The reason you should not visit both San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park on the same day is that they are about 45 minutes apart from each other, without traffic (and there can be traffic along this busy freeway corridor).
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Although one can easily enjoy a full day or more at both parks, to visitors with limited time we recommend a minimum of three to four hours to see some of the Zoo and a minimum of four to six hours to experience a portion of the Safari Park.
Other disadvantages of safari parks include habituation, which can cause wildlife to lose their natural instincts, and animals can even risk contracting human disease if people are able to pet, touch, and take selfies with them.
It survives in a few small, isolated populations in Kenya and Uganda. Yet at the Safari Park, we have had over 100 births so far in our large African Plains habitat! You can admire our giraffes from the African Plains' Kijamii Overlook, from the Africa Tram, or from a Wildlife Safari, Cart Safari, or Ultimate Safari.
Walk through the Safari Park to see a variety of wildlife in this exciting walking tour! Your knowledgeable guide will share insights into the behavior of our wildlife and the excellent care they receive. Along the way, you will learn about some of our conservation projects with our allies around the world.
While visiting a safari tends to be more ethical than supporting zoos and circuses that over-breed and abuse wildlife for entertainment, it's important to do your research to ensure your time and money are going to sustainable safaris.
The winter months make great times to visit the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. We love the comfortable temperatures and smaller crowds. December through March also marks the official whale-watching season.
It takes about three to four hours, at a minimum, to see the entirety of the zoo, but you could easily spend an entire day exploring the many entertainment options, trails, and exhibits.
It depends on how much you want to see. If you must see everything, plan on all day (6-7 hours). If you center on covering maybe 65%, you can probably do it in 5 hours. If you are hot on certain attractions, maybe only 3 hours.
At the San Diego Zoo and San Diego Zoo Safari Park, we share years of experience in animal care and scientific knowledge vital to the conservation of tigers.
Controversy. There has been controversy about Safari World for its treatment of animals. Their operation came under international scrutiny when their treatment of animals, particularly orangutans and elephants, and keeping lion and tiger cubs in cramped cages.
Each day, our Keepers assess the weather conditions and how our animals may be impacted, which means in inclement weather, some animals may not be visible on Safari for their own safety. Depending on the severity of the weather, other animals may need to be kept inside.
The park sizes are very different. The San Diego Zoo covers 100 acres, whereas the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is a massive 1,800 acres in size. Both the zoo and the San Diego Safari Park have similar walking distances between animal exhibits despite the size difference.
The San Diego Zoo is located in Balboa Park so it tends to be easier for visitors to get to — especially if you are not renting a car. There are a lot of animals in the Zoo and I think you can experience most of the Zoo in 4–6 hours. I do recommend taking the guided bus tour.