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Highlights :
Exhibits :
Getting Around
: Dining
& Shopping |
Logistics
| Getting There
| Insider
Tips
Highlights
You know the city is far behind when you
enter San
Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park! Experience a unique adventure
at the Wild Animal Park’s 2,100-acre preserve, where animals
wander freely in surroundings much like their native homelands.
A quiet railway, pathways, and shows enable you observe both animals
and exotic plants.
Exhibits
Your first Wild Animal Park greeting comes through the calls
of exotic birds as you walk through the African Aviary. A few steps
away lies Nairobi
Village, a tropical paradise surrounding the beautiful Mombasa
Lagoon. This bustling Village is home to shops, restaurants, animal
exhibits, and activity centers; it’s a good place to stop,
check the map, and plan your day. Since Nairobi Village is located
the heart of Wild Animal Park, it’s a convenient “base
camp” you can return to for rest and refreshments. Kids love
the play area in Nairobi Village, as well as the Petting
Kraal and baby nursery. And all ages have fun feeding the birds
at Lorikeet
Landing. When you head out into the bush, don’t miss the
opportunity to ride the famous Wgasa
Bush Line Railway. You’ll see what makes the Park unique—giraffes,
elephants, rhinos, and hundreds of other animals freely roaming
in herds over large areas of scenic natural habitat. Other favorite
treks include Heart
of Africa, Gorilla Habitat, Condor
Ridge, and Kilimanjaro
Safari Walk. A Wild
Animal Park show is a treat for the entire family. Elephants
surprise you with their smarts at Elephant Presentation and birds
teach you a thing or two at the Bird Show. Along the way, trees
and botanical gardens add to the beauty of the experience. These
exhibits are opportunities to see wild animals up close and, in
some instances, to help out at feeding time.
Getting
Around in the Park
Aside from the Wgasa Bush Line Railway, walking is the best
way to see Wild Animal Park. The 1.75-mile Kilimanjaro trail, one
of many, takes you to the big animals—lions, tigers, and elephants.
Dining
& Shopping
When hunger strikes, you can pick up a snack at one of the
food stands or carts located throughout Wild Animal Park. For a
burger, sandwich, or salad, try Thorn Tree Terrace in Nairobi Village,
where the inhabitants of Spider Monkey Island provide dining entertainment.
The gift shops in the Park are a “must-see,” especially
the Bazaar, with its fantastic variety.
Logistics
Wild Animal Park welcomes guests with disabilities.
Check the Park’s website
for specifics.
Getting There
Wild Animal Park is located at 15500 San
Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido, California, 32 miles northeast of
downtown San Diego and Mission Valley. Drive north on State Route
163 to Interstate 1-15 North, and exit at Via Rancho Parkway. This
drive takes 30 to 40 minutes. Proceed east on Via Rancho Parkway
and follow the signs.
Insider Tips
Since a visit to the park takes most of
the day, you might want to bring water, snacks, and sunscreen. Since
so many wonderful trails can only be reached on foot, comfortable
shoes are helpful.
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