Safari West Animals & Tours
You don’t have to travel all the way to Africa to go on an an exciting Safari adventure. Safari West – a stunning wildlife preserve – is nestled on 400 acres in the heart of California’s Sonoma Wine Country. The stunning wildlife preserve is home to over 400 exotic African mammals. We saw more giraffes here than we’ve ever seen in one place before. And bird-watchers will love seeing so many birds from around the world.
Bring out the kid in you and get an up-close view of these magnificent creatures in the natural habitat and see for yourself what makes Safari West one of the Santa Rosa’s most popular attractions. Visited by over 60,000 people every year, the wildlife preserve is fun for kids and big kids too. During your visit, expect to see everything from zebras, cheetahs, giraffes, lemurs, antelopes, white rhinos and monkeys, to desert turtles, flamingos, swans, macaws… and a whole lot more!
Note: The animals may touch you but you are not allowed to touch them. Expect to see over 90 species of animals and up to 900 individual animals on the tour.
Open-air safari jeeps have covered tops and open sides. Everyone gets a great view of the animals. Our jeep had three rows of bench seating and a raised area on top that seated up to four people. During the tour, our guide rotated the group so that anyone who wanted to sit on the top could get a chance to do so. There are seat belts on the top seating bench only. Tours can be quite bumpy as they pass over miles rugged terrain in the beautiful wildlife preserve – there’s so much to see at every turn.
Private Safaris & Private Animal Encounters
A selection of Private Safaris are also available if you’re looking for a more personal touch. Private Safaris include your own vehicle and Safari West guide. Private Animal Encounters such as Behind-the-Scenes Tours are also available by advanced reservation only.
Glamping in a Luxury Safari Tent
Safari West makes a great day trip or an overnight “glamping” stay (glamorous camping) in a Luxury Safari Tent. Each tent features a private viewing deck, en-suite bathroom and hardwood floors. Fall asleep and wake up to the sounds of Safari wildlife. We really felt like we were in Africa! Overnight guests enjoy a complimentary continental breakfast.
Savannah Cafe
Enjoy a delicious lunch and/or dinner at the Savannah Cafe. We loved their BBQ dishes! It’s a fun place to have a beer or a glass of wine and meet other Safari West guests.
What To Bring
Wear comfortable, casual clothing. Bring layers. Don’t forget a hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and bottled water. Temperatures can be high during Summer months. Be sure to bring a pair of binoculars if you have one. Also, if you’re planning on staying overnight, bring a flashlight (it’s helpful in finding your way back to your tent at night). Our iPhones came in handy for taking pictures, videos and using the flashlight.
Directions & Reservations
It’s hard to believe that Safari West is only 75 miles north (about a 90-minute drive) from the bustling city of San Francisco. Be sure to call ahead to make your reservations. No pets are allowed.
Note: Peak season is April-August.