Roar and Snore: An All-Night Adventure
Guests should pack an overnight bag along with their sense of adventure when they embark upon an exclusive camping safari at the San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park. Campers may fall asleep to the deep guttural reverberation of lions roaring and awaken to elephants’ trumpet blasts just yards away. The “Roar & Snore” sleepover experience combines the fun of camping with idyllic views and close-up wildlife encounters February through November.
From a Wild West evening to a Butterfly Bash, the sleepover themes change nearly every month and guests can have a completely different adventure each time.
The all-inclusive overnight outing includes a range of safari-tented accommodations, dinner and breakfast, private guided walking tours and the rare opportunity to experience the Wild Animal Park at night. And with 10 new programs to choose from, each night is a special event from beginning to end.
Nestled in a scenic grove, the campground overlooks East Africa, an expansive 65-acre enclosure where hundreds of rare and exotic animals roam. Rhinoceroses meander by the campsite, close enough that guests can hear the crackling of leaves underfoot. Giraffes, gazelles and wildebeest can be spotted at a waterhole nearby. Exotic animal ambassadors visit the campsite and guests come face to face with animals such as alligators and African crested porcupines.
The Park’s Classic canvas safari tents comfortably accommodate up to four people, offering sleeping pads, and camp chairs. At an additional cost, the Classic tents can be upgraded to Vista, which offer spectacular views of East Africa.
Comfy canvas Premium tents, accentuated with African decor, offer guests a queen-size platform bed with sleeping bags and pillows. Premium tents are placed next to the African elephant exhibit and come complete with electricity, camp chairs, a storage trunk, nightstand and a welcome gift. Premium tents can accommodate a couple or families of four by adding six-foot-long cots with sleeping bags.
Roar & Snore is offered on Fridays and Saturdays – with select Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays. There are Adults-only Nights for 21 and older, Family Nights for families with children 6 and older and Junior Nights for families with children 3 to 5, a night when younger siblings are allowed to camp also. Guests 21 and over may purchase beer and wine. Check the Wild Animal Park’s Web site www.wildanimalpark.org for special themes during the year.
Tents are provided, but guests are encouraged to bring appropriate overnight toiletries, a sleeping bag and pillow. Bags and pillows may be rented for an additional charge. Premium tent accommodations include sleeping bags and pillows.
Reservations are required. Prices range from $109 to $225 for those 12 and older, $109 to $190 for children ages 6 to11, plus cost of Park admission for nonmembers. Children younger than 3 are $29 on Junior Nights, Prices are based upon tent location and accommodations (Classic, Vista or Premium.) Group rates are available. For more information call 619-718-3000 or 800-407-9534 or visit www.wildanimalpark.org.
The 1,800-acre San Diego Zoo’s Wild Animal Park is operated by the not-for-profit San Diego Zoo and includes a 900-acre native species reserve. The organization focuses on conservation and research work around the globe, educates millions of individuals a year about wildlife and maintains accredited horticultural, animal, library and photo collections. The Zoo also manages the San Diego Zoo in downtown San Diego, and the San Diego Zoo’s Institute for Conservation Research. The important conservation and science work of these entities is supported in part by The Foundation of the Zoological Society of San Diego.
