Safari Park - how does it work?

I've been to a Safari Park type place in Texas, but you drive through that one in your car and feed animals out the window. I had made the incorrect assumption that the San Diego one would be similar.

Looking at the SD Safari Park website, I can't really figure out how a visit there works. Do you need to choose one of the safaris as part of your day? Or can you see a lot without a safari and that is just like an extra treat? Do you walk all over like you would at a regular zoo? Is there a tram or something to help with some of the distance? Or is that the benefit of a safari, not having to walk everywhere?

I'm just kind of confused on how it works and what I should plan for. What do most visitors do?

Thanks,
Ann

It's very similar to a zoo. The Africa Tram will take you out into the field exhibits that you can't get to by walking. You don't have to add on any of the extra paid options. There is plenty to walk around and see and animal shows to go to.

It really is two sections: a zoo and the safari part. The zoo is on a hill and covers a lot of territory. At least that is how it felt to my wheelchair-bound dd. Your paid admissions include the basic safari, for which you get tickets and line up for at the bottom of the hill. You have the option to upgrade to some more deluxe safari experiences. We were happy with the basic one so did not do any upgrades.

Zbugz said:

It really is two sections: a zoo and the safari part. The zoo is on a hill and covers a lot of territory. At least that is how it felt to my wheelchair-bound dd. Your paid admissions include the basic safari, for which you get tickets and line up for at the bottom of the hill. You have the option to upgrade to some more deluxe safari experiences. We were happy with the basic one so did not do any upgrades.

Click to expand...

So the park is wheelchair accessible? Compared to the zoo, how difficult is it to push a wheelchair in the safari park?

It is technically accessible, but there are some significant hills. I remember that the main part is a constant, but fairly gentle, decline down to the Safari loading area, and a large hill off to one side. The were working on the hill when we were there, so IDK if it is friendlier now or not. We just push through the hills anyway, but my paralyzed dd does most of the work, and I have a teenage ds to help push her. The zoo's hills are much steeper, but they also have a tram to come take you from the bottom to the top. I'd call to get a firsthand report.