African Elephant

Where in the Safari Park: Elephant Valley

If you would like to see elephants, you can travel to Africa, of course, but the easiest way to observe these mighty creatures is to come to the Safari Park! We have two large exhibit yards for our African elephant herd. The adults were rescued from Swaziland in 2003, where they were scheduled to be killed due to overpopulation in that area. Since then, we've celebrated the births of several new additions!

From the Elephant Overlook at the north end of Elephant Valley, you can view the elephant barns and holding yards, where the elephants go in the mornings when the keepers are cleaning the spacious main yards and hiding treats for the elephants to discover.

Elephants enjoy a dip in a pool of water, or at least like to get their feet wet. The large pond, shaded with trees, is for our elephants to do just that, and you can observe the action from the Elephant Viewing Patio, located at the south end of Elephant Valley. There are also shade structures made of simulated rock and plenty of room to roam. Our youngsters are especially fun to watch as they splash about or cavort in one of the mud holes. In fact, the little calves seem to entertain guests no matter what they're up to!

When not at the Park, be sure to watch our elephants live on Elephant Cam.

Cheetah Run

Where in the Safari Park: Lion Camp

Daily at 3:30 p.m., weather permitting.

Witness the fastest land mammal up close and personal doing what it does best: run! The new Shiley's Cheetah Run, located near Lion Camp and Balloon Safari, is a unique, jaw-dropping experience. During Cheetah Run, the spotted sprinter races on a straight 330-foot-long track that allows the cheetah to really stretch its legs and reach an astounding speed: 0 to 70 miles per hour in just 4 seconds while chasing a mechanical lure attached to its favorite toy. If you're close enough, you may feel the wind as the cheetah passes by!

Ring-tailed Lemurs

Where in the Safari Park: Lemur Walk

Lemurs are native to Madagascar, an island off the southeast coast of Africa. There are numerous species of lemurs, with ring-tailed lemurs among the most populous and easily recognized with their long nose, big eyes, woolly fur and long, black-and-white-ringed tail. Ring-tailed lemurs are mostly active during the day; unlike other lemurs, they spend more time on the ground than in trees. They are omnivores, eating primarily fruits, leaves, flowers, herbs, bark and sap.

Want to get up close and personal with lemurs? Vist our brand new exhibit, Lemur Walk, in Gorilla Forest at the Safari Park! Lemur Walk is an immersive experience, where guests walk on a pathway through the animals' habitat and can watch the endearing primates socializing, grooming, jumping, climbing and even sunbathing, one of the lemur's favorite pastimes.

Lemur Walk is open daily to guests five years of age and older and is located in the renovated, former gibbon exhibit. For the comfort of the animals, Lemur Walk attendants remind guests not to touch or feed the animals, as tempting as it may be. Lemur Walk at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park is made possible by a gift from the estate of Burdell C. and Erma K. Bulgrin.