Visit Safari West, African Preserve on Vacations
Wildlife Attractions in Wine Country North of San Francisco
Feb 10, 2009
A visit to Safari West is a rare vacation. This attraction is not a just a zoo nor a drive by animal park, it is a Wildlife Preserve established to give people an education of exotic wild animals. While this is not a substitute for a vacation to Africa to go on a safari, Safari West is a fun experience available to many people who may not have the money to travel to Africa nor be physically able to travel.
A Zebra, a Giraffe, and a Cheetah (and many more) and wild birds are what people see as they travel on these Safari tours at this Wildlife Preserve. It makes sense that Safari West is in the same region where Jack London lived. Jack, famous for his books of wildlife, escaped himself from factories and city of Oakland to nature.
"All I wanted," Jack London wrote about the countryside of Sonoma, "was a quiet place in the country to write and loaf in and get out of Nature that something which we all need, only the most of us don't know it." This excerpt is found at the Sonoma Parks website.
In preparation for this vacation, families may read London’s stories like “Michael, Brother of Jerry” about rough treatment towards animals, before their vacation, and then escape their own daily challenges to learn about nature and wildlife conservation.
Savings for Family Vacations
A tip to save money is Safari West is available during the winter months on Thursday - Sunday at a lower admission. People may reserve Safari tours in advance only, tickets for adults range from $55 - $58; and children ages 3-12 from $18-$20; infants 1-2 from $2 - $5; lower than regular admission during the summer peak period. Prices range from $170 - $295 per night for the overnight African tent accommodations based on season and day of the week. Call (707) 579-1441 or (800) 616-2695.
What is Safari West?
Safari West, a non-profit foundation, was established by Peter and Nancy Lang in1989 with their mission, “wildlife preservation through breeding, education, research and public interaction." This along with a list of the many species of animals may be found on Safari West's website.
Peter grew up with his father’s inspiration, who was a film and television director of wildlife shows like Flipper and Seahunt. Nancy, with a PhD in Zoological Biology and a raptor specialist, met Peter on a Safari holiday in Africa.
Guided Safari tours and hikes are available for people to see over 400 exotic species throughout 400 acres in Northern California’s wine country. People will stay in camping accommodations of African tent camps with wooden floors which have private restrooms or in cottages. They eat dinner in an African style dining hall.
Advance reservations are required for entry into this Wildlife Preserve. There are 3-4 types of guided Safari jeep tours available which takes people over rough and uneven roads and estimated 2-3 hours in length, followed by a walk in the lower preserve. People are not allowed to touch animals nor wander through the grounds by themselves which is primarily for their own protection. Be sure to inquire when the hikes guided by Nancy Lang, founder, are given.
All proceeds go to development and education of the Wildlife Preserve. Groups may reserve special events, workshops and classes in advance. Tours are accessible for handicap persons, although roads are rough.
Different ways of contributing to this Wildlife Preserve are by adopting an animal or volunteering in different programs which may be found on the website.
Safari West, an African Wildlife Preserve and Tent Camp, is located in the heart of Northern California’s wine country between Sonoma and Napa at 3115 Porter Creek Road, Santa Rosa, CA, 95404. This is a fantastic family vacation trend which people may experience an African Safari close to home, learn about wildlife preservation, and is less expensive to travel this year.
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