Wild Experiences
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Safari West was born over 30 years ago from the shared vision of Peter and Nancy Lang, whose passion for wildlife conservation and education transformed a private preserve into a celebrated 400-acre haven. Home to over 900 animals representing 90 species, Safari West invites guests to forge meaningful connections with the wonders of the natural world while supporting vital conservation efforts.
Step behind the curtain with our Behind the Scenes Experiences—a series of unique, hands-on journeys into the fascinating world of wildlife care and conservation. These private experiences bring you as close as possible to some of the fantastic creatures of Safari West, offering a rare glimpse into the vital work we do. Whether observing animal care practices, discovering enrichment activities that encourage natural behaviors, or learning how we protect endangered species, every moment is designed to inspire and educate. Take pride in knowing that all proceeds directly support critical conservation initiatives here in Sonoma County and around the globe, making your adventure both meaningful and unforgettable.
*Due to animal health and welfare considerations, the details of the behind-the-scenes walk are subject to change. For the comfort of our animals, this is a feeding tour, not a petting tour.
Pricing: starting at $275 for two people. You can expand your group at $50 per additional adult, $30 for each additional child (ages 3-12), and $15 for each additional toddler (ages 1-2) up to a six-person maximum limit. Gratuity is included in this price.
Please call to inquire about the availability of booking a wild experience. We recommend a minimum of five (5) days in advance for optimum availability options.
For details and reservations, please contact one of our Reservation Agents:
(707) 566-3667
Reservations@safariwest.com
Behind the Scenes Tour
This is our most popular Wild Experience, and is perfect for groups of up to 6 guests. In this hour-long tour, get up close and personal with some of our most unique furred and feathered residents. You will get the chance to feed some of our animals, and learn what it takes to make sure they’re always happy and healthy. This wild walk may include visits to the giraffe barn, warthog pen, our walk-in bird aviary, and more!
*Due to animal health and welfare considerations, the details of the behind-the-scenes walk are subject to change. For the comfort of our animals, this is a feeding tour, not a petting tour.
Pricing: starting at $275 for two people. You can expand your group at $50 per additional adult, $30 for each additional child (ages 3-12), and $15 for each additional toddler (ages 1-2) up to a six-person maximum limit. Gratuity is included in this price.
Please call to inquire about the availability of booking a wild encounter. We recommend a minimum of five (5) days in advance for optimum availability options.
For details and reservations, please contact one of our Reservation Agents:
(707) 566-3667
Reservations@safariwest.com
Animal Care Enrichment Experience Tour
Experience the Wonders of Animal Enrichment
Go behind the scenes at Safari West for an intimate, hands-on journey into the fascinating animal care and enrichment world. Guided by one of our expert animal care team members, you’ll learn how enrichment plays a vital role in encouraging natural behaviors and enhancing the well-being of our animals.
You can choose from 15 species to focus on, crafting species-specific enrichment items like puzzle feeders or sensory toys tailored to their needs. Then, step into the heart of the action as you deliver your creations and watch the animals explore, engage, and interact right before your eyes. Along the way, your guide will share captivating stories and insights into the animals’ lives, their habitats, and the importance of conservation.
This one-hour experience is limited to four guests, ensuring an intimate, hands-on, immersive experience.
During this tour, you will:
- Learn about the importance of enrichment and its role in animal welfare.
- Create species-appropriate enrichment items under the guidance of an expert.
- Participate in delivering enrichment items to our animals and observe their responses firsthand.
Pricing: $275 for two guests (adults and children ages 3-12). $50 for each additional adult and $30 for each additional child up to a total of four participants.
For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.com
Providing Enrichment Item - Will Bucquoy
Providing Enrichment Item - Will Bucquoy
| SPECIES | TIME |
|---|---|
| *Carnivores may receive raw meat items as part of the enrichment. The Patas monkeys and Fennec foxes may receive live insects as part of their enrichment. | |
| Red Ruffed Lemur | 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm |
| Ring-tailed Lemur | 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm |
| DeBrazza’s Monkey | 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm |
| Patas Monkey* | 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm |
| Warthog | 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm |
| Red River Hog | 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm |
| Giraffe | 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm |
| Nyala | 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm |
| Rainbow Lorikeet | 11 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm |
| Porcupine | 11 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm |
| Fennec Fox* | 3:30 pm |
| Caracal* | 3:30 pm |
If a chosen species becomes unavailable (e.g. medical care, exhibit maintenance, etc.), the guest can either switch to a different species that has availability at the same time, reschedule, or cancel the tour.
- The Lemur, Porcupine, Fennec Fox, & Lorikeet tours will not be available during inclement weather.
- The Nyala tour will only be offered during the dry season.
The following species have age limits:
- Lorikeets – only 2 guests (10 and older) will be permitted inside the habitat
- Nyala – only guests over 5 years old will be permitted inside the habitat
Enrichment is more than just fun for our animals; it’s a cornerstone of their well-being and a powerful educational tool. Through this experience, guests will gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and expertise involved in tailoring enrichment to specific species and individual animal needs. Our goal is that you leave not only with unforgettable memories but also with the inspiration to apply some of our upcycling and enrichment techniques at home for your own animals. By showcasing how reused and repurposed materials contribute to animal enrichment, we aim to inspire sustainable practices and highlight conservation efforts.
Safety and Participation Guidelines
For the safety of our guests, animal care team, and animals, participation is contingent on guests being symptom-free of potentially contagious illnesses. Additionally, the final decision regarding guest involvement in physically delivering enrichment items lies with the animal care team’s discretion to ensure a secure and enriching experience for all.
We highly encourage guests to wear closed-toed shoes during this tour. No touching or petting of any animals will be permitted. Guests will not provide enrichment directly to foxes, caracals or any of the primate species. Guests may have the opportunity to provide enrichment to warthogs, red river hogs, nyala, giraffes or lorikeets at the animal care teams’ discretion, but this is not a guarantee. In most cases, this will likely still include a barrier between the guests and the animals. While we are hopeful that the animals will interact with the enrichment provided, there is a possibility that the animals will choose not to interact.
- Species and Times
SPECIES TIME *Carnivores may receive raw meat items as part of the enrichment. The Patas monkeys and Fennec foxes may receive live insects as part of their enrichment. Red Ruffed Lemur 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm Ring-tailed Lemur 10:30 am, 11:30 am, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm DeBrazza’s Monkey 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm Patas Monkey* 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm Warthog 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm Red River Hog 10 am, 11 am, 12 pm, 3 pm Giraffe 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm Nyala 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm Rainbow Lorikeet 11 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm Porcupine 11 am, 1:30 pm, 2:30 pm Fennec Fox* 3:30 pm Caracal* 3:30 pm If a chosen species becomes unavailable (e.g. medical care, exhibit maintenance, etc.), the guest can either switch to a different species that has availability at the same time, reschedule, or cancel the tour.
- The Lemur, Porcupine, Fennec Fox, & Lorikeet tours will not be available during inclement weather.
- The Nyala tour will only be offered during the dry season.
The following species have age limits:
- Lorikeets – only 2 guests (10 and older) will be permitted inside the habitat
- Nyala – only guests over 5 years old will be permitted inside the habitat
- Additional Information
Enrichment is more than just fun for our animals; it’s a cornerstone of their well-being and a powerful educational tool. Through this experience, guests will gain a deeper understanding of the strategies and expertise involved in tailoring enrichment to specific species and individual animal needs. Our goal is that you leave not only with unforgettable memories but also with the inspiration to apply some of our upcycling and enrichment techniques at home for your own animals. By showcasing how reused and repurposed materials contribute to animal enrichment, we aim to inspire sustainable practices and highlight conservation efforts.
Safety and Participation Guidelines
For the safety of our guests, animal care team, and animals, participation is contingent on guests being symptom-free of potentially contagious illnesses. Additionally, the final decision regarding guest involvement in physically delivering enrichment items lies with the animal care team’s discretion to ensure a secure and enriching experience for all.
We highly encourage guests to wear closed-toed shoes during this tour. No touching or petting of any animals will be permitted. Guests will not provide enrichment directly to foxes, caracals or any of the primate species. Guests may have the opportunity to provide enrichment to warthogs, red river hogs, nyala, giraffes or lorikeets at the animal care teams’ discretion, but this is not a guarantee. In most cases, this will likely still include a barrier between the guests and the animals. While we are hopeful that the animals will interact with the enrichment provided, there is a possibility that the animals will choose not to interact.
Other Wild Experiences
Get up close and personal with Safari West’s most massive inhabitants! Journey out to the white rhino paddock with one of our keepers in this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience. Get so close you can hear these multi-ton mammals breathing! During this intimate experience, you’ll come face-to-face with a southern white rhinoceros and come away changed forever.
Pricing: $275 for two guests (adults and children ages 3-12). $50 for each additional adult and $30 for each additional child up to a total of six participants. The experience lasts ~20 minutes and may vary depending on rhinoceros and keeper concerns.
For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.com
Come behind the scenes to see our cheetahs and meet a few other animals along the way.
Pricing: $275 for two guests (adults only) at 10 AM. The experience lasts 45-60 minutes and may vary depending on cheetah and keeper concerns.
For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.com
Step into the world of wildlife care and discover what it takes to ensure the well-being of Safari West’s incredible animals. During this half-day experience, you’ll have the unique opportunity to walk in the shoes of an animal caretaker and get a small taste of the dedication and expertise required to care for the animals that call Safari West home.
This hands-on experience may include feeding antelopes, giraffes, rhinos, and a variety of birds that reside on our 400-acre Wildlife Preserve. With over 1,000 individuals representing more than 80 species, each moment offers a rare insight into how we ensure the health and happiness of our animal residents. While the experience focuses primarily on hoofstock, there may be opportunities to include the aviary if guests express interest in birds. However, visits to the aviary are not guaranteed as part of every Keeper for a Day program and may depend on scheduling availability.
Please note that many of our residents enjoy grass and hay, so guests with allergies should inform us when making their reservation. This tour is also physically demanding and may require lifting hay bales or feed buckets, navigating uneven terrain, and getting in and out of large vehicles.
As you participate, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Safari West cares for its remarkable residents and supports wildlife conservation. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of resilience and discovery—whether it’s the triumph of a successful breeding program or the challenges of protecting endangered species. These moments not only deepen your appreciation for animals but also underscore the importance of conservation in today’s rapidly changing world.
By the end of your journey, you’ll leave with lasting memories, a greater appreciation for the care these animals require, and a renewed commitment to protecting the natural world.
Pricing:
$500 for a maximum of 2 adults.
This is a 1/2-day program from 9:00 AM to Noon and is for adults only.
For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.com
Important Information for Participants
- Allergy Alert: Grass and hay are commonly used for feeding in this program. Guests with allergies to these materials should inform us in advance.
Accessibility: While this experience requires participants to navigate uneven terrain and engage in physically demanding activities, we are happy to discuss accommodations or alternative options to ensure an accessible experience. Please contact us in advance to discuss your needs.
- Rhino Experience
- Get up close and personal with Safari West’s most massive inhabitants! Journey out to the white rhino paddock with one of our keepers in this exclusive behind-the-scenes experience. Get so close you can hear these multi-ton mammals breathing! During this intimate experience, you’ll come face-to-face with a southern white rhinoceros and come away changed forever.
Pricing: $275 for two guests (adults and children ages 3-12). $50 for each additional adult and $30 for each additional child up to a total of six participants. The experience lasts ~20 minutes and may vary depending on rhinoceros and keeper concerns.
For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.com
- Cheetah Experience
- Come behind the scenes to see our cheetahs and meet a few other animals along the way.
Pricing: $275 for two guests (adults only) at 10 AM. The experience lasts 45-60 minutes and may vary depending on cheetah and keeper concerns.
For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.com - Keeper for a Day
Step into the world of wildlife care and discover what it takes to ensure the well-being of Safari West’s incredible animals. During this half-day experience, you’ll have the unique opportunity to walk in the shoes of an animal caretaker and get a small taste of the dedication and expertise required to care for the animals that call Safari West home.
This hands-on experience may include feeding antelopes, giraffes, rhinos, and a variety of birds that reside on our 400-acre Wildlife Preserve. With over 1,000 individuals representing more than 80 species, each moment offers a rare insight into how we ensure the health and happiness of our animal residents. While the experience focuses primarily on hoofstock, there may be opportunities to include the aviary if guests express interest in birds. However, visits to the aviary are not guaranteed as part of every Keeper for a Day program and may depend on scheduling availability.
Please note that many of our residents enjoy grass and hay, so guests with allergies should inform us when making their reservation. This tour is also physically demanding and may require lifting hay bales or feed buckets, navigating uneven terrain, and getting in and out of large vehicles.
As you participate, you’ll gain a deeper understanding of how Safari West cares for its remarkable residents and supports wildlife conservation. Along the way, you’ll hear stories of resilience and discovery—whether it’s the triumph of a successful breeding program or the challenges of protecting endangered species. These moments not only deepen your appreciation for animals but also underscore the importance of conservation in today’s rapidly changing world.
By the end of your journey, you’ll leave with lasting memories, a greater appreciation for the care these animals require, and a renewed commitment to protecting the natural world.
Pricing:
$500 for a maximum of 2 adults.
This is a 1/2-day program from 9:00 AM to Noon and is for adults only.For details and to book, please email or call Marie Martinez:
Phone: 707-566-3623
mmartinez@safariwest.comImportant Information for Participants
- Allergy Alert: Grass and hay are commonly used for feeding in this program. Guests with allergies to these materials should inform us in advance.
Accessibility: While this experience requires participants to navigate uneven terrain and engage in physically demanding activities, we are happy to discuss accommodations or alternative options to ensure an accessible experience. Please contact us in advance to discuss your needs.