Education: San Diego Zoo Safari Park Guided Tours
Add a touch of the WILD to your class and experience one of the Park’s amazing education programs! Make a connection with wildlife during one of our on-site tours. All tours support several discipline areas for both State and National standards.
Admission is FREE to the Park for all students in San Diego County during the traditional school year. Non-San Diego County schools receive a reduced admission fee of $6 per student. Group reservations are required for these rates.
Most school groups respect our animals and property. Please familiarize yourself and your group with our rules before coming to the Park to make your visit run smoothly
Reservations are required. To make a reservation for a guided tour for your class at the Park, please call 760-738-5057. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made.
Got a question regarding the Park school programs? Send us an e-mail now!
Pre-ordered lunches are available at the Park. Each lunch includes animal cookies, chips, a drink, and your choice of a hot dog, chicken strips, or cheese sandwich. Lunches can be ordered after you have made a reservation for your field trip and no later than two weeks prior to your visit date. For Park lunch reservations, please call 760-738-5055.
School Program Caravans
Now your class can experience the wonders of a caravan into our large field exhibits. Choose one of the following programs to make your visit to the Park special.
$500 per truck of 15; admission fee may apply. Students must be at least 6 years old, and maximum number of participants is 30, including students and chaperones.
Grades 1–12
The Artists' Journey—Unleash your students' wild artistic skills with this special visual arts caravan. Led by our own professional artist, your students' adventure begins with an introduction on how to draw animals. Then hop aboard a caravan truck to journey into one of our large field exhibits. All necessary art supplies are provided and are yours to keep. Visual Arts
Grades 9—12
Giraffe Genes and Rhino Relatives—This caravan examines how advances in genetics are used every day by our Institute for Conservation Research staff to help save animals. This caravan visits two of our large field exhibits. Genetics
Focus on Photography—The Park and its amazing animal and plant collections have inspired photographers from around the world. A professional photographer will teach your students how to get that perfect photo. Choose one of two courses to match your students' skill level. Cameras not provided as part of the program. Visual Arts
Beginner level: After learning camera and composition basics in our outdoor classroom, hop aboard a caravan truck to put your newfound knowledge to use.
Intermediate level: Your program starts in our outdoor classroom to learn about subject, background, and lighting techniques. Then put your skills to use in the field and practice using fill lighting on close-up subjects. DSLR cameras are recommended.
On-grounds Educator-led Programs
Grades preschool–K
Amazing Adaptations—Students receive an in-depth guided tour of the Nairobi Village area of the Park to learn about amazing animal adaptations. Hands-on interpretive activities will help students gain a greater understanding of adaptations and increase their appreciation for animals they may not have noticed. Program
includes pre- and post-activities, guided tour of Nairobi Village, hands-on interpretive activities, biofacts, and the use of magnifying glasses and binoculars.
Length: 1 hour Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science, Language Arts, Math, P.E., Visual and Performing Arts Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $100 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
Grades 1–2
Born to be Wild—Ever wonder what it would be like to be a wild animal? Scurry over to the Park for some monkeyin’ around and discover the animal in your students! Check out our flamingos, gorillas, gibbons, and lions! Program
includes
pre- and post-visit materials, games and activities, and a guided tour.
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes
Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults)
Standards: Life Science, Language Arts Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
Grades 3–5
Save Our Aquatic Resources (SOAR)—Students tour the Park's brand-new Demonstraiton Wetlands area and the Park's water reclamation facility to discuss water conservation, its importance for our daily survival, and how humans have learned to clean water, which nature has been doing for millions of years. Children will learn ways that their daily actions can help to make a difference. Science
Grades 3–5
California Cruising—Cruise on over to the Park, where our expert guide will lead students on an exploration of animals and plants native to California. While they're at it, they'll discover amazing animal adaptations and practice some investigative skills used by conservation scientists around the globe. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, guided tour of Condor Ridge and Conifer Forest exhibit areas, and all materials.
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science, Language Arts, History and Social Sciences, Technology Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
Grade 6
Elephant Architects—Elephants: land destroyers or land developers? The largest land animal can make a big impact on the Earth, both for the good and for the bad. Students experience first hand through a variety of interpretive activities how elephants leave a lasting impression on their environment and decide for themselves: are they destroyers or developers? Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.
Length:
1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40
(students and adults) Standards: Science, Language Arts, Social Sciences, Technology Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
Grade 7
Going Places—Animals move in some amazing ways. Giraffes can kick in all four directions with each foot, snakes move without arms, legs, hands, or feet. Elephants can’t jump but can walk backward, while a kangaroo can jump but can’t walk backward. Our animal expert guide will lead your students to several areas at the Park as they observe animal movement and discover how we’re all going places. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science, Math Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
Grade 8
Soarin' So Cal—California condors are amazing animals. The Park has been involved in the recovery of these endangered birds from the beginning of the effort to save them. Through a variety of different activities, discover what it took to bring these birds back from the brink of extinction and the challenges of reintroducing them back into the wilds of So Cal. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Math/Technology Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
Grades 9–12
Science Behind the Scenes—Learn about the inner workings of a world-famous organization, from water treatment to food preparation. Students will also briefly explore concepts of genetics, evolution, and ecology during this guided tour through portions of the Park. Program includes pre- and post-visit materials, hands-on activities, and props and biofacts.
Length: 1 hour 30 minutes Maximum: 40 per group (students and adults) Standards: Science/Geography Available days/times: Tuesdays–Fridays, 10 or 11 a.m. Fee: $150 per program. Program fee must be received no later than two weeks after the reservation has been made. Park admission rates may apply.
