Safari West 3-hour tour: Giraffes, rhinos & lemurs

Open-air vehicle puts you face-to-face with giraffes and rhinos across 400 acres.

A 3-hour guided safari tour at Safari West in Sonoma County combines a 2.5-hour open-air vehicle drive through a 400-acre preserve with a walking section through aviaries and animal habitats. You'll encounter giraffes, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest, cape buffalo, lemurs and cheetahs across over 800 animals representing 90 species, led by an expert guide who shares conservation stories. Children must be at least 4 years old and accompanied by an adult. Arrive 15 minutes early. The tour operates rain or shine.

Step-by-step itinerary

Safari adventure at Safari West

• Arrive 15 minutes early
• Climb aboard open-air safari vehicle
• Explore 400-acre wildlife preserve
• See giraffes, zebras, and rhinos
• Listen to guide's conservation stories
• Visit open-air aviary
• Meet lemurs in primate enclosures
• Observe resting cheetahs

The experience

The safari vehicle does the heavy lifting. It's open-air, which means nothing sits between you and the animals moving across the grassland. Your guide drives you through the preserve's wide open spaces where the big animals live, stopping when something worth watching appears. Giraffes stride past, zebras graze in clusters, wildebeest move in groups, and the cape buffalo hold their ground. The southern white rhinos have their own habitat, and the guide fills in the behaviors and conservation work that keeps the preserve running. This part takes about 2.5 hours and covers the terrain on wheels.

After the vehicle returns, you switch to walking. The open-air aviary is next: vibrant birds in a space you move through on foot. Then the primate enclosures, where lemurs are curious and close enough to watch properly. The cheetahs rest under trees in their own area. The walking grounds are on lower terrain and move at your pace, so families with younger kids can linger or move faster depending on what holds their attention. Water bottles are welcome. During summer, the snack bar sells sandwiches, fruit and drinks, and the Savannah Cafe is open for sit-down meals at your own cost.

Bring a camera: the light on the grassland and the animals in motion make for strong shots. Wear closed-toe shoes and layers. Weather changes through the day and the tour runs rain or shine. The experience is almost entirely outdoors, and the vehicle drive crosses rugged terrain, so moderate fitness matters. Service animals are permitted but may have restricted access to some areas due to the proximity of free-roaming wildlife. Contact Safari West in advance if you're bringing one.

What’s included

• Guided 3-hour safari tour with expert guide.
• 2.5-hour open-air vehicle drive through 400-acre preserve.
• walking section through open-air aviary, primate enclosures and cheetah habitat.
• access to over 800 animals across 90 species.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day except Saturday6 departure times: the first at 09:00, the last at 16:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 61 years) · Senior (62 and older) · Youth (13 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 12 years) · Under 4: can't be booked

GroupUp to 9

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Moderate physical effortNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsNot recommended with back problems

Operated by Safari West

Is this one for you?The shared open-air vehicle means you travel with other families and experience the animals as a group, which works well for first-time safari visitors and kids who enjoy seeing other people's reactions. The fixed 3-hour structure, vehicle drive followed by walking, keeps the pace steady and suits families who want guidance rather than choosing their own route through the preserve.

Traveler reviews

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (13 to 17 years); Child (4 to 12 years). Children under 4 can't be included in the booking.

Can I bring my 4-year-old on the safari vehicle, or do strollers work?

Children aged 4 and up can ride the safari vehicle with an adult. This is the minimum age and the policy is strictly enforced. Strollers are welcome on the lower walking grounds (the aviary, gift shop, café and guest areas), but cannot go on the safari vehicle itself.

What animals will I actually see on the 3-hour tour?

The safari vehicle section takes you through habitats where giraffes, rhinos, zebras, wildebeest and cape buffalo roam across the 400-acre preserve. After the drive, the walking section includes an open-air aviary with vibrant birds, primate enclosures with lemurs, and cheetahs resting in their own area. The preserve holds over 800 animals across 90 species.

Is the tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?

Much of the walking grounds (the aviary, gift shop, café and restrooms) are wheelchair accessible. The standard safari vehicle is not wheelchair accessible by default, but Safari West has one specialized paratransit vehicle available by advance reservation only. Contact them directly by phone to book and discuss what works best for your visit.

What should I wear and bring for a 3-hour safari in Sonoma County?

Wear closed-toe shoes and layers, since weather changes through the day and the tour runs rain or shine. Bring a camera for the animals and landscape. Water bottles are welcome on the vehicle. During summer months, the snack bar is open during the tour break, and you can buy sandwiches, fruit and drinks. The Savannah Cafe is also available for meals at your own expense.

How rough is the vehicle drive, and who shouldn't go?

The safari vehicle crosses rugged terrain for about 2.5 hours, so moderate physical fitness is needed. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy, as the uneven ground may cause discomfort. Arrive 15 minutes before your scheduled time.