San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park

The San Diego Zoo's Wild Animal Park is located on 1,800 acres 35 miles north of San Diego, outside of Escondido. The Wild Animal Park holds around 3,500 animals representing over 400 species, many of them endangered. What makes the Wild Animal Park unique is that many of the animals roam freely in vast enclosures, allowing animals to interact with other species, much as they would in their native habitat. Over 600 animals are born every year in the park.

The 5-mile Wgasa Bush Line Railway, which is included in the price of admission, is the central focus of the park. This guided 60-minute monorail ride passes through the rolling landscape of East and North Africa, the Asian Plains, a Eurasian Waterhole, South Africa, and the Mongolian Steppe. Herds of antelope, rhinos, elephants and giraffes are among the hundreds of animals that you might see roaming throughout your tour. Your guide will point out and name animals as they come into view, and provide you with information on their native habitat, physical characteristics, eating habits and social behavior. The animals have room to behave naturally, which makes this guided excursion different each time you take it, as even the safari guides aren't sure what sights you might see around each curve. With your safari guide providing the fascinating narrative about our breeding programs, the Wgasa Bush Line Railway lets you see why the Wild Animal Park is a truly special place.