San Diego Zoo Safari Park Opens Massive “Elephant Valley”

You don’t need a passport for a safari anymore, just a drive to Escondido.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park has officially opened the long-awaited Denny Sanford Elephant Valley in Escondido, giving visitors a chance to walk alongside the world’s largest land animals in the biggest project in the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance’s 109-year history.

The new habitat surrounds guests with African savanna elephants on multiple sides, creating an immersive experience that feels like standing in the middle of an African landscape. The Safari Park’s herd includes eight elephants ranging in age from 7 to 36 years old.