrain vehicle exploring the elephants in Masai Mara, Kenya in safari game drive on May 19, 2017

Leopard (Panthera pardus) crossing road with tourists in jeep in background

Vector safari icon set in outline style

Safari scene at daytime with children tourist on the car illustration

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 07: Tourist on Safari jeeps watching a tiger crossing the road at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 07, 2024

Africa and Safari elements and icons. Palm, toucan, photo camera, African woman, tree, safari jeep Vector

SERENGETI, TANZANIA - JUNE 10, 2016: Tourists on safari jeep game drive stopping on road to observe elephant family in natural habitat, Africa.

Three male cheetah walking the savannah in the Masai Mara (safari vehicle in background).

A jeep full of tourist drive through Chitwan National Park in Nepal during a jeep safari, April 20, 2010.

Wild elephants in the beautiful landscape in Sri Lanka

Panorama with elephants and jeeps safari. Sri Lanka

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 07: Tourist on Safari jeeps watching a tiger resting in the middle of the road at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 07, 2024

Africa and Safari elements and icons. Binocular, toucan, photo camera, camel, tree, safari jeep Vector

Jim corbett national park, Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, India - December 7, 2020 - wildlifers driver guides on gypsy or jeep lined up waiting for tiger sighting in winter morning safari at dhikala forest

Open roof 4x4 safari jeeps on african wildlife safari.

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 07: Tourist on Safari jeeps watching and documenting tigers walking in the jungle at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 07, 2024

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 07: Tourist on Safari jeeps watching tigers walking in the jungle at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 07, 2024

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 04: Tourist Safari jeeps waiting in line near main gate of Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 04, 2024

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 05: Tourist on Safari jeeps waiting for tiger sitting some where near the gorge at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 05, 2024

Side view of a group of tourists on safari watching elephant

PANNA, INDIA-MAY 04: Panna tiger reserve main gate and tourist Safari jeeps waiting in line at Panna Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh, India on May 04, 2024

Safari concept with wild animals in the jeep car illustration

Camper Car, Off Road Car, Rover Vector, Camping Car, Safari Car, Defender Vector, Four Wheeler, Off Roading Icon, SUV Illustration

Safari Animals driving clipart in jeep

Cute Safari Animals in Jeep

Ngorongoro Crater, Tanzania - 06-29-2018: Safari jeeps full of tourists chasing a couple of lions

Safari isometric colored concept three campers stand next to tent in the wilderness and giraffe walks on the grounds vector illustration

Masai Mara, Kenya - August 4, 2022: Game driving in Masai Mara National Park, Kenya.

Our company

Press/Media

Investor relations

Shutterstock Blog

Popular searches

Stock Photos and Videos

Stock photos

Stock videos

Stock vectors

Editorial images

Featured photo collections

Sell your content

Affiliate/Reseller

International reseller

Live assignments

Rights and clearance

Website Terms of Use

Terms of Service

Privacy policy

Modern Slavery Statement

Essentials Plan Agreement

Cookie Preferences

Shutterstock.AI

AI style types

Shutterstock mobile app

Android app

© 2003-2024 Shutterstock, Inc.

Save up to 20% for 2024 stays at Creekside Lodge in July & August.

Sunrise Safari

Departs at 6am daily for your wildlife tour during Custer State Park's most peaceful hour.

The Sunrise Buffalo Safari was truly the highlight of our trip to South Dakota... it was a morning we'll never forget! – The Traveling Newlyweds

Custer State Park Sunrise Safari

Our Sunrise Safari Tour will take you where only we can go: on the private interior dirt roads of the Wildlife Loop Road, offering your best chance to view the wildlife up close. Departs at 6am daily for the most peaceful tour offered. Trek through the park in our open-air custom stretched jeeps in search of pronghorns, elk, and the noble buffalo -- at a time when hardly anyone else is around. Along the way, your driver & guide will share historical and educational facts about the park and wildlife—and help take you directly to the critters.

What to Expect

• Tours depart daily at 6 a.m.
• Duration 1 ½ to 2 hours.
• Seat up to 7 adults per vehicle (For up to 8 guests, where there is at least one small child in the group, please book a Private Buffalo Safari Tour at the 6 a.m. timeslot).
• Named Top 10 Best US Safaris!
• Blankets provided.

Where You Will Go

• To the bison herds! Your guide knows where they are
• Wildlife Loop Road (paved) spans 18 miles. Jeep Tours will take the Wildlife Loop road, but take you straight to the animals to maximize your time.
• Our Jeeps have exclusive rights to take private interior dirt off-roads that are reserved only for our Custer State Park Resort Buffalo Safari Tours. Your best chance at getting up close to the herds!
• Expect mild (paved) to moderate (gravel/dirt/private road) terrain

01 Departure Times

• Daily departures at 6am
• May through mid-October
• Departs from Creekside Lodge at the State Game Lodge Resort
• Plan to arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time for check-in, waivers, and loading. Late arrivals will be rescheduled (based on availability) to the next available tour, and seats book up quickly.
• Steps required, assistance available
• Adults: $79
• All Children 11 & under: $69

03 Reservations

• 24-hour advanced reservations are required
• Please place your reservation online
• Next-day reservations accepted based on availability by booking online or calling in
• For questions, please call 605-255-4968 May 1 through mid-October
• For questions, please call 888-875-0001 mid-October through the end of April
• 48-hour cancellation policy
• Check-in at Creekside Lodge

04 Policies & Requirements

Must arrive no later than 15 minutes prior to your scheduled departure time for check-in, waivers, and loading. Late arrivals will be rescheduled (based on availability) to the next available tour, and seats book up quickly.

Standard seatbelts available; any required car seats must be brought with you. Drivers will lend a hand loading and unloading, but guests must be physically able to take steps into and out of the Jeep. No pets.

Tours will often depart when raining; dress accordingly. Should the tour reschedule due to lighting, you will be contacted by the Safari Tour Staff.

Open Safari Jeeps

Open-side  4×4 safari jeeps – types of safari vehicles.

Types of 4WD  Open-Side  Safari Vehicles

This is the type you will likely use if you decide to take a luxury fly-in safari.   They are almost always found within the parks and reserves and will only pick you up from the airstrip when you flight arrives.

When it comes variation, the Open Side Safari Jeep is no exception.  Some will be completely open allowing unfettered interaction with nature – getting up close and personal with the sights, sounds and smells of the bush.  Other types of Open Safari vehicles  will have a canopy on the top to protect you from the sun and rain.

Safari Destinations Where the 4×4 Open Jeep is Used

They are mostly used for safaris in southern Africa destination, namely  Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and  Zambia . But as mentioned above, a good number of private conservancies in Eastern Africa safari destinations of Kenya and Tanzania also prefer  the  use the open safari jeeps.

Are Open Safari Jeeps Safe? All precautions and common-sense approach employed, the answer is YES. most of Africa’s wildlife do not see human beings in an open-sided safari vehicles as a threat. A leopard or lion can walk past you in an open-sided vehicle and not give it a second look. This means a safari in an open vehicle is safe providing the proper precautions are taken. Many of these precautions are common sense: for example, talking in low voices and making no sudden movements.

Choose and Book Open-Side Jeep Safari Packages

03 Days Masai Mara Flight Safari from Mombasa and Diani

03 Days Open-Side Jeep Safari to Masai Mara

04 Days Masai Mara Safari By Air

04 Days Masai Mara Safari to Salas Camp By Air

04 Days Sabi Sabi Kruger Fly In Safari

04 Days Selous Reserve Safari Package

05 Days Amboseli and Masai Mara Flight from Mombasa

05 Days Serengeti – Ngorongoro – Fly in Safari

05 days serengeti - ngorongoro - fly in safari.

07 Days Botswana Honeymoon Safari

07 Days Singita Sabi & Kruger South Africas Elite Adventure

07 days singita sabi & kruger south africas elite adventure.

• No of Days: 4 Days/3 Nights

08 Days Namibia Fly-In Safari

08 Days Serengeti – Ngorongoro – Manyara Safari By Air

08 days serengeti - ngorongoro - manyara safari by air, photography and game viewing while using the open jeep for safaris.

Seating Arrangement On the Open Safari Jeep

As the name suggests, they are open on both sides, making them ideal for game viewing, photography,  bird-watching while offering an intimate and real connection with the African wilderness.

It is important to note that since these vehicles are mostly stationed in the safari camps and lodge – and so there are fewer them stationed there.  That means one will almost always have to content with sharing  with other guests from the camp or lodge where they are staying. If you prefer to have exclusive use of an open vehicle this needs to be arranged, at extra cost, in advance. Some open safari jeeps  are designed with tiered seating, so that nobody’s view is blocked by the person in front of them.

Protection from the Weather Elements

Due to their being open, there is obviously limited protection from the the elements, it is therefore  vital that you protect yourself against the sun. Hats, scarves and windbreakers are all excellent shields from fierce and hot Ultra Violet rays.  Some of these vehicles do have canvas/plastic canopies that can be closed, if the weather becomes un co-operative. Thunderstorms in Africa can be wild, and come on within minutes!

Ask for a tailor-made open side luxury safari here

WhatsApp us

What It’s Really Like to Stay at Safari West in Santa Rosa

By: Author Kim Tate

Posted on Published: April 23, 2021

If you’re looking for a wild safari tour in California, you’ve probably heard of Safari West in Santa Rosa. You’re likely dreaming of getting up close and personal with wild animals like monkeys, zebra, and of course, giraffes!

I’ve been to Safari West twice now, so let me share what it’s like to be a guest at Safari West. From what it’s like to stay overnight, to what to expect from the safari tour, here’s my Safari West review.

Where is Safari West?

The Safari West animal park is located near Santa Rosa, California. It’s about 20 minutes outside of the main city center. It’s easy to get to the park and there is parking on-site for guests. Santa Rosa is in Sonoma County and just over an hour north of San Francisco.

Santa Rosa, California is a fabulous family vacation spot with lots of fun things to do including the Charles M Shultz (Peanuts) museum, many family-friendly wineries, and of course, Safari West.

Taking a Safari Tour

One of the ways you can experience Safari West is by taking one of their Classic Safari tours. These tours last approximately three hours and involve a jeep tour and a walking tour. You will want to bring water on the tour, but food/snacks are not allowed.

Just before your tour time, everyone will meet together and be assigned a tour guide who will be with you for your entire tour. Some tours start with the jeep tour and end with the walking tour and others start with the walking tour first and end with the jeep tour. You will be able to use the bathroom between the two parts of the tour.

Kids must be 4 years of age or older to participate in the Classic Safari Tour. If you have younger kids you can make arrangements for a walking tour. You can also book a private tour and keep young kids on your lap.

Current safety precautions mean that they’re not filling tours. We had three groups on our tour (9 people). For the jeep portion of the tour, one group rode up top, one in the front row behind the driver, and one group in the back row. There is a plastic barrier between the rows and masks are required.

The jeep tours have three rows of seats in the lower part of the vehicle and one row on the top of the jeep. Each row can fit 4 passengers so my assumption is that tours can have up to 16 people. You must be 45 inches tall to ride on the top of the Jeep, so be sure you’ve prepared your kids in advance if they aren’t tall enough.

You’ll start your jeep portion of your tour by entering the main lower animal paddock, where you’ll most notably find the giraffes. They have Reticulated and Masai giraffes at Safari West, so you’ll learn how to spot the difference. And the giraffe can actually walk quite close to the jeep vehicles.

Beyond giraffes, you’ll rumble your way around multiple paddocks where you’ll see a variety of animals. A couple of memorable animals for us were the ostriches which came right up to our jeep and were less than a foot away from my daughter. We also loved seeing the cape buffalo and southern white rhinoceros.

Note, you can’t touch or pet any of the animals, but seeing them up close is a fun experience and helps you learn more about these amazing animals that are half a world away from the US.

I also want to mention that every group is given the opportunity to ride in the top row of the jeep. The tour guide will pull over at certain points and allow a reshuffling of the groups so that each party can have the chance to ride up top.

Walking Tour

On the walking tour, you’ll walk around and see porcupines, fennec foxes, cranes, ducks, flamingos, hyenas, lemurs, and even cheetahs! The guides will give you a lot of facts about each of the animals, which is great for kids. They also encourage you to ask questions.

After you’ve done both tours, you’ll be done and free to explore on your own. Don’t forget to bring some cash to tip your tour guide!

Glamping in a Tent at Safari West

One of my favorite parts about visiting Safari West is staying in one of their luxury safari glamping tents. They have about 30 glamping tents around the property and all have different bed options. Some tents have a king bed and can have cots added for additional guests. Others have two beds and some even have bunk beds.

The glamping tents are truly the only type of camping I enjoy! They have full bathrooms with flushing toilets and showers. You’ll even have lights and an outlet (in the bathroom) that you can use for charging your phone. You’ll also find electric blankets and a space heater. These come in handy during the cool spring and fall nights.

You’ll leave your car in the main parking lot and a staff member will use an ATV to get you and your luggage to your tent. So pack smart and try to avoid having too many bags.

Keep in mind that the tents are made of canvas, not walls. You’ll need to keep your voices down and radios/audio are not allowed for the comfort of other guests.

Hillside King Glamping Tent Room Tour

Tips for glamping overnight at safari west.

If you would like to stay near the lower / main area where the giraffes are, you’ll want to book an Antelope Alley tent . They will cost more. The Hillside tents are located farther away from the main areas.

I’ve stayed at Antelope Alley once and in a Hillside King more recently. Both experiences were great. Sunsets across the pond from the Hillside tents are beautiful, and the Antelope Alley location is convenient and it’s fun to easily see the giraffes and antelope from your room and deck (during the day).

Look at the weather temperates for day and night . During our stay it was hot during the day but overnight it dropped into the mid 40s (F). We were thankful for the space heater and electric blankets. Note that there are not electric blankets on the cots that are added to King rooms.

Keep in mind that when you want to shower in the mornings you need to know if it will be cold overnight . You’ll keep the bathroom door closed at night so it won’t be heated like the room. If you don’t want to shower when it’s cold, I recommend packing a ball cap and some dry shampoo. :)

Safari West is a wildlife park and some animals don’t operate on the same sleeping schedules humans do. This means if you’re a light sleeper you might want to pack some earplugs or ask the office if they have any when you check-in.

When I stayed in a cabin on Antelope Alley I didn’t notice too much noise during the middle of the night. However, during my recent stay in a Hillside King (which is near a big pond) the Canadian Geese interlopers were extremely noisy during the night.

You will not need to bring anything extra for “camping” for your stay. Your tent will include basic hotel amenities including soaps, towels, and bedding. You will have one plug outlet in the bathroom.

At check-in, you’ll be given flashlights to use at night. Make sure you remember to turn on your porch light when you go to dinner so that you can find your tent in the dark.

There is free wifi near the Savannah Cafe and office. I also had cell phone reception (AT&T) during both of my stays (at Antelope Alley and Hillside). They do warn that cell reception might be spotty and the wifi doesn’t reach all the tents.

Dining at Safari West

One of the great things about glamping at Safari West is that you don’t need to worry about packing food like traditional camping. (which is why I made my printable camping meal planner ).

Safari West has an on-site restaurant called Savannah Cafe. You can eat at the Cafe for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Breakfast is included with your glamping stay, lunch and dinner are additional and not included. Although there is a Wild Nights in Wine Country package that includes dinner for two and a bottle of wine as part of your stay. But if you’re just there for a safari tour you can still enjoy a meal outdoors. Reservations are required .

Dinner at Safari West is relaxing. You can order from a set menu and you can also buy wine or beer to go along with your meal. The menu offers a few different options including gluten-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian options. I am also happy to note that they were very helpful and accommodating for Mia’s nut and egg allergy.

Our menu offered an appetizer of soup or salad, main entrees were smoked chicken, brisket, and mac n cheese with sides of saffron rice and/or seasonal vegetables. The dessert was a brownie served a la mode. Again, they were very accommodating and brought Mia a popsicle for dessert since she couldn’t have the brownie and ice cream.

Breakfast was considered continental but actually had some great offerings. We had eggs, toast, yogurt, fruit, cereal, and bagels. We placed our breakfast order in advance while at dinner.

There is plenty of outdoor dining at the Cafe and across by the Flamingo Terrace, which is near the giraffes. I will note that the flamingo area does have a bit of a smell that might be unpleasant for eating near. :)

You will have servers helping you with your meal so you stay at your table. This is part of Safari West’s current safety precautions as typically the meals are served buffet style. Don’t forget to have cash on hand to tip your servers.

There is also a snack shop at Safari West in case you just want to grab a drink or snack. They had some shelf snacks as well as refrigerated snack packs. Plus they had beverages including alcohol.

Special Packages and Add-Ons

If you want a unique experience at Safari West there are a few private adventures you can book.

Ultimate Private Safari

If you have kids under four or just want a private tour, you can book a private safari. The cost is $1100 ($1300 June-August) and includes a tour guide that will shape the tour however you want. You can also book a private tour called “Talk Nerdy to Me” which will include a biologist or naturalist that can teach you about the more scientific aspect of wildlife.

Wine / Beer Tasting Tours

If you’re looking for a private tour with your friends, one of Safari West’s Sippin’ Safaris could be perfect. There are a few different options, most involve a special overlook stop during your safari tour where you’ll do some tastings and nibble on snacks.

You can also book a private dinner package that takes place either “in the bush” or “on the treetops”. These cost $2500-$2750 for up to eight guests.

Wild Walk Behind the Scenes

If you want a private guide teaching you more about Safari West, this could be the option for you. It costs $275 for two people and $50 for each additional person up to six guests. It might include special behind-the-scenes stops at the giraffe barn, warthog pen, or Amani Oasis aviary. It is a walking tour and won’t include the jeep safari tour.

Rhino Encounter

Get up close and personal with Safari West’s southern white rhinos. You’ll learn more about these amazing animals and get some up-close photos. The cost is $250 for two people plus $50 for each additional adult ($30 for kids) up to six people.

Fast Cat Alley (currently unavailable)

If you love cheetahs this added tour will give you a chance to get behind the scenes with them. The cost is $250 for two adults (only adults are allowed). There is also a cheetah barn visit tour that allows for up to four guests, including kids.

Keeper for a Day (currently unavailable)

If you have a love of zoos and wildlife, this tour could be for you (or your zoo-loving travel partner). This experience lets you work with a Safari West zookeeper to help feed and care for the animals. There are two package options, a morning experience that lasts three hours and costs $300 per adult for up to two adults. And an overnight experience that includes lodging, meals, a bottle of wine, a t-shirt for $1500 for two adults. This experience lasts six hours (from 9-3).

How Much Does Safari West in Santa Rosa Cost?

Classic safari tours.

If you’re interested in doing the classic safari tour the price will vary based on when you’re visiting seasonally and if you’re visiting on a weekday or weekend (Saturday, Sunday, and holidays). Summer and weekends are more expensive.

Adults (18 – 61), Seniors (62+), Teens (13 – 17), and Children (4 – 12)

Jan-May: Adults $93/$103, Seniors & Teens $86/$95, Children $45 Jun-Aug: Adults $108/$128, Seniors & Teens $99/$118, Children $45/$50 Sep-Dec: Adults $93/$103, Seniors & Teens $86/$95, Children $45

Glamping Overnight

If you want to stay overnight in one of the glamping tents at Safari West the prices will also vary based on the season, the tent location, and tent layout. You should expect to pay about $310-$450 per night. Tents located along Antelope Alley (across from giraffes and closest to the main area) will cost about $50 more than the tents located higher up.

Again, your stay does include breakfast, but lunch, dinner, and alcohol will cost more. It’s also good to note that in the past there has been a two-night minimum requirement for stays during high season. I don’t think that is a requirement at this time but it’s something to be aware of.

You can check pricing and availability online .

What to Bring to Safari West

You don’t need to overthink packing for Safari West. Whether you’re just doing a safari tour or glamping overnight, you only need to remember a few key things.

• Water Bottle – you don’t want to get dehydrated on your tour or while staying on-site. The days can be warm and if you’re hanging out outside the sun can really do a number on you. Make sure everyone has their own water bottle and remember to drink!
• Sun Protection – again, if you’re going on a safari tour you’ll want to protect yourself from the hot sun. A hat is a good idea but make sure you’re prepared with sunscreen.
• Bug Spray – it doesn’t hurt to pack a bottle of bug spray for your visit to Safari West. I didn’t notice it being too much of an issue, but since mosquitoes love me, I felt better protected, especially while eating dinner at dusk.
• Overnight Bag – if you’re staying overnight with multiple people, you might want to combine your necessities into a single bag or two. You won’t drive to your tent. Instead, a staff member will drive an ATV to take you and your luggage from your car to your tent. Fewer bags means an easier trip and will make your check-out easier as well.
• Warm Pajamas – if you check the weather and see it’s going to be cool overnight be sure you pack some warm PJs and even cozy socks.
• Socks / Slippers – the floors of your tent and bathroom will be cool in the night and early morning, so pack some warm socks or slippers.
• Cash for Tipping – make sure you bring some cash for tipping during your stay. You’ll want to tip the staff that helps you with your luggage, you’ll leave a tip for housekeeping, you’ll want to tip your tour guide(s), and you’ll tip your servers at the cafe.

Is Safari West a Zoo?

I’m happy to say that Safari West is an accredited member of the  Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) . However, it’s not a traditional zoo. Their focus is being a wildlife preserve that aids in the conservation of African animals through education and breeding partnerships with other accredited organizations (like the San Diego Zoo).

As a private organization, the money you pay for tours and overnight glamping tent stays goes directly towards running the park and caring for the animals.

I hope this has helped give you the answers you’re looking for about Safari West in Santa Rosa. If you have any further questions, drop a comment below and I’m happy to help!

Share and Save This Post:

Wednesday 11th of May 2022

Very accurate review. We live about 7 miles from SW, and it's one of my favorite overnite stays. It is pricey, but worth it!

Anne Rabbitt

Friday 12th of November 2021

I will be taking my 7 year old Grandson on December 20. I booked a "Hillside" room, but am a little worried that it will be a long trek up a hill at night. I thought the Hillside would be more fun for a 7yr old. We are checking in at 3 and dinner at 5 and going on our tour at 9 AM the next day (we did the tour once before). Since I am checking in right away, I am hoping I will have a choice of rooms, but all they said to me was to book Hillside or Base Camp and you'll be assigned when you get there. My grandson likes to explore and we will have after dinner to do that. Better at Base Camp or Hillside? Thanks!

Monday 22nd of November 2021

Hi Anne, I think you'll be fine with your 7 yr old grandson on the Hillside. You can always ask for them to drive you to your tent after dinner. They have little atv carts available to assist guests. They also give you flashlights to use to help navigate at night. Most of the exploration you might do after dinner would be around the restaurant and base camp area, although most of the animals have "gone to bed" later at night and so there might not be much to see. I don't think having a room at basecamp will be much different in regard to exploration in the evenings, although if your grandson wanted to sit on the patio after dinner he might see a bit more from a basecamp tent than he will from the hillside tents. He might really like using the flashlight to hike to the hillside tent after dinner and after walking around by the restaurant. So, I'd say that if you want to save the money, stick with the hillside and I don't think you'll have any issues, although you likely won't be able to really explore outside your tent much in the evening. If you can pay a little bit extra and don't want to hike up the hill with flashlights in the dark, then move to the basecamp to be closer to the "zoo" part of the property. Hope that helps!

Sunday 11th of July 2021

Hi - Thanks for a very informative article. My husband and I will be vacationing in Sonoma in October and I'd love to visit Safari West. My only concern is that I have a (probably irrational) fear of birds. I'm wondering how close you get to various types of birds on both the jeep and walking tour. What would be your thought on this? I'd thoroughly enjoy everything else. Thanks for any light you could shed on this.

Tuesday 20th of July 2021

Hi Mary, the ostriches did come close to our jeep during the tour, however when I was on the tour on another trip they did not get that close. There is a bird aviary you walk through during the walking tour, however you can easily skip that and join back with the group when they exit on the other side which is all part of the main walking path. Other than birds that are in the wild, those are the only two instances I can think of. You can tell your Jeep guide early if you want to avoid the ostriches. If you're on the top of the jeep at the beginning of the tour then you'd be away from them as they're at the beginning of the tour. However, they do typically try to put kids up top at the beginning of the tour, FYI. I'd also say to try and stay in the Antelope Canyon as the hillside cabins are near a large pond that attracts birds and so that might make you uncomfortable for the view from your cabin. Let me know if you have another question, I'm happy to help!

Friday 21st of May 2021

Thanks for the awesome review! I am thinking of booking a trip this summer. My kids are 2 and 3, so they are too young for the safari and we won’t be booking the private tour. We were thinking of just booking the walking tour and staying overnight. My kids love animals and we go to our local zoo weekly. Do you think the walking tour would be worth it? Are you able to see a lot of animals up close? Thank you!

Sunday 23rd of May 2021

Hi Jen, the main walking path does have a great view of the giraffe and antelope. The smaller paths through the other animal areas also offer chances to see many other animals, but of course, it's a bit like a zoo where you're never sure if the animal will be hiding indoors or in a spot that makes viewing limited. However, we were able to see a few monkeys, Fenix fox, cheetahs, porcupines, and lots of birds quite easily. If you can splurge for one of the tents on Antelope Canyon that are across from the giraffe area that would probably be really special. The tents have outside decks so the kids might like to have a snack while they watch the animals. You won't be able to see some of the larger animals like the zebras and cape buffalo, but I think your kids would probably still have a lot of fun. The lemurs are also super cute and easy to view.

Save 20% on Mild or Cultural Adventure Tours with code EASYRIDE20! (exclusions may apply)

SEDONA'S BEST JEEP TOUR

It started as a dream to share this special place with people from around the world. Now in 2023 we’re celebrating 20 years that Arizona Safari Jeep Tours has been taking people of all ages into the Sedona Back Country for fun and adventure!

Arizona Safari Jeep Tours offers a variety of excursions to explore this wonderful land. Our tours range from mild to wild all of them scenic and exciting, We have a tour for everyone!. Go on a rugged off road adventure into the Western canyon lands, climb the scenic beauty of the Mogollon Rim, or experience the magic of a Sedona’s famous Vortex energy. Explore the amazing red rock formations and the secrets they hold. How will the vortices empower you?  Come experience the natural side of Arizona!

Why choose Arizona Safari Jeep Tours? Sedona’s Jeep tours are world-famous, but only Arizona Safari Jeep Tours retrofits our Jeeps for ultimate safety and comfort in this remote, rugged countryside. They are driven by some of Sedona’s most experienced tour guides. Our Guides will share their knowledge about the History, Geology, and Mystery of this marvelous land,  leaving you with a personalized experience you will never forget!

Arizona Safari Jeep Tours’ guides are the cream of the crop, recruited for their extensive backcountry experience and knowledge of Sedona. They will instill in you their enthusiasm and appreciation for the areas extraordinary ecology. From the Sonoran Desert to the red rocks to the pine forest of the Colorado Plateau, you will see, touch, smell and learn all about the wild beauty of Northern Arizona and the Southwest.

Arizona Safari Jeep Tours custom builds our highly specialized vehicles for your personal safety and comfort. All of our Jeeps are 2003 and newer, outfitted by true four-wheeling enthusiasts for the ultimate in backcountry performance and preparedness. We spare no expense to equip our vehicles with the best custom off-road suspension systems and wheels. This means a better ride for you and less impact on our forest trails.

You can see Sedona with anyone, but come and Experience Sedona with Arizona Safari Jeep Tours as thousands of others from all over the world have for over a decade!

TREAD LIGHTLY

Arizona Safari Jeep Tour Guides are the wildlife specialists of Sedona. Learn about the important roles that our different animals play, and what humans should, or should not do to live in harmony with local wildlife. All life is interdependent in a delicately balanced ecology, and some of the greatest harm has been done with the best intentions.

Arizona Safari Jeep Tour Guides teach guests about Sedona’s animal life, plant life, history and geology in hopes that you will get a glimpse of the extensive and intricate web of life in which we all live, and gain an appreciation of and respect for each role in the environment. Part of that respect is our No Trace ethic: take only pictures, leave only footprints.

In the case of Jeep tours, we make every effort to leave the most insignificant “footprint” possible. (If you haven’t already done so, read About Our Jeeps to find out how the set up of our Jeeps leaves the least amount of impact on the roads.) We Tread Lightly.

Tread Lightly is a mantra of responsible outdoor recreation. It is also the name of a respected and growing non-profit organization for promoting responsible outdoor recreation. To leave a good impression, you need the right information. Through education and restoration, Tread Lightly empowers generations to enjoy the outdoors responsibly. By increasing public awareness and encouraging responsible outdoor practices, the great outdoors will be accessible, open and well preserved for years to come.

Tread Lightly provides educational materials about all types of outdoor recreation, including useful and practical tips for everything from camping to boating to four-wheeling. Visit their site at www.treadlightly.org

T ravel and recreate with minimum impact

R espect the environment and the rights of others

E ducate yourself–plan and prepare before you go

A llow for future use of the outdoors–leave it better than you found it

D iscover the rewards of responsible recreation

Let your creativity bloom!

Safari Jeep Animals SET 2

Blooming Stitches

• $6 75 $6.75 Unit price /  per 

2 Sizes of each design. 4 designs included.

Your download will be a zip file with multiple formats. Please note that our product is a manually digitized machine embroidery design data file.  You must have an embroidery machine to be able to use our designs.  By downloading these designs, you should be familiar how to transfer designs into your embroidery machine and/or software.  

No Refunds will be done as these files are digital download files.   Should you require a different format/size, please send us an email/message.

Designs should not be resized as it will affect the quality of the stitch out. Jump stitches should be cut between color changes.

Transference of these files to any group or person is strictly prohibited! YOU MAY use these files to create projects and crafts.

We Also Recommend

Funky Animals SET 2

Safari Jeep Animals SET 4

Safari Jeep Elephant

Funky Animals SET 1

Safari Wreath Animals SET 2

• choosing a selection results in a full page refresh

Jeep Safari in Chitwan National Park

• Chitwan Jeep Safari

One of the options to see the wildlife in Chitwan national park is to go on a jeep safari. During this trip you will sit in de back of an open jeep to see the animals. The driver will stop to show places and animals. You will have a great opportunity to get some good pictures this way.

During the trip, the guide will hang at the back of the vehicle to spot animals. He will also give information about the environment and the wildlife.

To do the Jeep safari you get two options:

The first option is a short safari. This will take about 4 hours and you are in the jeep with a maximum of 7 persons. With your back you will sit to the side of the jeep. This safari will start around 13.00 p.m. and finishes around 17.00 p.m. 

The second option is a full day safari. The jeep is more comfortable as you have better seats and a private car. This trip will start early in the morning and you will finish around the same time as the short drive. With this trip you will go deeper in the jungle and here you will have more chance to see tigers. During this trip, the lunch will be eaten in the jungle itself.

Don’t be afraid, you don’t have to catch your own food.

Tip: During a jeep safari you should not wear bright colors. This will scare the animals so off white, Black, grey, dark green are preferred.

Major Activities in Chitwan

For the guest who are more into the nature , we furnish them with the individual activities to them . The activities below and others like Elephant Bathing , Local cultural Dance , Tower night stay are also served as per guest choice and demand .

“ We had a great 2 days safari with several activities (jeep, Elephant, canoe etc). Everything was Simply perfect and the staff organized each step properly. The resort Is clean, beautiful and food very good. Furthermore, staff tried accommodating every our request. We asked them to organize transport to Lumbini, as well the transit to India to get to Gorakhpur and continue our trip: again, everything was managed un a very professional and effective way. For sure, we Will Be back and contact them to organize our next trip in this beautiful area. 100% recommended! “

- GIANFRANCO DIRETTO - Italy

“ From the moment we arrived the team at Jungle Safari Resort were fantastic. They attended to our every need and made us feel like family. We did the 3 night, 4 day package with an extra all day Jeep Safari. We saw countless one horned rhinos, crocodiles, all four deer types in Chitwan, mongoose, wild boar, rhesus & langur monkeys, Burmese Python and an impressive array of birds; including 4 species of kingfisher, asian pied hornbill, woodpeckers, stork, serpent eagle, oriel, drongo the list goes on! Our guide Narayan was very knowledgeable and even knew latin names of all the flora & fauna. Sunil looked after us each evening in the dining hall like we were family, and Sushil drove us to each location we attended. We don't often say this but this would be somewhere we would like to revisit in future. “

Andreas Tredimas - England

“ We booked a private Jeep Safari and our room was booked here at JSR. Jungle Safari Resort shattered our expectations. This is a must stay at resort in the Chitwan area. Staff great , food spectacular, room amazing. When going to Nepal and going to see the wildlife (tigers, elephants, rhinos and crocs) be sure to stay here. Such a great experience. “

Ed & Sonia Campo - USA

“ Very good location in the centre of Sauraha but near the river and national park. Very friendly and helpful staff Very good and delicious food & breakfast. Clean and wide room with comfortable bed, AC, TV and balcony. Large and beautiful garden. Shops, restaurants and bars around the hotel. Transportation services. Strong and uninterrupted wi-fi. Next to the Cultural House of Sauraha where you must see traditional dance and music show. Very quality guidance (You should definitely meet Narayan, king of the guides) Hotel's representative (Sangam) will help you in every way about Nepal and Chitwan National Park. Good Nepali people, colorful culture and magnificent nature & wildlife. “

Yalcin Narinoglu n - Turkey

- andreas tredimas - england, - ed & sonia campo - usa, - yalcin narinoglu n - turkey.

Go on Safari!

Immerse yourself in Africa’s essence at Safari West! Climb aboard a safari vehicle and adventure among herds of giraffes, wildebeest, cape buffalo, zebras, and other African hoofstock. Along the drive, guests will have the opportunity to stop and observe the majestic rhinos. During the tour, encounter cheetahs, primates including lemurs, and birds from different regions of the world.

Join us in our mission to promote conservation and impart knowledge that enables every person to make well-informed choices for the environment and wildlife. Join us – you’re the vital element in this extraordinary journey!

Immerse in Nature. Educate and Engage. Advocate for Conservation! Advanced Reservations Required Book Now

Experience the Sounds of the Sonoma Serengeti

From the haunting calls of lemurs to the vibrant symphony of nature, these wild sounds will transport you to the heart of Safari West. Hear our sound clip above to get a taste of the adventure that awaits.

• Good to Know
• Pricing & Times
• Wild Manners
• Accessibility

Age Requirement

For the safety and comfort of all our guests, children must be at least 4 years old to participate in the Classic Safari Adventure. Many of our Private Adventures are exempt from age restrictions.

Top Seat Height Requirement

For the safety of our guests, children 4 and up wishing to take a turn on the top seat must be at least  45 inches tall .

Gratuity and Tipping Policy

If you enjoyed your safari, feel free to tip your guide. They work hard and appreciate the recognition. Please Note : If you reserved a private vehicle or made a group reservation for 10 or more, a 10% service charge is included.

Cancellation Policy

We are more than happy to help you reschedule your exploration or provide you a gift card for the amount that was charged so that you can reschedule at your leisure. Please note that your gift card is entirely transferable, should you choose to gift it to a loved one or donate it to a charity or other organization instead.

Pets are not allowed at Safari West. If you have a pet that is not a service animal, we ask that you respect the important work of service animals by not claiming that your pet is a service animal. Please see the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) description of a service dog noted below. This is for your safety, as well as that of your pet, fellow guests and the animals of the Safari West collection. Please do not leave your pet locked in a parked car!

Service Animal Policy

We welcome guests with special needs who bring their service animal to enjoy our facility and the wonderful creatures making their homes here. Our policy is to assist all guests in making their time at Safari West enjoyable. A service animal is defined as a dog that has been individually trained to do work or perform tasks for an individual with a disability. The task(s) performed by the dog must be directly related to the person’s disability. “Companion” and “comfort” dogs are not “service animals” protected by the ADA.

• Service animals are permitted to visit Safari West. However, service animals are prohibited from all areas where our exotic collection is not separated from guests by a physical barrier.
• Service animals may also be restricted in certain areas due to the sensitivity of our animal collection.
• If you are spending the night, your service animal is allowed in one of our accessible tents.
• Your service animals are restricted from accompanying guests while on tour.
• Service animals must be housebroken.
• Service animals may not display vicious or aggressive behavior toward other people or animals. This includes barking and/or growling. If your service animal is disruptive at any time, you will be asked to remove your service dog from the park.

If you need to bring your service animal, call (707) 579-2551 at least 72 hours in advance to make arrangements.

Safari Adventures are always in season!

Adults (18 – 61), Seniors (62+), Teens (13 – 17) and Children (4 – 12)

Please be sure to arrive at least 15 minutes before your safari is scheduled to begin!

Please Note: Weekend rates apply for Holidays. These include – President’s Day • Memorial Day • Spring Break (March 18 – April 19) • Labor Day • Columbus Day •  Martin Luther King, Jr.  Day • Thanksgiving Week • Christmas Eve – New Year’s Day (closed Christmas Day)

Rules, Safety, and Etiquette

Safari West is the home of more than 800 wild animals, with all their natural behaviors and instincts. They are not trained pets, so we must act in accordance with their world rather than expecting them to understand ours. We are pleased to offer you a truly enjoyable and memorable adventure on the Sonoma Serengeti, so to get the most from your visit, please keep these few common-sense safety rules in mind and practice your wild manners.

Respect our Wild Friends

• Please stay at least three feet back from the animal enclosures.
• These animals are not to be touched . Be especially aware of children who may not understand that these animals are not like your pets at home. They may bite, kick or otherwise defend themselves if startled.
• If you see anyone harassing the animals, throwing objects or poking sticks into the animal enclosures, or teasing them in any way, please alert a staff member immediately.
• Never feed the animals. They eat special diets in the wild, and the Safari West animal staff sees that they enjoy the same appropriate foods here. Snacks that you love can be harmful to them.
• No running! The animals interpret running as a sign of danger and are likely to panic and hurt themselves.

Safari Truck Etiquette

We recycle! Throughout the lower area of the preserve are recycling bins. Please save your plastic water bottles, soft drink cans, and other recyclables until you can dispose of them in a bin. Children who wish to sit on the top of our double-decker truck must be at least 45 inches tall. Our guides stop occasionally along the drive to allow seat changes so that everyone who wants a top-tier ride will get a turn.

Lost and Found

Safari West is not responsible for lost items. Please keep a close eye on your belongings during the course of your stay as you will be exploring a large, mostly undeveloped preserve. Should you misplace an item, Safari West maintains a Lost and Found Location at the front office. Please check with us there if you should lose (or find) anything of value.

Welcome to Safari West!

We go to great lengths to ensure that our safari adventures are accessible to everyone and in compliance with all ADA requirements. If you or a member of your family have special needs due to mobility or sensory issues, please contact us and we’ll work with you to plan your safari excursion. Safari West is indeed a special place and we will do everything possible to provide our guests with equal enjoyment of the wonderful experience offered by our park.

Our classic safari vehicles are customized Dodge Power Wagons and are not ADA accessible and unfortunately are not equipped to handle wheelchairs or other mobility assisting devices. If a guest utilizing a wheelchair can safely transfer themselves unaided or with the assistance of a family member, friend, or personal assistant, the Classic Safari Tour remains a viable option.

For guests unable to transition into the Power Wagons, we are able to provide one customized vehicle capable of accommodating most wheelchairs. It requires advanced planning and has some restrictions on seating capacity. Please contact our reservations team at 707-566-3667 to discuss options.

We currently have two fully accessible tents on the property. Both rooms are fully wheelchair accessible and include appropriately equipped showers and bathroom fixtures. These rooms also feature designated parking spaces at the foot of the ramps for easy loading and unloading. They also benefit from close proximity to the restaurant, offices, and gift shop.

Service Animals

Service animals are welcome at Safari West; however, due to concerns about guest safety as well as the safety of the animal collection, service animals are restricted from all safari tours and anywhere where there isn’t a barrier between the collection and our guests. While service animals are welcome to join you in our overnight accommodations, they cannot join you on tour unless you have reserved a Service Animal Serengeti Trek. This variant on the paratransit Serengeti Trek foregoes the walking portion of the tour. Instead, it accesses as much of the lower grounds as possible from within the paratransit vehicle.

Hearing Impaired:

Because of the cost of live, on-demand certified interpreters, Safari West no longer pays for live, on-demand, in-person ASL interpreters.  However, guests with hearing impairments are welcome to bring their own live ASL interpreter and Safari West will waive the admission charge for the guest-provided interpreter.  Similarly, as a further reasonable accommodation, Safari West will provide a complimentary safari tour to a non-professional ASL signer for a hearing-impaired guest, e.g., friends or family members who sign for the guest.

Vision Impaired:

With advance notice, a tactile tour can be provided for a visually impaired guest. A sighted companion will almost always accompany a visually impaired visitor. Should this not be the case, the guest will be accompanied by one of our guest service personnel.

Safari West offers free parking to our guests. Our parking lot has several accessible parking spaces for disabled persons supplying a valid disability-parking placard. Additional reserved parking spaces for placarded vehicles may also be available upon arrival. If you or a member of your party has any special needs, please don’t hesitate to contact us at  707 566-3667

Let us help you plan the safari adventure of a lifetime at Safari West!

400 Acres of Exploration

From cheetahs to lemurs, giraffes to wildebeest, there’s always something amazing waiting just around the bend. Alongside one of our highly-trained safari guides, head out on a 3-hour excursion to get up close and personal with nearly a thousand animals. With over ninety species making their homes here, Safari West truly is Sonoma county’s very own slice of the Serengeti.

Hit the Road

Climb aboard one of our custom safari vehicles and roll out to explore the Sonoma Serengeti. From the canvas-covered shade of the truck, go in search of the marvelous megafauna of Africa. Your expert guide will track down graceful giraffes, nimble impala, imposing cape buffalo and maybe even a few hulking rhinoceros. You never know what you’re going to find!

Take a Stroll

While the view from the safari truck guarantees a great look at the herds, some animals need a more subtle approach. On the safari walk, saunter through the Amani Oasis Aviary where demoiselle cranes preen along the path and scarlet ibis soar overhead. Come face-to-face with a black-and-white colobus monkey, search out a cleverly camouflaged cheetah and watch the courtly parade of flamingos around their lagoon home.

Cape Buffalo by John Burgess

Giraffes and Roan Antelope on the Sonoma Serengeti by Nancy Albury

Kudu by Katie Desmond

Safari with Giraffes by Mark Pressler

Ring-tailed Lemur by Marilyn Wyett

Amari Oasis Aviary by John Burgess

Zebras by Nancy Goodenough

Bontebok and Roan Antelope

Car and Driver

2024 Easter Jeep Safari: Four New Concepts, Each with a Different Purpose and Palette

Posted: March 25, 2024 | Last updated: March 25, 2024

Spring means Easter, and for the Jeep faithful, that means the annual pilgrimage to Moab, Utah, for the Easter Jeep Safari. 2024 marks the 58th annual gathering, and, as has been the tradition for the past few years, Jeep has granted its talented crew of in-house designers the freedom to create a small batch of one-off concepts that express their artistic vision in fully realized concepts that might otherwise never make it past the drawing board. Plus, it's a great way to get some public input on stylistic themes, accessories, and functional add-ons that might already be in consideration for production. Here are the four concepts they cooked up for 2024.

Jeep Vacationeer Concept

We knew the creatives at Jeep couldn't keep their hands off the new Wagoneer for long, and the Vacationeer is here to prove us right. And no, that's not a typo; the "ee" is a not-so-subtle nod to the Wagoneer it's based on. As long as we're pointing out the obvious, it would be pointless to pay homage to the Wagoneers of yore without at least a touch of woodgrain, and the Vacationeer wears it in the thin-strip style of select Jeep models from the late 20th century, including the low-volume Wagoneer Brougham of the early 1980s.

The custom exterior paint, dubbed Spearminted, is similar to the hue of the paint on the Willys Dispatcher Concept also found on this list, but it ramps up the spent nuclear fuel rod effect to Simpsons levels of iridescence. Larger wheel openings and custom body-side flare extensions shroud 35-inch BFGoodrich mud-terrain tires mounted to 18 x 9.0-inch 701 Method racing wheels. The tire and wheel package provide a 1.5-inch lift while front and rear skid plates help to deflect obstacles, and a front-mounted Warn winch and a trio of 11-inch TYRI LED lights provide peace of mind. Jeep's 510-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six "Hurricane" engine provides the power to keep the vacation rolling.

The Overlanding vibe is strong thanks to the custom carbon-fiber RedTail Overland Skyloft affixed to the roof. Featuring climate control, room for two, and panoramic viewing capabilities, it seems like the ideal place to spend a night in the boonies, or even your driveway. To make climbing up and in via the weatherproof pass-through easier, Jeep removed the second- and third-row seating and mounted a small step that doubles as a table.

The rear area features a bed liner to stow gear. Distinguished fashion designer and Wagoneer enthusiast/owner Kiel James Patrick was tapped for the front upholstery, coming up with a design featuring classic Jeep vehicles dotting a distinctive and charming New England–inspired pattern. (Attn. Jeep: You know you could sell this fabric for real, right?)

Jeep Wrangler Low Down Concept

Longtime fans will likely remember the Jeep Lower 40 concept the brand dropped back in 2009 at the 43rd annual Easter Jeep Safari. This year's Jeep Low Down concept exists as an update of sorts, following the theme of fitting the biggest tires possible without altering the suspension or lifting the ride height.

The formula involves some clever cleaver work to make room for ginormous BFGoodrich Krawler 42 x 14.5 R-20 mud-terrain tires mounted on 20-inch beadlock wheels. Custom carbon-fiber fender flares help facilitate the project. Otherwise, the Wrangler Rubicon 392 suspension remains untouched, but Dana 60 axles with 5.38 gears are brought in to replace the standard Rubicon Dana 44s. The result is a low center of gravity teamed with increased ground clearance, breakover, and approach and departure angles.

The exterior is finished in Poison Apple Red paint, and the hood is a custom carbon-fiber unit with a see-through power dome. The profile gets a bit of streamlining with the removal of the exterior door handles, and a race-style fuel filler resides in the driver's-side rear quarter.

Interior tweaks include a Rhino-lined floor, black leather seats with cloth inserts, and a radio delete instrument panel. "Listening to the engine is enough, in the Low Down," says Chris Piscitelli, design manager for Dodge/SRT, who had a hand in creating this year's concepts. A custom red-tinted semi-transparent bikini top makes sure any light that passes through glows with a red hue.

Like its Lower 40 inspiration, the Jeep Low Down relies on a V-8 engine, in this case a modern 475-hp 6.4-liter 392 (you saw the numerous callouts, right?) and an eight-speed automatic transmission, whereas the Lower 40 made do with just a 390-hp 5.7-liter Hemi.

Jeep Gladiator Rubicon High Top Concept

Born from the efforts of Jeep Performance Parts designers and the Mopar engineering teams, the Gladiator Rubicon High Top Concept channels the '70s J-series pickups, particularly the highly decorated versions from the mid-'70s when Jeep tried to get hip. (Remember the Jeep J-10 Honcho ?)

Brown was the official color of the 1970s, so Jeep starts off with a two-tone Ginger Snap metallic exterior with bold graphics that look the part. Interior mods are subtle but appropriate. The seats have been trimmed with custom quilted and perforated tan and black Alea leather, and JPP logos reside on the headrests. JPP provides the sun bonnet, pedal kit, floor mats, and doorsill guards. JPP also provided some concept flat fender flares.

Mods from outside vendors include a front bumper from American Expedition Vehicles—check the custom protective hoop sitting just above a Warn winch—rock rail power steps from Rock Slide Engineering, and a truck bed storage system with lockable dual sliding drawers from Decked.

Power comes from the trusty 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission. Torque is funneled to Dana 60 front and rear axles with matching 5.38:1 gears, then moves on to 40 x 13.5 R-18 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 tires mounted on 18 x 9.0-inch Satin Black KMC Grenade Crawl beadlock wheels. An AccuAir adjustable suspension helps fine-tune the suspension for the task at hand.

Willys Dispatcher Concept

Aside from the paint, the Willys Dispatcher doesn't look much different from the current Wrangler. And although there's a lot more going on here than just its Element 115 green paint, we'd be fine if there wasn't. As designer Chris Piscitelli not so coyly mentioned in brief preview, more than one current Jeep color first debuted on concept vehicles like this. A gloss-black windshield surround almost disappears—along with the standard black roll cage—due to the high contrast with the nuclear-age-inspired green paint.

Exterior color aside, the Willys Dispatcher, which counts the postwar-era Willys Jeeps as its inspiration, has some pretty cool features, including front and rear Dana 50 axles with 4:70 gears and 36-inch Traxion tires mounted on 16 x 7.0-inch white steel wheels for the perfect vintage look. The bumpers are crafted to look homemade old-school, the front with a beefy Warn 8274 winch mounted. The flat fenders and "Willys" stamped lettering in the hood really play into the retro vibe.

Inside, distressed saddle leather mixes with houndstooth cloth inserts; combined with the low back seats—sans headrests—the midcentury vibe is palpable. The vinyl flooring is from Jeep Performance Products, as are the bikini top and the onboard air compressor.

For all the looking back, the powertrain is undeniably modern, the Willys Dispatcher using Jeep's 2.0-liter plug-in-hybrid 4xe propulsion system that delivers 375 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque through an eight-speed automatic. It's a blend of old and new that successfully transcends time.

More for You

Massive crabs lifted by cranes in Chipiona, Spain

This week’s U.S. inflation report could have serious implications for stocks

Iran's naval destroyer Sahand capsizes and sinks: State media

‘Old People Smell’ Is Real, Here’s What Causes It and How To Avoid It

Kevin Bacon used prosthetics to experience life as a normal person: 'This sucks'

5 Worst California Cities To Buy Property Over the Next 5 Years, per Real Estate Agents

I Asked 2 Corn Farmers the Best Way To Cook Corn—They Both Said the Same Thing

Driver shares image of object that destroyed car's tire: 'How did that even get in there?'

19 Best Family Resorts and Hotels in the U.S.

This humanoid robot currently holds the world record for speed

Four early signs of dementia that can be spotted while walking

Forgotten Fame: 20 Celebrities Who Disappeared from Hollywood

Here is the true value of having a fully paid-off home in America — especially when you're heading into retirement

Watch: Pirates manager ejected after call that shocked both teams' broadcasts

Kid shows off impressive dance moves after having ‘too much’ soda

Here's What the Air Force's Factory-Deleted Ford Diesels Sound Like

Stop Adding This Ingredient to Scrambled Eggs

Vitamin Once Prescribed to Lower Heart Disease Risk May Actually Raise It, Study Finds

Texas on alert as Beryl churns closer; landfall as hurricane likely

I left the U.S. for Thailand — look inside my $544/month apartment