Hi all!

I found a few questions but very little replies about this in several really old posts. Does anyone have any experience with "Safari West" in Santa Rosa? It is a hotel you can stay in with an authentic (or as close to it as you can get) African Safari experience. My one concern is, well, is it cool/fun/nice, etc.? My second concern is can anyone attest to the treatment and conditions of the animals. I am not exactly an animal rights activist, but I do get a little appalled at smaller zoos that keep their animals in tiny cages. I am guessing that isn't an issue there but I want to check. Any and all input would be appreciated!

Also, if you really want to go crazy and suggest other area to-do's feel free. Thanks!

This is not a zoo. It's a private land separated by some fences so the species won't mix. The animals roam free, this is why there are no visitors allowed, only in their own safari vehicles.

We did not stay overnight, only saw the "tents" - something between a tent and a hotel room.

i would never consider safari west a hotel. it really is a beautiful animal sanctuary.

it was started by peter and nancy lang as a wildlife preserve for african herbavores.
these animals roam freely over hundreds of acres. visitors are taken in jeeps - similar to an african safari to view these animals lounging in natural habitat.
there is also an amazing aviary that the visitors are guided through.

in the past few years, they have added some carnivores.
we were there having dd's birthday party when they first brought in 3 adorable cheetah cubs.

most people do day trips. you can also opt for having lunch or dinner before or after the safari.
they provide a great barbeque and if peter is tending it, you are in for a treat. he has some amazing stories about his life in africa.

if you want a safari camp experience, there are luxurious tents for overnight stays.

i unconditionally recommend safari west. i have no affiliation to it but have been there many times over the past several years.
we have had many day and overnight celebrations there as well.

i plan to return once again in sep/oct with a 95 year old animal loving friend.

Great help you two! From what research I had done it sounded really cool, but I really wanted to be SURE I would not be revolted when I got there. On that subject, never go to the Erie Pennsylvania zoo. Tiny cages.

Thanks!

i am so glad to hear that! i've always wanted to do the luxury safari but i don't want to see anything run down and kill each other so everyone suggests to me maybe i should just go to wild africa safari but this might be a better option

Their safari vehicles have green fabric cover, and when we were on a tour, a giraffe came up and started to chew on our "roof," it was so cute!

I like Safari West very much. It's a good option for someone who would like to go on an African safari without the long flight, cost, inoculations and malaria medicine.

I've never spent the night, but I've seen the tent cabins, and they are gorgeous with hand built wooden furniture and fixtures, and upscale amenities.

I took my 80 year old mother to Safari West and she loved it. At that point she certainly was not going to Africa. I've been to Africa once, and it is truly awesome and life changing, but the preparation and getting there was brutal.

Here's a link which answers questions about the breeding program and treatment of the animals. http://www.safariwest.com/faqs/#faqitem5

abranz said it so very well ! Yes, a beautiful wild animal sanctuary. We've been up there for a tour numerous times and an overnight is in the works ! I never even thought that some would think you'd be able to go there and see the animals hunt each other-or you, LOL ! The enclousres are acres in size
so the animals roam as they naturally would.
Just a wonderful experience !

R5

Are the habitats separate then? I myself am no TOO worried if I witnessed an animal hunting/eating another one, but I guess my wife might. I've seen enough discovery channel that I would be fine...probably would intentionally look away, but no nightmares.

Kinda off subject, has anyone seen any nature flicks where killer whales technically hydroplane up onto the very shallows of a beach to catch seals? Absolutely amazing that an animal that large can move that fast and actually hydroplane on such a thin amount of water. I would LOVE to see this in person...at least the hydroplane part and not necessarily the seal being snacked on. In case you are curious, here is a link for a youtube video. Not necessarily for the squeemish as the seal does get caught in this one (couldn't find one of the whale missing).

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pNnx_X5ue2c

I have stayed overnight there and it was wonderful. The tents are luxury level with their own bathroom, comfy beds. The one I rented was very near the gifaffe compound and there was a new baby, which we got to see learning how to run---fabulous. They do have 2 cheetahs, that are in their own enclosure so no worries about seeing something get hunted/eaten. And those that spend the night are allowed to go out on certain trails early in the morning (try to go on a full moon, so there is some light). Can you tell I would go again in a heartbeat. I hope you decide to go.

I actually had a few questions about Safari West myself...from what I hear it is an amazing place and is different from other animal shelters and zoos. However, I was wondering if anyone here knew where/how they get their animals?

6 year old thread, may want to start a new one.

jebweb: In the time it took to search for and top this old thread you could have easily found all the info you need on-line. Safari West is a well know conservation-based and accredited non-profit zoo and participates in breeding programs of endangered and extinct-in-the wild animals.