Safari West Sonoma Adventure Tour
Description
Meet Giraffes in Sonoma County Step into the heart of Sonoma County’s African Serengeti wildlife preserve. Climb aboard an open-air safari vehicle for an unforgettable adventure, spotting giraffes, zebras, wildebeest, and cape buffalo in spacious habitats designed to mimic the wild. Your journey continues with walkable areas where you can visit curious lemurs, explore the lush aviary with vibrant birdlife, and see our magnificent cheetahs in their dedicated habitat. This family-friendly, immersive experience is guided by expert safari guides who share stories of the animals in our care and our vital conservation work. Perfect for animal lovers of all ages (guests must be 4 years or older), Safari West is a true escape into the wild—no passport required. Every visit supports our mission of wildlife conservation, education, and the care of over 900 animals who call Safari West home. For groups of 10 or more guests, please contact Safari West directly to book.
Tour Options
Itinerary
In a region known for high-end wine and sophisticated food, Safari West offers one of the most family-friendly activities in wine country, so bring your kids along! When you arrive at the preserve, about a 20-minute drive north of downtown Santa Rosa, meet your safari guide and hop in your open-air Jeep to begin your wildlife tour of the ‘Sonoma Serengeti.’ For three hours, explore the 400-acre (162-hectare) preserve both in the Jeep and on foot, and travel over rugged dirt roads in search of exotic animals. During the tour, your guide will tell you all about the wildlife at the preserve, including endangered species such as the Cape buffalo, springbok, blue wildebeest and red lechwe (a type of antelope). Learn how Safari West works to promote conservation of these beautiful wild animals. On your drive, pass by herds of African animals including gazelles, zebras, oryx, antelopes and — everyone’s favorite — giraffes, who may just come right up to the Jeep to look you in the eye. Then, hop out of your vehicle with your guide to walk for roughly 30 to 45 minutes. Admire flamingos and other colorful birds in the open-air aviary, observe cheetahs up close, check out the residents of Lemur Island, and laugh at the antics of the monkeys. When your tour ends, take some time to browse the gift shop for souvenirs such as jewelry, T-shirts and African art. You can also have lunch or dinner at the on-site Savannah Cafe (own expense; see the Exclusions for more details). Please provide your contact information (i.e. 'on the road' contact number) at time booking.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Minimum age is 4 years; all children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please provide your contact information (i.e. 'on the road' contact number) at time booking
- Guests are not permitted to take food out on the tour, but water bottles are welcome; during the summer months, the snack bar is open and guests may purchase sandwiches, chips, fruit, drinks and other items to eat during the tour break or afterward; you may also dine in the Savannah Cafe at your own expense (reservations can be made after booking)
- Not recommended for pregnant women, as the tour includes a 2.5-hour drive over rugged terrain that may be uncomfortable
- Hearing-impaired guests: While we do not provide interpreters, we welcome guests with hearing-related needs and encourage you to contact us in advance so our team can be prepared to support your experience.
- Service animals: For safety reasons, service animals are not permitted on safari vehicles, but are allowed on the grounds. Please reach out before your visit so we can assist with planning.
- Strollers: Strollers are welcome on our accessible lower grounds, but cannot be brought on safari vehicles.
- Please arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled tour time
- Weather: Tours run rain or shine. Please dress appropriately and wear comfortable shoes.
- Toddlers & Infants: Children must be at least 4 years old to participate in the Classic Safari tour. If you're visiting with younger children, please contact us to learn more about family-friendly alternatives available at Safari West.
- Our Guest Policy: Safari West is for Everyone: Just like the wildlife we care for, our guests reflect the rich diversity of the world around us—no matter your background, ability, or who you love. At Safari West, we strive to be a truly welcoming space for all. All families are welcome. Come as you are and experience the wild, together.
Reviews(125)
We did the walking tour because the other tours were sold out (which was surprising because it wasn't crowded , there were tons of guides milling about, and most of the tour vehicles were parked, but no matter). The tour was much less of a safari and more like a very sad zoo. All the animals we saw, except birds, were in very, very small enclosures, half the enclosures were empty, and there were no labels anywhere - no indication of the names of the animals or any details whatsover. The housing of the animals appeared haphazard and it was really quite depressing. We wished we hadn't visited after we left.
Dear Guest, We were disappointed to read that you left Safari West feeling this way, as it is certainly not the impression we hope guests take away from their visit. Your visit was somewhat different from the experience most guests have at Safari West. Because our guided safaris were fully booked on the day of your visit, we made available an opportunity that we only occasionally offer for guests who would simply like to walk portions of the grounds and enjoy seeing some of the animals on foot. While many guests enjoy this experience, it is quite different from the guided safari that is at the heart of a visit to Safari West. Our safari tours take guests through large mixed-species habitats aboard safari vehicles while our guides share information about the animals, conservation efforts, and the unique environment they call home. The animals you encountered while walking the grounds represent a variety of species, each with unique habitat, social, and care requirements. Their environments are carefully designed around those needs, with animal welfare always guiding those decisions. We are also incredibly proud of our Animal Care Givers, whose dedication, expertise, and commitment to animal welfare ensure that the animals entrusted to our care receive exceptional attention every day. We intentionally rely on guided interpretation rather than extensive signage throughout much of the property, as personal interaction and storytelling are an important part of the Safari West experience. If you decide to visit again in the future, we hope you will consider reserving a guided safari so you can experience the larger preserve, its mixed-species habitats, and the guided interpretation that brings the Safari West story to life.
Safari West was a pleasant experience, but it did not fully meet our expectations. The guide was knowledgeable, but the tour included many extended stops in areas with limited wildlife activity, and the commentary often felt longer than necessary. We expected more animal viewing based on the advertising. While we enjoyed parts of the visit, the experience did not quite match the impression created by the promotional materials.
Hi Arelys. Thank you for taking the time to share your feedback. I'm sorry to hear that your visit did not fully meet your expectations. At Safari West, we genuinely want every guest to leave feeling they experienced something special, so I appreciate you letting us know where we fell short. If you would be willing to share a bit more detail, it would be very helpful. Could you let us know the date and approximate time of your visit? I would like to better understand your experience and review the tour that day with our team. Because our animals live in large natural habitats, activity levels can vary, but we always strive to balance wildlife viewing with engaging interpretation and conservation education. Your comments suggest we may not have found that balance during your visit, and for that I am sorry. I would welcome the opportunity to learn more about your experience. If you would like to contact me directly, I would be happy to speak with you personally and explore the possibility of arranging a return visit. Thank you again for your feedback. We truly value it and the opportunity to improve. Aphrodite Caserta Director of Marketing & Communications Safari West
Safari West was such an amazing adventure from start to finish. We got to see so many beautiful and unique animals up close, and the entire experience felt both exciting and educational. Our guide was incredibly informative, friendly, and passionate about the animals, which made the tour even more enjoyable. I also loved learning about the conservation efforts and hearing fun facts throughout the safari. One thing I didn’t realize before visiting was that they have cabins available for overnight stays. After seeing the property, I can honestly say it would be such a fun and memorable getaway. We are already planning to come back for a longer stay and would love to experience one of the behind-the-scenes tours next time. Highly recommend Safari West for families, couples, or anyone who loves animals and nature.
We’d really enjoyed the outing and Kyle was awesome! To see the exhibit’s was amazing, the giraffe’s, different types of antelope and the rhinoceroses was a wonderful experience.
Loved the experience The first 40. Minutes are walking. Not good for someone with mobility issues Wish we had know about the add to feed animals. I hear that is memorable
It was good. I thought i’d see more of a variety of animals and i thought i would see the giraffes closer up.
Great tour, beautiful scenery, many different types of animals. Our guide Michelle, was awesome, made for this job! Great information, perspective and personality! Very enthusiastic and proud of the park and its mission. Worth every Penny!
Wear comfortable shoes and layer your clothing. Pack a lunch or plan on lunch from their deli or restaurant. The seating in the lunch area was very pleasant and you can continue to walk around and see the animals.
Gina is knowledgeable about the animals in Safari West. She even knows each animal's personal names and the back story behind them. It's easy to tell that she loves her job. It was fun and and entertaining tour that I had.
Bring binoculars. Tip your tour guide, they have a hard job. You can book separate private encounters with the giraffes and Rhinos.
