Wildlife Adventure at Safari West in Santa Rosa

Wouldn't it be great if you could take your family on an amazing African safari adventure, but still have the convenience of never leaving the Bay Area? Safari West, a wildlife preserve and private zoo located near Santa Rosa offers just that!

Tour this 400-acre preserve in Sonoma County's rolling hills and get up-close-and-personal with giraffes, rhinos, zebras, monkeys, cheetahs, and a huge variety of birds and African antelopes. Not only can you tour Safari West, but you can stay overnight in one of their luxury "glamping" tent cabins. We've had a chance to both stay overnight at Safari West and take their Classic Safari tour, and it's always an unforgettable experience.

As overnight guests, you begin your adventure at the office where you board a Jeep and are whisked up to our tent. The tents are scattered around a small lake and a wildlife enclosure where giraffes and antelope roam. On our stay, our tent was located up on the hill above the lake, and had fantastic views of the preserve from its deck. 

Each tent has wooden floors, rustic African-inspired furniture and decor, and running water and electricity. While they're well appointed and cozy, they are uninsulated tents, and each one comes with plenty of blankets (including electric blankets) and a space heater to keep things warm and comfy. Safari West even provides a cooler, ice, and complimentary bottled water. Bathrooms, equipped with showers, sinks, and toilets, are semi open-air and can get a bit chilly at night. We loved relaxing on our deck, complete with furniture and an umbrella, and watching the animals down below.

In the evening, guests head down for dinner at Safari West’s on-site restaurant, the Savannah Grill, which is centered around a traditional African fire pit or motu. Served buffet-style, dinner includes offerings like smoked chicken and beef brisket along with green salad, clam chowder, macaroni and cheese, vegetables, rice, and bread.

Beer, wine, and soft drinks were available for purchase at the bar, and coffee, tea, and hot chocolate are included. After dinner everyone is provided with forks and marshmallows to roast over the fire.

After dinner, explore the grounds and then head back to your tent to relax and get a good night's sleep before the next morning's adventure. There's nothing quite like drifting off to sleep to the exotic animal sounds coming from across the grounds.

The next morning, after breakfast, assembled for your tour. Our guides on both our visits were extremely knowledgable and informative, and led us first on a walk through the aviaries and to see the cheetahs, monkeys, lemurs, African porcupines, and even cute little dwarf antelopes called blue duikers.

Then, climb aboard one of the vehicles from Safari West's fleet of Korean-war-era Dodge Power Wagon off-road trucks. Participants can sit both inside on the truck bed and up above the cab on elevated seats for an unparalleled view of the animals in the preserve. Guides will make sure everyone who wants to gets a turn sitting in the upper seat. The mornings can be a little chilly, so fleece blankets are offered to everyone to keep warm.

The ride through the preserve is slow but not boring, and you'll find new animals — including rhinos, zebras, Watusi cattle, elands, cape buffalo, and wildebeest — around every corner. In many areas there are no fences between you and the animals, which really gives the whole experience an authentic safari feel.

Guides take the time to explain the background of the preserve and tell you about the animals, their behavior, and personalities. Many of the animals at Safari West are endangered species, and some are even extinct in the wild.

Our overnight adventure at Safari West was a fantastic experience, and the whole family agreed it was one of the most fun and rewarding activities we’ve done. The atmosphere is really magical and the accommodating, friendly staff makes everyone feel at home and goes out of their way to make your stay wonderful. If you can't stay overnight, the Classic Safari tour itself is an awe-inspiring experience that you'll never forget.

For more information or to make reservations for your safari adventure, visit www.safariwest.com or call 1 (800) 616-2695.

If You Go

Safari West is open throughout the year by advance reservation only. Classic Safari prices range from $45 to $170 depending on the season. Children must be 4 years or older to go on the driving portion of a safari tour, and it’s probably best for kids 5 and up. Other safari packages, like private safaris, are available, too. The Classic Safari involves a two-hour ride over rough off-road terrain in an antique Dodge army truck, so pregnant women and those who might be uncomfortable on such a trip might not want to go. 

Luxury tent accommodations start at $378 and up, depending on season and tent configuration and location. Family tents with bunk beds are available, as are discount packages that bundle lodging, a safari tour, and dinner at the Savannah Café. Tent cabins have space heaters and electric blankets; bathrooms are open-air and unheated, so keep that in mind if you decide to stay the night. Since you’re in a tent, you’ll hear every sound in the preserve, including various animal noises and those of your neighbors. Complimentary earplugs are available at the front desk. An overnight stay includes a continental breakfast the next morning. Overnight stays are not available in January and February.

Buffet-style lunches and dinners are available by reservation only at Savannah Café. The adjacent Delilah’s Snack Shop offers reasonably priced and tasty sandwiches, breakfast burritos, ice cream, soft drinks, coffee, and even beer and wine. Coolers with cold water are located around the dining area. Tent guests can also get complimentary coffee, tea, and hot chocolate in the Elephant Room.

You’ll be doing a lot of walking along both paved paths and dirt trails, so make sure you wear sturdy shoes like hiking boots as well as clothes that you don’t mind getting dirty. Hats and sunscreen are a must, especially if you’re riding in the upper seat during the safari.

Safari West is located at 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa CA 95404. To get there from Marin, take Highway 101 north through Santa Rosa until you get to the River Road/Mark West Springs Road exit. Head east on Mark West Springs Road which turns into Porter Creek Road. Safari West will be on your left.

Disclosure: Visit Santa Rosa arranged for our Classic Safari tour on our most recent Safari West Visit.