Both the zoo and safari park have dozens of species of animals living in awe-inspiring habitats. See what makes the residents of each park unique.
Closeup of a Baby Orangatang at the San Diego Zoo
The Animals of the San Diego Zoo
The San Diego zoo has hundreds of animals in their own exhibits, plus a few exhibits themed around different habitats around the globe.
Mother Hippo Helping Baby Swim at the San Diego Zoo
Animal Exhibits
As one of the most diverse zoos in all of the U.S., the San Diego Zoo contains over 700 different species of animals housed in dozens of carefully crafted exhibits. See everything from amur leopards to zebras!
Animal species you won’t want to miss include:
- California condors
- Rhinos
- Penguins
- Snakes
- Bears including polar bears, grizzlies, and sun bears
- Sloths
- Big cats like cheetahs, jaguars, tigers, and lions
- Apes including bonobos, lemurs, and endangered species of monkeys
Giraffes Reaching for Food at the San Diego Zoo
Urban Jungle
The Urban Jungle exhibit is a recreation of an African plain right in San Diego. See Masai giraffes and Soemmerring’s gazelles. Kids can offer food to the animals using the exhibit’s feeding stations.
Aviary Inside the San Diego Zoo
Scripps Aviary
Scripps Aviary contains over 200 species of birds, all of which are native to the jungles of Africa. With everything from tropical parrots to lesser-known endangered species, watch birds fly overhead as you trek through an indoor rainforest.
Elephant Odyssey at the San Diego Zoo
Elephant Odyssey
See both Asian and African elephants in the Elephant Odyssey exhibit. This habitat also includes reptiles, birds, amphibians, and exotic creepy-crawlies.
The Habitats of the Safari Park
Rather than creating individual exhibits for each animal species, the San Diego Safari Park’s exhibits are designed for many species of Asian and African animals to share the same space. Seeing the wild animal park’s recreations of jungles, savannas, and plains habitats feels like touring the world without ever leaving San Diego.
While many exhibits at the safari park are similar to zoo enclosures on a grander scale, the big star of the show is the sheer size of exhibits there, especially the open Savannah area. Since the safari park is much larger, its exhibits let you feel like you’re experiencing the wilds of Africa and Asia firsthand.
Cheetahs Relaxing at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
African Plains
The African Plains exhibit spans hundreds of acres and includes dozens of species, from giraffes and zebras to lions and cheetahs.
Rhino at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Asian Savanna
Step across the globe to see animal species native to the savannas of Asia. Take photos of antelope, rhinos, various bird species, and more.
Majestic Tiger at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Tiger Trail
The Tiger Trail is one of the San Diego Safari Park’s most popular exhibits. Enter a tropical Asian rainforest to see these majestic big cats as well as storks, tapirs, birds, and fishing cats.
Elephant Statue at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Elephant Valley
The Elephant Valley is a special enclosure just for the park’s herd of elephants. Guests can see these massive animals from an observation deck and overhead walkway.
Where to Find the Best Animal Exhibits
Both parks put animals at the foreground of their exhibits. While the sheer scale of the safari park is impressive, the San Diego Zoo’s variety and dedication to conservation have made its exhibits truly iconic, making it our top choice.