Education: Self-Guided Programs, San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Advance reservations are required for self-guided visits to the Park: call 760-738-5057 for availability.
Make the most of your field trip time at the Park: download our fieldtrip guide (pdf) to help you plan a successful visit.
Grades PreK–K
The Case of the Crazy Coverings: Investigatory activities and riddles allow teachers an easy and interactive way to lead their students through the Park and visit several interesting animals as they explore body coverings and animal groups. Science, Language Arts, Math, Visual and Performing Arts
Grades 1 and 2
The Case of Crazy Cousin Kappy: Wildlife detectives needed! Mr. G. Raffe’s cousin, Kappy, has moved, and we need your help to find him. Follow the clues to learn the "who’s" and "why’s" of the Animal Kingdom as they lead you and your students on an exploration of the Park. Science, Language Arts, Math, P.E., Geography, Visual and Performing Arts
Grades 3–5
The Great Condor Caper: Here's an adventure that leads you and your students throughout the Park in search of Grover, a missing California condor chick. While traveling around the Park, your self-guided group will discover animal adaptations, explore different habitats, and get hands-on with scientific equipment. Science, English Language Arts, Math, Social Sciences, Technology, Visual and Performing Arts
Grade 6
From Biomes to Bio-webs, a Biology Mystery: A local animal population is in trouble, and we need the biological minds of your students to help solve the mystery. Become biology detectives to follow the clues that will lead your class around the Park to uncover the source of the problem. Your team of biologists will discover the intricate links of a food web as they solve this ecosystem mystery. Science, English Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts
Grade 7
ZSI: Zoo Science Investigators—The Case of the Perplexing Polluters: A gang of petulant primates must be at large, disposing of debris deliberately along the pathways of the Park. Today you are all official members of ZSI, our special operations team of Zoo Science Investigators. Use your detective skills to unravel this mystery. Science, Math
Grade 8
If I Built the Zoo: How do you keep an elephant from charging? You take away their credit card, of course! If only it was that easy. So how do you keep a 15,000-pound animal from busting out? Do your students have what it takes to build their own zoo? There’s a whole lot more to it than just putting an animal or two in an enclosure. Students will take on the role of the Park’s architect as they explore the Park and unlock the mysteries of how we recreated Africa in San Diego. Science, Math
Grades 9–12
Like You’ve Never Seen Before: Art at the Park? Travel without moving your feet? Field research here at home? Students will study animal behavior, create a journal, and tap into their creative side during this self-guided adventure. View the Park from many new perspectives as you and your students explore the mysteries of what makes this multi-million dollar operation so successful.
