Safari West Introduces “Arlo”
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Last week, I took my family on an African safari—without ever leaving Sonoma County. We visited Safari West, a 400-acre wildlife preserve home to over 400 species of African mammals and birds from around the globe. Located about an hour north of the Golden Gate Bridge and just 15 minutes from downtown Santa Rosa, it's an easy escape into nature.
This was my fifth visit to Safari West, and each time I go, I find myself falling more in love with the place. It’s no wonder AAA calls it a one-of-a-kind adventure, and Sunset Magazine has recognized it as one of the top destinations in the western United States.
Our visit began with a delightful welcome from a group of guinea fowl, which paraded around the grounds. They're not just charming—they play an essential role in keeping the bug population in check and helping to keep rattlesnakes away from the areas where visitors roam.
View from our deck.
While waiting for the truck to take us to our cabin, my daughter and her friend wandered over to see the ring-tailed lemurs from Madagascar. These curious creatures live on an island surrounded by a pond filled with large koi and a local residential egret. We learned a couple of fun facts: if you meow at them, they’ll meow right back! And, contrary to what the movie Madagascar suggests, lemurs live in a matriarchal society. Sorry, King Julien—it's the women who hold the power here!
When our jeep arrived, a friendly young man helped us with our luggage and drove us to our tent cabin. Safari West has 30 tent cabins and one cottage. While all of them are fantastic, Cabin 18 stands out—it’s the only one that borders the pasture with the giraffes, and that’s where we stayed. What an incredible experience!
Weekends fill up quickly, but Safari West also offers tours for day visitors. Still, I highly recommend staying overnight to fully immerse yourself in the experience. Plus, overnight guests receive a discount on the safari tour.
The tent cabins are lovely—featuring beautiful hardwood floors, electricity, and plumbing. The deck includes a table and chairs with a stunning view, along with a cooler stocked with bottled water and a bag of ice. Nights can get chilly, but they provide space heaters and electric blankets to ensure everyone stays warm. The beds are also very comfortable, making for a cozy and restful stay.
Kimberly was our Behind the Scenes tour guide.
That afternoon, we were treated to an incredible behind-the-scenes tour with our guide, Kimberly. One of the highlights was the hands-on feeding experience, where we got to learn more about the animals' behaviors and habitats.
Our first stop was feeding Wiley, the African Gray parrot. The kids were beyond excited, as they had never had the chance to feed a parrot before. Next, we fed the four adorable porcupines, who quickly stole my heart with their faces that reminded me of the guinea pigs from my childhood. Then it was time to feed the sweet and beautiful warthogs, Lulu and Hannah.
After that, we had the chance to feed the gentle giraffes, who are surprisingly cow-like—no top teeth, just lower incisors and back molars, and they even burp up their food! Our final feeding stop was the aviary, where we got to hand-feed spoonbills, ibises, and more.
This wasn't your typical petting zoo, and visitors are only allowed to feed the animals under supervision, making this a truly special and unique experience for all of us.
After feeding all the animals, we were ready for dinner, which we had brought with us after reading in reviews that the meals at Safari West could be pricey. But honestly, the food looked and smelled amazing, and everyone seemed really pleased. The prices were actually quite reasonable. It’s a buffet-style meal, making it a great opportunity to mingle with other guests. I think we missed out on that experience. However, eating on the deck was a lovely alternative.
After dinner, we were invited to roast marshmallows and enjoy hot chocolate around the open fire pit—a perfect way to relax before heading back to our cabin for bed.
A couple of things to keep in mind: There’s cell phone reception, but only with AT&T, and they offer internet service in the dining area. If you’re craving entertainment, I’d suggest bringing a book, playing cards, or just sitting on the deck to enjoy the stars.
I also saw some reviews where people mentioned being disturbed by the animal noises, especially early in the morning. I was woken up by the calls of a bird aptly named the crested screamer, along with the echoing “merp” sounds from the flamingos. But honestly, this is all part of the charm of Safari West, and I wouldn't have it any other way. From the deck of my cabin, I had a sweeping view of a large enclosure with antelope, giraffes, and various birds roaming freely. The room rate also includes a full continental breakfast, complete with freshly squeezed orange juice.
Robert is one of the many great tour guides.
We booked a 10am Safari tour and met our guide, Robert. Unfortunately, it started to drizzle that morning, but there were a few perks to the rain. First, they provided us with adorable ponchos. Second, since the giraffes stay indoors when it rains, we got the chance for an up-close visit to the giraffe barn. By the time 10am rolled around, the rain had let up, and we enjoyed a dry ride with all the added benefits.
The safari vehicle is a truck with three rows of seats arranged in a stadium-style setup, plus a row of seats directly above the driver. Naturally, that’s where my group ended up sitting. They rotate the seating so everyone gets a chance at the top, but since no one else wanted to sit there, my group got the prime spot for the entire ride!
We spent over two hours touring the property, soaking in expert commentary from Robert. Along the way, we saw and learned about the giraffes, Watusi cattle, wildebeests, zebras, and cape buffaloes—the fifth most dangerous animal in Africa (with mosquitoes taking the top spot).
We wrapped up the tour with a 40-minute walk, where we visited the cheetahs, lemurs, and monkeys, and had another chance to visit the giraffe barn and aviary.
I’ve read some reviews mentioning that Safari West is pricey, but compared to an African safari, it’s much more affordable—and with no need for yellow fever or gamma globulin shots, malaria pills, or concerns about Ebola. Personally, I found the costs to be just right. The only expense I wasn’t fully prepared for was tipping. I have to say, the staff is truly exceptional. The tour guides and all the staff really deserve a tip for their outstanding service.
While weekend rates are a bit higher, I don’t think it’s overpriced at all. However, there are definitely ways to save:
Enter Promo Code: SAFARI for 10% off your classic safari tour – limited offer – Restrictions Apply. Excluding Saturdays and Holidays.
Plan your Spring escape at Safari West and enjoy an unforgettable adventure in the heart of nature with this Big Savings: All-in-One Package!
AAA members can enjoy a discount.
Safari West is dedicated to raising awareness about exotic animals, fostering understanding through direct interaction, and supporting the conservation of endangered species. They are a member of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) and offer fantastic educational programs for kids. Many of the animals at Safari West are born on-site, though a few are acquired from other zoos. They also focus on captive breeding programs for endangered species.
Safari west has a new and exciting partnership to share with you! We have partnered with Zoolife, the world’s first online zoo, to show a livestream of our giraffe tower and the animals they live with, 365 days a year.
To reserve a tour, overnight stay, or learn more about their educational programs and conservation initiatives, visit Safari West at www.safariwest.com or call (707) 579-2551. Be sure to make reservations in advance!
